Results 5,841-5,860 of 9,175 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Senators for their amendments regarding the powers of an coimisiún. Amendment No. 61 would delete a reference specifying that an coimisiún can borrow in a currency other than the currency of the State but this is a standard provision for State bodies. Accordingly, I do not propose to change the drafting approach taken to avoid any unintended consequences. Similarly,...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: Amendment No. 64 seeks to amend section 25 which relates to deposits and charges for services which may be required by the commission.In requiring the commission to seek the approval of the Oireachtas, this amendment would, first of all and as I said earlier, be contrary to Article 30, which provides that member states shall ensure regulatory bodies are functioning independently of their...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I thank Senator Higgins for her amendments in regard to the application in the Bill for an coimisiún to produce a statement of strategy. I recognise the intention of amendment No. 65. Section 29(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 currently provides that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland shall present a copy of the strategy statement to the Minister and to such committees of either or...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I echo the welcome to the visitors. I, too, was born in County Galway. The visitors are well represented by Senator Crowe. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I thank Senator Higgins for the amendments. I will not be accepting amendment No. 71. The purpose of section 30 is to provide legislative underpinning for the Minister to direct an coimisiún to provide observations on...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I can only respond to the substance of the amendment and what the consequences of accepting it would be. As I said, it would not be usual for internal records to be placed before the Oireachtas or for the Oireachtas Library to store such records. An coimisiún will be independent and will have the right to consult with whom it wishes as an independent body. We have confidence in an...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Senator for this amendment. Section 46O of the Broadcasting Act, as amended by section 9 of the Bill, provides that the commission may make media service rules to, among other things, ensure the broadcasters take steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment of, and access to programmes by persons with a disability. These will build on the access rules published by the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (4 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.1...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: The Minister, Deputy Martin, sends her apologies. She has a bereavement in her family and cannot be here this morning. Recruitment continues to be a significant challenge for the tourism sector, with up to two thirds of businesses reporting reduced capacity due to staff shortages. My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been collaborating with industry and other Departments to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: Fáilte Ireland is working hand in glove with key sectoral bodies on the tourism and hospitality oversight group, which is pivoted to focus on supporting the industry to address some of its immediate recruitment challenges in the months ahead. Obviously, matters relating to wage rates are set by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and we are working with the Department as...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I refer to the long-term retention of employees in the industry. That is why Fáilte Ireland is developing an excellent employer programme to showcase good employers across the industry and to help businesses improve their employer practices and reputation. The programme aims to reposition the industry as an appealing and rewarding place to work which can attract and retain talent....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 together. I thank Deputies Ó Ríordáin and Boyd Barrett for their questions. Eligibility for social welfare supports, as the Deputies will be aware, is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and neither I nor the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, have any statutory functions in that regard. However, I can assure the Deputy that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies for the questions. To respond to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I am informed that there were 150 people at the stakeholder forum, representing 50 resource organisations and representative organisations, including representatives from Arts and Disability Ireland. Similar to all income, the payment will be reckonable for the purpose of social welfare means tests. Whether a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: As I said earlier, in the case of the disability allowance, for example, it will be possible for many people to avail of the basic income and retain social welfare benefits in addition to the moneys received from the pilot scheme. However, it is important to stress that, as part of that, every individual's case is different in terms of their household income. The Deputies will know how...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: The basic income for the arts, BIA, is a pilot scheme, the outcomes of which will inform future policy on the manner in which the State provides supports to artists. The Department expects a high volume of applications and it will not be possible to provide funding to all eligible applicants. The pilot scheme will run over a three-year period and the intention is to research the impact a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: When the basic income pilot scheme was announced, it was always going to be for a specific cohort that was selected as I referred to in my initial reply. However, the supports for the arts and culture sector secured in 2022 are very clear. There is €25 million for the basic income scheme for artists and arts workers. We are maintaining the Arts Council allocation at a record level...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I was halfway through the supports for 2022 and I will now give other details on additional supports. There is €50 million for the live performance restart grant scheme to support the recovery of the live performance sector. There is €4 million for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme. This is specifically to support small music and entertainment businesses...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Arts Policy (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: Throughout the pandemic we have been very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts, culture and live entertainment industry and the Government remains committed to the live entertainment sector as the industry recovers following the lifting of all restrictions in January. To this end, more than €50 million has been provided in a suite of supports for the live...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Arts Policy (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Cairns. I appreciate what she has outlined and the businesses that require support in her constituency in Cork South West. As I referenced in my initial response, the drawdown will happen. The payment process for the scheme will commence shortly and I appreciate the need for it. Payments will issue on a rolling basis as grantees submit their documentation. All payment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Arts Policy (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputies for their questions. I am taking these questions on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, this morning. I will ask her to revert on her engagement on insurance and other matters with the respective Departments. I know Deputy Murnane O'Connor's strong advocacy for Carlow and all things in many areas in Carlow. I appreciate what she has said relating to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Policy (5 May 2022)

Jack Chambers: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, namely, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the development of tourism product offerings such as the proposed Irish Sea Way walking trail, these are operational...