Results 741-760 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (2 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: Within the remit of the Department, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 makes provision for allocations, inter alia, to the Sports Sub-Programme of the Sports, Culture, Heritage and Community Infrastructure Programme and to the Tourism Programme. Details of NDP expenditure to date in respect of both these measures are as set out in the following table. NDP Measure Year 2007...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (2 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: The funding of the Gaelic players grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC's allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having discussions with the Council on optimum funding options, in order to maintain its existing programmes while...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (2 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of the provisions in the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which introduced an income tax relief in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle provided by an employer. The implementation of the scheme for the Civil Service is being dealt with by the Department of Finance. It is understood that implementing the scheme in the Civil Service has given rise to a number of issues,...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (31 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Department has no agreements with limited companies for the provision of the full-time services of a single individual. Contracts for the supply of services entered into by the agencies under the aegis of the Department are a matter for the agencies themselves.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (31 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together. The funding of the Gaelic players grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC's allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having discussions with the Council on optimum funding...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The funding of the Gaelic players grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC's allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having discussions with the Council on optimum funding options, in order to maintain its existing programmes while...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The downturn in the world economy has significantly affected tourism and travel globally and travel to Ireland has been no exception. The economic difficulties in the United States are clearly having a negative impact on the affordability of overseas travel for many American consumers and the situation has been exacerbated by currency fluctuations. While this resulted in a reduction in the...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I thank Senators for their thoughtful contributions to this debate. There is no doubt that since my previous visit to the House last November, Senators have remained abreast of developments in the tourism sector. They will not have been surprised by the issues I highlighted earlier in the context of the economic challenges we face. These challenges are global and impact on our core markets...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: That can lead to a positive outcome. I want to mention another issue before I conclude. I have been trying to lay serious emphasis on cultural tourism and the bringing together of all the cultural bodies. Approximately 3 million people visited our cultural tourism institutions in 2008. That is a significant figure which demonstrates clearly that all of our small and major museums, art...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I commend my colleagues in the Seanad for tabling this important motion. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the subject of Irish tourism. I recall the interesting debate we had on this subject last November. I look forward to hearing the contributions of Members and promise to consider carefully any suggestions that are made. The national and international economic landscape...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The table details the level of funding that has been provided to the Irish Sports Council, Horseracing Ireland and the Irish Greyhound Board from the Fund for each of the past 3 years and the current expected level of funding for 2009. In the context of the forthcoming Budget these figures may be revised. 2006 2007 2008 2009 â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ Irish Sports Council 40,914,000...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions is a matter for the Irish Film Board. This agency is funded through my Department and is independent of the Department in its operations. My Department's primary role in supporting the film sector relates to the administration of elements of the...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: As I informed the Dáil on 3 March, I met with the heads of fifteen State tourism agencies, State arts bodies, and the cultural institutions, on 11 February, to begin the work of further developing the cultural tourism market. This was the first step in putting in place an initiative to further develop the potential of cultural tourism. This initiative will build, in the first instance, on...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The International Sports Tourism Initiative was introduced by the Government in 2000 to support the then Bord Fáilte's efforts in attracting major international sporting events, with tourism potential, to Ireland. Since its inception the International Sports Tourism Initiative has supported a total of 148 international sports events in Ireland. Together these events have attracted...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: A letter issued to the nominated club contact on 9 August 2005 notifying the club in question of a provisional allocation of €25,000 under the 2005 programme towards dressing rooms/clubhouse development. Formal approval of a grant under the programme is dependent upon compliance with the terms and conditions set out in detail in the 2005 letter. A further written reminder to the club of...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 619 together. As I announced in the House recently no decision has been taken about the timing of future rounds of the Programme.

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 618 together. I have noted the comments made in the correspondence referred to by the Deputies in relation to the challenges facing those in the visual arts sector. Many of the funding channels referred to in the correspondences fall within the remit of other Departments and local authorities. In respect of the Per Cent for Arts scheme, work is...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: Under a longstanding arrangement, all Ministers are provided with a State car and personal protection by a member of An Garda Síochána from a pool of gardaí who are allocated on a full-time basis to Ministers. The cost of this service is funded from the Vote of An Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 to 613, inclusive, and 620 together. The funding of the Gaelic players grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC's allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having discussions with the Council on...