Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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506. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the additional €55 million announced in budget 2021 for the business support scheme is a once-off Covid-19 payment for 2021; if it can be understood to be a new component of her Department’s baseline core funding allocation; the amount of it that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount expected to be carried over to 2022. [31070/21]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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507. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the additional €5 million announced in budget 2021 for tourism product development is a once-off Covid-19 payment for 2021; if it can be understood to be a new component of her Department’s baseline core funding allocation; the amount of it that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount expected to be carried over to 2022. [31071/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 507 together.

The Revised Estimates for 2021 recognise the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the sectors under the aegis of my Department as well as the impact of BREXIT and they also reflect the commitments contained in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future. However, there is no specific categorisation of funding allocations within programme areas other than by subhead.

As the Deputy is aware, I secured a total of just under €221m for tourism funding from Budget 2021, from which I was allocated €50m in direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Combined with existing resources, this supported Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, which had a total fund €55m, and the €5 million allocated to focused training in the tourism sector and investment in digitalisation in the sector to start to prepare for the post-Covid economy.

To date, Fáilte Ireland has drawn down €37.447 million of its 2021 current expenditure allocation of €120.836 million and I anticipate that the full allocation will be spent by year end.

In relation to capital expenditure, €33.8 million has been allocated in 2021 for Tourism Product Development to Fáilte Ireland. To date €3m million has been drawn down by Fáilte Ireland. The amount that will be spent this year is subject to the progress of capital projects. While it is too early to accurately forecast the full end of year outturn, all expenditure within my Department's vote will continue to be carefully monitored between now and year end to ensure the best use of available financial resources.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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508. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the additional €36 million announced in budget 2021 for Sport Ireland is a once-off Covid-19 payment for 2021; if it can be understood to be a new component of her Department’s baseline core funding allocation; the amount of it that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount expected to be carried over to 2022. [31072/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Revised Estimates for 2021 recognise the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the sectors under the aegis of my Department as well as the impact of BREXIT and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future. However, there is no specific categorisation of funding allocations within programme areas other than by subhead.

A total of €104.5 million was allocated to Sport Ireland in the Revised Estimates for 2021 compared to €68.5 million in the 2020 REV. Of the additional €36 million allocated in 2021, €26.3 million relates to current expenditure and €9.7 million relates to capital expenditure.

The additional current expenditure allocation of €26.3 million was provided to support the sport sector in 2021, including measures such as:

- Increased funding for high performance sport to ensure our athletes are supported to achieve their potential at the postponed Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games;

- Increased core grant funding for our sporting bodies to support them in meeting challenges from Covid-19;

- Increased funding for Sport Ireland participation programmes including the innovative online programmes which proved so successful in 2020; and

- Meeting commitments of €5.4 million to the Football Association of Ireland under the MOU agreed in January 2020, i.e. an additional €2.9m for football development and €2.5446m for payment of the Aviva Stadium licence fee.

To date, Sport Ireland has drawn down €42 million of its 2021 current expenditure allocation of €91.91m and I anticipate that the full allocation will be spent by year end.

In relation to capital expenditure, €12.6 million has been allocated for 2021 for the development of the Sport Ireland Campus. To date €0.475 million has been drawn down by Sport Ireland. The amount that will be spent this year is subject to the progress of capital projects at the Campus, which will become clearer in the coming months.

In relation to further Covid-19 funding for 2021, Minister Martin and I have committed to supporting the sport sector again this year in meeting the challenges arising from Covid-19. Sport Ireland is in ongoing communication with the NGBs and is assessing the financial needs of the sector. In addition, I am engaging with NGBs with regard to the supports required.

In regard to allocation in 2022 and any carryover, this will form part of the Budget 2022 discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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509. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the additional €7 million announced in budget 2021 for large-scale sports infrastructure is a once-off Covid-19 payment for 2021; if it can be understood to be a new component of her Department’s baseline core funding allocation; the amount of it that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount expected to be carried over to 2022. [31073/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount (€300,000) available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m over the period to 2027 for the Fund.

The first allocations under the Fund were announced at the beginning of 2020 and approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 proposals to date. These projects are at various stages of a due diligence process and formal grant agreements have now issued to a number of the successful applicants.

In relation to this year's LSSIF funding, a total of €14.6m is available in the Department's subhead. None of this funding is Covid related. While no payments have been made to date, now that a number of formal grant agreements have issued, the first payments are expected to be made in the coming months.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of the LSSIF which is expected to be complete in the coming months. This review will consider, inter alia, progress on all existing grants and will provide an insight into the likely spend for the remainder of the year. The timing of any new call for proposals will also be considered.

