I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister of State, who has to leave for another commitment. On Friday, 3 May 2024, the participation nation outdoor fund was launched for the purchase and installation of barrier-free permanent sport equipment that can be placed on public land for community use. A portion of that fund, under the heading amuigh faoin spéir, is earmarked for biodiversity measures at sports facilities. I announced details of this funding last Thursday, 23 May. The fund will be overseen by …

Absolutely. That is the intent here. The aim of the two funds proposed is to accelerate the provision of open access sports equipment in biodiversity-rich community settings. It seeks to provide low-cost sports capital and equipment grants for the purchase and installation of that permanent sports equipment that can be placed on land which, as the Deputy is saying, is just lying there and can be used for the wider community. As I said, an example is table tennis tables on council-owned land. The aim with the spare …

The programme for Government sets out a target for overall participation in sport to reach at least 60% of the population by 2027. It has key commitments such as promoting the value of physical activity as part of everyday life, adopting a lifelong perspective underpinned by physical literacy and placing a strong emphasis on swimming, cycling, walking and running, which are especially suitable for all generations, as the Deputy said. Commitments also include working with the local sports partnerships to ensure a gr…

The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and our communities is well understood. Drogheda is a key part of the ancient destination experience development plan, which is the Fáilte Ireland roadmap for the development of tourism in Louth and Meath, including the Boyne Valley and environs. In budget 2024, I secured total funding of €216 million for the tourism sector, which allows for the continued support of tourism development in Ireland for local and overseas visitors. Of this allocation, up to €10…

I have already mentioned the importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and specifically to Drogheda. The Deputy mentioned the €10 million but in budget 2024, there is a total of €216 million in funding for the sector, which would allow for continued support for tourism development in Ireland for local and overseas visitors. Within that €216 million, we had the €10 million. That is available for a specific programme of supports targeted at tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to t…

As I said, Fáilte Ireland is in the process of carrying out a further analysis of current data provided by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman's, Department on all registered tourism accommodation stock. We have to see the full picture. With regard to what the Deputy is specifically asking, it is something I can perhaps discuss with the Minister, Deputy Burke, as we co-chair that tourism and hospitality forum. It is also something I will bring to the attention of my officials and Fáilte Ireland.

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí as an deis an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé. Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí as ucht a gcuid oibre agus táim ag tnúth le tuairimí na gComhaltaí eile a chloisteáil. The Government is not opposing the motion. As Minister for the media, the issue of online safety is one that I and the Government as a whole, take very seriously, in particular the safety of our children online. It is a matter of priority. The motion identifies issues of concern in respect of children, social medi…

The basic income for the arts is a once-in-a-generation policy intervention that has the potential to transform the lives of artists. The scheme is part of a suite of measures I have introduced to support professional arts practice, including record funding of €134 million for the Arts Council, increased funding for Screen Ireland, the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, a new pilot capital support scheme for arts, culture and the night-time economy, and increased funding for Creat…

It would be good to have artists' spokespeople attend such a conference, given how they speak for artists and various parties. I am happy to extend an invitation to them and give them the details of the conference's date in May, its format and its agenda. I assure the Deputy that, as the Minister who introduced this support, I am aware of the pilot scheme's benefits. It is a three-year research pilot. I have placed critical emphasis on that research to help gather data and inform future decisions. We have only had …

If I have all of the research, it will help to form a stronger case for my argument to extend the scheme. I am trying to do what is best for the artist community. Regarding investment in the arts, while there is always more to be done, funding for the culture programme in my Department in the four years since I became Minister has grown by over 90%, funding for the Arts Council has grown by 68%, funding for Screen Ireland has grown by 88% and funding for Culture Ireland has grown by 65%. The ground-breaking basic i…

The Deputy will appreciate that the development of city quarters, such as the one outlined by him, is primarily a matter for Dublin City Council as the relevant local authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000. However, my Department is investing significantly in the city's cultural infrastructure through our national cultural institutions, including the Abbey Theatre. The record funding I have delivered in support of arts and culture, including direct funding through Creative Ireland and the Arts Counci…

As I said earlier, the matters relating to the development of Moore Street are for the relevant local authority, Dublin City Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and work is currently under way with the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the conservation of the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street. The responsibilities of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this matter relate to the maintenance and present…

As I said, as Minister for arts and culture, I see how that investment in the cultural infrastructure is of fundamental importance. We see other areas of regeneration through investment in culture, such as the Abbey, as I have checked, which is a driver of renewal for the area. That is what is really exciting about investment in culture, but also, definitely, there are benefits when we do this for tourism. The Deputy mentioned the GPO. The benefits for tourism from attractions such as that cannot be underestimated.…

The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the associated decline in advertising revenue. For this reason, the Future of Media Commission was established to examine the challenges faced by the media sector and the impact on the provision of public service content. The report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges…

I agree with the Deputy. As I said, we are in that final public consultation that closes in early May. At least we got the state aid approval. There are certain processes that have to be gone through, but Coimisiún na Mean has secured that. Television, radio, print, online and community media will all be eligible to apply for the funding, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria set out by Coimisiún na Mean. Applications will be open to all eligible providers with no specific allocation or ring-fencing for diffe…

Once the consultation is concluded in May, my Department and Coimisiún na Mean will work to get the schemes operational and to the market as early as possible. Since taking office in 2020, I have secured an additional €28.4 million in Exchequer funding for Sound and Vision. The Deputy is probably aware that WLR FM received almost €300,000 in the period 2020 to 2023 to support a range of different programming. This included programming celebrating the 30th anniversary of Fleadh Mór Tramore, "Waterford in Action - A …

As the national tourism development authority, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Fáilte Ireland works in partnership with the Government, State agencies, local authorities, representative groups and industry to develop tourism across Ireland by creating destination development plans and networks and investing in infrastructure, activities, visitor attractions and festivals. Fáilte Ireland also …

I agree that the Boyne greenway and Boyne Navigation restoration will be a flagship tourism scheme of regional, national and international significance that will provide access to the wealth and diversity of ecological, cultural, industrial and historical heritage within the Boyne Valley. As well as promotion of and facilitating tourism recreation the greenway will offer an attractive alternative transport choice for commuters through its links with the large towns of Drogheda and Navan and will greatly benefit Cou…

I gave the Deputy an update on what happens next on that greenway. I will bring his concerns on the other projects or tourism attractions to my officials to link in with Fáilte Ireland. In 2022, networks of clusters along that reimagined Boyne Valley drive were identified. The clusters included Navan, Trim, Slane and Kells. There were sub-clusters aligned to each of these hubs. There were also facilitated workshops last year and an action plan was developed. In quarter 4 last year, each cluster identified an action…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 47 together. 2024 offers significant opportunity for overseas tourism. Ireland has a great product and a committed tourism industry and excellent relationships are in place with travel trade partners across the world. In 2024, Tourism Ireland overseas activity will include the expansion of the Fill Your Heart with Ireland campaign with enhanced Wild Atlantic Way content in support of its tenth anniversary and a continued focus on regional and seasonal messaging to increase to…