Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2023

The Oireachtas joint committee report on developing rural tourism was published on 16 November 2023. The report covers a wide range of sectors, with responsibility for some of the issues highlighted resting with my colleagues in other Departments. On my own Department’s responsibilities, the report includes recommendations relating to tourism, film, culture and the Gaeltacht. My officials are currently examining this recently-received report and I look forward to giving a comprehensive response on each of the recommendations in due course.

I have asked Fáilte Ireland in particular to examine the recommendations in the report. I am pleased to note that work is already taking place on a number of the areas highlighted. For instance, with regard to the recommendation that my Department should consider ring-fencing funding for tourism businesses to develop their digital infrastructure, including digital skills for the workforce, Fáilte Ireland has already established “Digital that Delivers”, a ground-breaking initiative designed to power a digital transformation of the visitor experience sector. Another recommendation made is that my Department engages with relevant stakeholders to expedite the development of walkways, greenways, cycleways and blueways across all counties. While Failte Ireland does not lead on these particular projects, the agency has been a significant stakeholder since their inception and continues to contribute to their development.

The recommendations in the report will also be fully taken into consideration in the context of the new national tourism policy framework which is currently under development. The new policy framework will seek to mainstream environmental, economic and societal sustainability across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030. In this regard, while I want to see the sector grow, I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and, ultimately, ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism practices.

I will shortly launch a public consultation on the new framework. This will primarily be based on the guiding principles of the report of the sustainable tourism working group but will also provide an opportunity for the public to provide any other views on what should be included in the new policy framework. I hope to have it finalised in the first quarter of next year.

It is a comprehensive report with a specific 15 recommendations that were highlighted. The Minister has addressed some of them but there are others which fall directly into the Minister’s bailiwick, such as identifying rural traditions that could be added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. In particular, the Minister could put that out to public consultation and encourage people to feed into it so we would have more of our traditions, in particular rural traditions, on the UNESCO list of cultural heritage. The other recommendation is the proposal for national treasures in our cultural institutions to tour rural areas. I know that would be very welcome in areas that have institutions, halls or specific venues that are ideal for such tours. The arts and culture committee had a discussion a number of years ago with local museums but it has not progressed since.

With regard to recommendation No. 4, I consider submissions from the national cultural institutions, NCIs, annually as part of the Estimates process. The committee's recommendation will be considered in the context of future budget Estimates processes. In the interim, the Deputy will be aware that my Department runs an annual mobility of collections scheme for the dissemination of national collections to regional museums and to support greater regional and local access to material held in the national collections. The scheme is designed to fund the cost of transport, insurance and exhibiting for pieces from the national collections to appropriate institutions around the country.

With regard to recommendation No. 3 concerning the UNESCO heritage list, under processes currently in place, it is open to any stakeholders to submit an expression of interest for the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage. Existing arrangements provide for an open, transparent and fair application and decision process. I have no plans at present to review these arrangements.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí sin, ach go háirithe an ceann maidir le moladh uimh. 4. Bhí a fhios agam go raibh roinnt bogtha ann ach ní tharlaíonn sé chomh minic agus chomh leathan is gur chóir.

Baineann moladh uimh. 12, straitéis turasóireachta don Ghaeltacht, le bheith ag freastal ar an éileamh atá ann do thurasóireacht teangabhunaithe, mar atá ar bun ag músaeim teanga agus litríochta i dtíortha eile agus sna cultúrlainne ó Thuaidh, agus ag déanamh ceiliúradh mar is cóir ar ár gcultúr agus ar ár dteanga náisiúnta. Cad atá an tAire chun a dhéanamh chun cuidiú leis an turasóireacht sin agus chun a dhéanamh cinnte de go mbeidh sé mar chuid den straitéis turasóireachta? Má táimid chun a bheith ag mealladh daoine isteach sa tír, caithimid déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil na háiseanna agus na tacaíochtaí ar fáil do lucht agus do cheantair na Gaeltachta chun déanamh cinnte go bhfuil siad in ann freastal ar an éileamh atá ann agus go bhfuil na hionaid ann chun déileáil leis mar músaem teanga nó litríochta nó a leithéid.

Tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag obair go dlúth le Fáilte Éireann, le heagrais forbartha pobail, agus leis an earnáil phríobháideach sa Ghaeltacht chun áiseanna turasóireachta agus ábhair spéise do thurasóirí a chur ar fáil ar fad na Gaeltachta.

Maidir le turasóireacht, is í an fhís atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ná fiontraithe, gnóthaí pobalbhunaithe agus na heagrais Stáit a chumasú agus a spreagadh chun táirgí, seirbhísí agus eispéiris turasóireachta a fhorbairt chun freastal ar chuairteoirí agus ar fhiontar idirnáisiúnta. Oibríonn Údarás na Gaeltachta le Fáilte Éireann chun tacú leis ina ról an Ghaeltacht a chur in aithne do dhaoine atá ag gabháil timpeall na tíre. Déanann an t-údarás cumasú freisin ar ghnóthaí turasóireachta a gcuid gnóthaí a chur os comhair an phobail trí tacaíochtaí ar nós na scéim deontais trádáil ar líne. Ina theannta sin tá an údarás ag díriú ar thograí agus ar tháirgí turasóireachta d’ardchaighdeán a fhorbairt le go mbeadh ábhair Ghaeltachta bunaithe ag Fáilte Éireann agus ag Tourism Ireland le bronnadh ar an margadh.

Leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh ag labhairt leis an Aire Stáit agus freagraí a fháil domsa. Tá an cheist seo maidir le tuarascáil ó fhóram Chois Fharraige um pleanáil teanga maidir leis an scéim tacaíochta do thuismitheoirí a bhfuil i gceist acu a bpáiste nó a bpáistí a thógáil le Gaeilge. An bhfuil an tAire Stáit chun gníomhú ar an tuarascáil ón bhfóram sin?

