Results 2,001-2,020 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The main vehicle for capital funding through my Department is the Arts & Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS), under which almost €43 million was provided for some 40 arts and cultural facilities around the country. This scheme commenced in 2001 but many projects are still in the course of completion. The increase in the availability of facilities and the enhancement of...

Written Answers — Sporting Events: Sporting Events (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 40 together. As I informed the House on 26 October, last, Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with the PGA/European Tour, have commissioned Deloitte and Touche to conduct an economic impact assessment on the Ryder Cup in Ireland and I look forward to the results of their work, which are expected early in 2007. In the meantime, the success of Ryder Cup...

Written Answers — National Aquatic Centre: National Aquatic Centre (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 3 given by me in the House today.

Written Answers — National Sports Stadium: National Sports Stadium (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: In November 2005, the Government gave its assent to the commencement of Phase One of the development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown. The estimated overall cost of the Phase One development is €119m and development is scheduled to take place over a 4 to 5 year period. Funds for the delivery of the project have been provided in my Department's capital envelope for 2006-2010. I...

Written Answers — Eating Disorders: Eating Disorders (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Government recognises that investment in sport can yield very tangible returns in improved fitness and health for individuals which can help combat obesity and result in a consequent reduction in the demand on health services. The unprecedented Government investment of €900m in sport since 1997 has enabled the development of modern well equipped and well managed sporting facilities...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I have had a number of meetings with both the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the GAA, most recently last month, at which player welfare issues for inter-county players were discussed. At these meetings and in subsequent letters to both the GPA and the GAA, I have set out the position of the Government on this issue. Firstly, it is entirely a matter for the GAA, as the Governing Body...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Irish Sports Council was set up as a statutory body in July 1999 with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. The Sports Council provides funding to recognised National Governing Bodies (NGBs) including Swim Ireland, the national governing body for swimming and associated aquatic sports. Since 1999, Swim Ireland has...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together. The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. I am arranging for a list of the unsuccessful applications from County Meath for each of 2004, 2005...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 118 together. Tourism is a services industry, which relies heavily on labour, and Irish public policy operates on the basis of seeking to ensure that those in employment are paid fair wages. Our fiscal model also emphasises indirect as opposed to direct taxation. While both these approaches provide a strong economic development impetus, they can impact...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: All the buildings occupied by my Department or by bodies in my Department since 1 January 2003 to date in 2006 are either owned by the State or leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 113 together. Government policy for the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which Government support to the Arts is channelled. Having regard for the statutory functions of the Arts Council as set out in Section 9 of the Arts...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. The 2007 round of the sports capital programme was advertised on 15th and 16th October last. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday last,...

Written Answers — Arts Council: Arts Council (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Question Nos. 114 and 116 together. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following: to stimulate public interest in the arts; to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts; to assist in improving standards in the arts. My...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: On 24th July last, I announced a new scheme to support investment in arts and culture infrastructure. This new scheme called ACCESS II (Arts and Culture Enhancement Support Scheme II) will run from 2007 to 2009. The scheme is intended to provide a further impetus to the development of arts and culture facilities, thereby enhancing the quality of life for our citizens. While the intention...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (30 Nov 2006)

John O'Donoghue: According to the data available to me, Ireland has been outperforming the European average in terms of attracting increased numbers of visitors. International arrivals to Europe, as reported by the UN World Tourism Organisation grew at a rate of 4.0% in 2005, and 3.1% in the first 8 months of 2006. This compares with growth rates for Ireland, as recorded by the CSO, of 6.1% in 2005, and...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (5 Dec 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing Government funding for sports facilities. Projects submitting an application to the programme must be directly related to the provision of sport and recreational sport facilities and be of a capital nature, which, for the purpose of the programme, is defined as: expenditure on the...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (5 Dec 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national levels. Applications for funding under the 2007 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 15 and 16 October last. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 24 November. An application in the name of...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (5 Dec 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Irish Sports Council (ISC) was set up as a statutory body in July 1999 with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. The Sports Council provides funding to recognised National Governing Bodies (NGBs), including Cycling Ireland. NGBs are dealt with as autonomous organisations and grants are allocated under agreed funding...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (5 Dec 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I am happy to place on record the high regard in which both I and my Government colleagues hold Special Olympics Ireland. The programmes, which are implemented by the organisation for people with intellectual disabilities, have a profound positive impact on families and communities. Since 1999, Special Olympics Ireland has received core funding of €4 million from the Irish Sports Council...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (5 Dec 2006)

John O'Donoghue: My Department incurred the following expenditure on consultancy over the years in question. Year â'¬ 2003 759,119 2004 2,165,932 2005 406,103 A total of 52 consultants were employed over this period. My Department observes the Department of Finance Guidelines for Engagement of Consultants in the Civil Service. Every effort is made to ensure that consultants are only employed in...