Results 3,061-3,080 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I understand there is actually much uncertainty about activity in the live entertainment sector in the UK. The organisers of Glastonbury cancelled the 2020 event and have now cancelled for a second year. Other festivals have also been cancelled, for instance, the Boomtown Fair music festival. One of the key arts and culture summer events in the UK is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: Although the UK may be ahead of us in vaccinations, we have responded with many supports. Hopefully, it is not too long before we catch up with it in terms of reopening. Rest assured, my officials and I are in engagement with the sector. That is how I started as a Minister and it is how I will continue. I am acutely aware that the sector needs time to plan, rehearse and engage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Project Funding (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: To date, there have been two calls for applications under Platforms for Growth, Fáilte Ireland’s strategic, platform-based approach to large-scale capital investment in tourism product, as referred to in the question submitted by the Deputy, which targets investment in line with specific platforms. Under this overall programme, Fáilte Ireland aims to invest up...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Project Funding (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: Rest assured, having grown up on the Border, it informs much of my thinking on that all-island approach. Of course, Tourism Ireland helps with that too. With regard to other capital investment priorities and capital funding schemes that are under way, funding provided under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 is targeted at helping support and grow tourism in rural communities, in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Project Funding (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: All through that strategy is the protection of the environment and its sustainability. As we emerge from Covid, there is a huge opportunity to tap into that natural beauty we have, while protecting our environment and promoting joined-up thinking when it comes to tourism. We must tap into local attractions, cycling and walking routes, as well as local food products. That will be good for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Arts Funding (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: Life Worth Living, the report of the arts and culture recovery task force was published in November 2020.  It made ten recommendations.  The introduction to the report suggested the establishment of a cross-sectorial implementation group to oversee and monitor the implementation of these recommendations. Several of the recommendations are in train or have already been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Arts Funding (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: On a personal level, I have spoken of my support for and have also written about a basic income for artists. Universal basic income is also core to Green Party policy. Work is being done on this matter. It has gained the support of my colleagues in the Cabinet and the relevant Departments in the oversight group. This work on a basic income for artists is independent of the work of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Promotion (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Government's travel advisory currently in operation against all non-essential international travel, in addition to other public health restrictions, means that, unfortunately, there is virtually no inbound tourism at present. As a result, Tourism Ireland, the body responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday destination, has suspended the majority...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I recognise that protecting workers and retaining tourism jobs and skills is vital to tourism’s recovery. In September 2020, the Tourism Recovery Taskforce submitted a Recovery Plan to me which sets out a number of recommendations, including a recommendation on enhancing sustainable employment, aimed at helping the tourism sector to survive and recover from the pandemic. ...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Government’s COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead plan sets out the Government’s objectives for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy.  The plan committed to the development of sectoral guidance for very large purpose built event facilities, for example: stadia, auditoria, conference and event centres. I...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I am aware of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the visitor attractions and broader tourism sector and most importantly, the people working in the sector.  I am particularly conscious of the reliance of visitor attractions on international visitors and the repercussions of restrictions on international travel for the sector.  As set out in the Tourism Recovery Plan, survival,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The COVID-19 pandemic has utterly changed the operating landscape for the sectors my Department supports.  I recognise the ongoing impact the pandemic and associated public health measures continues to have on these sectors, on the people who work in them and on the communities that depend on them. However, we should also recognise that these tough decisions have enabled all of us,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Stay and Spend scheme was set up late last summer to stimulate demand for accommodation and hospitality businesses during the off season. Established by my colleague Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, this scheme was launched as an innovative approach to incentivise spending. However, public health conditions beyond our control have clearly prevented that. The stop and start...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Artists' Remuneration (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report titled Life Worth Living, was published in November 2020 and made ten recommendations for the sector.   The recommendations included a proposal to pilot a universal basic income scheme for a three-year period in the arts, culture, audiovisual and live performance and events sectors. The Taskforce was of the view that a pilot basic...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Future of Media Commission (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Future of Media Commission held its inaugural meeting on 29 October 2020.  Since then, the commission has engaged comprehensively with stakeholders, including broadcasters, journalists, publishers, regional media and the wider public. The first phase of the Future of Media Commission public consultation, which ran from December 12th 2020 to January 8th 2021, resulted in over 800...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The focus of the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme is to support strategic tourism businesses to offset fixed costs incurred in 2020, particularly those that are ineligible for the CRSS, and support them to continue operating through 2021.  One of the eligibility criteria for the scheme is a minimum annual turnover of €50,000.  The rationale for this threshold is...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 116 together. The Stay and Spend scheme was set up late last summer to provide targeted support in the off season to accommodation and hospitality businesses most affected by continued restrictions. Established by my colleague Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, this scheme was launched as an innovative approach to incentivise spending in tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Policy (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: In 2020, the Department paid €7.1 million to Galway 2020 bringing the overall Department funding paid to Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture to €14 million of a total allocation of €15 million. No funding has been paid to date in 2021. It is envisaged that the remaining €1 million Department commitment will contribute to Galway 2020 legacy...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 105 together. I understand the difficulties current restrictions pose for couples on their special day and the challenges facing all musicians who rely on live performance to sustain their livelihoods on foot of necessary public health restrictions.  I have put in place a range of sector specific supports for musicians, bands and those...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Tourism Business Continuity Scheme is designed to support strategic tourism businesses to survive the pandemic and drive recovery.  This Scheme contributes to the fixed costs of identified tourism businesses that are not eligible for CRSS to support their survival.  Phase One was announced on 1st February by Fáilte Ireland and it provides an equitable level of...