Statement by Minister of State Jack Chambers at the Budget 2023 Debate in Dáil Éireann

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A Cheann Chomhairle agus a Theachtaí,

I will be speaking this evening on behalf of myself and Minister Catherine Martin.

Tá an-áthas orm deis a bheith agam labhairt leis an Teach faoin €1.142 billiún (haon ponc haon ceathair dó biliún euro) don Roinn seo atá i Meastacháin Bhuiséid 2023 (fiche fiche trí), agus chun achoimre a thabhairt ar roinnt de na bearta a thacóidh le teacht aniar, forbairt agus fás na n-earnálacha a bhfuil freagracht orm astu.

Tá ról lárnach ag na hearnálacha a bhfreastalaíonn an Roinn seo orthu ar shaol laethúil agus ar thaipéis fhéiniúlacht na hÉireann. Bunaíonn comhlachtaí agus gníomhaíochtaí cultúir na hÉireann, cinn scríbe agus nithe is díol spéise turasóireachta na hÉireann, óstáin, tithe leapa is bricfeasta, tithe tábhairne agus bialanna, ócáidí spóirt agus lúthchleasaithe na hÉireann, ardchaighdeán ábhar meán cumarsáide na hÉireann, agus pobail Ghaeltachta na hÉireann na paraiméadair dúinn mar phobal coiteann, agus cuireann siad go suntasach lenár bhfolláine fhisiciúil agus mheabhrach.

As we recover from the pandemic, we face the challenges presented by the economic situation, climate change, and the war in Ukraine. We look to these sectors to continue to reinforce our resilience and mental fortitude. But we must also ensure that these sectors continue to generate economic activity and contribute to the development and stability of the overall economy.

Total 2023 funding for the sectors supported by the department is as follows:

• €214.7 million for Tourism services. This funding will allow for continued additional funding of €15 million for overseas marketing of Ireland as a destination and the development of The Invitation project
• it will also provide investment of €15 million in continued additional funding to support measures such as domestic marketing, investment in skills development and retention, and long-term investment in the US College Football Classic series.
• funding is also secured to allow Fáilte Ireland to continue its work in the area of sustainability. Other allocations include €36.5 million in capital funding for tourism product development for the continued delivery of enhanced visitor experiences in line with objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
• tourism business impacted by rising energy costs will also be able to avail of the government’s newly announced Temporary Business Energy Support scheme, with grants of up to €10,000 a month.

Prior to the onset of COVID–19, the tourism industry generated revenue of almost €6 billion, supporting over 260,000 livelihoods equating to one in ten of all Irish jobs

Irish tourism has had a strong year in 2022 but serious rebuilding lies ahead.

Therefore, our primary focus is now on the consolidation of this industry in a post-COVID environment, and the development and marketing of Ireland as a desirable and competitive destination for both overseas visitors and domestic tourists.

In relation to Arts and Culture we must remind ourselves of the context for the funding last year. 2022 was an unprecedented year for arts and culture against the backdrop of the pandemic and the extensive restrictions which were in place. Survival was the primary focus. Thankfully, this has all changed.

Against this context however, record levels of funding have been maintained with total funding for the Arts & Culture sector in 2023 amounting to €352.4 million.

• the budget provides for the retention of the record €130 million funding for the Arts Council in recognition of the transformational impact of this funding and to support the sector
• it also provides an additional €10 million to fund the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, a three year €105 million scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers which aims to support each beneficiary in developing and sustaining a professional arts practice, with payments of €325 a week over three years.
• €7 million is being provided in additional capital funding for artists’ spaces or studios and climate adaptation.
• an allocation of €3 million is being made to develop, oversee and manage a new archive and exhibition space as part of the overall National Centre for Research and Remembrance
• provision is also made for income tax relief for areas of our cultural heritage, Uillean pipe makers and harp makers
• €6 million has been allocated to the Night Time Economy to support performances and 8 night advisors

Funding for the Media and Broadcasting sector in 2023 will total €306.3 million and represents an unprecedented and innovative package of supports right across the sector, from local newspapers to audiovisual media services and provides in particular for:

• €7.5 million for the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán, the Media Commission which will oversee effective regulation of online safety, support the provision of high quality public service broadcasting, and put in place an expanded development and support framework for the wider media sector. These commissioners will be selected by November this year.

