Results 541-560 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Sports Tourism Promotion: Sports Tourism Promotion (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The International Sports Tourism Initiative, which is administered by Fáilte Ireland, was set up in 2000 to support the attraction to Ireland of major international sporting events, with tourism potential. Since 2000 more than 160 events have been supported by this initiative representing an investment of over €50m. The events targeted have the ability to generate significant numbers of...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 90, 91 and 160 together. Full-year figures from the Central Statistics Office show a reduction of 11.6% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland in 2009 compared with 2008. These figures must be seen in the context of a decline in tourist numbers internationally. Tourism worldwide in 2009 was deeply affected by the global economic difficulties and...

Written Answers — Royalty Rights: Royalty Rights (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I have not received any representations regarding royalty rights for actors. If the Deputy can arrange for the relevant documentation to be sent to my office I will arrange for it to be examined.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Although not every foreign visitor to Ireland requires a visa to travel here, those from many of the countries identified as "New and Developing Markets" do typically require visas to enter Ireland. Tourism Ireland's review of New and Developing Markets (including India, China and 17 other markets), which was completed in late 2007, found that visitors from these markets stay twice as long...

Written Answers — National Concert Hall: National Concert Hall (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I would like to confirm my Department's support for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall. The procurement stage of the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall is currently progressing. In accordance with the Government Decision, the project is being tendered on a design, build, finance and maintain PPP project basis. Two participating consortia submitted tenders on 25...

Written Answers — Tourism Development: Tourism Development (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The role of the Tourism Division in my Department is set out in the Statement of Strategy of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, accessible on the Department's website www.arts-sport-tourism-gov.ie. The website also sets out in detail the functions and key responsibilities of the Tourism Development Policy Unit. The high-level goal of the Tourism Division as set out in the Statement...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 94 together. Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. While no decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme,...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I expect to receive the revised National Sports Facilities Strategy 2010-2015 shortly for my consideration.

Written Answers — National Museum: National Museum (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Since the National Museum of Ireland became an autonomous statutory body under the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, the Board of the Museum is statutorily responsible for operational matters concerning its collection and I, as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism do not have a statutory function in respect of operational matters. However, having regard to the Museum's custodial,...

Written Answers — Hotel Sector: Hotel Sector (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: My Department has been in regular contact with the Department of Finance, both bilaterally and through joint participation on the Senior Officials' Group on Economic Renewal, regarding the current difficulties facing the hotel sector. Towards the end of 2009, the Irish Hotels Federation commissioned Peter Bacon & Associates to report on the overcapacity in the hotel industry and the required...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together. Most of the resultant changes from the re-naming of the Department will be implemented in-house by the existing staff of the Department. These include work on the Department's website, changing email addresses and the Department's re-titled customer charter. Provision had already been made this year for the purchase of new headed paper...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 162 together. Over the past year and arising from the Global Irish Economic Forum held in Farmleigh, culture has come into renewed focus as a unique national asset and our greatest competitive advantage as a "door opener" in developing important economic and tourism links. We should never take for granted the extraordinary global profile of Irish arts...

Written Answers — Arts Council: Arts Council (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 157 and 159 together. Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department and is independent in its day to day operations, including funding decisions. The allocation to the Arts Council for 2010 is €68.649m. Under the ACCESS programme, my...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Support for groups referred to by the Deputy will be addressed in the context of the resources available to my Department and the agencies within its remit, as part of the normal estimates and budgetary processes undertaken each year.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: In respect of any group, body or agency which has been approved for funding, my Department makes every effort to promote the timely draw down of funds, subject to the terms and conditions of funding and compliance with proper financial procedures. In the event that the promoters of any of these projects requires assistance or guidance officials of my Department are available to assist. With...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 161 together. Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. While no decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: One of my Department's high-level goals – as set out in its current Statement of Strategy - is to promote close co-operation between the arts and culture, sport and tourism sectors in order to enhance their shared contribution to the social and economic well being of the country. Details of progress in achieving this goal are set out in the Department's Annual Reports, copies of which are...

Irish Sports Council. (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: It is important to say that I understand the court case was strictly without admission of liability. As such it will not be possible as a result of any report in regard to the handling of the case to ascertain whether any person should be sanctioned or penalised in any way. The outcome of the case stands. What is important is that we learn how we can avoid this happening in the future. I...

Irish Sports Council. (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: What we want is a report that will provide guidance in terms of ensuring this does not happen again. We do not need a report which will not tell us anything about the case because the settlement in that regard is confidential.

Irish Sports Council. (31 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The exercise is more of a learning experience for Government, the Sports Council and national governing bodies. I will know more in terms of the lessons to be learned when I have received the report. I will examine the Just Sports Ireland dispute resolution and mediation mechanisms and the various other issues raised here by Members. I am open to suggestions in regard to how we can ensure...