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

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreements: Social Partnership Agreements (3 Nov 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Department has not established any specific review or working groups to deal with matters arising from the social partnership agreements. However the Department's internal Partnership Committee has a role in the implementation, in the organisation, of the Civil Service modernisation agenda which forms part of the social partnership agreements including Towards 2016. This Committee also...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (3 Nov 2009)

Martin Cullen: Special funding of €2.5 million was allocated from the dormant accounts fund for the appointment of 20 Sports Inclusion Development Officers (SIDOs) in Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in 2008. The SIDOs were appointed on two-year contracts to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity. A network of 33 LSPs have been set up...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (3 Nov 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 792 and 793 together. In 1997, the venue referred to by the Deputy received capital funding of IR£100,000 (€127,000) from the Department of Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht & the Islands under a scheme called the Cultural Development Incentive Scheme. I understand that in 2003/2004, under a scheme operated by the Cultural Cinema Consortium, a capital grant of...

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

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, 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 coordinated and delivered. The network was launched in May 2001 and fully established in 2008, bringing the number of sites to 33. I am...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (21 Oct 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. Fáilte Ireland...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 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, excluding the National Archives, was designated an "early mover" by the Decentralisation Implementation Group. A key objective in implementing the Government decision was to manage the...

Written Answers — Tourism Competitiveness: Tourism Competitiveness (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy will be aware, the World Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index was referred to in the Report of the Tourism Renewal Group which was published on 8 October 2009. I welcome the Report as the central framework for a strategic response to the challenges facing the tourism sector. I refer the Deputy to my response to the Priority Questions No. 96 and No. 97 put by Deputies...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Department of Arts Sport and Tourism maintains contact with all other Government Departments regarding matters that affect the tourism industry. In keeping with this practice the Department has been in contact with the Department of Finance and the National Treasury Management Agency regarding the operation of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). At this stage it is too early to...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 122 together. All applications under the Sports Capital Programme are assessed according to the Programme's published assessment criteria. These criteria, which are issued with application forms, can be summarised as follows: the extent to which projects increase active participation and result in improved standards of sport especially in...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: Any change in relation to the free travel scheme for senior citizens is, in the first instance, a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. While the scheme is free for those who are eligible, all of the transport companies involved, including CIE, are paid for the service by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. I understand the estimated cost of the scheme...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: As I have outlined in responses to Parliamentary Questions on this matter on the 16th June and 24th September last the operation of the Artists Exemption scheme is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners under the terms of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The original intention of the legislation was, inter alia, to create an environment in which the Arts could flourish and to encourage Irish...

Written Answers — Culture Ireland: Culture Ireland (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I regard Culture Ireland as a key element of my Department. Culture Ireland's remit is to promote Irish arts and artists worldwide across all art forms including theatre, music, dance, literature, visual arts and film. Since its establishment in 2005 Culture Ireland has made a wide impact worldwide through the promotion and support of over 1,350 Irish cultural initiatives and events in 74...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 234 to 236, inclusive, together. Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show a reduction of 10.9% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for the first eight months of 2009 compared with the corresponding period of 2008. As I have said previously, while any reduction in the number of overseas visitors is disappointing, it must be seen...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Tourism Marketing Fund is a dedicated fund for overseas tourism marketing, which in 2009 amounts to €47.25 million. It is allocated to both Tourism Ireland, for the overseas marketing of Ireland as a tourist destination, and to Fáilte Ireland for niche and regional marketing overseas. As a north/south body, Tourism Ireland also receives funding from the Northern Ireland Department of...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am assuming the Deputy's question refers to the 2010 allocation for the Arts Council, decisions in relation to which will be made in the context of the overall funds secured for my Department as part of the ongoing Estimates process. 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'...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: As one of our longest standing competitive and significant internationally traded services, tourism is a key driver of social and economic development at both national and regional levels in Ireland. Tourism – through the strength of our tourism brand and the quality of the tourist experience – also plays a central role in creating a positive image of Ireland. The recent Report of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: The elements of the Department's Vote which are part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery are as follows: - Subhead C.1: Grants for sporting bodies and for the provision of sports and recreational facilities under the Sports Capital Programme; - Subhead C.3: Grant-in-Aid provided to the Irish Sports Council in respect of general assistance to sports organisations and expenditure in...

Written Answers — National Concert Hall: National Concert Hall (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I wish to confirm that the procurement phase of the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall is progressing. In accordance with the Government decision, it is a Design / Build / Finance / Maintain PPP project. Two participating consortia submitted tenders on 25 September 2009 for the project and these are being evaluated at present. This stage of the process should be competed around the...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I wish to advise the Deputy that, 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...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: A number of the national cultural institutions already provide patrons with later opening hours on selected evenings every week. The National Gallery remains open until 8.30 p.m. on Thursdays; the Crawford Art Gallery Cork remains open late on Thursdays (until 8 p.m.), whilst the National Library of Ireland remains open until 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This is in addition...