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Wednesday, 10 Jul 2024

Written Answers Nos. 113-121

Equal Opportunities Employment

Questions (113)

Pauline Tully

Question:

113. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department in each of the years 2020 to 2023; the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department in the corresponding timeframe that had full-time contracts; and the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed in her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 that had part-time contracts, in tabular form. [30954/24]

View answer

Written answers

Part V of the Disability Act 2005 requires that public bodies promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and ensure that 3% of staff employed by them are people with disabilities. The requirement applies to the Department of Education and certain of its aegis bodies.

The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, commits the Government to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024.

The information requested by the Deputy is attached in tabular form. While an anonymous staff survey of all employees both permanent and temporary was carried out in 2022 and 2023, the survey does not identify the number or percentage of people that had full-time or part-time contracts.

The information in respect of state bodies is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 11 March 2024

Name of Body

Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas

Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members

An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta

agus Gaelscolaíochta

oireachtas@cogg.ie

jacquelinenifhearghusa@cogg.ie

Educational Research Centre

oireachtas.queries@erc.ie

John.Regan@erc.ie

National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

oireachtasqueries@ncca.ie

Aine.ArmstrongFarrell@ncca.ie

State Examinations Commission

Oireachtas@examinations.ie

john.mcdermott@examinations.ie

The Teaching Council

pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie

rflynn@teachingcouncil.ie

National Council for Special Education

oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie

patrick.martin@ncse.ie and

cindyjane.oconnell@ncse.ie

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua

Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie

Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie

Dept. of Education

Year

No. of Staff

Percentage

2020

49

3.58%

2021

48

3.06%

2022

80

4.67%

2023

101

5%

Irish Language

Questions (114)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

114. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will examine a request for additional funding for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30156/24]

View answer

Written answers

Both I and my officials held a meeting recently with representatives from the organisation referred to during which it outlined the contents of its funding proposals for the Irish language and Gaeltacht sector. My Department will consider the recommendations made by the organisation in the context of the Departments submission to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to the 2025 Estimates process.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (115)

Michael McGrath

Question:

115. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that might be available to assist a certain arts organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30024/24]

View answer

Written answers

Primary public support for the arts in Ireland is provided through the Arts Council. This Government has increased funding to Arts Council in recent years and it now stands at a historic high of €134m. It appears from the details supplied that the organisation to which the Deputy refers has not made an application for funding to the Arts Council in recent years. Under Section 24 of the Arts Act 2003, I cannot direct the Arts Council in the matter of its funding decisions.

The Cultural Institutions Unit in my Department administers grants and funding for smaller cultural institutions. This funding is listed under the Cultural Projects funding subhead known as B6

Projects funded under the B6 subhead meet a specific cultural need and support the high level goal of the department in relation to enhancing access to the arts, culture and film sectors and recognising the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland.

Details of this programme and it’s various categories of funded may be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/f2ed0-culture-grants-and-funding/

Although the organisation to which the Deputy refers appears to be aware of the B6 schemes, it seems not to have applied for funding under any of those schemes.

My Department also makes capital grants to not-for-profit arts and culture organisations. Much of the nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres used by the professional arts were initiated and funded by local authorities. Whereas this network of venues and arts centres receive ongoing funding for programming from the Arts Council, my Department focuses on providing capital grant funding for arts and cultural facilities. The primary focus of these schemes is towards securing and enhancing existing arts and culture facilities.

At present, my Department has a capital scheme open for applications called Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme. Grants of up to €50,000 are available to not-for-profit arts and culture organisations for capital projects that reduce their carbon footprint or provide additional capacity for artistic production. Full details for of these capital schemes can be obtained at the following link: gov - Creative Arts: Grants and Funding (www.gov.ie)

In terms of other capital funding, €6m is being made available to local authorities under the Artist Workspaces Scheme that I launched on 12 June. The primary focus of this pilot scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to enable them to provide additional capacity and availability of artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis.

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (116)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

116. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing the funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta by 10%, 20% and 50%, in tabular form. [30077/24]

View answer

Written answers

The following table sets out the estimated costs as requested, of increasing the funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta by 10%, 20% and 50%.

