Written Answers Nos. 363-378
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of school places at primary and second level in Kilcock, County Kildare, with particular reference to meeting such requirement by September next; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16724/24]
View answerThe provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in Kilcock. As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across areas of known enrolment pressure including Kilcock.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified.
The Department is aware that there has been enrolment pressures at primary level in Kilcock and in response to that Scoil Choca Naofa has agreed to expand by an additional eight classrooms. The delivery of a first phase of additional accommodation is complete, and a second phase of modular accommodation is also in train.
The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, while some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place. This includes engagement in areas which were not included in the more detailed data sharing arrangements for 2024/25. As part of this engagement with patrons, the Department is also collaboratively planning towards 2025/26 and future years, as part of forward planning generally.
The Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the Kilcock School Planning Area.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The picture in relation to school place requirements is very dynamic, noting that children may also move into an area during the course of the school year (including from overseas). This is a particular issue in parts of the country where expansion of residential development has been contributing to mid-year demand for places.
Department officials will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the Kilcock School Planning Area for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of school places at primary and second level in Clane, County Kildare, with particular reference to the need to cater for a rapidly expanding population; if she is satisfied that such requirements can be met in full by September next; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16725/24]
View answerThe Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare School Planning Areas including Prosperous_Clane.
As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across these areas of enrolment pressure, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified. The Department also continues to work with a patron to ensure that a small number of children in the Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area are provided with a first year place, further to additional places that have already been made available in Prosperous.
There will be greater clarity for families over the coming weeks as admissions processes continue to work through and required additional places come on stream.
The Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned in Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area. The project to provide for 1,000 pupils at St. Farnan’s is currently at Stage 2b and the project at Scoil Mhuire is to provide additional classrooms, 2 science labs, 5 mainstream classrooms and 4 classroom SEN base is at Stage 1.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The picture in relation to school place requirements is very dynamic, noting that children may also move into an area during the course of the school year (including from overseas). This is a particular issue in parts of the country where expansion of residential development has been contributing to mid-year demand for places.
Department officials will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the North Kildare School Planning Areas for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current position in regard to replacement of accommodation and facilities for a school (details supplied); if she is satisfied that the need can be met within the anticipated deadline given the rapidly expanding population of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16726/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).
It is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process. KWETB recently informed my Department that the planning application was lodged with Kildare County Council in Quarter 1 2024. Subject to completion of the planning process, the project will proceed to tender and construction in due course.
While at this stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of this project, KWETB will be engaging directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which adequate school places remain available at Straffan, County Kildare; if she is mindful of the expanding population and the urgency to ensure the availability of sufficient such accommodation by September next; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16727/24]
View answerThe provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Straffan is located in the Celbridge School Planning area. Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including the Celbridge School Planning Area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare. As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across areas of known enrolment pressure including Celbridge School Planning Area.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified. To date, additional 1st year places have been made available in Celbridge which has ensured there is sufficient capacity for September 2024 to meet the needs of all the local children.
The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, while some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place. This includes engagement in areas which were not included in the more detailed data sharing arrangements for 2024/25. As part of this engagement with patrons, the Department is also collaboratively planning towards 2025/26 and future years, as part of forward planning generally.
The Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
These projects include recently completed 4 mainstream classroom extension at Straffan National School and an extension to provide 2 Special education classrooms and 4 Resource rooms buildings in Salesian College, Celbridge. Additionally, further a new school building project has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a bundled school building programmes. The schools will be delivered as part of a campus development at Donaghcumper, Celbridge. The project is currently at Stage 1 of the architectural design process.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The picture in relation to school place requirements is very dynamic, noting that children may also move into an area during the course of the school year (including from overseas). This is a particular issue in parts of the country where expansion of residential development has been contributing to mid-year demand for places.
Department officials will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the Celbridge School Planning Area, including Staffan, for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of primary and second level school places throughout north Kildare, with particular reference to the rapidly expanding population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16728/24]
View answerThe provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare. As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across areas of known enrolment pressure including the School Planning Areas of Maynooth, Naas, Celbridge, Newbridge, Naas, Kildare and Prosperous_Clane.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified. To date, of the above School Planning Areas, additional 1st year places have been made available in Maynooth and Celbridge which has ensured there is sufficient capacity for September 2024 to meet the needs of all the local children. The Department has also been made aware of existing capacity within Naas, and has had positive engagement from a patron regarding the provision of additional first year places if the existing capacity is not sufficient. The Department also continues to work with a patron to ensure that a small number of children in the Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area are provided with a first year place, further to additional places that have already been made available in Prosperous.
The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, while some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place. This includes engagement in areas which were not included in the more detailed data sharing arrangements for 2024/25. As part of this engagement with patrons, the Department is also collaboratively planning towards 2025/26 and future years, as part of forward planning generally.
The Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned in Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area. The project to provide for 1,000 pupils at St. Farnan’s is currently at Stage 2b and the project at Scoil Mhuire is to provide additional classrooms, 2 science labs, 5 mainstream classrooms and 4 classroom SEN base is at Stage 1.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The picture in relation to school place requirements is very dynamic, noting that children may also move into an area during the course of the school year (including from overseas). This is a particular issue in parts of the country where expansion of residential development has been contributing to mid-year demand for places.
Department officials will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the North Kildare School Planning Areas for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
368. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to raise the latest query regarding a case with Bus Éireann (details supplied); if she can provide clarity on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16754/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
The Bus Éireann family portal is now open for new applications for school transport services for the 2024/25 school year. The closing date for new applications is Friday 26 April 2024. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications. A late application may mean that a ticket is not available.
The Bus Éireann family portal is now open to accept payments/medical card details until 7 June 2024. Payments/entering medical card details made after the deadline date will be deemed late. A late payment/entering of medical card details may mean that a ticket is not available.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, Post-Primary routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 3.2 kms to or from a pick up/set down point or to have travel and waiting times in excess of 2.5 hours per day. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils in question would not be eligible for school transport as they do not meet the distance criteria of 4.8kms. The family reside 3.5kms from home to the school of attendance.
Bus Éireann further advise that the nearest pick up and set down point is 1.5kms from the family referred to, though another service with a set down point 1km from the family could be used in the afternoons only. There are no plans to alter this service for the 2024/25 school year.
Further to the above, Bus Éireann advise that a payment was received from this family for transport to the National School for the 2017/18 school year. The family are eligible to this school and a ticket issued but they did not use the service. Families who do not wish to use the school transport service can return their school transport ticket during the period of use, Bus Éireann further advise no ticket was returned from this family prior to or during the 2017/2018 school year.
369. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education for an update regarding the issue of salary credit for teachers that have returned from teaching abroad; and if she has plans to resolve this long-outstanding issue. [16756/24]
View answerThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department of Education’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, and 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and without the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.
Criteria such as whether the school is subject to state funding, which can be of particular relevance when examining claims relating to private teaching schools, and the length of time the school has been in existence, must be satisfied in order for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit.
Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on the Department of Education’s teacher payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council, and which meets on an ongoing basis.
Through the Teachers Conciliation Council, the teacher unions have lodged a claim concerning the recognition of private post primary teaching service outside the EU towards the award of incremental credit.
The Department of Education examined this request as part of the 2024 budgetary process. While it was not possible to secure funding to progress this request through the 2024 budgetary process, other measures to assist with teacher supply were introduced in the budget including:
• An allocation of funding for an additional 1,000 posts of responsibility to be introduced across both primary and post-primary sectors for the 2024/25 school year. This has been an issue of key concern with the Teacher Unions
• Funding of €4 million towards a Professional Masters of Education (PME) incentive scheme.
The Department of Education will continue to examine ways in which the matter of incremental credit with respect to private post-primary teaching outside the EU may be progressed in the future.
370. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 20 March 2024, if she will offer a timeframe for commencement and completion of building works for those schools which submitted a stage one response in February 2023. [16759/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers is to provide a 4 classroom Special Education Needs base, general purpose room and ancillary accommodation under my Departments Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.
The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority. I can confirm that this project recently received my Department's approval to progress to stage 2b (detailed design and planning). The Department is now awaiting a post planning report from the school for review.
In advance of securing the necessary statutory approval in particular, it is not possible to accurately predict when this school building project will go to construction or when it will be completed.
371. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware that 16 schools in Cork city that operate through Irish are without language assistants; and her proposal to resolve same. [16165/24]
View answerScéim na gCúntóirí Teanga, through the allocation of Irish language assistants to schools, provides support to teachers in primary and post-primary schools through the organisation of language acquisition and enrichment activities and opportunities for pupils.
In 2022, Muintearas Teo. was allocated €4.039m over a three year period for the provision of these services in Gaeltacht schools. In addition, the organisation Glór na nGael received €500,000 to manage Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga in schools located in statutory Irish Language Networks outside of Gaeltacht areas and in Gaeltacht Service Towns such as Cork City.
Due to ongoing delays with the delivery of a language plan for Cork City, the roll out of Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga to Irish medium schools in the City has been delayed. However, my officials are currently engaging with another organisation in the area with a view to providing services to the Irish language community of Cork City, including the allocation of Irish language assistants to those Irish medium schools mentioned. The Department is confident that an agreement can be reached in this regard within the short to medium term.
372. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding or grant assistance is available to help a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16583/24]
View answer379. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding or grant assistance is available to help a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16582/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 379 together.
I understand that the details supplied relate to funding to help promote a self-published book. In this regard, primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council supports and develops the arts in Ireland through grant funding, project awards, support to individual artists, and support to venues, publications and resource organisations. The following is a link to all of the current available schemes: www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/.
