Results 3,401-3,420 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Advertising Data (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: To be clear, the Department has developed its own social media platforms to showcase its work. This is separate from the work undertaken by Creative Ireland and Culture Ireland. Returning to Deputy Smyth's comment regarding Creative Ireland, more money was spent in the first year to create awareness of Creative Ireland in general. However, spending has tapered off significantly since then....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Advertising Data (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I have already addressed that. As I mentioned, these accounts have been developed at no cost. The social media presence and its management are undertaken by the Department's in-house communications and press office team of five staff. They also look after the traditional press office duties. Regarding social media, I am not an expert, although I have someone separately in my own sphere...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Projects (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: It is fitting that Deputy Durkan is taking Deputy Heydon's question because they share the same county. My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes - the built heritage investment scheme, BHIS, and the historic structures fund, HSF - which are generally administered by the local authorities. On 14...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Projects (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The funding cannot be increased for next year but I appreciate the Deputy's interest in it. There is €79,000 in the fund. In 2019, there were a number of grants for Kildare under the BHIS. The recipients were Church of Ireland, Kilberry; St. Michael's Church, Athy; Johnstown graveyard and church; Sean Chill, Donaghcumper, Celbridge; Church of the Holy Saviour, Narraghmore; Ard Na...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Projects (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for his question. Under project Ireland 2040, €1.188 million in capital expenditure has been allocated to my Department. Of this, €460 million has been allocated to the redevelopment of our national cultural institutions. Progress has been made in delivery of this ambitious investment programme. Already this year my Department has supported the completion...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Projects (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: We keep a very close eye on the benefit of our projects in the culture and heritage section as well as those pertaining to Gaeltacht matters under the management of the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne. They are constantly monitored to ensure that we are providing adequate facilities, that we are ahead of our game and that we are in touch with what tourists want to see and enjoy....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Projects (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy. The local authorities are closely involved with the Department's work and receive funding for heritage and cultural projects which can be applied for under various schemes. We will be funding up to 500 projects under the built heritage investment scheme, which is currently open for applications through the local authorities. We are also funding heritage-led regeneration...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hare Coursing (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The Deputy referred to a RED C poll. My understanding was that the research was done by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ISPCA.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hare Coursing (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The ISPCA has welcomed the introduction of a testing regime and field studies on hares and rabbits. We should bear in mind that polls commissioned by an organisation usually reflect the views of that organisation. I appreciate the Deputy's concerns. I must ensure that there is a balanced response from the Government to this issue, but the protection and conservation of the hare is my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hare Coursing (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I conveyed to my Department officials the information on drag coursing which the Deputy provided on a previous occasion. In addition to the 29 conditions that are associated with the licence in general terms, we now have the other conditions which I set out. Field tests are ongoing in Limerick, Tipperary, Cork and Cavan town and will take some ten weeks to conclude. It was important to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The chair of the Arts Council, Dr. Kevin Rafter, has welcomed the increase, particularly given the difficult budget we had in the context of Brexit. That should be acknowledged. The budget for the Arts Council increased by €5 million to €80 million, or 6.7%, in the budget and has increased by 23% since 2017. On Culture Ireland, we are still finalising figures for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The answer is in the Deputy's question. As he stated, the commitment is to double funding by 2025. We have not reached 2025. The Government did not give a commitment to front-load funding in the early years.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: We are on an upward trajectory and we will fulfil our commitment by 2025. The approach by Solidarity-People Before Profit to arts funding does not make sense because it wants to increase funding for the arts by €100 million in 2020, while also seeking to abolish the universal social charge and local property tax. That does not add up. I am acutely aware of the decades long...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Hare Coursing (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare. While the regulation of hare coursing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Performing Arts (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I will try to deal with the three main points raised by the Deputy. The Arts Council supports and develops theatre in Ireland through grant funding, project awards and supports to individual artists, venues, publications and resource organisations. This year, for the very first time, we have provided €250,000 to amateur theatre, drama and musical societies in the budget. Such...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Council (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I assure the Deputy the Department has been kept fully informed of this issue at all stages. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is a statutory body under the aegis of my Department. As such, it is obliged to observe the 2016 code of practice for the governance of State bodies, which requires such bodies to "serve the interests of Government as shareholder, the taxpayer, and all other...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Council (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I understand that a business case was presented to the Arts Council in September, following a discussion with the Department in August. I think that answers the Deputy's question about the business case. It is important to say that the Arts Council considers itself to be fully compliant with its governance procedures and statutory obligations under sections 8 and 9 of the Arts Act 2003,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Council (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: According to the chair of the Arts Council, Professor Kevin Rafter, the council has been examining the options with regard to its future location for the past six months. This issue was the subject of detailed discussions at five recent meetings of the council. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has been informed of these discussions. Arts Council staff were briefed on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council. Funding for the Arts Council has been increasing steadily in recent years and will reach €80 million in 2020. The increase in 2020 is €5 million or 6.7% on 2019. The Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003, operates within a published ten-year strategic...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Performing Arts (12 Dec 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Primary support for the arts is delivered by the Arts Council, funding for which has increased steadily in recent years and will reach €80 million in 2020. The figure for 2020 will be €5 million, or an increase of 6.7% on that of 2019. The Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003, operates within a published ten-year strategic...