Results 2,601-2,620 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Contracts (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: While I understand that some departments and agencies have on occasion entered into third party contracts of the type referred to by the Deputy I am advised that this is not a regular practice in the case of my own Department and agencies. However, I am  advised that Screen Ireland, under its remit to support Irish film, television and animation has engaged the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Capital Programme (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects including swimming pools with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027.  Provisional allocations totalling €77.4m for 25 projects under Stream 2 (construction) of the LSSIF were announced on 10...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 146, 149 and 151 together. I am acutely aware of the need to support our arts, culture and events sectors through these challenging times.  I have been in regular and sustained contact with a broad range of stakeholders over the past weeks and months. I have had bilateral engagements with a wide range of stakeholders and agencies under the aegis of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: A Tourism Recovery Taskforce (TRT) was appointed in May to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which includes a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the crisis. The Taskforce comprised an independent chairperson and 13 other members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds including tourism policy,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Future of Media Commission (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: In recognition of the importance of a sustainable Irish media sector, the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission, which is tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. On 29 September 2020 the Government agreed the terms of reference and membership of the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Minister Martin and I have ongoing engagement with stakeholders in the sports sector, as do the officials in my Department. The engagement has taken many forms from virtual one to one meetings with National Governing Bodies of sport to larger group meetings, also conducted virtually. There are two main groups which engage with the sector, they are the “Expert Group on Return to...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Budget 2021 included a number of substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector and are supplemented by the economy-wide business supports and social welfare measures. As part of the Budget package of measures, €55 million has been provided for Business Continuity Schemes for strategic tourism businesses to help them survive through the pandemic and be there to...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sport and Recreational Development (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: On 2 November, Minister Martin and I announced details of an €85 million funding package for the Irish sport sector, which has been significantly impacted by the various COVID-19 restrictions imposed since March 2020. The funding, which is being allocated by Sport Ireland, will address the existential threat to National Governing Bodies and their club networks, allowing...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Policy (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: In line with Government's Global Ireland 2025 initiative, Ireland aims to share our culture more widely and deepen our global links. Through the promotion of Irish arts and culture to new audiences and new generations it is proposed to increase awareness of Ireland’s creative strengths and valued heritage and thereby encourage visitors to Ireland for tourism, education...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Policy (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: My Department is actively using electronic social media, alongside traditional print and broadcast media, to raise awareness and interest amongst the public in the arts and Irish culture. My Department’s Twitter feed has 12,500 followers, the Facebook page has 8,250 followers and 6,800 people follow my Department’s activities on Instagram. The stories and content broadcast...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: While absolutely necessary to protect us all, the impact of the public health guidelines has been extremely challenging for the sectors supported by my Department. Tourism, Arts and Culture, Gaeltacht and the Irish language, Media and Sport are integral to our society; supporting economic activity, as well as enhancing physical, mental and societal well-being. The public-facing and audience...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The new Covid-19 grant schemes provide support for the three main field sports organisations (the FAI, GAA and IRFU), a Resilience Fund to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport, a Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs, and a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund.  The funding, which is allocated by Sport...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Schools Extra Curricular Activities (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The organisation and delivery of inter-school sport competition is a matter for the Department of Education and the educational institutions concerned. I have no statutory role to exercise in that context. School sport is an important part of the overall Irish sporting landscape and makes a positive contribution to the promotion and achievement of more physically active lifestyles by its...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Olympic Games (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: There has been, and will continue to be, a regular, ongoing engagement with the sports sector as a whole, including with the body referred to by the Deputy. Senior players on the Irish women's hockey team are already included within the scope of the limited exemption available in the current public health regulations for professional and elite sport. In addition to direct engagement with...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Swimming Pool Programme Status (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP)  provides grant aid towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. To date 52 pools have been completed and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain.Exchequer support for any new swimming pools is now being provided under the Large Scale Sport...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Museum Projects (24 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: In its 2016 survey, the Irish Museums Association, which itself receives an annual subvention from my Department, cited approximately 230 museums operational in Ireland. This, of course, includes the National Museum of Ireland (NMI), which is located in four premises, detailed below. Dublin: - The Archaeology & History Dept. at Kildare Street. - The Natural History Museum at Merrion...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Project Funding (24 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Budget 2021 included a number of substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector and these are supplemented by the economy-wide business supports and social welfare measures. However, funding for the zoo and aquarium sector is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and in that regard I am pleased to note that funding of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: My Department strives to ensure that there is an appropriate focus on best procurement practice and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines to the greatest extent possible. Where exceptions do arise, as provided for under the provisions of Department of Finance Circular 40/02, the Department provides the details of such instances to the Comptroller and...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Fáilte Ireland (24 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The administration of the COVID-19 Adaptation Fund is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The allocations made by Sport Ireland under the Covid-19 grant funding schemes, including allocations made under the Club Resilience Fund, were announced on 2 November. A breakdown of the amounts allocated under each of the schemes is available on the Sport Ireland website at the following link: . I am informed by Sport Ireland that an amount of up to €15 million was available under...