Cuireadh doiciméad dár dteideal, Scéim Tacaíochta do thuismitheoirí a bhfuil sé i gceist acu a bpaiste/í a thógáil le Gaeilge: Tuairimí Fhóraim Chois Fharraige um Pleanáil Teanga CTR, faoi bhráid mo Roinne ag tús mhí na Samhna. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a ghlacadh mo bhuíochas a léiriú le fóram Chois Fharraige um pleanáil teanga as ucht an cháipéis seo a ullmhú agus as ucht obair na bliana atá déanta acu ag cur an phróiseas pleanála teanga chun cinn i gceantar Chois Fharraige.

Ó cuireadh deireadh le scéim labhairt na Gaeilge roinnt blianta ó shin, tá raon leathan de bhearta curtha i bhfeidhm ag mo Roinn faoi scáth an phróisis pleanála teanga a tháinig i bhfeidhm ó shin chun cabhrú le teaghlaigh atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge nó ar mhian leo é sin a dhéanamh. San áireamh anseo, ceadaíodh cistíocht shuntasach ar fiú breis agus €1.6 milliún é thar tréimhse trí bliana don eagraíocht Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta ó 2021 go 2023. Cuireann an maoiniú seo le cumas Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta tacú le tuismitheoirí atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge nó ar mhian leo é sin a dhéanamh. Tá plé ar siúl leis an eagraíocht maidir le cistíocht do 2024 agus do na blianta ina dhiaidh sin.

I bhfianaise an tábhacht faoi leith a bhaineann le tacú tuilleadh fós le cur chun cinn na teanga ar bhonn teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht agus sna bailte seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus na líonraí Gaeilge atá aitheanta faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga, bhuail feidhmeannaigh mo Roinne le páirtithe leasmhara chun breathnú ar bhearta breise thairis an méid atá ar bun cheana a d'fhéadfaí a chur sa tsiúil chun tacú tuilleadh le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ag leibhéal an teaghlaigh. Críochnóidh mé i gceann tamaillín.

Is cuimhin len a lán daoine scéim labhairt na Gaeilge agus an cheann a bhí ann roimhe seo. Is trua go bhfuair an bord snip réidh leis ag an am.

Seachas ag fáil réidh leis ba chóir go mbeadh dlús curtha leis agus ag déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil aitheantas Stáit ann do cé chomh luachmhar is atá sé don Stát teaghlaigh a mhealladh chun a bpáistí a thógáil le Gaeilge. Sin an fáth go raibh fóram Chois Fharraige dírithe ar an gceist seo. Mar a dúirt an tAire Stáit, chuir sé na moltaí faoina bhráid agus faoi bhráid Chomhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge agus os comhair na Ranna. An rud atá i gceist anois ná cén uair a bhfeicfimid gníomh de réir na moltaí a bhí sa tuarascáil sin? Caithfidh gníomh tarlú agus beidh costas i gceist. An bhfuil an tAire Stáit cinnte go mbeadh an tAire Airgeadais sásta cuidiú leis sna moltaí a bhfuil tús curtha leo a chur le chéile?

Bhí cruinniú ag mo Roinn le Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta ar an 21 Meán Fómhair chun na féidearthachtaí maidir le scéim nua a chíoradh agus tá beartaithe ag an Roinn bualadh le grúpa ionadaíoch ar na hoifigigh pleanála teanga sna seachtainí amach romhainn chun a gcuid smaointe a bhailiú freisin. Anuas air sin, ag cruinniú i mí na Samhna de choiste comhairleach an Aire maidir leis an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge, glacadh cinneadh cruinniú ar leith den choiste a thionól luath sa bhliain nua ar mhaithe leis an gceist áirithe sin a phlé. Cuirfear moltaí fhóraim Chois Fharraige um pleanáil teanga san áireamh sa phlé sin, rud atá an-tábhachtach. Tá súil agam go mbeidh mé in ann fógra eile a chur amach maidir le Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta agus maidir leis an scéim sin go luath.

Arís tá scéim úir a phleanáil ag an Aire Stáit agus sin mar a dúirt sé nuair a roghnaíodh é mar Aire Stáit sa chéad dul síos. Sin ceann de na céad rudaí a dúirt sé in agallamh agus tá sé ag gníomhú de réir a bhriathar. Dúirt sé go mbeadh sé i gceist scéim labhairt na Gaeilge dá shórt a thógáil ar ais agus is maith sin. Cosúil leis na ceisteanna eile a bhí agam níos luaithe, arís tá mé ag fiafraí cén uair a tharlóidh sé seo. Sin an príomhrud. Tá daoine ag brath ar chuidiú ón Stát chun déanamh cinnte nach bhfuil clainne agus teaghlaigh ag casadh ar Bhéarla agus go mbeadh siúd lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ag féachaint, amach anseo, ar conas is féidir leo braith ar an Stát nuair atá siadsan ag smaoineamh ar a gclainne a thógáil le Gaeilge. Tá súil againn go gcuirfidh seo dlús leis an méid chainteoirí Gaeilge gach uile lá, ní hamháin i gceantair Ghaeltachta, ach lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht chomh maith.

Níl sé i gceist ag mo Roinn scéim labhairt na Gaeilge a thabhairt ar ais mar a bhí sé in 2011 ach ar an lámh eile cuireann mo Roinn raon leathan de tacaíochtaí eile ar fáil don Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Tá go leor tacaíochtaí ann. Mar a dúirt mé cheana, tá súil agam go mbeidh mé in ann fógra a dhéanamh maidir le ceann de na tacaíochtaí a chuirfear ar fáil, chomh luath agus is féidir.

This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister intends to support, promote and offer assistance in any way possible to all sporting activities with a view to ensuring that investment there keeps pace with the ongoing requirement, and given the success of sporting activity, particularly with young people.

