Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Apr 2024

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 13 , 24, 26, 39, 43 and 44 together.

The sports capital and equipment programme 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 to over €1.15 billion. The programme for Government commits to continuing the sports capital programme and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas and groups that are currently underrepresented in terms of participation.

The 2023 round of the sports capital programme closed for applications on 8 September. The round contained a number of changes from previous rounds. We increased the thresholds for local and regional grants to €200,000 and €500,000, respectively. We are specifically rewarding projects which include adaptations for persons with disabilities. We are prioritising applications from areas witnessing significant population growth. We are rewarding projects which incorporate climate action measures. We are including upgrades to swimming pools. There are greater linkages between the level of own funding required. The 40% gender balance at national board level has to be complied with, or else there will be a 50% cut. Also, every facility that gets funding from this Government will have to have similar access for men and women. Examination of the submitted applications demonstrates the 2023 programme generated a large number of applications.

A Leas-Chathaoirligh, the clock seems slightly different than normal.

I would prefer to use the time provided for this issue than for some other issues. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record from the previous round and the money sought shows an 80% increase over the amount applied for in the last round. The scoring system has been published. Detailed work is ongoing on equipment-only applications. We hope to announce these equipment-only grants in the early part of next month. Allocations for the rest will be announced later in the year.

The Minister and I have also confirmed a new round of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, will open shortly. The dates and terms and conditions will be published on the Department’s website in due course. While this programme is aimed primarily at the national governing bodies, NGBs, of sport and local authorities, it is also open to other people to apply, but applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and an NGB. It is my intention to include education and training boards in that as well.

On 3 April the Minister and I published the review of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund and the new similar access requirement. The review outlines the issues faced by LSSIF projects to date and provides recommendations on a new round. The new similar access requirement necessitates that recipients of LSSIF funding must accommodate the needs of women and men on a similar basis with respect to accessing facilities that have been allocated public funding. Any organisation in receipt of LSSIF funding must have a similar access policy in place. I am very proud of this new initiative, which I announced here in the Dáil. We have now drawn up a detailed set of guidelines on that. Every single application for sports funding over €200,000 will have to publish this policy. That includes those projects that were awarded funding before Christmas as part of the top-up for the LSSIF. If they do not publish that policy, they will get zero funding.

The Government recently agreed revised capital allocations under the NDP totalling €2.25 billion out to 2026. There was an additional allocation of capital funding for our Department and that will support key projects and programmes under the NDP, such as the sports capital and equipment programme and the large-scale infrastructure fund. I am confident this revised capital allocation, which we only agreed a few weeks ago, will allow for significant funding of both the 2023 round of the sports capital and equipment programme and the forthcoming round of the large-scale sports infrastructure fund. I expect the Minister and I will confirm the overall allocation for the next round of sports capital in the near future in the context of the assessment of applications currently under way.

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply, especially on new initiatives and the degree to which the Department is assisting in the development of facilities needed by communities in all areas. I ask about the extent to which the scoring will be influenced by increased populations, particularly with respect to areas that have experienced major increases in population in recent years. I am thinking of my constituency, which is not an unnatural thing to do in this House. I also ask about swimming pools, which are a matter that is, again, relevant in my constituency. I ask the Minister of State to bear this in mind. Since the swimming pool at St. Patrick's College was closed about six years ago, there has been no pool for a huge student and local population.

The last point I will make relates to the impact of Covid and the extent to which it will be possible to address that issue by way of a look back.

I compliment the Minister and the Minister of State on rolling out a very comprehensive sports capital programme. It is to be hoped those applications can be processed and approved at the earliest possible date. We are all aware of the huge commitment of the many volunteers in our sporting clubs across all disciplines throughout the country. People work very hard to provide coaching facilities and to ensure that young people and older people have access to the sport they wish to participate in. Even in areas where the population is smaller, there is substantial additional demand for playing facilities and playing surfaces. I come across clubs in the county where I live that do not have enough pitches for the number of teams they have. As the Minister of State said in his initial reply, the sports capital programme is very much aimed at equal participation by ladies and men. I very much welcome that. It is happening in every GAA, soccer and rugby club that I am aware of.

There are significant costs in providing new facilities. When I speak to clubs that were awarded grants a few years ago, it is unbelievable how much the costs of carrying out work have risen. When allocating and finalising approvals, I sincerely hope that up-to-date costs are factored into that assessment.

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit as a phost nua. He will not die of shock when I once again bring up the case of Dundalk FC. As regards soccer, things are not going particularly well for us at present but we will hopefully see a turnaround in the near future. The League of Ireland is absolutely flying. Dundalk FC has submitted a regional sports capital application that is supported by the FAI. It relates to doing up the club's floodlighting, which has not been done up since 1967 or something like that, and upgrading the pitch. These are both necessary pieces of work.

I will come back to the matter of large-scale sports infrastructure funding in my supplementary question because that is where the shooting match is, alongside private funding, in delivering. I will also highlight a couple of soccer teams. Shamrocks FC is looking for something fairly small - we are talking lawnmower stuff - but Glenmuir FC has something far more significant. We are talking about accessibility, renewals and a walkway. Clan na Gael is a GAA club-----

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for the work they are doing in the Department and the support they have given to clubs throughout the country in the past number of years. I expect that will continue. This is about more than sport and competition because every one of these clubs are so knitted into the fabric of our communities. They are so important in the co-benefits they bring to our communities. As others have done, I will reference some of the clubs in my community that are looking for funding, which I hope can be supported. St. Michael's Rowing Club is looking for funding for equipment. Limerick Lawn Tennis Club, Shelbourne Athletic Football Club and Caherdavin Celtic are also looking for funding, as are many more on the list. I hope the Minister of State can support them in their applications for funding this year.

