Results 61-80 of 10,490 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Online Safety (3 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Department of Justice has responsibility for the development of legislation and policy related to firearms, including administering the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009 and related legislation. In particular, firearms may only be purchased by licensed persons and only be sold by registered Firearms Dealers. The Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act 2022 provided for the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Artists' Remuneration (3 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Thank you for your question and the inclusion of correspondence from a Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) recipient which was also sent to me earlier this week, and which my office will reply to directly also. The Programme for Government commits to assessing the BIA pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme will conclude in August...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (3 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The specific matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy....

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Ag croílár iarrachtaí mo Roinnse sa bhogadh i dtreo seirbhís phoiblí dhátheangach, tá feidhmiú iomlán agus rathúil Achtanna na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. Tá an obair faoi na hAchtanna criticiúil ó thaobh an Ghaeilge a neadú isteach mar chuid lárnach de sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí na tíre seo...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Policy (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy....

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: As part of the drive to promote better employment practices, to showcase good employment in the tourism sector and to assist with recruitment and retention in the longer term, Fáilte Ireland launched the Employer Excellence Programme in September 2022 to help participating businesses to improve their employee experience and overall to position the tourism sector as a recognised rewarding...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: In relation to expanding our tourism offering, the Programme for Government 2025-2030 commits to launching the Year of the Invitation, extending a global invitation for visitors to reconnect with Ireland, following on from the success of The Gathering in 2013. Officials in my Department, together with the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, are examining how best...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: My officials have ongoing engagement with their counterparts in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) regarding education, training and upskilling options and courses available for the tourism sector. A broad range of courses is currently offered at all levels under the national framework of qualifications to those seeking employment...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. The Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group was established to support employment in the tourism and hospitality sector. The Department and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science are both participants in this group which brings together industry representatives, State agencies,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will be aware that on foot of the recent formation of Government and subsequent departmental reconfigurations, the tourism function is in the process of transfer from my Department and will soon be vested in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment under Minister Peter Burke TD. The Department is represented at the Council Tourism Working Party by an official based in...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Official Engagements (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas is the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism and it is notable that this is the first time that ‘tourism’ appears in a Commissioner’s title. The Commissioner’s tourism priorities include: The promotion of a resilient and competitive tourism sector, in line with the EU Agenda for Tourism 2030.The development of a...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Under the EU Just Transition Fund, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) is the Managing Authority and Fáilte Ireland is an Intermediate Body. In Ireland, the Fund’s geographic territory includes Counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (County Galway), Athy, Clane-Maynooth, (County Kildare) and Carrick-on-Suir...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Programme for Government commits to prioritising an early review of the National Development Plan, a process that is to commence shortly. As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to growing Ireland’s tourism industry. Through support for Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, we will continue to showcase Ireland as a high-quality and accessible...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The OECD Tourism Committee analyses and monitors policies and structural changes affecting the development of tourism internationally. The Committee also monitors tourism performance internationally. More details of the Committee’s work including relevant publications can be found on the OECD website (www.oecd.org). Ireland continues to be an active member of the OECD Tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 150, 151, 152, 158 and 162 together. The Tourism Policy Framework 2025 – 2030 was published by the previous Government last November. I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, has asked officials to consider how commitments in the new Programme for Government (PFG) align with the Policy...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Bodies (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: At a policy level, a Business Tourism Strategy Group was established in 2023 with representation from my Department, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and industry. This group was tasked with developing a strategy and overseeing the development of co-ordination structures for the delivery by the tourism agencies on their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to business...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: North-South Implementation Bodies (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have not had any formal engagement with the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) since my appointment as Minister in January 2025. For information, Government Ministers, including my predecessor, met with their counterparts from the Northern Ireland Executive at NSMC plenary meetings in April and September 2024. The Minister of State for the Gaeltacht attended the NSMC Language...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Programme for Government outlines the Government's commitment to the sustainable growth and development of Ireland’s tourism sector. By continuing to support the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, the Government seeks to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a high-quality, accessible destination for both domestic and international visitors while also...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Tourism Ireland is the all-island tourism marketing company established under the Good Friday Agreement. It is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council and has responsibility for all-Ireland destination marketing, Tourism Brand Ireland, the overseas Tourism office network and the delivery of regional and product marketing and promotion activity on behalf of Fáilte Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Official Engagements (2 Apr 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Since my appointment as Minister in January 2025, I have had extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across all sectors under my remit. I wish to advise the Deputy that my diary will be published on the Department's website in the coming days. Subsequent diaries will be published on a quarterly basis, in arrears, in line with standard practice.