Results 1,081-1,100 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (25 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: The staffing of my private office is as follows: 1 Private Secretary at Higher Executive Officer level; 3 Executive Officers. All of these are full time established civil servants. The staffing of my constituency office is as follows: 1 Personal Assistant remunerated at Higher Executive Officer level; 1 Constituency Assistant remunerated at Higher Executive Officer level; 1 Personal...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: The current cost for off site rental storage of Departmental files and documents is €339 per month plus VAT. Some additional expenditure is incurred on an occasional basis in respect of associated delivery costs and the purchase of boxes and labels.

Seanad: Swimming Pool Projects (25 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. As he is aware, the local authority swimming pool programme is administered by my Department. The programme provides grant aid towards the capital costs of new public swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing public swimming pools provided by local authorities or by other bodies where the application for capital funding is...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Senator. Unemployment supports for people who have lost their jobs, namely, the jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit, are administered in County Donegal from local offices located in Letterkenny, Buncrana, Dunfanaghy, Dungloe and Donegal town, in addition to branch offices under contract to the Department in Donegal town, Ballybofey, Ballyshannon and Killybegs. The...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I do not have any additional information. If I had, I would make it available to the Senator. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, will communicate with him. It is quite clear from the reply that more resources need to be and are being invested. I am not sure where the figure of four, referred to by Senator Doherty, fits in but the Department will be able to clarify this for him. I...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (20 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 77 and 84 on 19th November 2008.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (20 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 76, 77 and 84 on the 19th November 2008.

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: There are currently three public-private partnerships (PPPs) in train under the aegis of the Department, one of which is underway and the other two at various pre-contract stages. These projects are the redevelopment of the National Theatre, the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall and the development of a National Conference Centre. National Theatre The Government decided, in 2006, to...

Written Answers — Sports Facility Strategy: Sports Facility Strategy (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 115 together. Work on the National Sports Facilities Strategy is at an advanced stage in my Department. The aim of the strategy is to provide high-level policy direction for future investment/grant assistance at national, regional and local level. It is intended to identify the facilities requirement for sport so that participation at reasonable cost...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: Because of the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at this time. The matter will be reviewed again in 2009. A total of 57 applications were received under the current round of the Programme, of which 39 projects have been completed and opened to the public. The priority now is to work with the relevant local...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: My Department has considered this review in detail, and in particular its recommendations and findings. There were two key recommendations: (1) the Irish Film Board should agree with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism a set of measurable, quantifiable targets, including the timeframes for their delivery and the performance indicators by which progress will be measured, for the period...

Written Answers — National Aquatic Centre: National Aquatic Centre (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: The National Aquatic Centre is operated by NSCDA (Operations) Ltd., a subsidiary company of the National Sports Campus Development Authority. All day-to-day operations of the National Aquatic Centre are a matter for the Authority and the operations company. Following the restoration of possession of the National Aquatic Centre to the then Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd. on 1...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: In the Arts and Culture Plan 2008 my Department indicated that it aims to undertake a programme to encourage philanthropic support of the arts. In response to that the Arts Council, which is funded by my Department, has completed a position paper on the subject. The paper is very thought provoking and provides many interesting ideas in which this much under utilised source of funding for...

Written Answers — Sports Promotion: Sports Promotion (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. The Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 specifically states that the ISC has responsibility for developing "strategies for increasing participation in recreational sport and to coordinate their implementation by all bodies (including public...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 93. In a period of significant difficulties in major economies around the world and a challenging fiscal and economic climate at home, the Government introduced a fiscally responsible Budget in order to ensure stability in the public finances, to increase productivity and competitiveness and to protect those who are most vulnerable in our society. To...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: The availability of adequate, fully equipped studio resources that can cater for the needs of indigenous and incoming film/TV productions is essential to marketing Ireland as a film location and, as such, Ardmore plays an integral part in fulfilling this role. Accordingly, in recent months discussions have taken place with representatives of all interested parties and I can confirm that the...

Written Answers — Olympic Games: Olympic Games (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 100 together. The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force was established in August 2006 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. The Task Force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: Since 2005, subheads that had previously been funded entirely by the proceeds of the National Lottery have been part-funded from Lottery revenues with the balance being provided by the Exchequer. National Lottery funding as a percentage of total expenditure on all subheads that were part-funded by Lottery revenues, is as follows: 2005: 64%; 2006: 50%; 2007: 52%; 2008 (est.): 56%; 2009: Not...

Written Answers — Horse and Greyhound Racing Industries: Horse and Greyhound Racing Industries (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 105 and 109 together. The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 for the purpose of giving support to both racing industries. Under the provisions of the Act, the Fund receives a guaranteed level of finance based on excise duty on off-course betting in the preceding year, subject to a minimum level...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I can confirm that I have received representations from individuals within the hotel industry in respect of the Joint Labour Committee Rates of Pay outside of the Dublin region. I have also received representations on the matter from the President of the Irish Hotels Federation. I am well aware of the difficulties being experienced by hoteliers at present having met with the Council of the...