I recognise the importance of sport and physical activity for the health and well-being of our society and our people and the need to ensure that opportunities are in place to allow everybody to participate in sport. In budget 2024, we announced an overall budget allocation of €183 million for sport in 2024. This is an increase of 5% on the 2023 allocation. The 2024 allocation for Sport Ireland will deliver an increase of over €7 million in its budget, bringing it to €106.7 million. This level of Government funding will allow Sport Ireland to increase its funding support in a number of very important areas next year, including a €2 million increase in core funding for sporting organisations and a further €2 million increase in funding for the Women in Sport programme.

An additional €1 million in Government funding is being provided for high-performance sport next year. This will support Team Ireland as they prepare for the Olympics and Paralympic Games next year in Paris as well as helping with the continued development of coaching and pathways support.

The sports capital and equipment programme is the main channel of Government support for developing facilities and purchasing equipment for sports clubs and organisations. The 2023 round closed on 8 September, and the total number of applications will exceed the previous record number of 3,106.

The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and I hope to be in a position tomorrow to announce further allocations to grantees to ensure that existing large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, projects are advanced. Following positive engagement with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and his Department, additional funding has been allocated in recognition of the challenges faced by grantees arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, with many projects having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees. We are also engaging with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and his Department about the funding required to underpin a future round of LSSIF which we will be announcing in the new year.

I thank the Minister of State for that reply. I will further inquire as to the extent to which he and his colleagues intend to extend to both urban and rural areas an even spread of sporting and recreational facilities with a view to ensuring that either urban or rural isolation does not become a problem and that there is an equal attraction in either location to attract and retain young people in their respective areas.

There is no doubt that we are prioritising the funding of sports facilities through the LSSIF, through the sports capital and equipment programme and through our general funding to Sport Ireland as well. We aim to ensure that a wide range of sports are provided for across the entire country. That has been evident from the work we have done to date.

We want to promote our elites to ensure that they can participate, compete and achieve at the highest possible levels, but we also need to ensure that our participation rates increase, from 43%. They are on the way up but we need to increase them to 60%. That will require investment, funding and support to organisations and sporting bodies and to the people all across the country. That includes people who are sporty. It includes marginalised groups. It includes minority groups. Women in Sport has been a focus. It also includes young people in sports. Connecting in with the education system as well has been important to achieve those targets.

To what degree will it be possible to facilitate various sporting groups which found it impossible to meet their budgetary and construction requirements because of Covid and which may have shortfalls arising? To what extent will it be possible to offer them support in light of the pivotal nature of the works in many areas where there is an utter dependancy on the support and assistance the Department can offer? I ask this particularly in view of the success to date and the huge boost to sporting activity in urban and rural areas and the resulting improvements to health and fitness?

There have been significant supports to sporting organisations during Covid. There have been general Covid supports. There have been energy supports as well in the context of the price rises that happened after Covid.

In terms of sports capital funding, one could apply for existing projects up to the existing limits in the previous sports capital round to cover the costs of inflation. Quite a number of the large-scale projects did not get off the ground as well, because of construction inflation mainly and because of the impact of Covid.

We invited all of the recipients of the previous round of large-scale funding to apply for further funding and we will be finalising that tomorrow. We will also be announcing a new round of the LSSIF in the new year.

We recognise that there were significant challenges during Covid. We reached out to those who had received funding. They sought more. We had really good engagement with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, in relation to that to achieving extra funding, and we are grateful for that.

In the context of sport, perhaps our most unique sport is the game of hurling. There has been a fair bit of controversy in recent weeks in respect of the proposals relating to the counties where clubs do not have hurling teams.

Does the Minister of State have concerns about the proposal that exists? If we are going to promote the game in those counties, the game generally needs to be promoted. There is a lot of concern again this year about the proposition by GAAGO regarding many of the most prominent hurling games at the start of the year. There is a fear among people who support hurling. My own county of Cork is particularly affected but generally among hurling people there is a fear that GAAGO is being promoted off the back of some of the very competitive hurling matches at the start of the interprovincial championships. They fear that the balance is not quite right between the two sports and that many people who would have given many years of service to the GAA might not have the technology or the income to get GAAGO and will miss out on major matches that they might previously have been in a position to see.

In Carlow, an excellent and very successful private sports programme was delivered for older persons through SETU. Sport Ireland has recently withdrawn the funding which has heavily subsidised this class. The majority of the participants on this scheme were on disability pensions or old-age pensions. The users of the service see their physical health, energy and overall well-being vastly improved as a result of participating in the programme. The money used to subsidise the programme was part of a research project, physical activity for chronic conditions, PACC, to try to develop an affordable pathway for persons living with chronic conditions to participate in physical activity. The programme was delivered by a private service but it is no longer possible for the local support partnership to fund it. This was a great scheme and many people have contacted me about it in the last week. I ask that it be looked at.

Similar to other Deputies, I want to raise the issue of the accessibility of our national games, the controversy following the publication of GAAGO schedule for 2024 and the ongoing inquiry by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in regard to the licence for GAAGO, which was originally designed for an international market but is now exclusive in showing games on a domestic basis. I want to ask in regard to the remit of the GAA and RTÉ, our national broadcaster, which has exclusivity not just on the free-to-air broadcast but is also a 50% partner with the GAA on this paywall platform. There are consumer issues that I would raise with the Minister of State. Certainly, this deal was originally negotiated with the former director general, Dee Forbes, at a time when RTÉ was really driving its commercial revenue. It does not sit well with many of the GAA fraternity, in particular with those who have digital inequality across rural areas. I ask the Minister of State to look at this as a matter of priority.

