Results 801-820 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question number 150 on the 8th October 2008. A draft Scheme of a Bill to amend the Heritage Fund Act, 2001 is being considered by my Department. Progress on the legislation will have regard, inter alia, to the availability of funding in 2010 and future years.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I believe the artist's exemption scheme continues to be of significant benefit to artists in Ireland. I consider this scheme offers an additional incentive to artists both to stay here and to come to Ireland. The scheme covers a wide spectrum of art forms and benefits a large number of artists the nature of whose work would not always attract substantial earnings.

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day to day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State (a) the development of Tourism traffic within and to the state and (b) the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State. An Innovation Fund...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: In the 2009 Estimates, €56m has been provided in my Department's Vote, for grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities part funded by the National Lottery. This provision is to cover payments to be made this year from the C-1 sub-head. No decision has been made with regard to future rounds of sports capital grants.

Written Answers — Olympic Games: Olympic Games (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply earlier today to Priority Question No. 41 in the name of Deputy Mitchell.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 85 together. 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...

Written Answers — Arts and Education Report: Arts and Education Report (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 19th November 2008 to Question No. 170. The situation will be kept under review in conjunction with the relevant parties.

Written Answers — Arts Scheme: Arts Scheme (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No 120 of Wednesday 28 January 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The requested information in respect of the companies or consultants engaged since 1 June 2007 by the Department to provide advice or training in public relations, communications or media training is as set out in tabular form. Company or Consultant Purpose of Engagement Total Amount Paid Amount Paid as Retainer Fee € € O'Herlihy Communications (up to October 2007) Public Relations...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: Since 1998 the grantee in question has been allocated €244,441 under the sports capital programme. The club was allocated €44,441 in 1999 which was fully drawn down by July 2000. In 2004, the club was allocated a further €200,000 for a pitch, security fencing and floodlights and the Department is currently considering a proposal from the club in relation to the draw down of this grant.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 to 285, inclusive, together. I assume the Deputy is referring to proposed expenditure and allocations under the sports capital programme in 2009. Under the 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...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism was designated for relocation to Killarney, Co. Kerry, under the Government's Decentralisation Programme, which was announced in the 2004 Budget. The Department, with a staff of 130, excluding the National Archives, was designated an "early mover" by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG). To date, 79 members of staff (including two service...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 292 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. Since 1998, over €725 million has been allocated to over 7,400 projects across...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together. I, and my officials, are in regular contact with representatives of the tourism industry, including the representative groups of accommodation providers and the catering sector. Amongst the groups I have met since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism are the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC), the Irish Tour...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: Despite an extremely challenging global economic environment, final year figures for 2008, which were recently published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), show that Ireland's visitor numbers held up well, making a vital contribution to employment, export earnings and tax receipts in our economy. Almost eight million overseas visitors came to Ireland in 2008 representing the second...

Arts Funding. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of that but I am referring directly to the people involved in the specific high end of the digital sector, the television film sector. That indication is very positive. I hope that is the outcome at the end of the year. There is an informal tracking of jobs through the Arts Council and I can examine whether we can put it on a formal tracking basis through the CSO or some other...

Arts Funding. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The present economic circumstances will impact on some of the points the Deputy is making and it would be foolish to think otherwise. I am conscious of that and I am trying to track through the local authorities, the Arts Council and other bodies what exactly is happening to ascertain the impact. I am also getting the message back that people can be smarter, more efficient and more...

Tourism Industry. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: On 11 February I met the heads of 15 State tourism agencies, State arts bodies, and the cultural institutions to begin the work of further developing the cultural tourism market. This is the first step in implementing my undertaking to put in place an initiative to further develop the potential of cultural tourism. This initiative will build, in the first instance, on co-operation and...

Tourism Industry. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: And operating them.

Tourism Industry. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy and I would be very regretful about such incidents. I have no reason to disbelieve her that that was the experience of those people. I do not know why it happened. I do not know whether it was a one-off incident for some specific reason. However, I take the point. If we are to be serious these things need to be in place for seven days a week in a seamless way....