The Deputies have all raised issues that are dear to my heart and, I am sure, dear to the heart of the Minister. A lot of work has been done over recent weeks in discussing with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, what the outlook will be. I think the outlook will be positive but I caution that there is a lot of work to do in the Department on the assessment of applications. The most important priority is disadvantage. We will not forget that. The disadvantaged clubs are the ones that need the funding more than any others. This goes back to the scoring system issue raised by Deputy Durkan. Clubs that have never applied will get an advantage in the scoring system, which is publicly available. It is a transparent process. I have added increased population as a factor in that regard. That is being worked out between the Department and Pobal as well.

The proposed swimming pool in Maynooth is not in my constituency, but I am happy to say that many of my constituents would benefit if there were a swimming pool in Maynooth. The key point is that would be a large-scale sports infrastructure funded project. Kildare County Council would have to apply for that funding. I strongly encourage Deputy Durkan to talk to the council about that project. We will open the large-scale sport infrastructure fund in the coming weeks. That project will have to be prioritised for my Department to consider it.

On Deputy Brendan Smith's question, we see clubs as the lifeblood of communities in small rural areas. That is very important and we will never forget it. Many of those rural areas have disadvantaged status on Pobal maps, which is very important. We certainly will not forget that. Significant work is involved with all those volunteers.

Deputy Ó Murchú talked about Dundalk FC and a number of soccer and GAA clubs, in addition to boxing clubs in Dundalk. We certainly want to see football do well. We put huge effort in with the FAI last summer to encourage football clubs to apply. More football clubs applied than ever before and they are looking for a bigger share of the overall ask. I have no doubt that football clubs will do well. I only wish more of them applied to the sports capital fund.

Deputy Leddin mentioned various clubs and the equipment grants. Those grants will be announced in the coming weeks. He mentioned a number of clubs and soccer clubs in particular. We put significant effort into making sure soccer clubs applied because they did not always apply. However, that has changed this year. There is no doubt about that.

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for a very comprehensive layout of the proposals. The point I will mention in passing is that due to the hold-up during Covid, many clubs had work in hand that they were not able to complete. A provision has already been made in relation to that. Will it be borne in mind that there may still be a number of clubs that have not been able to complete their works in accordance with their original plans? Will some consideration be given to their particular plight?

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I again advocate for the regions with regard to large-scale projects. He is familiar with the project we are working on in County Cavan. It will be multi-sport and will cater for many sporting disciplines. As the Minister of State is well aware, there are no major sporting centres between counties Sligo and Dublin and Belfast and Galway. A centre in Cavan could cater for people from three provinces - Ulster, Connacht and Leinster. It would be an ideal place for competitions to be held and for people to access sport. I hope that the Minister of State will lay a particular emphasis on large-scale projects being multi-sport facilities catering for different sporting disciplines, such as the proposed project in Cavan, which would cater for a multitude of sports.

I welcome what the Minister of State said. Assessment on the basis of disadvantage is obviously a necessity. A number of the clubs I mentioned fall into that bracket, as do the kids that go to them. If I were to name every club, or even every club in disadvantaged areas in Dundalk, we would be here for a considerable time. I should have mentioned Clann Naofa Boxing Club, where I boxed very badly. I might not be forgiven if I did not mention that club.

I will go back to the matter of large-scale sports infrastructure funding. Will the 80% increase in sports capital impact on that funding? We all want more people to apply but are we looking at that? We all know the necessity of it. It is a matter of getting a notion of the timeline for large-scale sports infrastructure funding, and making sure those groups and organisations, including the likes of Dundalk FC or whoever, can see exactly what is necessary from the point of view of being able to do the business when it actually happens. We have all seen clubs miss out on funding due to lack of preparedness. We need to make sure we facilitate them as much as possible.

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for their great work. Many clubs throughout the country are eagerly waiting for the sporting grants. There are far too many of those clubs in my constituency to mention. However, the one area I am very interested in is the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. I represent Sligo Rovers in the north west. I was in Tallaght Stadium last Friday night. The result was not great but the stadium was absolutely fantastic. It was provided courtesy of South Dublin County Council. We want that parity of esteem in the north west and in Sligo. The Minister and the Minister of State have been in the showgrounds in Sligo. We want to have a stadium that lives up to the name, the showgrounds. I look forward to when that large-scale sports infrastructure fund will be there. I want to make sure that Sligo and the north west are included in it. Sligo Rovers is a community-owned club that is part of the community.

It serves men, women and the whole community. I look forward to a favourable result when that scheme is up and running.

I agree with the previous speaker on the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. There is a question on that fund coming up and I would like to contribute on that as well, if I may.

I reiterate the importance of the sports capital programme for our communities. If we were not investing as we are and have been over a number of years, that counterfactual scenario would not be very positive. I commend the Ministers on the supports they have given to clubs right across the country. I can see it in my city of Limerick and in the clubs I mentioned in my earlier contribution. We are really leveraging the goodwill and hard work of volunteers in our community. The benefit of that goodwill and hard work to our society is invaluable. The investment in terms of euros may come to millions, and it is right that it is in the millions, but the benefit is many multiples of that.

I am glad Deputy Leddin mentioned the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. As Deputy Leddin, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and some other Deputies will be aware, the redevelopment at Walsh Park in Waterford was one of the biggest recipients of sport funding in the country in living memory. Some €7.7 million was allocated to Walsh Park for the redevelopment of the stadium. I was down there and it is very positive to see what is happening. It is also one of the first projects to draw down all of that funding, including the top-up of €3.3 million last year, and to be required to publish a policy showing that men and women have similar access to the facilities. This is a radical move. I am sure it presents no difficulties for the three county boards in Waterford but it is very positive.