In terms of sport, our number one aim is to have more participation. While we do not get involved in the internal GAA discussions on hurling in individual counties, the way the competitions work or who can take part, our overriding aim in funding sports bodies is to have more participation. I note that a decision is upcoming which the counties concerned will be satisfied with. I welcome that as I think it is very important to protect hurling and to protect those players. I was at the GAA champions awards and it was great to see hurlers from counties that are not particularly known for hurling coming up for awards. From talking to one of them, it appears that just two or three clubs are taking part in some counties but these people can then excel at county level, which is very important, and get awards that recognise that they make a national impact despite the fact their own counties are not strong hurling counties and it is very much a minority sport. We have to protect that. It is a minority sport in certain areas but there are many sports like that and we have to protect them all.

With regard to GAAGO, Deputy Catherine Martin is the media Minister. I would say that we want to see as much as possible free-to-air. Of course, it cannot all be on RTÉ but hurling is a national sport and it is a pity if people cannot see it. The Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, has made his views very clear on this. The message that we want to get out to the GAA is that people want to see this and they want to enjoy those particular games. There are rules in relation to media. We do not tell channels what to put on but we certainly want to see as much participation as possible. If you see it, you can be it. That is what sports organisations must bear in mind.

There is a real problem with some of the pay-per-view at a global level. There are fewer and fewer people actually seeing games but they are paying more and more. That is not ideal. It is certainly not ideal for our national sport.

Scéim forbartha líonraí Gaeilge is Foras na Gaeilge’s multi-annual community scheme to promote, protect and ingrain the Irish language in particular areas with an emphasis on the development and implementation of comprehensive language plans for the areas that are part of the scheme. There are 36 Irish language groups, North and South, funded through the scheme, including nine grantees within a number of the areas which have already been designated as Irish language networks or Gaeltacht service towns. The remaining 27 grantees under the scheme are at various levels depending on their current stage of development.

Structured progression has been built into this scheme with a focus on the current stage of development of the applicant. Three stages of development have been developed as part of this scheme: higher level; intermediate level; and basic level. It would be hoped that groups at the basic and intermediate levels would progress over time to the next level subject to successful implementation of their agreed multi-annual programmes. In accordance with Government policy on the Irish language, the emphasis of this scheme is on longer term and more strategic planning following the principles of language planning. The scheme began in January 2022 and has funding committed up to December 2024. It is expected that a further iteration of this scheme will be advertised in 2024. Over €2.8 million has been provided to groups, both North and South of the Border, under the scheme for 2022 and 2023.

As the Deputy will be aware, Foras na Gaeilge is part of An Foras Teanga, the North-South language body, co-sponsored by my Department and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. On this basis, all matters relating to the budget for the North-South language body budget must be approved by the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC. My Department has again provided an additional allocation of €700,000 for North-South co-operation in its budget for 2024. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to release this funding to the language body due to the absence of NSMC meetings.

Irish language community organisations are doing great work with limited resources and they are serving an ever-growing demand. They need to be adequately funded and properly supported. A number of these groups exist in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. It is a constituency that tells a very different tale when one compares the two counties. In Cavan, we need a lot more Gaelscoileanna. Monaghan’s community groups need more resources because they need to be able to better provide Irish-speaking children a chance and a reason to use the language outside of the Gaelscoil.

Funding for this work is provided through Foras na Gaeilge’s scéim forbartha líonraí Gaeilge scheme but since the pandemic, there has been a large pent-up demand for the reopening of the scheme. The Minister of State explained why it cannot be, but is there some way that the community organisations can be supported? There are groups springing up in towns all over the country. Even in Cavan, there are two. There is one in Gaeil Mhuinchille in Cootehill and Gael An Cabhán in Cavan, which opened recently. I am wondering can support be given to the Irish language community organisations and can we recognise the importance of the work by ensuring that there is ring-fenced additional funding through Foras na Gaeilge to allow this scheme to reopen for applications?

As the Deputy beside Deputy Tully will know, the Department does give supports to groups outside of the Foras na Gaeilge application process, such as Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge and Gaillimh le Gaeilge. It might be helpful if I can take the details of some of the projects the Deputy is talking about in Cavan and Monaghan and have my officials in the Department have a look at them.

The Deputy is correct with regard to people who want to rear their children through the medium of Irish or who want to school them through the medium of Irish. I would say it is probably easier, and Deputy Ó Snodaigh is smiling at me. One thing that is easier for me to mention trí mheán na Gaeilge ná trí mheán an Bhéarla is an easpa muiníne, the lack of confidence people have. We were all brought up going to school for eight years in primary school and for five years in secondary school. When I was put into the job I have, my biggest difficulty, and most people's biggest difficulty, is their confidence in Irish. It is in all of us only sometimes you have to dig it out a bit more than you have to dig out other things. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh and the committee for digging it out of me. The lack of confidence that most of our peers in our age group have is the saddest thing that confronts the Irish language.

If the Deputy has specific projects in Cavan and Monaghan that she wants me to look at, I will certainly do that.

I thank the Minister of State. I agree with him. I went to school for 13 years and have lots of Irish in my head but actually having the confidence to speak it is different. That is why we need to support community organisations to actually reach out to people so that people can join these organisations and use whatever Irish they have, because if you do not use it, you lose it. In the months coming up to the budget, 138 community organisations from around the country came together to formulate and propose to Government an ambitious new investment plan for the Irish language. They want to address the long-standing issues with funding, particularly the lack of support for groups doing the work on the ground. The proposals look to reverse austerity-era cutbacks and fix a situation where Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta are in receipt of less funding from the State today than 20 years ago. That has to be addressed because I think there is an appetite in this country to revive the language. We need to support those on the ground in the communities, as well as in the schools, to do that. All funding would be welcome.