In particular, the Arts Council provides funding to Literature Ireland and to Words Ireland. Words Ireland is an umbrella group of seven literature organisations whose purpose is to strengthen the literature sector in Ireland and offer professional development support and opportunities to writers. The organisations which make up the network are: Children’s Books Ireland, Literature Ireland, Poetry Ireland, The Stinging Fly, Irish Writers Centre, Publishing Ireland and Munster Literature Centre.
Words Ireland's remit includes the provision of professional development opportunities, with a particular focus on mid-career and advanced career practitioners. It provides mentoring opportunities, creating meaningful employment for professional writers and opportunities for emerging writers to advance their creative practice.
The following is a link to all of the current available schemes in the Arts Council: www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/. A link to Literature Ireland is: www.literatureireland.com and a link to Words Ireland is wordsireland.ie
373. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of a request by an organisation (details supplied) for a meeting with her Department; and if she will instruct officials to facilitate this meeting to allow clarity on the withdrawal of funding. [16166/24]
View answerMy Department engaged extensively with representatives of the organisation referred to by the Deputy in 2022 and 2023 in an effort to assist the organisation in putting proper governance and financial management structures in place within the organisation to allow the continuation of state funding to support its operations. Emergency funding was also approved at that time by the Department in order to clear debts accumulated by the organisation.
My Department also facilitated the provision of governance expertise at board level within the organisation at that time. However, I understand that, despite the aforementioned level of engagement and assistance, the Department was not in a position to satisfy itself that proper structures could be put in place within the organisation in order to continue state funding.
In light of the extensive consultation already undertaken with regard to the issues facing the organisation concerned, it is my view that there would be no merit in holding another meeting at this stage.
The Deputy should be aware that my officials are currently engaging with another organisation in the geographical area concerned with a view to providing services to the Irish language community therein. The Department is confident that an agreement can be reached in this regard within the short to medium term.
374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which any outstanding lottery money grants have been paid to all GAA clubs primarily awarded such grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16182/24]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
SCEP is one of a number of schemes operated by the Department which is categorised as being “part funded by the National Lottery”. Under section 8 of the National Lottery Act 1986, the proceeds of the National Lottery are paid into the Central Fund of the Exchequer. The apportionment of National Lottery funding to various lines of voted expenditure is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
Under the latest completed round (2020) of the Programme over €166 million was allocated, which was the highest level of funding ever allocated under the Programme. A list of all allocations made under the SCP/SCEP since 2000 is published on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/.
A list of payments made under the SCP/SCEP since 2011 is also published on my Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/.
Each grant has a sunset clause which is communicated to grantees at the time of provisional allocation. Where grantees demonstrate reasons for unavoidable delays in drawing down their grants, my department's approach is to accommodate any reasonable requests for extensions. Any organisation requiring an extension to the timeframe for drawing down a grant should contact the Sports Capital Division of my department.
375. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding and supports are available to assist a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16191/24]
View answerWhile Culture Ireland, within my Department supports professional artists in meeting international travel costs, my Department does not have a funding stream to support the type of fundraising sought in the details supplied.
376. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of WTE staff by job title working in the marketing Department of Fáilte Ireland as of 8 April 2024; the number of WTE staff vacancies, by job title within this Department; and when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [16280/24]
View answerMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
The matter raised 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.
377. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any capital projects under the remit of her Department have received EU funding in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024; if so, the name of the capital work project; and the amount of EU funding received per project, in tabular form. [16413/24]
View answerUnder Subhead A.8. (EU Just Transition Fund), Fáilte Ireland is tasked with administering €68 million in capital funding for the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.
There has been no expenditure by the Department in 2023 and 2024 to date in respect of the EU Just Transition Fund.
378. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans that exist to celebrate and commemorate the Irish born, internationally recognised and celebrated arctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton's 150th anniversary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16496/24]
View answerAlthough a figure of international renown, Shackleton's memory is particularly memorialised in Ireland, Great Britain, and in New Zealand (Antarctic Heritage Trust). Born in Athy in 1874, the family moved to London when Ernest was 10. Shackleton is very much part of the 'shared heritage' of Britain and Ireland - in which context it was pleasing to note that the new memorial plaque at Westminster Abbey incorporated both Kilkenny limestone and Connemara marble in acknowledgement of his Irish identity.
His 150th anniversary will be of great significance in his native County Kildare, as well as more broadly remembered in Ireland and further afield. I understand that there are planned events in Dublin and London for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Following the conclusion of the Decade of Centenaries, the Government has agreed to adopt a supportive and facilitative approach to commemorations, in the context of the annual budgets and funding available. I have approved a grant funding allocation of €15,000 for every local authority in 2024, to assist local authorities in developing or supporting community-led initiatives to commemorate the centenaries of significant historical events in the early years of the State, as well as other significant anniversaries and associated themes.
If the Deputy is aware of any specific plans or proposals for funding in this regard, I would be happy to give these due consideration in the context of my Department’s support for commemorative activities and the funding available.