2024 Budget Allocation

10 %

10% increase

€37,229,000

€3,722,900

€40,951,900

2024 Budget Allocation

20%

20% increase

€37,229,000

€7,445,800

€44,674,800

2024 Budget Allocation

50%

50% increase

€37,229,000

€18,614,500

€55,843,500

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (117)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

117. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will commit to providing clear housing functions to Údarás na Gaeltachta under the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30215/24]

View answer

Written answers

There have been many changes to the work of Údarás na Gaeltachta since its establishment in 1980. It remains the regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht. However, the success of the organisation relies upon its alignment with the evolving needs of Gaeltacht communities. In this context, one of the most pressing issues both within Gaeltacht communities and nationally is that of housing provision. In an effort to address one aspect of this issue, An tÚdarás has identified a number of suitable sites within its property portfolio which could potentially be developed for housing purposes.

I am of the view, therefore, that it would be prudent to give an tÚdarás explicit powers in relation to housing in the Gaeltacht. I have, accordingly, included in the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was published last week, a provision enabling the organisation to dispose of land in its ownership for the purposes of housing to either a Housing Authority or an Approved Housing Body.

I look forward to further debate regarding the provisions contained in this Bill during its passage through the Oireachtas which will commence in Dáil Éireann this week.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (118)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

118. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by her Department from EU sources in respect of Covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details supplied). [30232/24]

View answer

Written answers

All of the funding provided to my Department in respect of Covid-19 was provided directly by the Exchequer.

Oideachas Riachtanas Speisialta

Questions (119)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

119. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sí sásta breis airgid a cheadú do champa samhraidh Gaeilge speisialta i gConamara do ghasúir Ghaeltachta a bhfuil uathachas orthu, de bharr an chúraim speisialta bhreise a theastaíonn ó na gasúir speisialta seo [30299/24]

View answer

Written answers

Is ar an eagraíocht Muintearas Teo. atá an cúram Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh a riar ar son mo Roinne. Ar bhonn ghinearálta, cuirtear fóirdheontas níos airde ar fáil do pháistí le riachtanais speisialta le tacú leo freastal ar champaí samhraidh Gaeltachta atá maoinithe ag mo Roinn faoin scéim seo.

Tá plé ar bun le tamall idir oifigigh mo Roinne agus Muintearas Teo maidir le campa samhraidh speisialta a reáchtáil i gConamara do ghasúir Ghaeltachta a bhfuil uathachas orthu agus tá curtha in iúl ag mo chuid oifigigh go mbeadh an Roinn sásta breathnú go báúil ar iarratas dá leithéid a mhaoiniú ach ceann a bheith faighte.

Tá iarrtha ag mo Roinn anois ar Mhuintearas Teo teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an iarratasóir ar mhaithe leis an gcás seo a bhrú chun cinn.

An Clár Caipitil Spóirt

Questions (120)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

120. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir le hiarratas faoin scéim deontais caipitiúil d’eagraíochtaí spóirt (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30429/24]

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Written answers

Is é an Clár um Chaipiteal agus Trealamh Spóirt an príomh-mhodh tacaíochta Rialtais maidir le háiseanna spóirt agus áineasa a fhorbairt agus maidir le trealamh spóirt neamhphearsanta a cheannach ar fud na tíre. I mbabhta 2023 den Chlár fuarthas an líon ab airde iarratas riamh lena n-áirítear an t-iarratas ar thagair an Teachta dó.

Ar an 9 Bealtaine 2024, d’fhógair an tAire Martin agus mé féin níos mó ná €26 mhilliún i ndeontais trealaimh amháin faoin mbabhta is déanaí den Chlár. Leithdháileadh na deontais go sealadach ar eagraíochtaí ar fud na tíre agus ar bhreis agus caoga spórt agus gníomhaíocht. Fógrófar leithdháiltí breise, lena n-áirítear iad siúd le haghaidh oibreacha caipitil agus oibreacha caipitil le gné threalaimh faoin bhfómhar.

Ar an 29 Bealtaine 2024, d’fhógair an tAire Martin agus mé féin go mbeidh ar a laghad €250 milliún de mhaoiniú ar fáil faoin mbabhta is déanaí den Chlár. Ba cheart go gciallódh an leibhéal maoinithe ab airde riamh go mbeadh toradh dearfach ar gach iarratas bailí.

