Results 261-280 of 9,751 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Organisations (2 Jul 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 250, 251 and 252 together. Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes high performance sport. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: My department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). While the National Sports Policy contains the aim referred to in the question, the issue needs to be considered in the context of the completion of a planned roll-out this year and next of a national network of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: An Ghaeltacht (27 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: Is ceist don Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Imeasctha í lóistín a sholáthar d’Iarrthóir ar Chosaint Idirnáisiúnta agus do theifigh agus níl aon ról ag mo Roinn staidéar dá leithéid a dhéanamh. Sa chomhthéacs sin, bhí plé teoranta ag oifigigh mo...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Facilities (26 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Events (26 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: In October 2023, it was announced that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 football championships with the UK. This presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism and sport offerings to Europe and the wider world. This will be the largest sporting event Ireland has ever jointly staged. It will also be the largest single international sporting...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (25 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the main channel for government support for developing sports facilities and purchasing sports equipment for sports clubs and organisations. On 9 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced a record allocation of over €26 million in equipment grants, under the 2023 round of the SCEP. On 29 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: An Ghaeltacht (25 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: Is ceist don Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Imeasctha í lóistín a sholáthar d’Iarrthóir ar Chosaint Idirnáisiúnta agus do theifigh agus níl aon ról ag mo Roinn staidéar dá leithéid a dhéanamh.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (25 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). While the National Sports Policy contains the aim referred to in the question, the issue needs to be considered in the context of the completion of a planned roll-out this year and next of a national network of...

Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome the opportunity to respond to some of the issues raised in the debate on the motion put forward by the Rural Independent Group. Deputies expressed the view that the 9% VAT rate should be brought back and made permanent for the tourism and hospitality sector. The Deputies proposing the motion also asked that VAT rates be varied across the country such that areas outside Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Facilities (19 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: Sport Ireland does not provide capital funding to developments outside the national sports campus. My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The SCEP is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Organisations (19 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I regularly meet the CEO of Sport Ireland, Dr. Una May, at a wide range of sports events, launches and formal cross-sport engagement structures, such as the Sports Leadership Group, which meets approximately every quarter. In addition, my officials and I meet periodically with Dr. May to discuss sports policy and governance, as well as Sport Ireland's annual programme and strategic plans ...

Protection of Accident Victims from Non-Consensual Recording of Images Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Deputy for bringing forward the Bill. The Government will not oppose it. I look forward to engaging with Deputies today but, in general, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, look forward to engaging with Deputy Smith on this. We have all been appalled at the phenomenon of sharing videos of accidents and their aftermath. Some truly shocking...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: The footage shown last night was appalling and the actions of the individuals shown are abhorrent and completely unacceptable. Deputy Coveney raised some interesting questions. I am reluctant to go too far in light of potential prosecutions and the Department's determination to bring the full force of the law to bear. However, I have no doubt that horse butchers in European countries where...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: As I am not in the Department of agriculture, I am not in a position to answer that but I will make sure that question gets put to the Minister for agriculture as a matter of urgency.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Deputy Flaherty for his comments and will relay them to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. Grant support is available for households where there are identified water pollution risks. However, it should be noted that, under the Water Services Act, the owner of a system is responsible for its maintenance and for keeping it in good repair. The local authorities have a key role in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: Last night's "RTÉ Investigates", which I also watched, showed really horrifying footage of welfare abuses on a farm premises adjacent to the sole horse slaughter plant in Ireland, as well as potential breaches of traceability rules in Ireland and member states across the EU. The behaviour seen last night is utterly unacceptable. It is disgusting and entirely inconsistent with the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and providing me with the opportunity to address the matter on behalf of the Minster for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The policy of providing grant support for domestic wastewater treatment systems, or septic tank grants, arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas, in particular, and in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Costs (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator raises a very important issue. I am happy to provide an update to him. The Funding the Future Framework, published in May 2022, outlines the Government's vision for how higher education will be funded and how this will support students, employers and wider society. At the core of this approach is the maintenance of a dual focus on increasing recurrent funding for our third...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Education Costs (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: Funding the Future outlines an ambitious programme of reform, centred on improving quality, driving skills and engagement, enhancing student participation and creating a more unified third level system. The measures taken over the last two budgets represent the Government’s response to Funding the Future. They signal the policy intention to improve the standing of our higher...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Senator for raising this issue as it gives me a chance to provide an update to the House on the current position on the recently announced closure of Newpark Academy of Music. Newpark Academy of Music is a separate entity and simply does not come within the remit of the Department of Education. It has operated from Melfield House, a 200-year-old building on the grounds of...