Results 4,421-4,440 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As Minister, I have overall responsibility for the formulation of national policy in the areas of Arts, Sport and Tourism and, through my Department, for monitoring its implementation. The statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department which have responsibility for the execution of policy are listed in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 and Annual Reports which are available...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (27 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: A range of measures are in place, including login and password security, to ensure that access to personal data held in electronic format is limited only to those staff authorised to carry out duties in relation to such data. This access control is underpinned by Departmental policies and procedures relating to the use of IT facilities. My Department's Information Technology systems are...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (28 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is progressing the development of 57 new or refurbished public swimming pools around the country. Of these, 43 have been grant aided of which 29 have been completed with 14 under construction. These 43 pools represent an investment of some €338m by Local Authorities attracting grant aid of some €129m. My Department is...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As Minister, I have overall responsibility for the formulation of national policy in the areas of Arts, Sport and Tourism and, through my Department, for monitoring its implementation. The agencies under the aegis of my Department which have responsibility for the execution of policy are listed in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 and Annual Reports which are available on my...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (28 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: My Department is completing a Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at present. The Report is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. Thereafter, following consideration of the recommendations in the Report, it is my intention to...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (28 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, grants are allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The organisation in question was provisionally allocated €140,000 under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme. Once the legal requirements are met and the organisation is in a position to submit...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (28 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the schemes administered by my Department are set out in the table below. In addition my Department's Customer Charter sets out the standard of service that users of the Department's services are entitled to expect. The Charter is available on the Department's website http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie. Type of Application Average...

Arts Plan. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Government policy on the arts is set out in the programme for Government and will be elaborated further in my Department's statement of strategy for 2008-10, which is currently being developed. The objective is to encourage and support the strategic development of the arts in local communities, both geographic and communities of interest, for the disadvantaged and for minority groups. In...

Arts Plan. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As applies to sport, there is general agreement that when one invests in hardware such as facilities and bricks and mortar one must be careful to support the software side also, which includes the talent necessary to manage theatres and artistic facilities. I take the point that we must strike a balance between the capital provision of facilities and investment in the talent, skill and...

Arts Plan. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I do not think such a condition exists as the Arts Council deals with current funding and ACCESS funding is capital funding that comes directly from the Department. As far as I know there is no requirement for local authorities to match Arts Council funding.

Arts Plan. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We may have to examine that with regard to ACCESS but it is not envisaged in respect of current funding.

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The funding of the Irish Sports Council, as with all Departments and State agencies, is a matter for consideration under the annual budget and Estimates process. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society. The question of whether multiannual funding should be provided for agencies such as the Irish Sports Council is primarily a...

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I thank the Deputy for her comments on this morning's announcement regarding the agreement with the GPA. Capital funding is allocated on a multi-annual basis because of the large number of capital projects under way throughout the State. The Deputy is correct that current funding is not provided on a multi-annual basis. I appreciate that every agency would like to know, year on year, what...

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I take the Deputy's point that certainty is preferable. However, it is sometimes difficult in the areas of arts and sports to tell the difference between capital and current expenditure. In the case of a once-off event such as the Ryder Cup, for example, the Department of Finance might go 40 rounds with my Department in its insistence that it is capital expenditure. However, it is...

Tourism Industry. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Last year was a record year for Irish tourism with an all-time high of 7.7 million overseas visitors to the country and associated foreign revenue earnings of €4.7 billion. We are on track to surpass that performance this year, with the most recent figures published by the CSO showing an increase of more than 4% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland in the first nine months of the...

Tourism Industry. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and my Department constantly encourage airlines flying out of locations where we see tourism potential to provide services to Ireland. Ultimately, however, such decisions are commercial and are made by the airlines themselves. We will continue to work hard to convince airlines to operate out of Ireland. I take on board the Deputy's useful suggestion...

Tourism Industry. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Aer Lingus seems to be focussing on the United States market for the foreseeable future. This suits us in some respects given our investment in that market from a tourism point of view.

Tourism Industry. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I take the Deputy's point that we should try to match investment with potential opportunities. However, private companies will ultimately make their own decisions.

Film Industry Development. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: 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. The task of attracting international production into Ireland is dependent on a number of elements, not all...

Film Industry Development. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: There is fantastic potential in this area. I have no problem agreeing with the Deputy if she is saying we are only scratching the surface, as we can do much more. It is very large and competitive business. Section 481 is one aspect of our attractive features and there are issues to tackle with regard to Ardmore studios. Some of the matters of a technical nature raised by the Deputy must...