Results 41-60 of 2,805 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: If the Department is entering a contract above a particular sum of money, is there a requirement for it to be cleared by the management team?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: What is that value?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: Any contract above €25,000 must go to the management team. When I asked Mr. Falvey earlier, he said that we all knew in 2018 that the IT system was a problem. The Arts Council was pitching for a replacement in 2018. What was the Department's knowledge of what the cost of the system would be? We knew the system was not adequate. In 2018, was a cost provided to the Department?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: Was that in 2018?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: In 2018, it was €2.87 million. We moved from €2.87 million to €6 million. When did the Department become aware that the cost was starting to go up from €2.87 million?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: To follow the point, I assume the mess that happened in the middle of 2023 was discussed at the management committee because of how serious an issue it was. The then Minister had to go into the Dáil to answer questions and there was widespread coverage in the media. As we have found out, the Arts Council was continuing the same old system but it was clear there were many flaws. In...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: In 2018, the cost was €2.87 million. What was the total in 2023 between capital and current spending?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: This was in mid-2023. We knew the system was a mess and a problem at that stage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that. We know from 2018 that the old system had to be replaced even though, as we have discovered, the Arts Council is still using the old system. Everyone will recall that we knew where the system was in 2023. What happened at the management committee in 2023? We were looking at a cost of €7 million. We knew the system was a mess. The then Minister had to answer...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: Mr. Falvey never knew. He had been told in 2018 that the cost was €2.8 million. All the time, the Department was working on that figure. The Department did not say that the figure had jumped until the then Minister asked the question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: After the debacle in 2023, when we knew the system was not working and the then Minister answered questions in the Dáil, the Department was still working on the basis of the cost estimate of €2.8 million and nobody asked any questions about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: Is there a requirement on any of the agencies if something of concern is reported?

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 17. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on plans to introduce a new local infrastructure housing activation fund-type scheme; if such a scheme could be made available for the St. Waleran’s site in Gorey, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35378/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 122. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the reported major build up and expansion of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, on Ireland's position regarding a potential threat to Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35357/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 126. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade as to whether Ireland supports the right of the Tibetan people to select and appoint their own religious leaders, including the next Dalai Lama; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 127. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will indicate if Ireland has raised the ongoing abuses of the Tibetan people by the Chinese Communist Party at any multilateral for a since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35610/25]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Policies (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 184. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the Private Wires Policy; the likely date for publication; if legislation is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35985/25]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 252. To ask the Minister for Finance for an update on the roll-out of the tax credit for unscripted television productions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36226/25]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Data (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 428. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of available film and television studio space in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36227/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education (26 Jun 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: 245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that provide swimming lessons to pupils; if the aquatics module of the physical education curriculum is offered in all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35185/25]