Deputy Feighan mentioned Sligo Rovers. As he will know, I have been to its grounds and have also seen Sligo play at my home club. Sligo Rovers have a very impressive set-up. We would certainly welcome applications from the club. However, as with all projects under the LSSIF, the project would have to be prioritised by the FAI or Sligo County Council. That is how the process works. That is to give a bit of transparency and to show that projects are not just being chosen from Dublin. Deputies Feighan and Smith both mentioned the importance of the regions. We absolutely get that. It is a great priority for us.

Deputy Smith also mentioned multisport facilities. That is the way we want to go. We incentivise that under the sports capital system. If two clubs genuinely come together in a joint venture, they qualify for regional status. Where a community facility is used for more than one sport, we are prepared to give it regional status.

Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned a number of clubs in Dundalk, some of which I have visited. I understand the level of disadvantage there and the level of support that is needed. I was in a boxing club and the work it is doing is absolutely incredible.

To respond to Deputy Durkan, we gave top-ups under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund because of the problems Covid caused for those grants. In this round of sports capital funding, we have increased the thresholds because we know that the Covid pandemic resulted in a lot of inflation over recent years.

Bhí muid ag labhairt níos luaithe faoin mBille um Údarás na Gaeltachta. Dúradh go bhfuil sé ag teacht am éigin ach, idir an dá linn, tá bord Údarás na Gaeltachta agus an t-eagras féin fós ag obair. Cathain a líonfar na folúntais ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta, lena n-áirítear ról an chathaoirligh? An ndíreoidh an tAire Stáit isteach ar an gceist seo?

Is Ceist Uimh. 9 í seo. Níl an Teachta Pádraig O'Sullivan ann. Do we have someone else to take it? Question No. 8 was not grouped. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle told me to move straight on to Question No. 9 and that Question No. 8 was not grouped. Deputy Ó Snodaigh has asked Question No. 9 already so we will proceed with it.

Tá brón orm. Bhí mé ag ceapadh gur cheist don Aire, an Teachta Martin, é sin. Rinne mé dearmad ar an jab nua atá agam. Níl ach folúntas amháin ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta faoi láthair. Tá an cheist maidir le cathaoirleach nua an údaráis, an té a líonfaidh an folúntas sin, á breithniú ag mo Roinn i láthair na huaire. Bhí mé ag caint le m'oifigigh maidir leis seo agus tá sé ar intinn agam plé domhain a bheith agam le mo chomhghleacaí, an Aire, an Teachta Martin. Is ceart a thabhairt faoi deara go rachaidh téarma an bhoird reatha, a ceapadh i mí Eanáir 2023, in éag ag deireadh 2024. Is imeacht ón ngnáththéarma cúig bliana é an téarma dhá bhliain seo. Rinneadh é seo chun deis a thabhairt na moltaí a d'eascair ón athbhreithniú neamhspleách a rinneadh ar an bpróiseas ceapacháin bhoird i mí na Samhna 2022 a chur i bhfeidhm. Mar sin féin, tuigim an tábhacht atá le cathaoirleach a cheapadh don tréimhse atá fanta ag an mbord agus tá mé féin agus an tAire, an Teachta Martin, ag glacadh céimeanna chun é sin a dhéanamh chomh luath agus is féidir.

Ag eascairt ón athbhreithniú sin, rinne an Rialtas cinneadh ag deireadh 2022 toghcháin Údarás na Gaeltachta a thabhairt ar ais agus Bille chuige sin a dhréachtú. Ag a chruinniú ar an Máirt, an 5 Márta 2024, ghlac an Rialtas cinneadh go ndréachtófaí mar thosaíocht an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (leasú) agus forálacha ilghnéitheacha, 2024. Tá i gceist ag mo Roinn anois leanúint ar aghaidh le dréachtú an Bhille mar thosaíocht i gcomhair le hOifig na nDréachtóirí Parlaiminte don Rialtas.

Bunaíodh Údarás na Gaeltachta mar bhord tofa mar fhreagra Rialtais ar ghluaiseacht chearta sibhialta na Gaeltachta go luath sna 1970idí. Tar éis na géarchéime eacnamaíochta, cuireadh deireadh leis na toghcháin nuair a achtaíodh Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012. Mar sin, tá stair fhada ag toghcháin don bhord áirithe seo agus tá éileamh ó phobail Ghaeltachta ar iad a athchóiriú. Ba chóir dom a chur in iúl freisin gur mhol athbhreithniú neamhspleách ar an gceist, a bhfuil gealltanas tugtha dó sa chlár Rialtais, go gcuirfí na toghcháin seo ar bun arís.

Fógraíodh i mí Mheán Fómhair seo caite go mbeadh Mary Uí Chadhain, iarstiúrthóir airgeadais TG4, ag éirí as mar chathaoirleach an bhoird ag deireadh na bliana. Bhí deis ag an Rialtas cinneadh a dhéanamh maidir leis an gcéad chathaoirleach eile ar an mbord Stáit an-tábhachtach seo ón am a fógraíodh an cinneadh sin, Meán Fómhair, go dtí anois. Is é sin seacht mí, nó sé mhí ar a laghad. Tá an folúntas ann ó mhí Eanáir ach bhí deis ann déileáil leis roimhe sin. Dá mbeadh folúntas mar sin ann san IDA nó grúpa mar sin, bheadh na meáin ag screadáil faoi. San am cinniúnach seo maidir le bord Údarás na Gaeltachta, tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh cathaoirleach ann chun a dhéanamh cinnte de go bhfuil an obair ag leanúint ar aghaidh. Níl mé ag rá nach bhfuil sé ag dul ar aghaidh. Tá jab iontach á dhéanamh. Tá fadhb bhunúsach ann agus is é sin nach bhfuil cathaoirleach ann agus go bhfuil an folúntas sin ann.