In regard to allocation in 2022 and any carryover, this will form part of the Budget 2022 discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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510. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the additional €2 million announced in budget 2021 for major sporting events is a once-off Covid-19 payment for 2021; if it can be understood to be a new component of her Department’s baseline core funding allocation; the amount of it that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount expected to be carried over to 2022. [31074/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The budget for Major Events increased from €4.4 million in 2020 to €5.995 million in 2021 on the basis of existing commitments and plans for 2021. The increase does not include any funding for Covid-19 measures. The allocation for the Major Events could potentially vary from year to year given the events on hand and the allocation for 2022 will be decided as part of the discussions in regard to Budget 2022. No funding has been spent to date as the majority of the expenditure under this programme is due to fall in the second half of 2021.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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511. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the additional €2 million announced in Budget 2021 for the broadcasting fund is a once-off Covid-19 payment for 2021; if it can be understood to be a new component of her Department’s baseline core funding allocation; the amount of it that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount expected to be carried over to 2022. [31075/21]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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512. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation that was made to the sound and vision fund in Budget 2021; the amount of same spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount carried over to 2022. [31076/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together.

REV2021 allocations recognise the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the sectors under the aegis of my Department as well as the impact of BREXIT and commitments contained in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future. However, there is no specific categorisation of funding allocations within programme areas other than by subhead.

The additional €2m in budget 2021 is comprised of €1.2m for Irish Language Broadcasting which was agreed alongside New Decade New Approach Agreement and €0.839m for BAI to recoup the cost of the levy waiver for the independent radio sector in 2020. The €1.2m will be allocated as follows: €1m to the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund administered by Northern Ireland Screen for Irish language content production and €100,000 each to RTE and TG4 for promotion of Irish Language broadcasting in Northern Ireland.

Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 makes provision for the disbursement of 7% of the net television licence fee receipts to the Broadcasting Fund administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. As the Broadcasting Fund is primarily funded through TV licence receipts which in turn are determined by direct sales in the course of the year, it is not possible to determine until year end the precise allocation to the Broadcasting Fund.

The Broadcasting Fund supports both the Sound and Vision (S&V) and Archiving Schemes. To date in 2021 (8 June 2021) the BAI’s Broadcasting Fund has received €5.869m from licence fee receipts. All TV licence receipts received in 2021 will be allocated in accordance with the provisions set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009.

In light of the ongoing challenges faced by the sector, I provided an additional €4.9m in exchequer funds for the Sound and Vision Scheme in late 2020. €1m of this was allocated by the BAI under Round 37 in December 2020. The balance of €3.9m was recently allocated by the BAI with €2.5m allocated to the commercial radio sector providing supports to all 32 stations (Round 39) and €1.4m allocated to 8 projects to support the live music sector (Round 38)

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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514. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation that was made to RTÉ in Budget 2021; the amount of same spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount carried over to 2022. [31078/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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RTÉ is dual funded from commercial revenue and licence fee receipts. Licence fee receipts are comprised of direct sales by An Post, who act as my issuing agent under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and a contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free licences issued under the Household Benefits Scheme. A total of €69.787m is provided for in 2021 in respect of free licences. It is not possible to determine until end year the total amount received through direct sales of TV licences or therefore the overall allocation to RTÉ.

My Department distributes all monies received in the year of receipt with no carryover in accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009. This provides for payment to An Post for collection, 7% of the net receipts to the BAI Broadcasting Fund and the balance to RTÉ.

To date (8 June 2021) RTÉ have received €77.978m from my Department. Details of how RTÉ spent monies in 2021 will be set out in their Annual Report and Accounts for the year when published in 2022.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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515. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of core, Covid-19 and Brexit funding her Department has received for 2021; and the additional funding her Department has received under the Economic Recovery Plan announced on 1 June. [31079/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The gross total allocation for my Department in 2021 is €1,081,818,000. Details of all allocations are set out by programme area and by subhead in the Revised Estimates Volume 2021 (REV2021) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates.

REV2021 allocations recognise the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the sectors under the aegis of my Department as well as the impact of BREXIT – they also reflect the commitments contained in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future. However, there is no specific categorisation of funding allocations within programme areas other than by subhead.

