Results 541-560 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Sports Capital Programme. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: The sports capital programme, which is part-funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery and administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment. Since 1998, the Government has invested over €725 million in more than 7,400 separate sporting projects. This investment has transformed the Irish sporting...

Sports Capital Programme. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: An allocation of €56 million has been made to the sports capital programme this year, which is similar to the provision for last year. What is different this year is that a new applications round has not been opened up. However, some 800 projects have been approved for funding this year, representing a very substantial allocation for individual projects throughout the State. Like all...

Sports Capital Programme. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I can offer the Deputy all the hope he requires. These grants have not been done away with. We have not opened another applications round this year, but money is available to deal with the programmes that are already approved. I am confident that all the money allocated for this year will be drawn down in full, because the overhang is greater than the current allocation. Therefore, there...

Arts Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: In the operation of capital grant schemes, it is the policy of my Department to seek a legal charge of 22 years' duration on any property in respect of which a capital grant or combined capital grants totalling €300,000 and over have been paid in respect of such premises. My Department holds a statutory declaration under the 1938 Act from the trustees of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann not...

Arts Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: To clarify, all legal documentation must be submitted with a grant application, and that has been done. However, several of these projects are taking some time to process and that is being done by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. From the Department's point of view, all the legal requirements are in place. I understand the trustees of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann have signed a...

Arts Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Department's responsibility is to ensure the grants are properly allocated and that the legal requirements necessary to protect taxpayers' money are in place. The information with which I have been supplied indicates that this has been done.

Arts Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy regarding the significance of the contribution made by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's. In light of current economic circumstances, all of the budget lines are being examined. This is not being done in a negative way but rather to ensure we are obtaining the best value for money in the context of how the resources available to the State are used by Comhaltas...

Arts Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I will try to obtain the information for the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 45 and 50 together. Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the horse and greyhound racing fund, which was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. In 2004, the Government put in place regulations to increase the limit of the horse and greyhound racing fund from €254 million to €550 million to...

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: All of that money will still come in. The Deputy is referring to the 1%. There was an increase to 2% and then the clawback of the tax occurred. The truth is that I will not know the outcome until the end of the year. The shortfall will be made up by the Exchequer because my Department does not have funding available to meet it. We will be obliged to wait to see what will be the outcome....

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (11 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: The allocation in question which was made in 2005 remains available subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme. Allocations cannot be held over indefinitely and, under the Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of the programme, a "sunset clause" provision exists whereby my Department can fully or partially withdraw grants in the absence of satisfactory...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: My Department does not provide grants for the specific type of funding requirement as described by the Deputy. Funding decisions including bursaries are a matter for the Arts Council.

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: In 2004, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann launched a five-year Capital Development Programme with the aim of enhancing its network of regional development resource centres and outreach centres around the country, in order to build on and support its existing activities. Stemming from this agreed Capital Development Programme and following consultations with the Department of Finance and the...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together. While it does not fall within the direct ambit of the Department to allocate Voted Exchequer funds for the specific purpose of addressing social deprivation a number of the Department's various funding schemes and programmes in the sports and arts sectors contribute to this goal indirectly by providing financial assistance for the...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: My Department is currently finalising a five-year strategic plan to inform the future development of necessary sporting facilities throughout the country. The aim of the strategy is to provide high-level policy direction for future investment and grant assistance at national, regional and local level. The strategy also identifies the wider economic, health and social case for continued...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 425 and 427 together. Government Policy on the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and is elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy. My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life....

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: There is no doubt that 2009 will be a very difficult year for tourism globally. Nevertheless it is important to remember that, despite the downturn, millions of people across the world will still take holidays this year. I know that the industry and the tourism agencies are fighting hard for every bit of this business. To assist the tourism sector through this current difficult period, an...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. Over 7,400 projects providing a range of essential sports facilities have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocation in that time to over €725 million. While grantees,...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. The Guidelines, Terms and Condition of the Programme specify that only projects with a clear sporting aspect are considered for funding. There is no record in my Department of any application under the Programme...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: In 2004, the group referred to by the Deputy launched a five-year Capital Development Programme with the aim of enhancing its network of regional development resource centres and outreach centres around the country in order to build on and support its existing activities. Stemming from the agreed Capital Development Programme my Department paid out capital grants to the value of €372,012...