Results 561-580 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Cultural Visas: Cultural Visas (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: This issue, contained in the Programme for Government, will be included in my Department's Statement of Strategy now being prepared and will in turn form part of the relevant business plans within my Department. Owing to the nature of their work, it is important that artistes and entertainers be accommodated as much as possible in entering the State to carry out their engagements,...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing funding to sporting clubs, voluntary and community organisations towards the provision of sporting facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. All applications received are assessed on their merits and evaluated...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together. The latest figures published by the Central Statistics Office show that there was an increase of over 4.1% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland in the first eight months of the year compared to the same period in 2006. While it will be challenging to maintain the record-breaking performance of 2006, these latest CSO figures...

Written Answers — Arts Council: Arts Council (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. State support for the arts is mainly channelled through the Arts Council, which, although funded by my department, is completely autonomous in its decisions. The level of funding and support for the Irish Theatre Institute is entirely a matter for the Arts Council and...

Written Answers — Museum Opening Hours: Museum Opening Hours (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I am strongly of the view that there is a need to move away from traditional opening times and to establish a degree of flexibility that reflects changed lifestyles and use of leisure time for those who wish to visit the National Cultural Institutions, particularly museums and galleries. On 14 September 2007, I announced plans to have later and more flexible opening hours in National...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The availability of adequate, fully equipped studio resources that can cater for the needs of indigenous and incoming film and TV productions is a key factor in the Irish Film Board's role of marketing Ireland as a film location. The Irish Film Board is currently reviewing the available options in this area, of which Ardmore Studios is one, and will be reporting to my Department in due course.

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As the Deputy is aware, my predecessor established a London 2012 Task Force to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012. This Task Force includes experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and is supported by staff within my Department. One of the first...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, grants are allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country for the provision of sports facilities, including indoor sports facilities. One of the stated aims and objectives of the sports capital...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 105, inclusive, together. Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, grants are allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country for the provision of sports facilities. One of the stated aims and objectives of the programme is to prioritise the needs of...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism I am responsible for the formulation of Irish Tourism policy and overseeing its implementation and also for resourcing and providing appropriate oversight of the State's Tourism Agencies, namely Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, and Tourism Ireland Limited which is the North South body established, following the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country for the provision of sports facilities. No applications have been received in 2007 as the 2007 sports capital programme was advertised in the national press in October 2006 and the closing date...

State Airports. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is a matter of urgency that we get on with this package, and much of it is being dealt with in the context of the upcoming Estimates and budgetary process. We should approach part of the issue in that manner. I had a very good meeting recently with the Irish Hotels Federation and I also met with various bodies in the Shannon region. I had good discussions with their representatives in...

State Airports. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We have been discussing open skies for a long period. It will be next year before flights begin to operate under this policy.

State Airports. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Everyone must do what he or she can to prepare Shannon for that eventuality.

Sports Capital Programme. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 14 together. The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations and, in certain circumstances, sports and colleges, throughout the country. It is the main vehicle for development of sports facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Under the...

Sports Capital Programme. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I have asked those responsible for the new national sports facility strategy to examine that matter. I take the Deputy's point. Since 1998, approximately €700 million has been allocated to 6,700 projects under the sports capital programme. This means that an enormous number of projects are spread throughout the country. It was extremely important for the nation that we spent that money...

Sports Capital Programme. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: A total of 54 joint applications involving schools and colleges and their local communities were received last year and a sum of €1.4 million was allocated to 13 school-based projects. There is scope, and the opportunity exists, for our educational institutions to partner communities in seeking to develop sports facilities. On the broader point, all the relevant research shows that sport...

Sports Capital Programme. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Very practical issues have been raised by Deputies relating to insurance, leases and how all this can be dealt with. I will ask the sports facility strategy group through the national audit of local sports facilities that is under way to examine those issues. As we invest heavily in bricks and mortar, which we have done very substantially for ten years, we must also continue to invest in and...

Arts Funding. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 52 together. I refer the Deputies to my response to Priority Question No. 3.

Arts Funding. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It relates to multi-annual funding for the Arts Council.