A number of schemes will be implemented in 2021 in direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. These include:

€50m in respect of a Business Continuity Fund being administered by Fáilte Ireland;

€50m in respect of a variety of supports for the Live Entertainment sector including a 2021 iteration of the very successful 2020 Pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) and the recently announced Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS); and

€15m in supports for sports and recreation services via Sport Ireland.

The Government's response to the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the economy generally is comprised of a broad range of supports delivered across a range of Departments. In addition to direct intervention measures introduced by my Department the Government has ensured the availability of horizontal supports that are critical to the survival of many in our sectors. These include the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC), all of which continue to be key to supporting all sectors thorough this crisis.

The recently announced Economic Recovery Plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and pays particular attention to sectors most impacted, such as tourism and hospitality, live events and the arts. Under the Plan, the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sport, Media and those working in Gaeltacht communities has been extended.

In addition to horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Planincludes a package of sectoral supports for the Tourism, Live Events and the Arts and Culture which include the following:

A separate €11.5m new fund for the entertainment industry, including festivals, conferencing and large events has been agreed between myself and the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. This Events Sector Covid Support Scheme will support SMEs that are not eligible for the CRSS;

A commitment for Government to prioritise a Basic Income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. This was a key recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, and I will bring forward a proposal following the report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Oversight Group in July;

An Extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022. This will continue to act as a stimulus for the sector as it moves towards recovery;

The continuation of the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme, to support businesses not covered by the CRSS; and

An extension of the commercial rates waiver to September 2021.

These supports will augment the work already being undertaken by Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, and Screen Ireland in supporting Gaeltacht companies, the Tourism and Hospitality sector, and the audiovisual industry to withstand the full impact of the pandemic and position them for growth in the coming years.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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516. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Covid-19 business supports under her remit; the allocation provided for each scheme; the amount that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount that will be carried over to 2022. [31080/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The gross total allocation for my Department in 2021 is €1,081,818,000. Details of all allocations are set out by programme area and by subhead in the Revised Estimates Volume 2021 (REV2021) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates

REV2021 allocations recognise the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the sectors under the aegis of my Department, however, there is no specific categorisation of funding allocations within programme areas other than by subhead.

A number of schemes will be implemented in 2021 in direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. These include:

€50m in respect of a Business Continuity Fund being administered by Fáilte Ireland;

€50m in respect of a variety of supports for the Live Entertainment sector including a 2021 iteration of the very successful 2020 Pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) and the recently announced Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS);

A separate €11.5m new fund for the entertainment industry, including festivals, conferencing and large events has been agreed between myself and the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. This Events Sector COVID Support Scheme will support SMEs that are not eligible for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme; and

€15m in supports for sports and recreation services via Sport Ireland.

I am also delighted that the National Economic Recovery Plan includes a commitment for Government to prioritise a Basic Income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. This was a key recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, and I will bring forward a proposal following the report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Oversight Group in July.

The Government's response to the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the economy generally is comprised of a broad range of supports delivered across a range of Departments. In addition to direct intervention measures introduced by my Department, under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sport, Media and those working in Gaeltacht communities. This includes:

Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000;

Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December;

Extending the Pandemic Unemployment Payment beyond 30 June 2021;

Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021;

Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises; and

The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.

Details of all expenditure by my Department and all Government departments are published by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis at:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/b9bc4-fiscal-monitor-may-2021/

Total gross expenditure for my Department to 31 May 2021 amounts to €273.68m. This figure is provisional as all expenditure within my Department's Vote is subject to an ongoing internal verification and monitoring process to ensure the best use of available financial resources. Adjustments may fall to be made between subheads as part of this process and all figures are subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

While it is too early to accurately forecast the full end of year outturn, I can advise that no significant savings are envisaged at present. All expenditure within my Department's vote will continue to be carefully monitored between now and year end to ensure the best use of available financial resources.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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517. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation in Budget 2021 for Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. [31081/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The 2021 allocations in respect of these agencies are available in the Revised Estimates Volume 2021 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2021 (Programme A - Subheads A.3 and A.4)

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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518. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount her Department allocated for sports capital grants in 2021; and if the grant is available on an annual basis. [31082/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.

The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1^stMarch, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. A minimum of €40m will be allocated to successful applicants.

The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. It is envisaged that allocations for applications for sports equipment- only will be made first during the Summer with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year.

In relation to the timing of the programme, applications were invited on an annual basis from 1998 to 2008. Subsequently, the programme was advertised for new proposals in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020. A decision on the timing of the next call for proposals will be made following the completion of allocations under the current round.