Údarás na Gaeltachta has had record years with regard to the employment it has created. I can provide, in tabular form, the progress the Department has made in reversing some of the financial difficulties that there were for the medium of the Irish language. One thing that is really important, which I take from Deputy Tully's question, is that somebody who has an interest in the Irish language is not afraid to raise it in the medium of English. As somebody who has had to relearn it on three different occasions, including when I went to college and now again, I think it is as important for people who have an interest in the Irish language in this House to feel that they can raise it through the medium of English. They currently feel that they have to be able to raise it through the medium of Irish. It is refreshing to hear a Deputy come in and give her experiences in her own constituency and maybe challenge me and some of the factual inaccuracies, which I will reply to with a written answer, about the funding this year. It is refreshing to hear that because I think if more Deputies did that, it would give heart to an awful lot of people who feel that they cannot raise the issue of their native language because they have that easpa muiníne.

The TV licence was introduced in 1961 to provide funding for the newly established Telefís Éireann. While previous Governments have not addressed fundamental reform of the TV licence system, this Government is determined to bring forward real change and I am committed to reform of the licence fee within the lifespan of this Government. As the Taoiseach stated, a long-term funding model is needed to deliver effective reform and secure funding for public service media. It is my intention that legislation to underpin this will be brought before Government and the Oireachtas next year.

As I outlined in my response to Deputy Ó Snodaigh earlier, the Future of Media Commission was tasked with making recommendations on a sustainable public funding model for public service media. The commission noted three main funding models, which are a TV licence, a universal charge, or direct Exchequer funding. While the commission recommended a direct Exchequer funding model, Government decided to establish a technical working group to examine options for the reform and enhancement of the current system. The working group submitted its report to me at the end of March. While discussions with relevant senior Cabinet colleagues have been ongoing on the matter, the events at RTÉ meant that a final decision has been paused until the expert advisory committees that Government appointed to carry out the reviews into RTÉ have completed their work. Those reports are expected in February.

It would not be appropriate for me to discuss the details of any discussions to date, or the options put forward by the technical working group, until Government has completed its consideration of the matter. I can say that it is imperative that we deliver a secure and sustainable source of funding and all options need to be considered. Public service media and content are vital to our society and democracy. As the Future of Media Commission pointed out, they are a critical part of public infrastructure. It, therefore, remains of vital importance that people continue to purchase their TV licence, which funds free-to-air, quality public service content for audiences in Ireland, including through the Sound and Vision scheme, which is open to all broadcasters.

I thank the Minister for her response. I would welcome her thoughts on the decision about RTÉ's future funding. It is anticipated that this decision will be made in the first half of 2024. Clarity around Government's plans for reform of the TV licence becomes front and centre in this regard. While I accept the difficulties regarding the publication of the technical working group's report, we need to start this conversation. We have seen a significant decline in the licence fee revenue, particularly following the controversy of the hidden payments. Will the Minister provide clarity about the pros and cons that may be factored into this type of decision? I look forward to the Minister's response.

It is a matter that requires detailed consideration by Government. As I said before, the decision itself has been paused but the discussions are ongoing with Cabinet colleagues and the three leaders. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to pre-empt those discussions or put forward my personal opinion. Suffice to say that I have said on the record that I believe it is not only the technical working report, but also the Exchequer funding model. I now believe all options should be considered. That is what is being discussed currently. It is important that we not only provide a solid funding base for public service broadcasters, but also that we support the provision of quality public service content for all, including that provided by commercial operators in the State, on television, on radio, in print, and online.

I certainly agree with that sentiment. We had the independent broadcasters before the Oireachtas last week and Fine Gael itself had a delegation. Local radio is very important across Ireland. There are over 3.7 million listeners of local radio. They need to be factored into the reform of the TV licence and should be placed front and centre alongside RTÉ. We all know RTÉ has argued that the TV licence model was broken. Its thoughts would be focused on direct Exchequer funding. I know this is something that both the Tánaiste and Taoiseach have discussed. They have also put forward options about a potential broadcasting levy or a direct taxpayer-funded model. Certainly, as a member of the media committee, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that public broadcasting becomes front and centre and has a solid funding model in the future. I look forward to working with the Minister in this regard.

Absolutely. I think we value public service broadcasting now more than ever. As the Deputy knows, the Future of Media Commission made certain recommendations for schemes that would support radio and print. Two of those relate to local democracy and court reporting. I have secured €6 million in the budget. It is almost like an interim model for them. Those schemes will be launched next year. We have been engaging extensively with the industry until we get the long-term funding model secured. That long-term funding model will support radio, print and online media. The good news for them is that we intend to launch the court reporting and local democracy schemes next year. The intention is that, as soon as those expert advisory committee reports land, which I believe will be in February, we will be in a position to make an announcement as soon as possible and to work with the committee and all Members here. It is an opportunity for all Members of the House to show how they value public service broadcasting, if there is a need for legislation, through the speedy progress of that legislation.

The Future of Media Commission, the report of which was published in July 2022, was tasked with considering how changing trends in media consumption were affecting media in Ireland and how future funding of public service media could be made secure and sustainable.

The commission identified a long-term and sustained shift in the pattern of media consumption towards online platforms and through devices such as phones and laptops rather than traditional TV sets. This analysis is informing current media policy.

A key recommendation of the commission's report was putting in place a regulatory framework for media to ensure that it is fit for the new age of media consumption. Last December, the Online Safety and Media Regulation, OSMR, Act was enacted, which the Deputy was instrumental in developing. In March of this year, Coimisiún na Meán was formally established as the new media regulator. Deputy Dillon will know from his contributions as a member of the committee that there was incredible work done by the committee on the OSMR Act.

As well as conferring powers on Coimisiún na Meán to protect people online, an coimisiún also has a media development function which will ensure our media landscape remains pluralistic, independent and sustainable as the manner in how media is consumed continues to evolve.

One critical recommendation was for the establishment of a new media fund, through which a wider range of media outlets and platforms could be supported in the provision of public service content. While in the longer term this fund will require legislative change, in the interim, as I said earlier, I have secured €6 million in the budget to establish the fund on an administrative basis.

