Written answers

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Departmental Staff

11:00 pm

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the payments made to senior officials in his Department under the performance related pay scheme for each of the years 2005 to 2008, if he has approved the payments for 2008; if so, the date of this approval; the date of the approval of payments relating to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14213/09]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The scheme of performance-related awards in the civil service applies to Deputy and Assistant Secretaries and equivalent grades.

On the basis that the awards are confidential to the officer concerned details of individual awards are not disclosed nor is the total amount awarded under the scheme made known in respect of Departments where there are less than 5 officers covered by the scheme which would allow them to be identified, which is the case in the Department. Details of the operation of the scheme are available in the report of the Committee for Performance Awards which can be accessed on the website of the Department of Finance at www.finance.gov.ie/documents/publications/reports/CPArep2006.pdf

No awards have been approved in respect of 2008.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of staff in his Department; the number of staff employed in the national sports grants section; the number of outstanding sports grants applications being dealt with at present; the length of time it is expected to take to have these outstanding applications dealt with; the role and functions of all staff in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14301/09]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's role, functions and objectives are set out in its Statement of Strategy which can be accessed through the Department's website www.dast.gov.ie. The staff employed in the Department are engaged in the delivery of its objectives as set out in the Department's Annual Business Plans which can also be accessed through the same website. The number of staff in the Department, including the National Archives, is currently 164. Of this number, the number of staff in the sports capital grants section of the Department is 14.

Over 7,400 projects, providing a range of essential sports facilities, have benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocation in that time to over €725 million. At this time an overhang of €175m in commitments is still to be drawn down. The staff in the sports capital unit are currently employed on the management of this drawdown of funding for projects in respect of which the entire grant allocation has not been drawn down. The management of each of these projects can be complex and time consuming to ensure that grantees comply with the conditions of the Programme in relation to tendering, tax clearance, legal and planning requirements.

In addition, staff in the Unit are involved in finalising a five-year strategic plan to inform the future development of necessary sporting facilities throughout the country. The aim of the strategy is to provide high-level policy direction for future investment and grant assistance at national, regional and local level. The strategy will also identify the wider economic, health and social case for continued investment in sports facilities. It will aim to prioritise areas for future investment and to ensure continued impact on participation in the relevant areas including those in lower socio-economic groups. It will address future sports facility funding and provision and will inform decisions on future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the allocation of staff resources within the Department is kept under constant review to ensure efficiency and flexibility with a clear focus on the delivery of priority objectives and making the best use of such resources.

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