Nuair a chuaigh mé i ngleic leis an jab seo ar dtús, ba é seo ceann de na céad ábhair chainte a bhí agam le m'oifigigh. Bhuail mé le príomhfheidhmeannach Údarás na Gaeltachta i gConamara inné. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil tábhacht faoi leith ag baint leis seo. Ba mhaith liom go mbeadh cathaoirleach ceaptha ar an mbord. Admhaím go bhfuil sé sin an-tábhachtach. Táim chun dul i ngleic leis seo láithreach. Mar a dúirt mé cheana, bhí cainteanna agam. Beidh comhrá agam leis an Aire chun an ceapachán seo a bhrú chun cinn.

Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil fadhb bhunúsach i gcóras PAS ach tá an cuma air go minic go mbíonn moill thar cuimse nuair atá folúntais ar bhoird Stáit le líonadh. Nílim ag caint faoin bhfolúntas seo amháin ach ar chinn eile freisin.

Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil fadhb ar leith ann nach bhfuil iarratais á ndéanamh ag an bpobal ar na poist agus na folúntais seo nó an bhfuil moill ann na folúntais a fhógairt in am. Tá sé ríthábhachtach do na boird Stáit ar fad - ní hamháin na cinn a thagann faoi Roinn an Aire Stáit, nó cuid den Roinn sin, ach gach uile ceann acu - mar tá an cuma air ó thuairiscí sna meáin go bhfuil fadhb bhunúsach ann na folúntais ar bhoird Stáit a líonadh. Is an Roinn iomlán atá i gceist anseo. Ní tharlaíonn sé tapa go leor.

Maidir leis an mbord ag críochnú ag deireadh na bliana, tá súil agam go ndéanfaidh muid déileáil leis agus más gá síneadh, go ndéanfar síneadh muna bhfuil an reachtaíocht nua rite ionas nach mbeadh tréimhse ag tús na bliana seo chugainn nach mbeidh aon bhord ann agus go mbeidh síneadh ann.

Ní féidir liom a rá sa chás seo go bhfuil fadhb faoi leith maidir leis an gcóras PAS. Níl mórán taithí agamsa le ceapacháin ach sna ceapacháin atá déanta agam, caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil an córas mall. Níl aon dabht go bhfuil an córas mall. Níl mé á rá sin sa gcás seo ach go ginearálta, tá moill ann. Má tá daoine ag iarraidh trédhearcachta agus na daoine cearta, atá cáilithe, a cheapadh, caithfidh go bhfuil próiseas ann agus bíonn an próiseas sin mall ó am go ham. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé seo tábhachtach agus go gcaithfidh muid é a dhéanamh. Ní féidir leanúint ar aghaidh, go ró-fhada, gan cathaoirleach ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Baineann an cheist seo go háirithe leis an bpunann maoine iomlán atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus go simplí an talamh agus na foirgnimh atá acu. Bhí athbhreithniú ann agus buíochas le Dia, tá sé críochnaithe. Baineann mo cheist go sonrach leis an bplean a eascraíonn as an athbhreithniú sinagus an teagmháil a bhí, nó atá, ag an Roinn ó thaobh na bhféidearthachtaí maidir leis an dtalamh agus na bhfoirgnimh seo a úsáid, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs cúrsaí tithíochta.

Tá ionann agus 216,000 m2 i méid na bhfoirgneamh ina n-iomláine atá i bpunann maoine Údarás na Gaeltachta. Is obair leanúnach idir fhorbairt agus cothabháil maoine atá ar bun ag an údarás ar an bpunann maoine atá i seilbh na heagraíochta. Tá sé ráite ag Údarás na Gaeltachta liom go bhfuil athbhreithniú an údaráis ar phunann maoine ina áis thábhachtach taighde ar na féidearthachtaí a bhaineann leis an bpunann sna seacht gcontae Gaeltachta. Tá plé ar bun ar bhonn leanúnach leis na cliaintchomhlachtaí atá na dtionóntaí cheana féin agus le cliaint nua atá ag iarraidh spás tráchtála nó teacht ar spás breise agus iad ag fás.

Níos minice ná a mhalairt, bíonn obair le déanamh ar fhoirgnítí mar chéim thosaithe do thionóntaí agus bíonn aon chaiteachas caipitil le glanadh ag bord an údaráis agus chun a chinntiú go bhfuil na foirgnítí ag teacht le cúraimí reachtúla tógála agus rialachais. Tá liosta tograí mar phíblíne tograí d'fhorbairtí nua. Caithfear gach togra, ceann ar cheann, a chur faoi bhráid bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta chun gach deontas caipitil a cheadú agus iad mar chuid do chlár tograí a bheidh ar bun as seo go ceann roinnt blianta. Tá sé curtha in iúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta dom go bhfuil teagmháil leanúnach ar bun le cliaint reatha agus cliaint nua, údaráis áitiúla, soláthróirí seirbhísí agus dearthóirí. Beidh na tograí sin ar fad á bhforbairt go céimiúil le dul i dtreo an phróisis pleanála agus aon chomhairliúchán poiblí a bhaineann leis an bpróiseas sin.

Tá athbhreithniú déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar thograí tógála a d'fhéadfaí a thosú sa ghearrthéarma, go dtí 2026. Tá an clár infheistíochta caipitil don mbliain 2024 aontaithe ag leibhéal na bainistíochta san údarás, agus tá Údarás na Gaeltachta dóchasach go bhféadfaí cur leis seo ag brath ar acmhainní agus airgeadas a bheith ar fáil agus cead pleanála agus ceadanna eile a bheith in áit chuige.

