Results 4,161-4,180 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I do not believe the PUP is a disincentive to returning to work. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, has shown in its recent study, 95% of workers would be better off back at work. The PUP was an effective response to unemployment brought about the pandemic. The best way to secure the future of the industry and workers' incomes is to facilitate a safe and sustainable...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Industry (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: As the Deputy said, I am aware staff retention is an issue and am delighted Fáilte Ireland is delivering on a number of strategies and is working closely with the industry, education providers and other State agencies to address the recruitment and retention challenges in the tourism sector. A recruitment for reopening webinar event was delivered on 30 April for tourism and hospitality...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Arts Policy (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 98 together. The Audience Agency is the independent arts evaluation organisation tasked with carrying out the evaluation under the Galway 2020 monitoring and evaluation framework. The Audience Agency was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process advertised on etenders.gov.ie. The Audience Agency is a registered charity. It is funded...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I think we are all in agreement that we want there to be a return to economically viable live performances as soon as possible, and there are many reasons to be optimistic. Even today, the hospitalisation and ICU numbers are very positive. I fully appreciate the lead-in times in planning and delivering events. However, I cannot give a definite timeframe for when this will happen. What I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: Pilot events are necessary as proof of concept for the safe management of events while Covid-19 is still circulating in our communities and to evaluate and build confidence in the Covid-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by the culture and sports sectors. The pilot events will use a range of measures to militate against Covid-19, including reduced attendances, social...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: There are still a number of test events to take place, as outlined last month when we announced that events would take place in various indoor and outdoor venues. Today's announcement of antigen testing and reduced social distancing shows that progress is being made. The reason this was not the case with the Iveagh Gardens event was because it was the first pilot event. As the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Budget 2021 (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector.  As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021).  I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: Fáilte Ireland was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003. The Agency, under the Act, is a non-commercial State body responsible for encouraging, promoting and supporting tourism development as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.  The functions of the Authority are set out in Section 8 of the Act. It sets out that the role...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Government’s longstanding ambition is to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of film, TV drama and animation. This is supported by the initiatives outlined in the Audiovisual Action Plan, launched in June 2018 under the Creative Ireland Programme. The aim is to grow the audiovisual sector in Ireland to such an extent that sufficient employment opportunities...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Policies (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 75 and 113 together. The local media sector faces a fall in revenue arising from the pandemic, but also longer term challenges as a result of changing patterns of media consumption, technology and shifts in advertising revenue. I recognise the essential role that the local media plays and the particular value of local and regional newspapers, as well...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Parliamentary Question No 64. I allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector.  As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021).  I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: Primary support for the arts, including support for a wide range of cultural venues, is delivered by the Arts Council. In 2021, the Government allocated €130m to the Arts Council which is an increase of 62% over the amount initially allocated for 2020. The Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council announced details of its investment...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Parliamentary Question No 64. I allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector.  As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021).  I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Artists' Remuneration (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 95 and 123 together. I was delighted that as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan launched on June 1st, I secured a commitment from Government for a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists.  The Government recognises that bold steps are necessary for our invaluable and much treasured arts community to come back stronger than ever...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: On 27th April, the Government announced plans for the final phase of the Decade of Centenaries programme and, in particular, plans for 2021.  The commemorative programme is led and co-ordinated by my Department but has significant input from various partners, including National Cultural Institutions, institutions of learning, local authorities and community organisations, custodians...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: The Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular sectors most impacted, such as tourism.  Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: Funding for tourism is channelled through the tourism agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.  In this regard, the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland, for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 109 and 112 together. I strongly support the Government's plan to maintain pandemic supports, as set out in in the recently launched Economic Recovery Plan (ERP). In particular, sectors such as tourism, live events, sports and the arts have been among the worst-affected sectors of the pandemic, and the Economic Recovery Plan recognises the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: The development and administration of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, in partnership with the Local Authorities.  Although I am not aware of any plans to extend or otherwise amend the existing scheme, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to respond directly to the Deputy to confirm whether or not gyms or health centres with a public...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Jun 2021)

Catherine Martin: The reopening of the country and the economy has been happening gradually over June and I look forward to further reopening in July and beyond.  Tourism accommodation and outdoor dining have reopened and subject to satisfactory progress with the health situation, more indoor activities will reopen in July. The Government has supported businesses, including the tourism hospitality...