Although the UK may be ahead of us in vaccinations, we have responded with many supports. Hopefully, it is not too long before we catch up with it in terms of reopening. Rest assured, my officials and I are in engagement with the sector. That is how I started as a Minister and it is how I will continue. I am acutely aware that the sector needs time to plan, rehearse and engage audiences in advance of reopening, the lead-in time about which the Deputy spoke. I will continue to advocate for the sector to ensure it ha…

To date, there have been two calls for applications under Platforms for Growth, Fáilte Ireland’s strategic, platform-based approach to large-scale capital investment in tourism product, as referred to in the question submitted by the Deputy, which targets investment in line with specific platforms. Under this overall programme, Fáilte Ireland aims to invest up to €150 million between 2019 and 2022 in developing major new visitor attractions of scale and greatly enhancing existing attractions. Fáilte Ireland’s first…

Rest assured, having grown up on the Border, it informs much of my thinking on that all-island approach. Of course, Tourism Ireland helps with that too. With regard to other capital investment priorities and capital funding schemes that are under way, funding provided under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 is targeted at helping support and grow tourism in rural communities, in line with the further redevelopment and promotion of regional tourism experience brands thereby developing the regions and rural Ire…

All through that strategy is the protection of the environment and its sustainability. As we emerge from Covid, there is a huge opportunity to tap into that natural beauty we have, while protecting our environment and promoting joined-up thinking when it comes to tourism. We must tap into local attractions, cycling and walking routes, as well as local food products. That will be good for our regions and for having thriving rural communities with good employment. It makes sense to have joined-up thinking. Sustainabi…

Life Worth Living, the report of the arts and culture recovery task force was published in November 2020.  It made ten recommendations.  The introduction to the report suggested the establishment of a cross-sectorial implementation group to oversee and monitor the implementation of these recommendations. Several of the recommendations are in train or have already been implemented.  In particular, recommendation No. 4, securing the viability of the live events industry, recommendation No. 6, ensuring the well-being …

On a personal level, I have spoken of my support for and have also written about a basic income for artists. Universal basic income is also core to Green Party policy. Work is being done on this matter. It has gained the support of my colleagues in the Cabinet and the relevant Departments in the oversight group. This work on a basic income for artists is independent of the work of the Low Pay Commission which has been tasked by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to examine…

The Government's travel advisory currently in operation against all non-essential international travel, in addition to other public health restrictions, means that, unfortunately, there is virtually no inbound tourism at present. As a result, Tourism Ireland, the body responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday destination, has suspended the majority of its overseas marketing campaigns. Any recommencement of active marketing of Ireland overseas will be guided by the public health advice an…

Since its foundation 40 years ago, the Green Party, alongside environmental NGOs, campaigners and climate activists, has tirelessly campaigned and advocated for an ambitious and far-reaching response to the climate crisis facing our planet. This immense climate challenge requires an equally immense effort to combat what will be, if we do not act, an utterly devastating impact on our world as we know it. The Green Party entered Government with a mandate from the Irish people to tackle this challenge head-on and to i…

Táim an-sásta a bheith anseo inniu ag labhairt leis an Teach faoin turasóireacht. I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad about the plans for supports and incentives for the tourism and hospitality industry for 2021. In 2019, before the pandemic had wrought its affects on Irish society, tourism was worth more than €9 billion in total to our economy from overseas tourists and the fares they generated together with domestic tourism. The industry supported 260,000 jobs across the country both in remote rural a…

I thank the Senators for their statements today and the passionate support demonstrated for the tourism industry. As Minister with responsibility for tourism, allow me to re-emphasise that I am acutely aware of the devastation that Covid-19 is inflicting on the sector. I am also very aware of the havoc it has caused for the hundreds of businesses and thousands of workers in one of our most valuable indigenous industries. In my many engagements with tourism stakeholders we continue to focus on key supports for survi…

Táim thar a bheith sásta a bheith leis na Comhaltaí inniu mar Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán chun clabhsúr a chur leis an díospóireacht seo. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú chun labhairt faoi Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan inniu. Tá sé mar phríomhsprioc agam, mar bhall den Rialtas, comhionannas inscne a chur chun cinn i ngach réimse faoi mo chúramsa. Táim tiomanta do chumasú na mban. Tuigim gur féidir liom cabhrú le glórtha na mban a ardú agus tacú le comhionannas in earnálacha cos…

Sílim go bhfuil an Taoiseach chun cúpla focal a rá.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle agus leis na Teachtaí. Cuireann sé an-áthas orm labhairt leo anseo inniu agus muid i lár Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Tá go leor ag tarlú faoi láthair i saol na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Cuireann sé gliondar i mo chroí i gcónaí an grá atá ag pobal labhartha na Gaeilge dár dteanga dúchais a thabhairt faoi ndeara. Smaoiním ar na teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta, mar shampla, a thugann na mílte déagóirí isteach ina gcuid tithe gach uile bhliain ar mhaithe leis an teanga a thabhairt don chéa…

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter in a period when Covid-19 has effectively closed down the arts and culture sector. The restrictions have severely affected the livelihoods of many artists and creative workers. The limitations on indoor and outdoor events, social distancing and travel restrictions have had a severe impact on the arts, culture, live entertainment and events, with grave consequences for those working in these sectors. Many careers that have taken decades to build are now threatene…

While I would love to be able to pursue this issue, it will not come from my Department. My role is to advocate for it strongly. I know the sector and the arts community are aware I am doing that. The recommendation for a pilot universal basic income is a very exciting proposal. UBI was never to be seen as a handout and I definitely do not see it as such. That goes against the very nature of a UBI. As I said, this pilot UBI reflects the commitment in the programme for Government. I want to see it thoroughly examine…

I thank the Deputy. I am acutely aware of the significant impact that the Covid-19 crisis continues to have on the sectors my Department supports. The framework of restrictive measures is a risk management strategy designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce in response to the escalation of transmission of Covid-19. The priority in level 3 is to keep health services, schools and early learning and childcare…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for the opportunity to provide that clarity. I acknowledge the representatives from the dance and arts community who attended the protest at Leinster House. Unfortunately, I had a scheduled meeting that prevented me from meeting the group today. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to reopening society and the economy as soon as it is safe to do so. As I have done since becoming Minister, I will continue my ongoing engagement with the community. I apprec…

The 2021 total gross funding allocated to my Department, as per the budget Estimates, amounts to €1.082 billion. This represents an increase of €79 million, or 8%, on the 2020 allocation as published in the further Revised Estimates for my Department. Those Revised Estimates included additional funding of €183 million, secured during 2020, to deal with the impacts of Covid-19 and to ensure the survival and recovery of businesses and operations in the sectors for which I have ministerial responsibility. The revised …

The 2021 total gross funding allocation to my Department, as per the Estimates, is €1.082 billion. This represents an increase of €79 million, or 8%, on the 2020 allocation, as per the Revised Estimates voted for the Department on 8 October 2020. The 2020 figures published as part of those further Revised Estimates included additional funding of €183 million, which was secured during 2020 to deal with the impacts of Covid-19 and to ensure the survival and recovery of businesses and operations in sectors for which I…

The budget 2021 supports that we announced last month have been welcomed by all of the sectors that I represent. The Deputy has raised the question of what is Covid spending and what is in the budget on a number of occasions. A suite of funding measures, such as increased funding for the Arts Council, Screen Ireland and Sport Ireland, represent an acknowledgement of the important role these organisations play generally in supporting the sector. I know the Deputy has focused on what is Covid or non-Covid funding, bu…