Tá tábhacht leis an obair athbhreithnithe atá déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta mar chéad chéim i bhforbairt mhúnla tithíochta. Tá €250,000 ceadaithe ag bord an údaráis d'obair chomhairleoireachta agus thaighde i leith tithíocht a fhorbairt i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Is cead i bprionsabal atá tugtha ag an mbord agus súil múnla tithíochta inacmhainne do cheantair Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre a fhorbairt mar thoradh ar an obair seo i gcomhpháirt le geallsealbhóirí leasmhara. De réir Údarás na Gaeltachta, tá an obair leanúnach fós ar siúl ag an bhfoireann leis na geallsealbhóirí ábhartha. Tá mo Roinn coinnithe ar an eolas maidir leis an obair atá ar bun ag an údarás chun múnla tithíochta don Ghaeltacht a fhorbairt.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht an fhreagra. Tá an cheist seo thar a bheith tábhachtach. Tá deiseanna agus féidearthachtaí iontacha anseo ó thaobh tailte agus foirgneamh de. Faraor géar, bhí Údarás na Gaeltachta ar an ngannchuid ó thaobh airgid de ag dul siar go dtí inniu. Níl a dhóthain airgid aige fiú i gcomparáid leis an IDA agus Enterprise Ireland. Mar a dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, tá neamhaird i ndáiríre á dhéanamh ó thaobh an struchtúir de agus easpa cathaoirligh ann. Ní féidir leanúint ar aghaidh mar sin agus géarchéim thithíochta i gceist. Maidir leis an talamh seo, is iontach go bhfuil an talamh agus na foirgnimh aige, ach tá athbhreithniú déanta anois de bharr brú. Ba chóir go mbeadh sé sin déanta na blianta ó shin agus tá fís ag teastáil in éineacht leis an bplean. Cá bhfuil an plean i ndáiríre? Tá dul chun cinn ó thaobh comhairleoirí atá earcaithe anois. Arís, tá comhairleoirí agus airgead de luach €4 milliún i gceist. Bím idir dhá chomhairle le comhairleoirí i gcónaí ach ba chóir go mbeadh plean ag an údarás.

Tá an t-údarás ag déanamh a dhíchill maidir leis seo. Tá sé i dteagmháil leis na cliaintchomhlachtaí. Tá an t-athbhreithniú ar siúl freisin. Tá an t-údarás ag iarraidh freisin go mbeidh plean caipitil aige agus é ceadaithe ag an mbord. Tá mise ag iarraidh go mbeadh ról níos mó ag an údarás maidir le tithíocht agus tá an obair sin tosaithe aige. Tá mé chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar an gceist sin sula dtagann an reachtaíocht tríd an Dáil. Is é an rud is tábhachtaí ná go mbeadh aghaidh an údaráis casta ar an bhfadhb seo. Measaim gur féidir go mbeadh ról lárnach ag an údarás i soláthar tithíochta, idir sholáthar tithíochta sóisialta agus inacmhainne go háirithe, sa Ghaeltacht.

Is dea-scéal amach is amach é sin, má tharlaíonn sé. Go dtí seo, is de bharr brú ón dtalamh anuas - tá BÁNÚ ann agus tá muid anseo ag obair as lámha a chéile sa bhFreasúra, agus chuile sheachtain os comhair na coiste Gaeilge, ag iarraidh an ghéarchéim atá ann a chur in iúl - go bhfuil a fhios againn faoi seo. Anois, buíochas le Dia, tá an t-athbhreithniú críochnaithe. Is é an rud is tábhachtaí domsa ná plean. Is é an rud atá i gceist faoi láthair ná togra píolótach i dtrí cheantar, An Ceathrú Rua ina measc. Níl i gceist ansin ach tithe inacmhainne. Tá sé sin go maith ach tá gá, mar a dúirt an tAire Stáit, le tithe sóisialta freisin. Tá gá le réimse leathan tithíochta agus ní mór don Aire Stáit, mar Aire Stáit nua, breathnú ar na féidearthachtaí atá anseo. Tá leabhrán de fhreagraí agamsa ag cur na féidearthachtaí sin in iúl, mar bhí fís ag na daoine a chuaigh romhainn le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus roimhe sin le Gaeltarra Éireann. Chuir na daoine sin béim ar thalamh agus ar fhoirgnimh. Tá gá leis an Rialtas agus leis an Aire Stáit nua díriú ar na féidearthachtaí seo, agus an t-airgead agus na hacmhainní cuí ar a chur ar fáil.

Tá cúig nó sé agallamh déanta agam leis na meáin Ghaeilge le seachtain anuas agus mé i m'Aire Stáit. Chuaigh mé isteach ar an gcéad lá agus ar an dara lá go dtí stiúideo TG4 agus bhí mé i stiúideo Tuairisc.ie freisin inné. Cuireadh an cheist orm i ngach agallamh agus tá mé an-sásta plé léi. Bhí an chéad cruinniú agam le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta i nGaillimh inné. Bhí an cruinniú sin gearr toisc go raibh orm teacht ar ais chuig an Dáil ach b'shin an céad uair a bhí an deis agam dul síos agus bhí mé ag iarraidh dul síos go luath. Beidh níos mó cruinnithe agam le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta. Tá a fhios ag lucht an údaráis go bhfuil an t-ábhar seo an-thábhachtach dom agus don Rialtas. Beidh mé ag plé na gceisteanna sa chomhthéacs seo a bhfuil leagtha síos ag cosmhuintir na Gaeltachta agus ag na Teachtaí Connolly agus Ó Cuív. Tá sé tábhachtach agus rinne Údarás na Gaeltachta an-obair. Tá monarchana agus gnóthaí ansin sa Ghaeltacht a choinníonn daoine sa Ghaeltacht, ach anois ta sé deacair teach a fháil ar fud na tíre agus sa Ghaeltacht freisin. Tá an Rialtas ag déanamh oibre mhaith ar fud na tíre maidir le tithíocht ach is féidir ár n-aird a dhíriú ar na ceantair Ghaeltachta agus na deacrachtaí áirithe atá anseo, go háirithe le teanga, chomh maith leis na féidearthachtaí atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun díriú ar chúrsaí tithíochta.

