Results 9,141-9,160 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Seanad: Sport and Recreational Development (3 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I thank Senator Keaveney for raising this matter on the Adjournment and for the opportunity to address the issues involved. It is widely accepted that the benefits of sport have far-reaching positive consequences for society as a whole. Sport can transform lives, transcend borders and nationalities, bring people together, raise aspirations and build long and enduring friendships. Apart from...

Seanad: Sports Capital Programme (3 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Senator for his comments. Senators know that I always try to come into this House for my own debates. I have come in on many occasions to deal with matters on the Adjournment concerning my Department, because I have great respect for Seanad Éireann. Given the benefits associated with sporting activities, the Government regards expenditure on sport as important for the social...

Seanad: Sports Capital Programme (3 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I will respond to the Senator's two points. Under the programme that is in place, projects have to receive approval before work can commence on them. A substantial number of projects have been approved. As they progress, invoices will be submitted and moneys will be paid in the normal way. There has been no change in policy to allow construction to start on projects that have not been...

Seanad: Sports Capital Programme (3 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: That has never been the case.

Seanad: Sports Capital Programme (3 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: Any club that has proceeded with a project on the basis of a promise from somebody should know that, legally, that is impossible to do. It is simply not possible. The Comptroller and Auditor General examines these proposals. The process that is in place in the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is totally transparent. Proper procedures are in place to deal with a range of areas. It...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I wish to refer the Deputy to the Government's Legislation Programme for Dáil Éireann's Spring Session 2009, as announced by the Government Chief Whip and as available through the search facility on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach (www.taoiseach.gov.ie).

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The total number of press conferences and/or policy launches held by the Department in 2007 and 2008 was 3, the details of which are set out in tabular form. Subject Matter — Press Conference/Launch Year Cost € Phase 1 of National Sport Campus 2007 Nil Allocations under Sports Capital Programme 2008 2008 Nil Arts & Culture Programme 2008 Nil For the sake of completeness, a number...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. In the 2009 Estimates, €56m has been provided in my Department's vote to cover payments to be made from the C1 subhead, out of which grants are paid for the provision of sports and recreation facilities. As I announced in the House last week no decision has been taken about the timing of future rounds of the Programme. Subject to...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 for the purpose of giving support to both the horse and greyhound racing industries. €69.719 million has been allocated to the Fund for 2009. In accordance with the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, 80% and 20% of the moneys paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (5 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: In both 2007 and 2008 official Blackberry's were lost. The two devices were immediately disabled. Efforts to find or recover them were unsuccessful. In 2008, a laptop computer used by Culture Ireland was lost or stolen on a flight from the USA to Ireland on official business. Culture Ireland sought unsuccessfully to locate the missing device through the airport authorities and the airline...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Department currently has accounts with separate taxi firms for each of its three locations in Dublin and Killarney. The total expenditure on the use of taxis in Ireland by officials in the Department for 2007 and 2008 is €22,890 and €19,630 respectively. Expenditure on taxis is kept under constant review in the Department and officials are directed to only avail of taxis in urgent...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Department currently has a contract with Glenbeigh Records Management for the off site storage of Departmental files and documents, which was placed in June 2007. Files and documents have been placed in storage with that company as required since that date. Rental costs associated with this service are determined by the amount of storage being used. The current rental cost is €335 per...

Ministerial Travel. (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: He used the RAF.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. Over 7,400 projects providing a range of essential sports facilities have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocation in that time to over €725 million. In 2008 over €50m...

Written Answers — National Concert Hall: National Concert Hall (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 2482/09 on Wednesday 28th January 2009. As I stated in that reply, the successful tenderer for the National Concert Hall PPP project, who should be selected by Autumn 2009, will seek planning permission for his project proposal from Dublin City Council.

Written Answers — National Theatre: National Theatre (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: A Public Private Partnership contract for the proposed new National Theatre (Abbey) project has not been awarded yet. I would refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No 113 on Wednesday 28 January 2009 for the current position.

Written Answers — Performing Arts: Performing Arts (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: Government support for the Arts is generally channelled through the Arts Council, which is a statutorily independent body, under the Arts Act, 2003, and is independent in its day-to-day operations.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. The Guidelines, Terms and Condition of the Programme specify that only projects with a clear sporting aspect are considered for funding. I understand that funding is made available to the Scouting Ireland by my...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The consultancy firms the Department used during the period 1 January to 14 October 2008 are set as follows: Consultancy Purpose Expenditure â'¬ Q4PR Communications/Public Relations services for Culture Ireland 72,000 Charlie Pike The Pacello Group (Europe) Ltd Culture Ireland website maintenance 9,982 Indecon International Economic Consultants Economic Evaluation of the Benefits to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The scheme of performance-related awards in the civil service applies to Deputy and Assistant Secretaries and equivalent grades. On the basis that the awards are confidential to the officer concerned details of individual awards are not disclosed nor is the total amount awarded under the scheme made known in respect of Departments where there are less than 5 officers covered by the scheme...