Priority is being given to the development of the local democracy reporting and courts reporting schemes. Detailed design and administration of these schemes is the responsibility of Coimisiún na Meán. My Department has been engaging with the European Commission on potential state aid implications, but the intention is for the schemes to be rolled out next year.

In addition, the media fund will in due course include a new digital transformation scheme, which recognises that media organisations may require assistance to innovate and transition to the digital information environment.

Coimisiún na Meán will also be an important resource for researching future patterns of media consumption and ensuring, in collaboration with my Department, that the regulatory and development framework is fit for purpose in the years ahead.

I thank the Minister for another comprehensive response. I would add that the media landscape is becoming more complex as more of the public consume their media from different platforms. There will be a growing need for media literacy and education as a result. We can see that, around the digitalisation and the streaming services, there is a huge shift now to consuming content on demand through platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc. As legislators, we may need to address consumer competition issues. As I mentioned previously about the GAAGO streaming platform, I feel that RTÉ, as our national broadcaster, has a conflict of interests in having exclusivity around our national game. Also, if we look at how social media plays as regards user-generated content, we see a lot of media platforms not paying for content and scraping it off the publisher's website. We need to be conscious of this in an ever-changing landscape.

I have a similar supplementary question. Has the Minister noticed the extent to which pay TV seems to be introducing and forcing itself onto the airwaves? Sometimes when you scroll the channels, you get a start when you suddenly discover that you have to pay extra, along with the licence fee and all the other things, to look at certain programmes. To what extent is that likely to determine policy in the future?

That is the evolving nature of the consumption of media. Directly related to Deputy Dillon's question about GAAGO, ultimately, other than those events designated for broadcast as free to air, the question of which sporting events are broadcast and how they are broadcast is primarily a matter for the sports body concerned and its broadcast partner. The management of broadcast and commercial rights is a matter for each sports body. The GAA is free to enter into commercial agreements to generate revenue to support the continued development of Gaelic games from grassroots to elite levels. A challenge for sports bodies is striking a balance between generating revenue and ensuring as wide an audience as possible for games. Obviously, all of us, all sports fans, would like to see more games free to air, especially those involving our own counties. As I said before, however, it would not be practical to broadcast all matches - the championship structure changed - but it is really a matter for the organisation itself.

As Minister with responsibility for tourism, my statutory functions relate to the tourism sector and tourism-specific businesses operating therein, primarily providers of activities, attractions and accommodation. While elements of the hospitality sector are important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, I do not have responsibility for the general hospitality or food services sector, which are, ultimately, important segments of the wider enterprise economy. However, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I co-chair the hospitality and tourism forum, which brings together regularly these two important and interrelated sectors. That forum is due to meet again next week, on 13 December, in person. That will be the first in-person meeting since the group was established.

In June 2023, Fáilte Ireland carried out a detailed analysis of data provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth concerning the bed stock under contract to accommodate Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants. This established that 13% to 14% of all Fáilte Ireland registered tourism bed stock is currently under contract to the State. An additional quantum of non-registered tourism-type accommodation stock is also contracted. This level of tourism bed stock displacement has inevitably led to challenges for downstream tourism businesses.

As part of the budget settlement that I have secured for tourism in 2024, up to €10 million has been identified for a comprehensive programme of supports targeted at those downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the reduction in footfall to activities and attractions in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.

I asked Fáilte Ireland to engage with impacted businesses to consider the scope for a specific business support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions. My officials and Fáilte Ireland are engaging intensively on this and I hope to see the details of this scheme finalised and published soon.

In budget 2024, the increased costs of business scheme was introduced by my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, as part of budget 2024, and he announced further developments on that today.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

It provides for a once-off grant to benefit up to 130,000 small and medium-sized businesses at a cost of €250 million. The aim of the scheme is to provide financial support to those firms which have been most impacted by additional business costs, by providing a tiered grant equivalent to up to half business rates for this year. This will also go some way to helping businesses meet the increase in the minimum wage to €12.70, which is obviously an important step towards the Government’s commitment to introducing a living wage. This is a welcome initiative, which embodies a whole-of-government approach to assisting small and medium-sized businesses, particularly with the extraordinary challenges of recent years.

It is very important that we get this published. It is great to see Fáilte Ireland and everyone else working together, but one example, and the reason I bring this up, is Carlow. The Minister has been to Carlow on several occasions. She is always welcome. We have what will be called the culture quarter. That quarter will be a huge tourism attraction, and within that we have a beautiful new library, Carlow College, St. Patrick's and Visual. The reason I bring this up is that we have loads of restaurants around the area. We have a huge tourism attraction there, and Visual is a beautiful contemporary arts centre with a beautiful theatre. It is the most beautiful part of Carlow town. As I said, it will be our culture quarter. Funding is so important there, we need to promote tourism, and Carlow is an area where I believe we need to invest more money. I ask the Minister, going forward, to look at Visual and parts of this culture quarter to support the hospitality sector and the businesses involved.

While I accept the merits of the €10 million support scheme for businesses, for me and for those I represent along the western seaboard, it does not go far enough. The exclusion of the hospitality sector, especially, is a major concern in this regard. I ask that we revisit this and look to put an additional package in place. A scheme of €10 million will only touch the surface of what is required. Taking Mayo itself, we have over 4,000 refugees from Ukraine. A huge proportion of them have been relocated to the likes of Donegal, Mayo and Clare. We need to do more to support the downstream businesses that have been affected, and the hospitality sector is part of that.

I strongly support the sentiments expressed by the previous speakers and the need to ensure that everything can be turned into a positive if the right initiative is taken. As regards tourism and culture, there is a wealth of information and a wealth of sources out there in buildings, locations and historical activity that the local public and the international public are most interested in.

