Written Answers Nos. 429-436
429. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to detail the total expenditure on public procurement by his Department and its agencies, including spending on goods, services and works acquired through public procurement processes, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [13556/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020.
My Department's records show that data on the total expenditure on public procurement tenders (over €25,000) by my Department, where the contract has been completed and costs finalised, in each year since September 2020 are set out in the table below.
Regarding the bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these are operational matters for the agencies themselves.
|
Year |
Total expenditure (incl. VAT) |
|
2020 (Sept-Dec) |
€420,325.05 |
|
2021 |
€2,018,718.50 |
|
2022 |
€1,760,515.60 |
|
2023 |
€1,939,427.00 |
|
2024 |
€1,013,824.94 |
|
2025 |
€35,712.95 |
|
Total |
€7,188,524.04 |
430. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a list of regulatory, appeal or other bodies, either funded by or under the remit of his Department, which are quasi-judicial in nature. [13583/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the information sought by the Deputy, I wish to advise of the following regarding bodies under the remit of my Department
Fáilte Ireland
Fáilte Ireland have responsibility for managing the statutory registration process for tourism accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses and hostels. Matters relating to non-compliance with existing statutory requirements are managed under Summary proceedings in the Courts.
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga functions as an ombudsman service and compliance agency in relation to state services through Irish. Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga is empowered by statute to investigate complaints regarding the use of the official languages and to conduct investigations. Investigations and their findings have a right of appeal to the High Court.
Coimisiún na Meán
Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s agency for developing and regulating a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media landscape. Coimisiún na Meán is an independent regulator, predominantly funded by industry levies, and has responsibility for maintaining registers of relevant platforms and services, as well as some quasi-judicial functions which involve receiving, investigating and adjudicating on complaints against relevant service providers and platforms.
431. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans in place to market the historic Valentia Cable Station in south Kerry as a tourist destination of high renown and historic interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13644/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
432. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports being put in place for the Irish language in Gaeltacht areas, to halt rural decline and support housing and social and economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13646/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraÚdarás na Gaeltachta is the body under the aegis of my Department responsible for the economic, linguistic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht. The body's latest End of Year Statement illustrates the progress made in linking the Irish language with the development of the Gaeltacht during 2024.
A total of 869 new jobs were created in Údarás client companies in 2024, giving a total of 9,743 jobs in client companies at year end. 2024 saw an increase in the level of employment in five Gaeltacht counties, with 29 gTeic digital hubs in operation and 465 people working across the network. In 2024, an tÚdarás launched GAIRM , a new pioneering postgraduate programme with 10 graduates along with CUMASÚ a new programme for Gaeltacht female entrepreneurs with 41 participants.
The role of Údarás na Gaeltachta, which was once dedicated to employment, has evolved over the years. Now, for example, the organisation manages the language planning process in Gaeltacht areas and a language impact assessment is carried out as part of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s assessment process for new projects.
Údarás na Gaeltachta provides a range of supports for events and activities aimed at the preservation, promotion and development of the Irish language throughout the Gaeltacht. These incentives focus on strengthening the core language support structure and exploring, planning and developing a more strategic approach to assist the Gaeltacht community.
Údarás na Gaeltachta investment in its subsidiaries and other companies, including Muintearas Teo, Ealaín na Gaeltachta and Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, support the development of youth, art and early years services in the Gaeltacht.
Housing
I understand that €250,000 in capital funding was approved by the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta at its December 2023 meeting for research as regards housing development in Gaeltacht areas. Approval has been granted in principle by the board to develop an affordable housing model for Gaeltacht areas as a result of this work in partnership with local authority stakeholders specifically. Work is ongoing on this initiative and I understand that Údarás na Gaeltachta is putting a partnership in place with the local authorities, housing and other relevant organisations to undertake the development of this model for three recognised sites in the Gaeltacht. In this context, discussions are ongoing with local authorities as well as other relevant stakeholders including my own Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the implementation of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s housing policy.
I should also point out that, in addition to the work of Údarás na Gaeltachta, my Department administers a number of both current and capital language based initiatives aimed at encouraging and developing the use of Irish as the language of the community in the Gaeltacht. Details of these schemes can be obtained from the government's website at gov.ie.
433. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he met with a person (details supplied) during his recent visit to the west coast of the United States. [13838/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that I did not meet with the person referenced during my recent visit to the west coast of the United States.
434. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the percentage of the 2024 capital budget allocated to Fáilte Ireland that was actually spent; and if any underspent capital budget funding of 2024 was transferred to the 2025 capital budget allocation. [13839/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total capital allocation for Fáilte Ireland for the years 2024 and 2025, as laid out in the Revised Estimates, is as follows:
|
Year |
Fáilte Ireland: Capital Allocation (€ millions) |
|
2024 |
41.922 |
|
2025 |
62.165* |
By the end of the year, €37,123,000 of the total 2024 capital allocation was drawn down by Fáilte Ireland while capital carryover from 2024 to 2025 amounted to €3,012,000.
*The capital carryover amount of €3,012,000 is not included as part of the 2025 capital allocation in the above table.
435. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025; the companies involved; and the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form. [13924/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details requested by the Deputy in respect of external consultant reports commissioned by my Department in 2024 and to-date in 2025 are set out in the table below.
|
Year Commissioned |
Title of Report |
Publication Date |
Name of Company |
|
2024 |
Feasibility Study on Certain Recommendations Arising from the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media |
Expected to be published in 2025 |
Institute of Public Administration |
|
2024 |
Output Report on Section 481 Stakeholder Forum held on 8th February 2024 |
Not published |
The Brave Lab |
|
2024 |
Basic Income for the Arts: Preliminary Results |
Not published |
Prof. Michael King |
|
2024 |
Basic Income for the Arts: Qualitative Report |
Scheduled for publication in Q2 2025 |
Dr. Jenny Dagg |
|
2024 |
Review of the Night-Time Economy Pilots |
Not published |
Communiqué International |
|
2024 |
Music in Nursing Homes Evaluation Report |
December 2024 |
M-CO |
|
2024 |
Review of the Department’s Arrangements for the Oversight of State Bodies |
March 2025 |
Institute of Public Administration |
|
2024 |
Creative Communities Economic Action Fund 2023 Report |
May 2024 |
M-CO |
|
2024 |
Women’s Stories: Best Practice in Policy and Curatorial for National Cultural Institutions, National Collections and Partners |
Not published |
Curran Watson & Associates Ltd. T/A CHL & Associates |
|
2024 |
Athbhreithniú ar an Tionscnamh Ardscileanna Gaeilge |
Not published |
Barr Feabhais Teoranta |
|
2024 |
Independent analysis of free-to-air (FTA) designated events and the designation of events of major importance to society under the Broadcasting Act 2009 |
Not published |
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
|
2025 |
Review of Governance and Organisational Culture in the Arts Council |
Not published |
An Expert Advisory Committee has been established to undertake the review, comprising Professor Niamh Brennan, Dr. Margaret Cullen and Mr. John McCarthy |
436. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of his Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish Sign Language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. [14061/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public can readily access the messages we are communicating.
Between January 1 2024 and December 31 2024, inclusive, 69.4 % of videos posted on my Department’s social media channels were close captioned / subtitled. Irish Sign Language is an option used primarily in live and/or livestreamed events. There were no such events last year. For other videos, subtitling is used.
