Results 4,541-4,560 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (21 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: In addition to the wide range of horizontal measures introduced by Government to support businesses including in particular the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), I am aware that, subject to terms and conditions, amusement park providers were eligible for both Fáilte Ireland's Covid-19 Adaptation Fund, which closed for applications in...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Properties (21 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The property referred to by the Deputy is owned and managed by Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the question to the agency for further information and 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 (21 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together. On 31 March I announced details of a €17million Scheme operated by Fáilte Ireland for developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide. The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme comprises two parts and will be delivered in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country. Part One of the Scheme will...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (21 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together. I am aware of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the inbound agents sector and was pleased to make a fund of €10m available, through Fáilte Ireland, for the Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme. The scheme has assisted inbound tour operators, destination management companies and professional conference...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (21 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I was pleased to announce recently a new €50 million suite of additional measures to further support the Live Entertainment Sector this year. As part of this suite, an allocation of €14m will be made available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (21 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I have responsibility for the Corporate Governance of 21 State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, including Board appointments. The current overall gender balance ratio, in respect of the 21 State Boards, is 50% female and 50% male representation. Of the 21 State Boards; - 12 have a female representation of 50% or...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta (21 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I gcomhthéacs an chúraim atá ar an Roinn tacú le hearnáil na gColáistí Samhraidh agus ar mhaithe le soiléiriú a dhéanamh oiread is féidir ar na bunriachtanais a chaithfí a chomhlíonadh i gcás go mbeadh cúrsaí Gaeilge in ann dul ar aghaidh an samhradh seo, scaipeadh dréacht-treoirlínte maidir le COVID-19...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: Táim thar a bheith sásta a bheith anseo chun labhairt faoi thosaíochtaí straitéiseacha na Roinne. I intend to address the committee on tourism, culture, arts and media and my colleague, the Minister of State, will address matters relating to sport and the Gaeltacht. I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the committee on the key priorities of my Department...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: Sure. Tourism, culture, arts, language, sport and media are an integral part of the fabric of our society and democracy, serving to enhance our physical, mental and social well-being. As we overcome the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, I am looking forward to turning our attention to the restoration of these activities that sustain us and bring joy to our lives. I will ensure...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I thank Senator Cassells. Of course, international travel, as we know, accounts for 75% of the revenue generated by the sector due to the pandemic. Specifically, because the time is short, in relation to supports, the Government has committed that there will be no cliff edge. Of course, tourism is one of the impacted sectors recognised in the path ahead and we will be looking at that in...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: Quickly, on the tourism oversight group, that is set up to oversee the recommendations from that sector. It is not a representative group but, rather, it is made up of an independent chairperson and eight other members with a broad spectrum of backgrounds who were selected on the basis of each person's capacity to bring their knowledge, skills, experience, competence, capability and...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I will get back to the Deputy on insurance for the outdoor dining scheme. As he will be aware, it is €500 million for outdoor seating accessories for tourism and hospitality and €12 million for the local authority structures. I will get back to the Deputy with a note on that insurance query. The charter boat operators were invited to apply for the first stage of that...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I share the Senator's enthusiasm and look forward to a return of outdoor performances. Unfortunately, the public health advice is that it is still too early to say when that will happen. We must look at the case numbers, hospitalisations, vaccinations and variants of concern. As the Senator will be aware, the Government will meet in advance of 4 May to review the level of restrictions and...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: Sorry about that. I just keep switching on and off. I am very familiar with the great work done by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. My children participate in it by Zoom. It has done a wonderful job of keeping it going, even though it is by Zoom. My Department does gives funding and grant assistance to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Additional resources were...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The night-time economy is a hugely important sector, as the Senator said, contributing to our economy and our cultural and creative sectors. It can have a really positive impact on our well-being and has really felt the brunt of the pandemic due to the sector's very nature. I was delighted to establish the night-time economy task force last July, and the Senator will be aware that it has...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Deputy for his feedback on the LPSS. I know that venues such as De Barra's Folk Club, Connolly's of Leap and many others did great work under the scheme. We hope to see a lot more of this with the recent scheme which closed for applications just last week. I absolutely understand the sector's need for clarity and certainty. I have extensive and ongoing engagement with the...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: With regard to the theatres, I conducted that pilot in the Abbey Theatre and in the National Concert Hall, and the feedback was very positive. Due to public health advice, it is still too early to give a definite date for theatres. Obviously, it is something I would like to happen. On the return to live events, the theatre forum is on the expert group that is examining the roadmap for a...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: The €17 million outdoor dining scheme is being administered by Fáilte Ireland through the local authorities and there are two elements to it. There is the €5 million element, which is for outdoor seating and accessories for tourism and hospitality businesses, and the second element is the €12 million for local authority structures for weatherproofing and outdoor...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: As the Deputy said, the aim of the scheme is to support local authorities and businesses to increase and operate their outdoor dining offering. It is up to the businesses to apply. I am sure many businesses in County Louth will do so.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Key Priorities for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion (20 Apr 2021)

Catherine Martin: That will depend on how many businesses apply and how much money they want. The maximum grant for an individual business is €4,000. It will depend on how many wish to apply and how many wish to go for the €4,000 maximum. Fáilte Ireland will be running the scheme and assessing the applications.