Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

385. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total budget for each of Waterways Ireland, Fóras na Gaeilge and Ulster-Scots Agency for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and any proposed budget reductions to these bodies currently being considered. [49349/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department funds two of the six North South Implementation Bodies established under the 1999 British-Irish Agreement. These are Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga (which comprises two agencies - Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency/Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch). The Bodies are co-funded by my Department (DAHG) and the Department of Arts, Culture and Leisure (DCAL), Northern Ireland. In terms of co-funding, the Ulster-Scots Agency is funded 75% by DCAL and 25% by DAHG; while Foras na Gaeilge is funded 25% by DCAL and 75% by DAHG. As regards Waterways Ireland, current expenditure is funded 85% by DAHG and 15% by DCAL. Capital expenditure by Waterways Ireland is met directly by each jurisdiction .

The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) approved budget allocations from Sponsor Departments to the Bodies for the years 2010 to 2012 are set out in table below.

My Department's REV provision for An Foras Teanga in 2013 is €14.613m, a 5.3% efficiency saving on 2012. My Department's Estimates provision for 2014 is €13.578m, a 7% efficiency saving on 2013. It should be noted that my Department's provisions for An Foras Teanga also include funding in respect of Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge and Colmcille.

The 2013 and 2014 Budget allocations to the Bodies are subject to ongoing discussion by the two Sponsor Departments and will require, of course, formal approval by the NSMC.