Equal Opportunities Employment

Questions (121)

Pauline Tully

Question:

121. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department in each of the years 2020 to 2023; the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department in the corresponding timeframe that had full-time contracts; and the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed in her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 that had part-time contracts, in tabular form. [30957/24]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is required to report annually to the National Disability Authority (NDA) on the number of persons with disabilities employed on 31st December each year in both the Department and in the Public Bodies under its aegis. The NDA publishes the statistics provided on its website in their annual Report on Compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005.

My Department conducted anonymous Disability Staff Census for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 for staff in this Department and the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga in order to monitor the number of employees with disabilities, as required under the Disability Act 2005.

The number and percentage for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 is set out in tabular form below. For the year 2023, my Department has submitted these statistics to the NDA. These statistics will be published by the NDA in their 2023 Report on Compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, expected in Quarter 1 of 2025.

Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Year

Total Number of Employees

Number of Employees Reporting a Disability

% of Employees Reporting a Disability

2020

335

34

9.6%

2021

370

40

10.8%

2022

404

33

8.2%

An Coimisinéir Teanga

Year

Total Number of Employees

Number of Employees Reporting a Disability

% of Employees Reporting a Disability

2020

8

0

0.0%

2021

8

0

0.0%

2022

11

0

0.0%

As the collection of this data is completely anonymous, there is no breakdown available of these figures identifying the number and percentage of employees with disabilities who may have full-time or part-time contracts.

With regard to staffing in bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for those bodies and not something for which I have direct day-to-day responsibility.

Notwithstanding this, my Department established a Monitoring Committee to monitor compliance of bodies under the aegis of the Department with Part 5 of the Disability Act, 2005. Each public body under the aegis of the Department is responsible for ensuring they meet the annual statutory disability target. The information submitted to the Monitoring Committee and provided to the NDA for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 is attached in tabular form.

My Department’s Monitoring Committee has received and submitted to the NDA the 2023 Part 5 Returns for Public Bodies under the aegis of the Department. These statistics will be published by the NDA in their 2023 Report on Compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, expected in Quarter 1 of 2025.

Public Bodies under the Department’s Aegis

Public Body

Total No. of employees 2020

No. of employees reporting a disability 2020

% of employees reporting a disability 2020

Total No. of employees 2021

No. of employees reporting a disability 2021

% of employees reporting a disability 2021

Total No. of employees 2022

No. of employees reporting a disability 2022

% of employees reporting a disability 2022

Arts Council

64

2

3.1%

75

2

2.7%

81

1

1.2%

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

39

4

10.3%

42

5

11.9%

40

7

17.5%

Chester Beatty Library

45

1

2.2%

43

1

2.3%

43

1

2.3%

Crawford Art Gallery

19

2

10.5%

19

3

15.8%

23

3

13.0%

Fáilte Ireland

376

7

1.9%

382

12

3.1%

398

18

4.5%

Foras na Gaeilge

49

4

8.2%

57

2

3.5%

58

4

6.9%

Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)

105

5

4.8%

102

5

4.9%

96

11

11.5%

National Concert Hall

100

4

4.0%

117

10

8.5%

120

14

11.7%

National Gallery of Ireland

187

12

6.4%

176

15

8.5%

178

26

14.6%

National Library of Ireland

110

10

9.1%

103

13

12.6%

108

14

13.0%

National Museum of Ireland

175

7

4.0%

175

12

6.9%

181

12

6.6%

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

1866

91

4.9%

1871

113

6.0%

1868

117

6.3%

Screen Ireland

31

0

0%

35

7

20.0%

38

8

21.1%

Sport Ireland

51

2

3.9%

54

2

3.7%

54

2

3.7%

TG4

88

4

4.5%

95

6

6.3%

108

7

6.5%

Tourism Ireland

161

0

0.0%

164

13

7.9%

165

18

10.9%

Údarás na Gaeltachta

87

6

6.9%

87

5

5.7%

98

4

4.1%

Ulster Scots Agency

13

1

7.7%

12

1

8.3%

13

4

30.8%

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