County Meath is blessed with many internationally recognised heritage and historic sites, including Trim Castle, Bective Abbey, the Hill of Tara, Donaghmore Round Tower, Slane Castle, Slane Hill, and Brú na Bóinne, including Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, our own valley of the kings in this country. We also have the Battle of the Boyne site, Mellifont Abbey and Drogheda. This does not even include the likes of Slieve na Calliagh, which is a neolithic tomb site in its own right, yet most of the tourism that happens in our county is a one-day bus tour from a Dublin hotel. We need to make it stickier so that people are in the county for longer. What is the Government doing to do this?

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 provides consumer and buyer insights, mentoring, business supports and training programmes and buyer platforms to help tourism businesses innovate and grow. Fáilte Ireland is also responsible for domestic holiday marketing across four regional experience brands: the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin.

County Meath is included in Fáilte Ireland’s new Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-2027. This roadmap sets out a strategic approach to unlock the commercial potential of the region while ensuring development is sustainable, that benefits accrue to local communities, and that it protects our natural environment. Under the strategy, the ancient destination experience development plan, which includes County Meath, provides a destination-wide tourism development focus, harnessing existing plans and examining new projects to create a world-class destination with "Ancient" as the core development theme. Since the launch of the plan in May 2021, 26 of its 84 projects have been completed and a further 41 are in progress.

Key achievements in 2023 included the completion of a plan to reimagine the Boyne Valley drive and the continued growth of the world class Púca festival, all of which have contributed greatly to an emerging tourism destination. The Púca festival received national funding of €900,000 from Fáilte Ireland to deliver a high-quality cultural festival, contemporary and distinctive from other Halloween events in other cities, all set against the backdrop of a historically authentic setting.

The digital that delivers scheme is a two-year programme that provides participating businesses with training, expert advice, and financial supports to launch key digital projects, develop digital skills and drive more sales through wider online distribution. A total of just over €149,000 in funding has been provided to businesses in Meath under this programme. Meath is also included in the Keep Discovering Campaign 2024, which raises the profile of the county and attracts both national and international visitors.

Walking and cycling tourism, which I imagine would be supported by the Minister, is becoming exceptionally popular throughout the world. The Santiago de Compostela walk is a perfect example of where people can actually visit cultural and religious heritage sites and walk in the beautiful landscape of Galicia in northern Spain. I believe that this type of tourism will help County Meath. It would mean that tourists are in the county for seven or eight days rather than staying in a Dublin hotel and just tipping up on a bus. The Boyne greenway and such projects would allow this to happen. The proposed Boyne greenway was put into a motion by me when I was on Navan Town Council back in 2007, yet its delivery has been glacial. The Boyne Valley was carved out faster by glaciers than the time taken by the Government to build a cycle and walkway beside it. I ask that the Minister would focus on that particular achievement. It would be the jewel in the crown of the tourism product in County Meath.

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 County Meath's residents and visitors alike. The design aims to integrate a pedestrian and cycle route within sensitive, natural and built heritage sites while achieving a balance between conservation and public uses such as leisure, recreation and tourism.

I believe over the past number of years Meath County Council has been developing a plan to deliver it, which aims to provide a high-quality walking and cycling route and to restore the Boyne Navigation, including the canal sections and associated locks, which are a key feature of the industrial heritage within the Boyne Valley.

With regard to what happens next, now that the public consultation period has ended, the design team will collect and analyse all of the submissions received. These will be summarised and the reported responses to the various themes raised will be issued, and where necessary and proper to do so the emergent preferred route may be modified to reflect the feedback that is received. Once the preferred route is finalised preliminary design will commence where further detail on the exact layout of the greenway will be developed. It is my understanding that additional liaison with land owners will be held throughout this stage of the project and further general public consultations will be held prior to submission of the final planning documents to An Bord Pleanála.

The Hill of Tara is of enormous significance historically and heritage wise in this country, yet when people go to the Hill of Tara, it is actually very badly managed. Most people are slipping and sliding in muck there and potentially doing damage to the monuments that exist up there. The parking and all of the services are very poor and there definitely needs to be far more work in the development of that. Slieve na Calliagh, is the site of neolithic tombs and is situated outside Oldcastle in Loughcrew. The last time I was there the roof of one of the tombs was being held up by an Acrow prop. It was falling apart at that moment in time. There is absolutely wonderful neolithic art available to touch out there, yet it is falling apart.

The Book of Kells has four parts to it. Kells obviously is part of the history of the Book of Kells and we should look to see how we can actually get one of those volumes into Kells to increase the level of tourism there.

There is also the blueway along the River Boyne. Work has been done to improve the blueway access to it. Blueway tourism itself is a big plus to the locality. We have these enormous and wonderful assets and we are not sweating those assets. Even when we make a decision to go down the route of doing something such as the Boyne greenway after 17 years, there still really has not been a shovel put in the ground in most of the length of it.

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 plan for delivery and some of those plans addressed the issues raised here. These actions now are: the update of the Kells town brochure to provide support for the development of innovative experiences emerging in Kells; the delivery of Slane tear-off maps for distribution to all businesses; supporting the participants at the Púca opening parade in Trim; and industry engagement and activation to support the Navan horse racing weekend in November. The action plans are living documents that will be reviewed annually to ensure actions are prioritised that will lead to greater cohesion to the clusters and to update, develop and support saleable experiences for the domestic and international consumer. I will pass on the Deputy's contribution to my officials to liaise with Fáilte Ireland.

Is togra an-tábhachtach é Coláiste Íosagáin, ní hamháin i gcomhair cheantar Mhúscraí ach i gcomhair na Gaeltachta i gcoitinne, Corcaigh, Ciarraí agus an t-iardheisceart ar fad. Tá plean cuimsitheach á ullmhú le tamall. An bhféadfadh an tAire Stáit léiriú a thabhairt ar an gcaiteachas chun an togra sin a chur i gcrích agus na chéad chéimeanna eile atá amach romhainn chun é sin a bhaint amach?

