Results 1,481-1,500 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 97 together. As the Deputy will be aware, primary responsibility for the negotiations on introducing pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports rests with my colleague the Minister for Transport. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has however, been kept informed of developments in regard to the possible introduction of pre-clearance...

Written Answers — Local Sports Partnerships: Local Sports Partnerships (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: Through my Department special funding of €2.3 million, over a two-year period, was allocated from the dormant accounts funds to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity by way of the appointment of 20 Sports Inclusion Development Officers in Local Sports Partnerships. The Deputy will be aware that a network of Local Sports...

Written Answers — Performing Arts: Performing Arts (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 96 together. There are no plans at present to set up a working group to investigate the establishment of an Irish academy of theatre arts. I am aware that a recommendation to this effect was contained in the report of the The Forum on Acting, a copy of which was recently provided to my Department and which has yet to be considered in detail. To the...

Written Answers — Stadium Projects: Stadium Projects (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 100 together. The Government's financial commitment to the development of a new stadium at Lansdowne Road is €191m and the grant is capped at that level. The balance of the cost is to be met by the IRFU and the FAI. The arrangements for the development of the stadium, including the respective financial contributors, are part of a legal agreement...

Written Answers — Stadium Projects: Stadium Projects (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together. The Government has recognised the importance of Morton Stadium, Santry, to athletics through significant financial support in recent years. Since 2002, the Irish Sports Council has made an annual financial contribution towards the running costs of the stadium, amounting in total to just over €1 million. In addition, funding in excess of...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: My policy priorities in relation to sport are set out in the Programme for Government and are articulated further in the Department's Statement of Strategy 2008-2010. The overriding objective which will drive the development of policy will be accessibility and participation for all in sport. I intend to put in place a policy framework building on the important role that sport plays in the...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Under previous rounds of the Sports Capital Programme the Velodrome in Dublin City Council's Eamonn Ceannt Park has been allocated almost €900,000 in funding between...

Written Answers — Sports Facilities: Sports Facilities (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am currently considering the report of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force which includes findings and recommendations arising from the report carried out by Indecon International Economic Consultants on the economic evaluation of the benefit to the island of Ireland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Both the University of Limerick and University College...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: Culture Ireland was established in 2005 as the new national agency for the promotion of Irish arts and culture worldwide, including music, theatre, dance, film, literature, visual arts, traditional arts, architecture, opera and circus. Since that time the agency has been operating with significant success under the direction of a Board. I greatly appreciate the value of Culture Ireland's...

Written Answers — National Stadium: National Stadium (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: The National Sports Campus Development Authority which has statutory responsibility for the development of a Sports Campus at Abbotstown is currently examining a proposal from the Athletics Association of Ireland for the inclusion of an indoor athletics track part of Phase One of the National Sports Campus. The current Development Control Plan which was approved by the Government in 2005 in...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: On 14 June the Comptroller and Auditor General published a special report on an examination carried out on the arrangements for the procurement of certain capital works and services and related matters by Bord na gCon. The Report will be the subject of examination by the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday 26 June 2008. The issues raised in the report by the C&AG come within the remit of...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: Funding for touring is provided by the Arts Council. The Arts Council is statutorily independent under the Arts Act, 2003 and I have no role to play in its specific funding decisions. The Arts Council introduced a Touring Programme in late 2006 for which funding of €1.7m was made available in 2007. The Council has provided a further €757,000 in grants for touring in 2008. In addition...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Agreed Programme for Government commits to the roll out of the Local Sports Partnership programme on a nationwide basis to provide for the development of sport at local level. The Irish Sports Council (ISC) has a statutory role in the promotion and development of sport, including initiatives such as the Local Sports Partnership network, through which sports initiatives at local level are...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2008, and in particular to Vote 33 — pages 154 to 155, and to Vote 35 — pages 164 to 169.

Written Answers — Access to Sporting Facilities: Access to Sporting Facilities (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 103 together. I would refer the Deputies to my reply to PQ No. 75 which I answered today. In relation to the Sports Capital Programme, it should be noted that the level of allocations are contingent on the quality and volume of the applications received and the overall level of funding available, rather than any perceived predisposition towards...

Written Answers — Arts Council: Arts Council (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism I am committed to securing the best possible funding for the Arts Council and the arts sector generally. The Arts Council's funding requirement for the year ahead however, can only be addressed in the context of the consideration of the Estimates for the Public Services for 2009.

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply on this issue on 27th May 2008. As I indicated on that occasion, publication of this Report is a matter, in the first instance, for the Arts Council.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: Subject to receipt of advice from the Director of the National Archives and the National Archives Advisory Council, and following the clarification of certain legal issues by the Attorney General, I would anticipate that the heads of a bill can be finalised later this year.

Written Answers — Fáilte Ireland: Fáilte Ireland (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: The National Development Plan 2007-13, "Transforming Ireland", provides for a total Exchequer investment in tourism of €800m over the seven years, including a Tourism Product Development and Infrastructure sub-programme of €317m to upgrade and supplement Ireland's tourism attractions and activities, and to deliver a National Conference Centre in Dublin. The €137m fund (exclusive of the...

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (24 Jun 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Government's priorities for the Arts are set out in the Programme for Government and are elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy and the Arts Plan 2008, which has been placed in the Oireachtas Library. 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...