Written Answers Nos. 24-30
24. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to invest additional funding in the development of the high nature value farming programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42027/12]
View answerThe identification, monitoring and support of High Nature Value (HNV) farmland is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and I understand that there are ongoing commitments in the Common Agricultural Policy and Rural Development Programme in this regard. However, the Heritage Council, which is under the aegis of my Department, has been involved in research on HNV farming to identify priorities for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage, in line with the Heritage Act 1995. I understand that the Council commissioned case studies in 2008 on HNV farming on the Aran Islands and in North Connemara. Since 2010, the Heritage Council and the European Forum for Nature Conservation and Pastoralism (grant-aided by the European Commission), have co-funded a HNV officer. Staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department have been involved where HNV lands are located in Natura 2000 sites.
The Heritage Council’s work on NHV farming has been used in an application for funding under the EU LIFE+ programme by my Department for targeted works in HNV lands on the Aran Islands. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are a nominated associated beneficiary for this project and have indicated support for the project if the application is successful.
Without prejudice to the outcome of the current review of the Heritage Council, it will be a matter for the Council to decide if further funding should be allocated to this area in future years, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.
25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is in a position to meet in full the budgetary requirements of his Department in this coming year, with particular reference to the development and promotion of the national heritage and the arts as a means of the generation of economic confidence and recovery; if he will outline his primary objectives in this regard in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41980/12]
View answerMy Department’s gross allocation to deliver its wide range of programmes and measures in 2012 is €268.451m. For the Deputy’s information, on 30 September 2012, my Department’s gross expenditure totalled some €186m. This represented approximately 96% of the published profile and 69% of the REV allocation. I expect expenditure to remain on profile and that my allocation will be fully drawn down.
I will continue to monitor closely expenditure trends across all my Department’s subheads in the lead up to year-end and, if required and in line with Public Financial Procedures, may, under the specific authority of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, vire any savings which may emerge within certain subheads to meet pressures on other subheads. As the Deputy will appreciate, the financial allocations for my Department for 2013 will be decided in the context of the Estimates for next year.
26. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid cruinnithe a bhí ag an bhFochoiste Rialtais agus ag na Coistí Idir-Rannacha ó thús na bliana. [41973/12]
View answerEagraítear cruinnithe, de réir mar is gá, faoi na struchtúir ar leith atá bunaithe chun an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 a sheachadadh:
- Tá an Coiste Rialtais ar an nGaeilge agus ar an nGaeltacht, a bhfuil an Taoiseach ina chathaoirleach air, ag déanamh maoirseachta ar an dul chun cinn leis an Straitéis;
- Tá Grúpa Oifigeach Sinsearach, atá comhdhéanta d'oifigigh ardleibhéil ó Ranna cuí, ag tacú leis an gCoiste Rialtais; agus
- Tá Grúpa Idir-Rannach, a bhfuil mise, mar Aire Stáit, mar chathaoirleach air, ag déanamh comhordaithe ar chur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise.
Bhí dhá chruinniú ag an gCoiste Rialtais ó thús na bliana agus tá i gceist go mbeidh an chéad chruinniú eile ann ar 5 Samhain.
Bhí dhá chruinniú freisin ag an nGrúpa Idir-Rannach agus cruinniú amháin den Ghrúpa Oifigeach Sinsearach ó thús na bliana.
Chomh maith leis na grúpaí atá luaite agam, tá trí ghrúpa oibre ardleibhéil bunaithe ag mo Roinnse leis na príomhpháirtithe leasmhara chun dlús a chur le feidhmiú réimsí gnímh éagsúla den Straitéis:
- Tá grúpa oibre idir mo Roinnse agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna atá ag plé le réimse gnímh an oideachais faoin Straitéis;
- Tá grúpa oibre idir mo Roinnse, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge atá ag plé le cur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise ag na comhlachtaí seo; agus
- Tá grúpa oibre idir mo Roinnse, an Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta agus an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe atá ag plé le gnóthaí fiontraíochta sa Ghaeltacht.
Tionóladh ceithre chruinniú san iomlán de na grúpaí seo ó thús na bliana.
27. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on research on the mink problem in view of the potential damage that a further growth in population could cause; if he will introduce a bounty for mink; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41857/12]
View answerWild mink are not protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2010 and they can be controlled by farmers, landowners and others.
A study commissioned by my Department, and published in 2009, estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink predation. In this regard, my Department is concentrating its resources on protecting the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species, including red-throated diver, corncrake, grey partridge, waders and terns, from a range of predators, including mink. My Department undertook predator control programmes on land it owns or manages in recent years. €92,000 was spent in 2011 and a budget of €140,000 was provided in 2012. However, this covers other predatory species as well as the mink, including also grey crow, magpie and fox.
I also provided €20,000 to the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) to stimulate increased control of mink by game shooting clubs. I consider that this offers a useful addition to the measures already being taken by my Department. While feral mink are found in most parts of the country, I requested that, as far as possible, special attention should be given to the counties of Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Kerry, where my Department has also concentrated its efforts. The scheme is operated by the NARGC, with a verification process agreed with my Department.
28. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will detail the efforts he has made to resolve the outstanding issues in relation to turf cutting; the engagement he has had with the Turf Cutters Contracts Association and with other stakeholders and with officials at a European level; and the way he proposes to bring the situation to a successful conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42029/12]
View answerEarlier this year, Mr. Conor Skehan, Chair of the Peatlands Council, convened a Peatlands Forum, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice John Quirke, and involving my Department, the IFA, the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA), Bord na Móna, and representatives of turf-cutting and environmental groups. The forum allowed each community affected by the cessation of turf-cutting on raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to put forward their views on the issues and follow-up steps were identified for each bog.
In his report, Mr. Justice Quirke recommended that a national plan should be prepared to examine how the 53 raised bog SACs are to be protected. The recommendation was agreed to by the Government and Dáil Éireann and also gave unanimous support to a Private Members' Motion which called for such a national plan to be put in place within the terms of the Habitats Directive. On 3 April a delegation led by Minister Hogan and I met EU Environment Commissioner Potonik in Brussels where we secured the support of the European Commission for developing a National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan.
My Department has prepared an outline document detailing the proposed approach to the development of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. The draft document was presented to the Peatlands Council and the European Commission, and, following this consultation, feedback has now been incorporated into the proposed approach. The document is available on my Department’s website at www.npws.ie.
The proposals made earlier this year at the Peatlands Forum identified relocation as a viable proposition for the majority of our raised bog SACs and the primary focus of the national plan is to develop a long-term conservation approach to each of the sites, with relocation options for those who wish to continue turf-cutting.
While the plan holds out the possibility of finding solutions for even the most difficult of cases, it must be comprehensive and address each of the 53 sites. Its completion is, therefore, dependent on the engagement of turf-cutters on each of the SACs where turf-cutting has been undertaken in recent years. Unfortunately, the unauthorised turf-cutting that was undertaken by a minority of contractors and turf-cutters this year has diverted limited resources into enforcement activities and added additional complexity to the process of completing the plan.
Nonetheless, I am determined that, in collaboration with the Peatlands Council, substantial progress will be made on the plan over the coming year. In this regard, my Department will now be stepping up contact with turf-cutting groups to seek long-term resolutions to the issues for their particular bogs, in compliance with EU and national law.
The TCCA has suspended engagement with the Government and with the Peatlands Council, which is regrettable. The vast majority of turf-cutters in these sites have engaged with the Government and applied for its flexible package of compensation or relocation. Those who choose to cease cutting turf completely can apply for compensation of €1,500 per annum for the next 15 years. Eligible cutters are also entitled to a one-off payment of €500 for this year. This means the total compensation package is worth €23,000, index linked and tax-free.
For those who wish to continue cutting, my Department is working to relocate turf cutters to alternative, undesignated bogs. Preparations have been finalised on the first of these relocation bogs and others are being finalised, or solutions are being identified, in consultation with affected cutters. Where relocation bogs are not yet available, turf-cutters can choose between a €1,500 payment, or the delivery of 15 tonnes of turf, each year while the relocation bog is being identified, acquired and prepared for cutting. They will also be entitled to the one-off €500 payment.
To date, almost 2,400 applications for compensation or relocation have been received by my Department, with payments issued already to some 1,461 applicants. Turf deliveries have been made to 58 applicants and a further 146 are approved for delivery. Some 701 applicants have indicated an interest in relocation.
I am maintaining regular contact with the European Commission and am working closely with them to address this difficult issue.
30. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé na pleananna atá aige chun Údarás na Gaeltachta nua a cheapadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41771/12]
View answer38. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Gerry Adams den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas maidir le hionadaithe nua Údarás na Gaeltachta; agus maidir leis na daoine a roghnaítear mar ionadaithe Údarás na Gaeltachta, an gá dóibh bheith ina gComhairleoirí Contae. [41967/12]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhreacha 30 agus 38 le chéile.
Faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, ceapfaidh an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta seachtar comhalta, an cathaoirleach san áireamh, ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ainmneoidh Comhairlí Contae a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta ina ndlínse, cúigear comhalta eile le bheith ceaptha ag an Aire. Ceapfaidh an tAire an cúigear comhalta seo ar ainmniú na gComhairlí Contae as measc a gcomhaltaí tofa. I gcás nach féidir le Comhairle Contae duine dá comhaltaí tofa a ainmniú ar chúiseanna neamh-infhaighteachta nó mí-oiriúnachta, is féidir leis an gComhairle Contae sin duine seachas comhalta tofa a ainmniú. Faoin Acht, beidh ar gach duine a cheapfar a dheimhniú don Aire go bhfuil taithí acu, nó go bhfuil cumas léirithe acu, i ndáil le feidhmeanna an Údaráis, lena n-áirítear an cumas chun a bhfeidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh go héifeachtach i nGaeilge.
Tá cuireadh tugtha ag mo Roinnse do na Comhairlí Contae ábhartha ionadaithe a ainmniú do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Go dtí seo, tá ainmniúcháin faighte ó gach ceann de na Comhairlí Contae ábhartha, cé is moite de Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall.
Ina theannta sin, d'fhógair mo Roinnse próiseas um léiriú spéise ar www.publicjobs.ie chun iarratais a lorg ó dhaoine a raibh suim acu i gceapachán chuig bord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Fuarthas 68 léiriú spéise mar thoradh ar an bpróiseas sin – 55 acu ó fhir agus 13 ó mhná.
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