Tá suíomh an áitribh atá luaite ag an Teachta in úinéireacht Údarás na Gaeltachta ón mbliain 1998. Sa bhliain 2019, cheadaigh Fiontraíocht Éireann maoiniú de €2.16 milliún don obair thógála faoin gciste forbartha eacnamaíochta réigiúnach ar mhaithe le mol forbartha réigiúnach a lonnú ar an suíomh lena n-áirítear Gteic réigiúnach agus ionad fiontraíochta. Mar thoradh ar an maoiniú sin, cheadaigh bord an údaráis comh-mhaoiniú de €600,000 i mí Mhárta 2020.

Ina theannta sin, cheadaigh bord an údaráis €1 milliún ar mhaithe le hoibreacha ullmhúcháin a dhéanamh ar an suíomh i mí Márta 2021. Bhí an tsuim sin ar fad nach mór caite faoi dheireadh 2023.

Tá caiteachas caipitil de €1.2 milliún déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar an togra le cúig bliana anuas. Bhain formhór an chaiteachais sin - €960,000 - le hoibreacha réitithe suíomh. Tá curtha in iúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta gur obair dheartha, innealtóireachta agus comhairleoireachta a bhí i gceist leis an gcuid eile den chaiteachas. Níor mhiste a lua gur cheadaigh bord an údaráis soláthar caipitil de €200,000 í mí na Samhna 2018 ar mhaithe le dearthóirí a cheapadh don togra. Is le linn na blianta 2019 and 2020 a tharla an caiteachas don obair sin. Ní dhéanfar éileamh ar mhaoiniú caipitil Fiontraíocht Éireann go dtí go mbeidh an togra ag staid tógála.

Tá an fhorbairt bheartaithe ar scála suntasach agus d'fhág an t-ardú ar chostais a d'eascair go príomha as boilsciú agus riachtanais pleanála go mba ghá iarracht a dhéanamh in athuair teacht ar bhreis maoiniú seachtrach. Tháinig seo ar bharr na dúshláin a bhain le scóip na hoibre agus cúrsaí pleanála. Bunaíodh comhlacht faoi leith le tabhairt faoin bhforbairt agus fostaíodh bainisteoir forbartha. De réir Údarás na Gaeltachta, chuir sé seo leis an moill.

Tuigim go bhfuil iarratas nua ar mhaoiniú déanta ar an gciste um athghiniúint agus forbairt tuaithe ón 8 Feabhra 2024 agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh cinneadh déanta ina leith seo go luath. Tá cead pleanála don fhorbairt in áit agus tá an próiseas tairisceana curtha i gcrích, agus dá bhrí sin tá an obair thógála ullamh le tosú ach na foinsí maoinithe a bheith deimhnithe. Má éiríonn leis an iarratas ar mhaoiniú, táthar ag súil go mbeidh tús á chur leis na hoibreacha tógála sa tríú ráithe den bhliain seo.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus tá an-chuid sonraí ansin. Tá togra an-dearfach i gceist agus i ndán do Choláiste Íosagáin leis an mol digiteach atá luaite aige agus go leor eile. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go gcuirfí é sin i gcrích agus tuigim go bhfuil costais ardaithe ó thosaigh an plean agus go bhfuil foinsí éagsúla á gcur in úsáid chun an maoiniú sin a bhailiú. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go mbeadh an t-údarás breá sásta a chuid maoinithe féin, maoiniú suntasach, a chur i gcrích agus a chur ar fáil ann agus nach mbeadh sé ag brath an iomad ar fhoinsí lasmuigh nach bhfuil siad i bhfeighil orthu.

Nuair a chuir mé ceist ar an údarás, bhí sé ag cur suimeanna caipitil ar fáil i gcomhair na réigiúin éagsúla a bhí á scaipeadh de réir an daonra a bhí sa cheantar. Dár ndóigh, tá daonra níos lú i gceantar Ghaeltacht Chorcaí. Bheadh sé fíorthábhachtach nach mbeadh sé sin mar shrian ar an gcaipiteal maoinithe a bheidh ar fáil ón údarás. An féidir a chinntiú mar sin go mbeidh sciar maith den mhaoiniú ar fáil ón údarás, pé maoiniú gur ghá chun a chinntiú gur féidir an togra tábhachtach seo a chur i gcrích?

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Teachta Ó Muineacháin de gur chuir sé ceist orm maidir leis an ábhar seo. Bhí mé i dteagmháil le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta inné agus beidh níos mó teagmhála ar siúl agam leis, agus beidh mé ag cur cás Chorcaí agus Gaeltacht Chorcaí, áit a d'fhoghlaim mé mo chuid Gaeilge nuair a chuaigh mé go dtí an Ghaeltacht ar Oileán Chléire nuair a bhí mé i mo dhéagóir. Tá rudaí ar siúl ar fud Chontae Chorcaí freisin. Tá 53 post i gCorcaigh faoi láthair i gcomhlachtaí atá ag fáil tacaíochta ó Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus tá pleananna teanga á bhfeidhmiú freisin i gceantar féin an Teachta, i Múscraí agus d’Oileán Chléire é féin. Ba mhaith liomsa aird a dhíriú ar Chontae Chorcaí agus ar Ghaeltacht Chorcaí agus ar an togra seo agus beidh mé ar ais i dteagmháil leis an Teachta nuair a dhéanann mé níos mó teagmhála le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis an gceist seo.