The recommendations of the Future of Media Commission are being implemented including:

• the introduction of a new Media Fund of €6 million, which will enable supports to be provided to the entire media sector on a platform-neutral basis. Our changes to VAT on newspapers and digital publications will also support this sector
• this will help support jobs, production and independent journalism.
• some €15 million for public service broadcasting to provide interim support for RTE in 2022, through the licence fee mechanism, was also agreed.
• the provision of an additional €7.3 million in 2023 will enable TG4 to better serve our Irish-speaking communities right across the country.
• I am particularly pleased to announce that this includes the development of a new Irish language channel for children, a really exciting development that recognises the importance of fostering engagement with our national language from the earliest years of childhood.
• TG4 will launch a new dedicated children’s channel, Cúla4. This will be a totally new channel, operating from morning until the evening. And it will include a children’s news service, entertainment and education content, drama, Irish animation, and will reflect the diverse backgrounds of children living in all parts of Ireland, but particularly in Gaeltacht and Irish speaking communities. Its development will also support new jobs

In relation to the current cost of living challenges, I am particularly pleased that additional funding has also been provided in 2022 for the impact of increased energy bills on the not-for-profit and voluntary organisations. This is €60 million across a number of sectors, including arts, sport, Gaeltacht and community organisations.

This includes €35 million to help sports clubs and organisations all over the country with rising energy costs. This will help with floodlight costs, heating gyms and sports halls, and a range of other energy costs. Details are being finalised how the new support will operate and there will be engagement on this with the relevant sectors in the coming weeks.

Tá mé sásta méadú deich faoin gcéad (10%) ar mhaoiniú d’earnáil na Gaeltachta a thuairisciú, arb ionann an leithdháileadh iomlán do fiche fiche tré (2023) agus naocha ceathair ponca dó million euro (€94.2 milliún).

Úsáidfear an maoiniú méadaithe seo chun na héachtaí a baineadh amach go dtí seo a d’eascair as cur chun feidhme Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), Fiche Fiche haon (2021), a fhorbairt tuilleadh agus béim a chur orthu agus chun pobail na Gaeltachta a fhorbairt agus a chothú.

Leis an maoiniú breise in 2023, déanfar foráil do na nithe seo a leanas:

• leithdháileadh Aon Milliún euro (€1 milliún) in Fiche fiche trí (2023) chun dlús a chur le cur chun feidhme Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), Fiche Fiche hAon (2021), d’fhonn spriocanna uaillmhianacha earcaíochta leagtar amach ann a bhaint amach
• leithdháileadh breise Aon ponca seacht cúig million (€1.75 milliún) do Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge na roinne a n-úsáidfear iad chun tús a chur le cur chun feidhme an phlean dhigitigh don Ghaeilge agus na straitéise do na healaíona atá Teanga-Bhunaithe atá le foilsiú go luath
• maoiniú breise Dó ponca cúig milliún euro (€2.5 milliún) do Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeltachta na Roinne a n-úsáidfear iad go príomha chun tacaíocht bhreise a thabhairt d’earnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh Gaeilge agus chun cur le bearta um chuimsiú sóisialta a bhaineann le teanga
• maoiniú méadaithe arb ionann é agus Aon ponca Trí million euro (€1.3 milliún) d’Údarás na Gaeltachta agus d’Fhoras na Gaeltachta d’obair na n-eagraíochtaí seo i dtacaíocht a thabhairt do phobal na Gaeltachta agus d’earnálacha foilsitheoireachta na Gaeilge faoi seach

I am also pleased to announce 2023 provision of €174.8 million for Sports and Recreational services. This allocation will provide for measures such as:

• additional funding for Sport Ireland of €8 million to support our High Performance sport system in the lead-in to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games
• as well as the ongoing implementation of key actions in the Sport Action, including completion of a National Swimming Strategy and the establishment of a dedicated coaching fund for National Governing Bodies of Sport
• we will enhance the roll out of ‘SportForAll’ initiatives so there are increased opportunities to play and participate for all people, regardless of age, ability or background
• and we will also continue the development of the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown to deliver world class, state of the art sporting infrastructure and facilities for high performance athletes and the general public

2023 funding for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme stands at €34.5 million, whilst funding for the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund has been maintained at current levels to ensure that our sports infrastructure right across the country can continue to grow and develop to meet the ever increasing demand in this area

Tá mé cinnte go dtosóimid an bhliain 2023 le fuinneamh, dóchas, agus saothar macánta nua a bheith againn, a bheidh neartaithe ag tionscal turasóireachta láidrithe, ag earnáil bheo ealaíon agus cultúir, ag earnáil spóirt lena gcuirtear le rath méadaithe idirnáisiúnta, ag timpeallacht ina leagtar béim ar rannpháirtíocht níos mó leis an nGaeilge, agus ag earnáil meán cumarsáide níos sábháilte agus níos dinimiciúla.

Go raibh maith agaibh.