Results 1,101-1,120 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — National Library: National Library (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: The provision of a purpose built extension and storage facility for the National Library is among the cultural infrastructure projects included in National Development Plan 2007-2013. Planning permission has been obtained for the building. Currently my Department is working closely with the National Library to prepare a detailed economic assessment of the project, which is required under...

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

Martin Cullen: The National Conference Centre, which is to be known as The Convention Centre Dublin, is scheduled to open on 1 September 2010. On 5 April 2007 the contract for the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin was awarded to Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin Ltd. Under the public private partnership arrangement, Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin Ltd., is required to design,...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am currently considering nominations for the vacancies on the board of the Arts Council and hope to make an announcement shortly. The remaining members of the boards, whose terms expire in 2011, are sufficient to provide a quorum for the Council and under the Arts Act 2003 the Deputy Chair can take the place of the Chair until a new Chair is appointed.

Written Answers — Natural History Museum: Natural History Museum (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: My Department, the Office of Public Works and the National Museum are examining options for early commencement of the restoration works so that the Natural History Museum will be re-opened as soon as possible. Since the National Museum of Ireland became an autonomous statutory body under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 on 3rd May 2005, the Board of the National Museum is...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: Since 1998, under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, almost €7 million has been allocated to individual boxing clubs to provide facilities and equipment to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association. Included in this figure is €2,800,660 towards the development of the National Stadium and €109,100 towards high performance equipment. The Irish Sports Council...

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

Martin Cullen: 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. In accordance with the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, 80% and 20% of the moneys paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and Bord na gCon respectively. Since 2001, income from the Fund has...

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

Martin Cullen: In the Budget speech the Minister for Finance informed the House that members of the Government and Ministers of State would surrender 10% of their current total pay and that officers at Secretary General level in Government Departments had volunteered to make a corresponding surrender in respect of their pay. The Minister for Finance also stated that other public servants in leadership and...

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

Martin Cullen: In the case of the Department, the payroll element of the Administrative Budget has been under funded in previous years with the shortfall being met by transferring savings within the overall Administrative Budget in line with the terms of the Administrative Budget Agreement with the Department of Finance, an option that will be restricted in 2009. As the payroll cost for 2008 is projected...

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

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply earlier today to Priority Question No. 71 in the name of Deputy Mitchell.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: An Agreed Programme for Government makes a commitment to producing a Green Paper on Animal Welfare in Sport and Recreation. The most effective process for giving effect to this commitment will be considered in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. There is no spending Programme associated with this initiative.

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

Martin Cullen: The funding of the Arts Council, as with all Government Departments and State agencies, is a matter for consideration under the annual budget and Estimates' process. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society. I am aware of the Arts Council's desire to have multi-annual budgets. I can appreciate the need for stability in budgeting...

Written Answers — Abbey Theatre: Abbey Theatre (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: In 2006 the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre by way of a public private partnership on a site at George's Dock, on a build, finance and maintain basis. This site was chosen following an extensive search exercise conducted by the Office of Public Works that involved the examination of a number of options. This PPP project is now being progressed on...

Written Answers — National Cultural Institutions: National Cultural Institutions (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: Extending the opening hours of national cultural institutions is an essential innovation in developing access and attracting wider audiences. More flexible opening hours reflect the changed lifestyles for those who wish to visit our National Cultural Institutions, and especially the national museums and galleries. The extended and more flexible opening hours at our national cultural...

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

Martin Cullen: The Special Committee on the Arts and Education report 'Points of Alignment' published earlier this year marked the culmination of a comprehensive consultation process and serious consideration of all the issues by those charged with the production of this document. The Committee's remit was to advise the Arts Council on how best to align the Council's strategies for the promotion and...

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

Martin Cullen: 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. Since 1998 the Government has allocated over €725m in sports capital funding to over 7,400 sports projects across the country. This investment has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme, which was introduced in section 29 of the Finance Act 2007 and launched in June 2008, provides tax incentives for investment in tourism attractions and facilities in the designated Mid-Shannon Corridor. Any review of the Scheme in terms of the deadlines set is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance in the first instance....

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

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 (IFB). This agency is funded through my Department and is independent of the Department in its operations. For 2009 a budget of €20.416m has been provided for the IFB in the Estimates for my Department. The task...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 176, inclusive, together. Government Policy on the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and is elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy. My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (19 Nov 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together. We have in recent years enjoyed consistent growth in numbers of overseas visitors and associated revenue earnings. Last year alone we welcomed over 8 million visitors with associated revenue of €4.9 billion, including Irish carrier receipts. While the international tourism market is becoming increasingly competitive,...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 183, inclusive, together. The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive and recreational sport. The Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 specifically states that one of the functions of the ISC shall be "to encourage the promotion, development...