Tá an suim agam gur luaigh an t-Aire Stáit Oileán Chléire chomh maith mar, arís, is pobal é de dhaonra beag agus más rud é go bhfuil an t-údarás ag scaipeadh a chuid maoinithe de réir an daonra, bheadh a leithéid d'Oileán Chléire agus gach aon phobal eile faoi mhíbhuntáiste dá réir. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go mbeadh an t-údarás ábalta tograí mór le rá agus tábhachtacha a aithint agus an chuid maoinithe a chur ar fáil chucu, Coláiste Íosagáin ina measc. Caithfidh teachtaireacht shoiléir a bheith ann go mbeidh maoiniú údaráis cinnte chun é sin a chur i gcrích, pé rud a tharlódh le haon fhoinse eile, an RRDF, Fiontar Éireann nó aon dream eile. Caithfimid a bheith breá sásta go bhfuil maoiniú cinnte ag an údarás agus go mbeidh sé ar fáil chun an togra sin a chur i gcrích. Tá Coláiste Íosagáin fíorthábhachtach ní hamháin i gcomhair phobal Bhaile Bhuirne ach i gcomhair phobal Mhúscraí agus phobal an iardheiscirt go forleathan. Is féidir deiseanna iontacha a thabhairt i gcrích ann agus caithfimid an chinnteacht sin a fháil ón údarás go bhfuil sé sásta maoiniú suntasach a chur ar fáil chun é a chur i gcrích i gColáiste Íosagáin agus nach mbeidh sé scaipthe de réir daonra.

Aontaím leis an Teachta go bhfuil tábhacht ollmhór ag baint leis an athfhorbairt seo. Tá fíorthábhachtach ag baint le hathfhorbairt sna ceantair Ghaeltachta go léir. Táthar ag súil go dtabharfaidh an athfhorbairt seo deiseanna nua ó thaobh fiontraíochta agus fostaíochta do mhuintir ceantar an Teachta. Tá siad i dteideal na fostaíochta sin agus i dteideal na forbartha sin. Táimse ag iarraidh go mbeidh tograí den leithéid seo ann ar fud na nGaeltachtaí. Mar aon le maoiniú Údarás na Gaeltachta, tá maoiniú ó mo Roinn do thograí caipitil. B’fhéidir go bhfuil sé beagáinín níos lú. Ba mhaith liom go mbeadh iarratais ag teacht isteach ó phobal Mhúscraí, ó phobal Chléire agus ó phobail na nGaeltachtaí uilig. Caithfimid cabhair a thabhairt dóibh. Tá a lán áiteanna sna Gaeltachtaí, an chuid is mó acu, ina bhfuil daonra íseal ann i gcomparáid le háiteanna eile sa tír. Caithfimid aird a dhíriú orthu. Táim sásta dul i dteagmháil le Údarás na Gaeltachta arís maidir leis an togra seo agus tacaíocht a thabhairt don Teachta ina leith sin.

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 tourism revenue across the regions and throughout the seasons.

Tourism Ireland would also work with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland on the roll-out of an umbrella certification scheme to promote sustainable travel. It is Fáilte Ireland's long-term objective to ensure a greater regional spread of the socioeconomic benefits of tourism. Four regional experience brands are at the heart of Fáilte Ireland's work to develop the spatial spread of tourism - the Wild Atlantic Way, Hidden Heartlands, Ireland's Ancient East and Dublin. For each brand, Fáilte Ireland has developed a regional tourism development strategy in partnership with local authorities, State agencies, communities and industry partners. Fáilte Ireland has painstakingly developed these strategies to ensure the focus on tourism development is sustainable and regenerative and that the benefits accrue to local communities and nature.

In 2024, Fáilte Ireland will have a programme of cross-sectoral supports for tourism, including supporting digitisation, which is delivering commercial benefits in both revenue generation and operational efficiencies. There will be continued support for careers in tourism that delivers higher retention and attraction of staff in and to the sector and a business support grant for activities and attractions businesses affected in 2023. There will be a continued capital investment programme, including progressing the €68 million EU transition fund to deliver a transformative regenerative tourism scheme for the midlands.

I acknowledge the concerns of businesses about the costs of doing business across the economy. As part of the wider Government response, a range of measures have been brought forward by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to assist businesses in adjusting to increased costs as well more generally to improve the cost competitiveness of firms. Tease measures will be of benefit to tourism businesses and include the €257 million increased costs of business scheme. The Department is also developing option papers on the application of a lower rate of employer PRSI contribution as well as range of measures to reduce red tape and the administrative burden on businesses.

From a longer-term and tourism-specific perspective, I am progressing the development of a new tourism policy framework and while it will aim to grow the tourism sector, the objective will be to do so in a manner consistent with our broader sustainability targets. Regional growth and season extension will be important objectives. I will continue to advocate and work for the tourism sector, including engaging with my Government colleagues to address the challenges which the sector faces, as well as making the most of the opportunities that Government support and investment can bring to the sector.

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive reply. I ask if it might be possible to do an audit of the hotel space available in County Kildare and other midland counties with a view to ensuring the maximum bed space is available to accommodate tourists to encourage them to avail of the opportunity of visiting those constituencies. This is not to suggest that other temporary occupants of hotel bed spaces be discommoded but that alternative ways and means be found so that both sides can prosper and can avail of maximum opportunity in the tourist season ahead, which is very important with regard to recovery to the full extent of tourism in our economy.

By way of update, I can confirm from talking to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, that over 300 accommodations which were in use by the Department, directly or through local authorities, for the beneficiaries of temporary protection since the commencement of the Ukraine crisis are no longer being used as of mid-April. Of these, over 40 are hotels with approximately 1,500 beds associated, and another 90 are categorised as bed and breakfast accommodation, guesthouses or hostels, with around 2,000 beds. There are various reasons for the discontinuance of use but it is primarily as a result of the provider terminating the contract or deciding not to renew it, or the Department choosing to no longer avail of the supplier’s services.