Results 1,281-1,300 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Heritage Fund: Heritage Fund (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question number 74 on the 24th June 2008. A draft Scheme of a Bill to amend the Heritage Fund Act, 2001 is being considered by my Department. I intend to seek Cabinet approval for the formal drafting of the Bill in early course, in accordance with normal procedure in relation to legislation.

Written Answers — National Archives: National Archives (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The provision of appropriate accommodation for the National Archives is under active consideration by my Department in consultation with the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — National Library: National Library (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Recognising the inadequacy of the premises occupied by the Library, the State has, since 1999 supported a major redevelopment programme of those premises. This programme which is being overseen by the Office of Public Works comprises nine separate phases and includes the upgrading of the security and sprinkler systems in various buildings, the refurbishment of the former NCAD building and the...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has statutory responsibility for encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive sport and for increasing participation in recreational sport. I am informed by the Irish Sports Council that the ISC has already in place programmes which are rolled out across all National Governing Bodies of Sport for...

Written Answers — Vetting Procedures: Vetting Procedures (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Garda vetting is an important component of good recruitment practice. Good recruitment practice, in turn, forms one element of an organisation's overall Child Protection Policy. Arts & Sports organisations come within the remit of the existing Garda vetting process managed by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. There is, therefore, no separate arrangement for access to vetting by Arts and...

Written Answers — Football Tournaments: Football Tournaments (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: It would be a great honour if Ireland where selected to host the 2011 UEFA Cup Final and showcase the newly developed stadium at Lansdowne Road to the world at one of European football's premier events. In 2004 the Government allocated a sum of €191m towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road into a 50,000 capacity stadium. The construction of the stadium is well underway and on target...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 163 together. 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, which has a staff of 130, excluding the National Archives, was designated an "early mover" by the Decentralisation Implementation Group...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS) is a key element in the Government's regional arts strategy and has greatly improved access to and participation in the arts for large numbers of people nationwide. The scheme has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural spaces. Facilities funded to date include integrated arts...

Written Answers — Abbey Theatre: Abbey Theatre (8 Oct 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. The project is complex and there are a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to address...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 167 together. A range of measures are being put in place in order to achieve the reduction of 3% in payroll costs for the Department. The existing prioritisation of staff resources in line with the business needs of the Department is being examined and, in this context, the need to fill each vacancy that arises in the normal course or from the...

Written Answers — Museum Projects: Museum Projects (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Funding of €30 million has been earmarked under the Culture Sub Programme of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 for off site storage for the National Cultural Institutions, including the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The individual off-site storage needs of the National Cultural Institutions, are being dealt with progressively on an individual basis. The OPW are aware of the...

Written Answers — National Concert Hall: National Concert Hall (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Government has decided to redevelop the National Concert Hall. The primary objective of the project is to provide three performance auditoria in a single complex, offering capacity for about 2,050 seats in a newly built Main Hall; the existing hall of just over a 1,000 seats as a mid size performance space; and a smaller more flexible hall of 400 seats, respectively and the related...

Written Answers — World Equestrian Games: World Equestrian Games (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 171 together. I understand that Horse Sport Ireland is at present examining the feasibility of hosting the World Equestrian Games in Ireland in 2014. The Department has had no formal meetings with Horse Sport Ireland in relation to a possible Irish bid to host the World Equestrian Games 2014, although there have been some informal contacts between...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: A sum of €184m has been provided in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 to support existing projects in the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme and for new projects to be selected following the launch of a new round of the Programme. However, given the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Programme at this time. A total...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: North South cooperation on tourism has been ongoing for a number of years and continues on a regular basis between the relevant Departments North and South and the respective tourism agencies. As the Deputy will be aware, tourism was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as an area of cooperation. Even before the Agreement however, there was significant co-operation in...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: There are a large number of statutory and other agencies under the remit of the Department providing a wide range of functions. I am currently examining the scope for efficiencies through the rationalisation of those agencies, whether through the development of synergies or through amalgamations. Any final decisions in this regard will be announced in due course.

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The recommendations contained in the report of the Arts and Education Committee charts a possible way forward for the development of an arts in education practice. They highlight the benefits of systematic collaboration between schools and local artists and through visits by schools to arts events and performances — so as to normalise and mainstream arts experience in the minds and lives of...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Museum of Irish Literature in Parnell Square. A Steering Committee chaired by the Department has been established. It has been agreed to conduct a Scoping Study into the project and the Committee is finalising the Terms of Reference for that Study. Funding for this project is not provided specifically in the National...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy will be aware, decisions regarding the status of Cork and Shannon Airports are matters for my colleague the Minister for Transport although my Department obviously monitors developments in this regard. I understand that the Minister for Transport has recently received the Cork and Shannon business plans and expects to receive a finalised commentary on those plans by the DAA...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Under sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations and, in certain circumstances to schools and colleges, throughout the country. It is the main vehicle for development of sports facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Under the programme priority is given to the needs of...