Results 3,261-3,280 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (22 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Grants for the provision of playing pitches in Gaeltacht areas are currently a matter for the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Cultural Projects (24 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I thank Deputy Costello for raising this matter. The background to the State's involvement with the Light House Cinema is that in February 2006 the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy John O'Donoghue, approved in principle an offer of capital grant assistance of €1 million towards the development of the Light House Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin. The project began construction...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: No decision has been taken yet on a new round of the Sports Capital Programme.

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (29 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. My Department has received a proposal from Cork County Council on behalf of Dunmanway for the refurbishment of the existing pool...

Written Answers — Arts Council: Arts Council (29 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: At present, there are three vacancies on the Board of the Arts Council. The legislation governing the appointment of members to the Board of the Council is contained in Section 11 of the Arts Act 2003. Under the Act, all of the members of the Arts Council are appointed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. The legislation requires that the Council shall consist of a chairperson...

Air Services (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I congratulate Deputy Michael Kitt on being appointed Leas-Cheann Comhairle today. I wish him the best of luck in the role and I am sure he will be very fair like the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Barrett. Direct, convenient and competitive international access by air and by sea is vital for the development of tourism to Ireland, an island destination. It is in that context that the agreed...

Air Services (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I welcome Deputy McConalogue to his position of responsibility as Opposition spokesperson on transport, tourism and sport. I remind him that the line Minister will be Deputy Varadkar; it is simply that the responsibilities he will have not yet been transferred. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, in a interview on a news programme today expressed his disappointment that this charge was imposed....

Tourism Promotion (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: As the Deputy will appreciate the reopening of the Midleton to Youghal railway line is not a matter for me but a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport who will be the Minister with responsibility for tourism shortly. Furthermore, under the National Tourism Development Authority Act, Fáilte Ireland has the devolved function to encourage, promote and support the development...

Tourism Promotion (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I congratulate the Deputy on her election. The fact that her husband is a keen Kerry football supporter makes me even happier that she is a Deputy. As someone who was involved in the completion of a railway project, I am aware of the fascination people have with railways. A strong case can be made for the restoration of any railway line anywhere in the country. One of the major attractions...

Sports Capital Programme (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I welcome the Deputy to the House and acknowledge his particular interest in sport. He has done an enormous amount of work to promote soccer in Wexford. It is great to see the election of sports enthusiasts to the House and I am sure the Deputy will participate in some of our activities in the coming years. A draft national sports facilities strategy has been completed by my Department....

Sports Capital Programme (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I understand the strategy was prepared last summer, but, for whatever reason, it was not published. It will now be managed by the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Ring, and I am sure they will publish it shortly once they have had an opportunity to study it and perhaps insert some of their own ideas. An audit of sports facilities is being...

Sports Capital Programme (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: That is an important question and it is why there is a need for a sports strategy. Previously, the money was either spent under the influence of the Minister or distributed to wealthy clubs that could provide matching funding. Deputy Ring is anxious that the level of matching funding required be lowered in order that clubs throughout the country can avail of this. The wealthier clubs got...

Sports Capital Programme (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Under the sports capital programme, SCP, funding is allocated to sporting, voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level. A total of €33 million has been provided in the Department's Vote in the 2011 Estimates to meet payments in respect of projects that have been allocated funding under the SCP. More than 1,000 payments were made last year to projects being...

Sports Capital Programme (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I thank the Deputy for his positive approach. I agree that a lot can be achieved with a small amount of money. There are many people who are willing to volunteer their services if given the opportunity. I will suggest that the next scheme be more flexible with regard to the input of local labour, which could be considered as the equivalent of matching funding. In this way, much more could...

Arts Strategy (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Our arts, culture and heritage are rooted in the community. That is what makes them so unique and special. A strategy for the arts that does not start from the community is destined to fail. Our arts and cultural activities animate and enliven villages, towns and cities throughout the State, day and night. They draw people out to participate, attend and enjoy. They are the nucleus of a...

Arts Strategy (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: He has a great deal of goodwill towards Kerry.

Arts Strategy (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I thank the Deputy. I agree with all the sentiments she expressed. As a rural Deputy, I am conscious that Arts Council and Government funding must be distributed throughout the country because social and cultural inclusion will not be achieved unless the spend is disbursed nationwide and the necessary facilities are in place in order that people can see drama, visit painting exhibitions and...

National Commemorative Programmes (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: National commemorative programmes are addressed in the first instance by the Department of the Taoiseach in consultation with other Departments and agencies. Having regard to each particular commemorative initiative, implementation arrangements for programmes and events are agreed following consideration of the roles of the interested Departments and agencies. My Department provides...

National Commemorative Programmes (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his remarks. Perhaps he will advise the Taoiseach along those lines. We served on that Oireachtas committee and I thought it was quite effective whenever it met, which was not too often. The important point for the 1916 commemoration is that it should be inclusive. All Members in this House share roots in 1916. All parties go back to 1916 for their origins....

Tourism Promotion (31 Mar 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 7, 11 and 33 together. The new Government fully recognises the significant role the tourism sector can play in Ireland's economic recovery. After a decline in overseas visitor numbers in each of the past three years, we are determined that, in working with the tourism agencies and the industry, 2011 will mark a turning point for the sector and that we see a...