As I said, that €10 million was identified to help those downstream tourism businesses and Fáilte Ireland is engaging with us. It engaged with the impacted businesses to consider scope for a specific support scheme. My officials are now in intensive discussions with Fáilte Ireland on this and I hope to have the scheme finalised and published soon. Let us see how far the €10 million goes. I would be open to that. If that is not enough, then we will look to support, but let us see. We have to wait for the full accounts of 2023. I would see it launched in March and then probably to drawdowns in early summer. We will see what happens there. There is the cost of business scheme also that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, announced which will help businesses and we are meeting all the stakeholders next week in person. It is the first in-person meeting and we will listen to the stakeholders and hear what they say.

Regarding Visual, I know Deputy Murnane O'Connor has raised this before, as has my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. I will talk to my officials about that and get back to her as soon as possible.

Déanann an cheist seo déileáil leis an ionchur a bhí ag an Roinn maidir le hullmhú an Bhille um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2023 ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht, chun cinnte a dhéanamh de go mbeadh cosaintí ann don Ghaeltacht san áireamh i bpleanáil amach anseo agus chomh maith le sin go mbeadh inmharthanacht shochtheangeolaíochta curtha san áireamh in aon srianta maidir le tógáil tithe. Ceist eile atá gaolta ná a chinntiú go mbeadh spásanna ealaíona, ionaid chultúrtha, ionaid siamsaíochta oíche, agus a leithéid, á gcosaint in aon forbairt amach anseo.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Is faoi stiúir an Ard-Aighne a bhí an t-athbhreithniú agus an comhdhlúthú ar an Acht um Phleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000, ceann de na gníomhaíochtaí tosaíochta de chuid Tithíocht do Chách. Cuireadh tús le Tithíocht do Chách go déanach i samhradh 2021 agus tógadh go ceann scríbe é le foilsiú an dréacht Bhille um Phleanáil agus Forbairt, 2022 i mí Eanáir 2023. Rinne grúpa oibre an Ard-Aighne obair fhairsing ina leith, le rannpháirtíocht ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, mar a bhain sé le gnéithe polasaí agus aiseolas ó rannpháirtíocht geallsealbhóirí. I ndiaidh fhoilsiú an dréachtbhille, rinne an Comhchoiste Oireachtais um Thithíocht, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreacht grinnscrúdú cuimsitheach réamhreachtach i mí Feabhra agus mí an Mhárta. D'fhoilsigh an comhchoiste a thuarascáil i mí na Bealtaine ina raibh breis agus 150 moladh, a ndearna an tAire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta breithniú cúramach orthu agus a bhfuil roinnt acu san áireamh sa Bhille athbhreithnithe.

Is é príomhaidhm an Bhille seo ná ullmhú pleananna a chur i gceartlár an chórais phleanála trí níos mó soiléireachta agus sruthlínithe a thabhairt don reachtaíocht phleanála agus feabhas a chur ar fheidhmiú an chóras pleanála do chleachtóirí agus don phobal i gcoitinne araon. Tá rannpháirtíocht an phobail, ar sainmharc é den chóras pleanála reatha, ina chuid lárnach den chóras pleanála sa reachtaíocht nuashonraithe go fóill. Ag teacht le cleachtas caighdeánach, chuathas i gcomhairle le mo Roinn maidir le forálacha an Bhille. Cé go bhfáiltíonn mo Roinn roimh na forálacha atá sa Bhille a bhaineann le caomhnú na Gaeilge mar phríomhtheanga na Gaeltachta, tá cruinniú iarrtha idir oifigigh ón dá Roinn chun cuspóirí fhorálacha áirithe a shoiléiriú agus chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an bhféidearthacht go gcuirfí líon beag leasuithe san áireamh ag Céim an Choiste a d'fhéadfadh an chosaint a thugtar don teanga sa chóras pleanála a neartú tuilleadh. Táim ag súil go reáchtálfar an cruinniú seo go luath san athbhliain.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Tá súil agam nach bhfuil an Bille seo léite aige mar níl sé léite agamsa nó ag éinne eile, seachas iad siúd atá ag gabháil de ó thús. Tá 700 leathanach ann. Níl an Ghaeilge lárnach ann. Ba chóir go mbeadh sé i bhfad Éireann níos lárnaí ann. Ba chóir go mbeadh muid ag déileáil leis agus go mbeadh coinníollacha i bhfad níos soiléirí ann maidir le pleanáil tithíochta, na cosaintí don Ghaeltacht, agus an phleanáil ó thaobh na sochtheangeolaíochta de atá ag teastáil agus an Ghaeltacht á phleanáil amach anseo. Ag tabhairt sracfhéachaint tríd na forálacha difriúla, is léir go bhfuil a lán áiteanna inar gá dúinn a chinntiú go bhfuil cosaint ar an nGaeilge agus ar an nGaeltacht. Déantar sin ag Céim an Choiste ach tá súil agam go mbeidh tacaíocht ag teacht ón Roinn má aithnítear forálacha gur féidir a láidriú chun cosaint a thabhairt do cheantair Ghaeltachta.

