Results 20,301-20,320 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Hospitality Sector: Hospitality Sector (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Tackling the over-capacity that undoubtedly exists in the hotel sector at present is complex and, ideally, requires a market led response over time. As I have said in reply to earlier Questions, 2010 is likely to be another tough year in the hotel sector, with further adjustments taking place as the market responds to excess room supply. The current position is that NAMA completed the...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body responsible for the promotion, development and coordination of sport. The ISC was established on a statutory basis on 1st July 1999, and the functions of the Council are outlined in Section 6 of the Irish Sports Council Act 1999. A network of 32 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) have been set up...

Written Answers — Irish National Opera: Irish National Opera (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The decision to found Irish National Opera was announced by my predecessor in December last. The new Irish company will receive part of its income from the State as grant aid and it will be expected to generate the balance of its operating costs. Grant-aid to two existing companies - Opera Ireland and Opera Theatre Company – will cease once the new company is up and running as their...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Foreign visitors to Ireland from many of the countries identified as "New and Developing Markets" require visas to enter Ireland. Tourism Ireland's review of New and Developing Markets - including India, China and 17 other markets - in late 2007, found that visitors from these markets stay twice as long as the average holidaymaker, have the highest spend per visit and have a higher...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Since my appointment last March as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport I have not had the opportunity to meet with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to specifically discuss access to broadband facilities, although I obviously meet with all of my Cabinet colleagues on a very regular basis. The matter of broadband access has however, been raised on a number of...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: In 2004, Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann launched a five-year Capital Development Programme with the aim of enhancing its network of regional development resource centres and outreach centres around the country, in order to build on and support its existing activities. Following consultations between my Department, the Department of Finance and the Department of Community, Equality and...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 28 together. My Department has sought the advice of the Attorney General's Office regarding the publication of the report referred to by the Deputies and I am currently considering the advice received. As I have previously stated in the House, from a legal perspective, I have no role in the day to day operations of the ISC. Under Section 9 of the Irish...

Written Answers — National Archives: National Archives (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is a matter for the Commissioners of Public Works to supply when they have finalised costed proposals and estimates to remedy the National Archives storage provision. In relation to the National Archives from the policy perspective, I would refer the Deputy to my answer to Questions 42 and 43 of 19th May last. The principal National Archives...

Written Answers — National Cultural Institutions: National Cultural Institutions (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Whilst my Department provides funding to the National Cultural Institutions, the Board of each Institution is responsible for all operational matters relating to the institution, including opening hours, and I do not have a statutory function in respect of day-to-day operational matters. The opening hours at the National Cultural Institutions is a matter which is kept routinely under review...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The Carlow Visual Centre for Contemporary Art project received funding of €3.17 million from my Department's ACCESS programme. The funding was a contribution towards the construction of a new custom built visual arts centre for large scale artworks and studio space for artists. The project has received critical acclaim and won the RIAI's award for Best Cultural Building, 2010. The total...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: My Department to date has taken a range of measures to optimise the use of resources across its agencies. There has been considerable re-organisation of tourism structures in the last decade, including the establishment of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the re-organisation of regional tourism structures. These organisations are aware of the need to ensure maximum return on the funds...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Under the Artists Tax Exemption Scheme, the income accruing to a writer, composer, visual artist or sculptor from the publication, production or sale of his/her work is exempt from income tax. The Exemption applies to income tax only and does not extend to VAT. Subsequent to the publication of the Report of the Commission on Taxation last year, my Department engaged extensively with the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I have been informed by the NSCDA that the annual accounts of the Authority are currently being audited by the C&AG. Upon completion of the audit and sign off on the accounts by the C&AG, I expect to receive a copy of the annual report and financial statements for 2009 from the Authority. In accordance with the legislation copies of the report will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Video Game Industry: Video Game Industry (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions lies with the Irish Film Board (IFB). The Irish Film Board is funded by my Department but it is independent of the Department in its operations. An Audiovisual Content Production Industry Strategy Framework Group was established by my Department last...

Written Answers — National Gallery: National Gallery (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 34 together. Remedial and refurbishment works are to be carried out in the National Gallery of Ireland, specifically to the Dargan and Milltown Wings. Problems with the existing roofs in the historic buildings of the National Gallery have been apparent for some time and they need extensive repair. The existing roof lights, replaced in the 1940s, need...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The remit of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport in relation to tourism is to support the growth of a competitive and sustainable tourism industry, enhancing its contribution to national economic and social goals, through the development, implementation and influencing of a range of policy actions and programmes by the Department, its Agencies and other Government Departments, in...

Written Answers — Genealogy Records: Genealogy Records (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: In November 2009, the website www.irishgenealogy.ie was relaunched to include a search facility for the Church records of Baptism, Marriage and Burial for Dublin City and County Kerry. On Wednesday 16th June 2010 I had the pleasure of launching further Church records on this site (along with His Grace, Dr John R.W. Neill Archbishop of Dublin). These additional records include Church of...

Written Answers — Economic Development: Economic Development (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 187 and 188 together. My Department and its associated Agencies and Bodies have fully or partially funded thousands of projects in the tourism, culture and sport sectors, details of which can be found on the Department's corporate website at www.tcs.gov.ie or on the websites of the relevant Agencies. I also meet on an ongoing basis, with tourism, culture...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). This agency is funded through my Department and is independent of the Department in its operations. In terms of value for money, it is worth pointing out that three of the nominations for Academy Awards...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (24 Jun 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Since my appointment as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport on 23 March, 2010, I visited the Department's headquarters in Killarney on one occasion, on the 21st May, 2010. I have also held a number of meetings with Killarney-based staff using the department's video conferencing facilities. I am impressed by how effectively the Department operates from a decentralised location which is...