Results 4,941-4,960 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Paindéim (24 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Faoin gCiste Atosaithe agus Athnuachana Spóirt, leithroinneadh breis is €1.9 milliún ar 1,637 club ar fud na tíre mar chuid de scéimeanna maidir le deontais bheaga a chuireann Comhpháirtíochtaí Áitiúla Spóirt i bhfeidhm.Cuireann na scéimeanna seo meicníocht bhreise ar fáil chun tacú le grúpaí agus clubanna...

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I thank Deputy Munster for her question. The Government is critically aware of the importance of a vibrant, diverse and independent media, which is essential to our democracy and to our cultural development. The sector is undergoing fundamental change which extends well beyond the current Covid difficulties and there are significant and complex challenges to be faced to ensure a...

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The Future of Media Commission has already been established. It has met twice since its establishment. It has a strategic role in regard to the future vision, structuring and funding of media. On when it will report, it is due to report within nine months. That was announced on the date the commission was established. That is an ambitious timescale given the complexity of the issues...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The management of Shannon Heritage sites, including their opening arrangements, is an operational matter for Shannon Heritage and Shannon Group plc, which is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of Transport. As Shannon Group operates in both the aviation and tourism sectors, it has been severely impacted by Covid-19. With regard to tourism, budget 2021 included a...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: With regard to Shannon Heritage specifically, a commitment was made by the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to provide funding to ensure that Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and King John's Castle, which were due to close at the end of August, could remain open until the end of 2020, subject to public health measures. It is open to Shannon Heritage to explore further the various...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I point out the management of Shannon Heritage sites, including their opening arrangements, is an operational matter for Shannon Heritage and the Shannon Group, which is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of Transport, not the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Within my remit, I can point to the extensive supports that have been...

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I continue to monitor it through the ongoing engagement. It is absolutely critical to provide the correct supports, for example, the €50 million live events scheme, from which I hope some in the Deputy's constituency will benefit. We are tweaking what happened with the €5 million pilot scheme to find ways to reach those we did not reach.. We are looking to see how best we can...

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Absolutely, and as a Minister I am keenly aware that we have to be ready if alarm bells ring. We are watching the situation and closely monitoring it. The officials are engaged, there is cross-departmental engagement and we will be ready to react if needs be. Hopefully this will not arise but we have to be ready.

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I am very aware there are those in the sector who cannot apply for the CRSS. We met with the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland, MEAI, last week and we have met with representatives from EPIC. We have asked them to consider what changes could be made to the €5 million pilot scheme. That is not just a scheme, we have seen it up and running. Last weekend saw the first...

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Many Deputies feel passionately about the arts, as Deputy Boyd Barrett does. To clarify, it is not my report nor the Department's; this report belongs to those who work in the community, from screen producers to the live events industry to the artists and the cultural institutions. It is their report. These are their recommendations which they have brought to me. It was part of the...

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 61 together. While absolutely necessary to protect us all, the impact of the public health guidelines has been extremely challenging for the sectors supported by my Department. These sectors are integral to our society; supporting economic activity; and enhancing physical and societal well-being. The public-facing and audience-driven nature of...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: The case for a UBI was well established long before Covid. As I said earlier, those who create artistic or creative work where it is their chief occupation often experience income insecurity and cash flow problems. That was the case pre-Covid and it will be so post Covid. That financial stress can impede creativity. A 2018 review of pay and conditions in the performing arts by Theatre...

Other Questions: Radio Broadcasting (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I thank Deputy Munster for bringing forward this issue. I am acutely aware of the valuable source of reliable and trustworthy news that local radio offers in a time of uncertainty and with much disinformation in circulation. Local radio also plays an important role in bringing communities together, strengthening their bonds of solidarity and mutual support. I recognise the challenges faced...

Other Questions: Radio Broadcasting (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: I am engaging closely and directly with the stakeholders in this sector. I met with representatives of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland on Monday last, 16 November. We had a productive discussion on the value of the supports the sector has received during 2020 and a follow-up meeting was held yesterday at official level. I also met with the National Union of Journalists, NUJ, on...

Other Questions: Radio Broadcasting (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: In relation to the levy waiver, the BAI is statutorily independent in its functions, including the levy waiver. The Deputy indicated, and I am keenly aware from my engagement with them and the ongoing direct engagement of my officials with them, that they are in dire straits. As far as I am concerned, I am looking at all the options to support them. I have committed to that. That is why I...

Other Questions: Radio Broadcasting (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Absolutely. The Deputy can let me know if she wants me to get the BAI to engage with her, if that helps. I can arrange that too.

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: Sorry, has the Deputy changed the question? The question I have before me relates to providing grants and supports to the self-employed and sole traders. I have no problem answering questions about the task force. I only want to know whether the Deputy wants that information as well.

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: On supporting, what is the exact question the Deputy wants me to answer today?

Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: There are a wide range of supports available to the individuals and businesses whose financial circumstances have been negatively impacted by Covid-19. The particular support depends on the institutional arrangements of the individual or organisation and whether it is a sole trader or an incorporated entity. Detailed information on all supports is provided on gov.ieand a guide to business...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (19 Nov 2020)

Catherine Martin: In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, I established the arts and culture recovery task force to develop a clear approach, informed by the view of stakeholders, to protect and sustain the arts and culture sector through the Covid-19 recovery and beyond. The negative impact of the crisis on the arts, culture and live entertainment sectors has been well established and...