Tuigim cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an teanga sa Bhille seo agus cé chomh mór is atá an Bille féin. Níl sé léite agamsa ach an oiread ach tá súil agam go mbeidh seans agam i rith na Nollag. Nuair atá Daidí na Nollag críochnaithe le mo chlann, b’fhéidir go mbeidh mé in ann an Bille a léamh. An rud is tábhachtaí domsa ná go mbeidh seans ag mo Roinn agus an Roinn tithíochta na rudaí is tábhachtaí ó thaobh an teanga de a phlé. Beidh a fhios ag an Teachta go raibh an-díospóireacht againn sa choiste cúpla seachtain ó shin maidir leis na treoirlínte agus iad a fhoilsiú. Níl aon rud ag seasamh amach anois agus tá sé deimhnithe ag m’oifigigh go mbeidh sé sin á dhéanamh. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an Roinn tithíochta in ann na treoirlínte a fhoilsiú chomh luath agus is féidir mar tá sé sin an-thábhachtach.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Tá súil agam nach mbeidh an Nollaig chomh dona sin go mbeidh sé ag léamh 700 leathanach de reachtaíocht faoi phleanáil agus forbairt. Is fiú tabhairt faoin meamram maoiniúcháin mar tá 120 leathanach ansin. Ag déileáil leis an gceist seo, d’fhreagair an Aire Stáit roinnt de. D’ardaigh sé ceist na treoirlínte. Dhein mé iarracht cúpla uair ceist phrióireachta a chur sa Teach inniu maidir le sin mar tá an tAire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta ag cur milleán ar an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán as ucht moille na dtreoirlínte. Is é sin an fáth go raibh an cheist á chur ar Roinn an Aire Stáit. Tá an cheist curtha ar ais anois go dtí an tAire tithíochta atá le freagra a thabhairt ar an Déardaoin ach tá sé tar éis a rá ar an taifead go bhfuil an mhoill ag teacht ó Roinn an Aire Stáit. Ní a fhios agam cé air atá an lucht. B’fhéidir gur féidir leis an Aire Stáit é sin a fhreagairt.

Maidir leis na treoirlínte, tá mo Roinn críochnaithe leis an ábhar sin. Tá na treoirlínte ag an Roinn tithíochta; mar sin, is ceist don Roinn sin í sin. Is ceist an-thábhachtach í. Maidir leis an mBille seo, tuigim cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an Bille seo, go háirithe do na daoine a bhfuil cónaí orthu sa Ghaeltacht. Ar an ábhar sin, tá sé tábhachtach a rá go mbeidh cruinniú á eagrú idir na hoifigigh ó Roinn na Gaeltachta agus an Roinn tithíochta chun labhairt faoi na leasuithe a dhéanfar le linn Chéim an Choiste sa Dáil nó sa roghchoiste.

The issue of children accessing online material that is not appropriate for them is a serious matter and something that I am very alive to, not just as a Minister but as a parent myself. This is why the Government legislated for a new regulatory framework for online safety through the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, which I commenced in March of this year. Under this Act, a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, was established, including an online safety commissioner. An coimisiún will protect children from harmful online content and age-inappropriate online content, including cyberbullying material, content promoting suicide, self-harm or eating disorders, and pornographic material, through the development of binding online safety codes and online safety guidance materials. An coimisiún, which is independent in the performance of its functions, expects to adopt its first online safety code in the first quarter of 2024 and will be consulting on a draft of this code in the coming weeks.

The EU Digital Services Act, DSA, came into force last August and since then has applied to very large online platforms and very large online search engines. It is enforced by the European Commission. From February 2024, it will apply to all platforms. The Government has decided to designate Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland's digital services co-ordinator under the DSA to monitor and enforce it in Ireland. The DSA introduces a range of obligations, including requirements for most online services to complete risk assessments on the risk of exposure of all their users to illegal online content and the exposure of children and young people to age-inappropriate content. These services must then address this risk of this exposure through a range of mitigation measures, including age-verification or age-assurance.

More broadly at European level, in May 2022 the European Commission launched a new European strategy for a better Internet for kids. This strategy places a strong focus on providing age-appropriate online experiences. In order to facilitate age verification, the European Commission has committed to working with member states and to promote EU standardisation in order to strengthen effective age-verification methods. In particular, the Commission has committed to facilitating a comprehensive code of conduct on age-appropriate design by 2024 and indicated that the code could provide for age verification for accessing certain online content. This suite of regulation and initiatives will go a long way to reducing the exposure of children to harmful online content and, when fully implemented over the coming period, will serve to keep them safer online.

I thank the Minister and I welcome her commitment, with the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán in 2023, the appointment of Ireland's first online safety commissioner in March 2023 and, as the Minister said, enforcement of the EU's Digital Services Act. Internet safety legislation to require social media companies to keep children safe online passed into law in the UK last month. In theory this would make the UK the safest place to be online in the world. Here, however, while we have done a lot children are still experiencing harm online. We need urgency to address this. The research company CyberSafeKids states there is simply not enough Government funding allocated to address how we can support children and young people to be safe and smart online. The research shows that 31% of primary school children can go online whenever they want and 25% have experienced online bullying in the past year. These numbers rise to 73% and 40% respectively in secondary schools. There is a large increase. I ask the Minister to look at this.

I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor. Our law was passed this time last year. Coimisiún na Meán was established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act. This legislation was welcomed by a range of organisations, including the ISPCC and the Children's Rights Alliance, which see it as the possible window to a safer online world for children and young people in this country. It will take time to resource Coimisiún na Meán and appoint the online safety commissioner and the other safety commissioners. The digital service co-ordinator for the DSA is also placed in Coimisiún na Meán.

I see hope now. We have all of this in place. The era of self-regulation is coming to an end, thankfully, and I say this as a parent like Deputy Murnane O'Connor. Coimisiún na Meán will have a range of enforcement powers, including powers of audit to require the provision of information and periodic reporting requirements. If a service is suspected to be non-compliant with the online safety codes, an coimisiún can appoint authorised officers to investigate this. On receipt of a report from an authorised officer an coimisiún may, if a service is non-compliant, decide on a financial sanction of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover. There are real enforcement powers. There are real teeth with this. We are coming to the end of self-regulation.

I thank the Minister. I welcome what the Minister has done. As the Minister said, as a parent I am very mindful of social media. Everything is on social media now. It is important that we monitor it and that no child ever feels we cannot regulate. We need to make sure every child is protected at all times. I thank the Minister for her commitment.

I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor. As I said, it is working on the draft codes, which will go to consultation with stakeholders shortly. We intend the first code to be adopted in the first quarter of next year. All of our debates on this legislation were child focused. The real focus was on protecting our children first. The codes will include requirements to adopt measures in respect of age verification, content rating and parental controls. We really are making sure the online world becomes safer for our children.