Programme for Government Implementation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Questions (382)

Simon Harris

Question:

382. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42873/12]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The commitments in the programme for Government which pertain to my Department, along with the current status of these commitments, are outlined in the following table.

	Commitment	Current Status
1.	We will make strategic policy formulation the primary function of the Department, with line agencies and bodies responsible for policy implementation.	My Department continues to set and develop policy in respect of the functions that are its direct responsibility and will continue to ensure that the agencies implementing policy are accountable, transparent and fit for purpose.
2.	We will encourage the Arts Council to continue to dedicate resources to touring in order to protect the State’s investment in regional arts infrastructure around the country and to bring cultural tourism opportunities to towns and villages across the country.	An amount of €740,000 has been allocated by the Arts Council to enable 33 arts organisations and artists tour in venues nationwide in 2012. This is in addition to €750,000 which had previously been committed. A further €125,000 has been allocated to artists and organisations to assist with their advance touring plans for 2013.
3.	We will work with stakeholders in the arts community to develop new proposals aimed at building private support of the arts in Ireland exploring philanthropic, sponsorship or endowment fund opportunities.	In May 2012, the Philanthropic Leverage Initiative was launched, on a pilot basis, with funding of €230,000. Following a policy direction from me, the Arts Council has also developed a capacity building programme - RAISE - to further encourage philanthropy in arts organisations. I will host an important conference on Philanthropy and the Arts on 18 October next at Smock Alley Theatre.
4.	We will make the Culture Night Initiative a twice yearly event, and introduce a National Lottery Funding Anniversary Day, whereby all facilities which have received funding from the National Lottery will open their doors to the public free of charge	Culture Night 2012 took place on 21 September 2012 throughout the island of Ireland, showcasing the best of our artistic and cultural heritage and facilities with record visitors in attendance. This was financially supported by my Department in the amount of €200,000. Arising from discussions, most notably at Global Irish Economic Forum, as to the most appropriate way to build on the success and popularity of Culture Night for 2012 and beyond, it is proposed to develop the week of St Patrick's Day as the International Day of Irish Culture, thereby building on solid foundations already in place.
5.	We will also review the opening times of our national cultural institutions.	The National Cultural Institutions have been asked to carry out a formal review of their opening hours, notwithstanding the fact that this issue is a matter which is kept routinely under review by all of the institutions.
6.	We will develop a cultural plan for future commemorative events such as the Centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016.	Work has commenced on a programme of commemorative events in the context of the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2022, including the centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016.
7.	We will promote genealogical tourism by updating the National Cultural Institutions Act in relation to the Genealogical Office to put it on a proper statutory footing, modernise its operations and to enable publication of the 1926 census to stimulate genealogy tourism	My Department continues to liaise with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the amendment of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, in order to address issues in relation to the Genealogical Office and to facilitate the backdating of grants of Coats of Arms. There are potential data protection issues associated with the publication of the 1926 Census and my Department is progressing this matter in consultation with the Central Statistics Office
8.	We will also explore philanthropic opportunities for the development of a national archives and genealogy quarter, providing easy access to archives and tapping into an area of cultural tourism which is of huge interest to the vast Irish Diaspora.	My Department continues to engage with, and participate in, the Philanthropy Forum. Other initiatives in relation to philanthropy are outlined at point 5 above.
9.	We will encourage greater cooperation between local authorities to provide assistance where possible for local authorities currently lacking a local authority Arts Officer due to recruitment restrictions and to cooperate in developing cultural tourism opportunities.	Arts Officers are in place in all local authority areas. I have held meetings with Arts Officers’ Groups on a regular basis to encourage improved cooperation and development of arts strategies in each local authority area.
10.	We will seek to capture some public good from NAMA by identifying buildings that have no commercial potential and which might be suitable as local facilities for art and culture	Engagement is ongoing with NAMA in relation to assets of interest from a cultural perspective. The re-opening of the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield is a case in point. The purchase by the Abbey Theatre is also an example of progress in this area. My Department has met with and written to representatives of NAMA in terms of the responsibilities of owners and occupiers of protected structures under Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010. My Department will continue to liaise with NAMA in this regard and on issues of advice/appropriate reuse, where applicable.
11.	Responsibility for policy-making will revert to the Department, while agencies will be accountable for implementing policy, assessing outcomes and value for money.	My Department continues to set and develop policy in respect of the functions that are its direct responsibility and will ensure that the agencies implementing policy are accountable, transparent and fit for purpose.
12.	We will support the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and will deliver on the achievable goals and targets proposed.	Progress has been made in implementing the 20-Year Strategy, in particular with the enactment of the Gaeltacht Act 2012. This Act provides for a new language planning process in the Gaeltacht, for the recognition of Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks outside the existing statutory Gaeltacht and for changes to the governance and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Government has also re-established the Cabinet Committee on the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht to bring a greater strategic focus to Irish language policy development and implementation.
13.	Gaeltacht regions will benefit from the jobs action plan outlined in this document. Under our proposals, we will deliver new job creation prospects to Gaeltacht regions. We will invest in energy, broadband and water infrastructure, creating the modern infrastructure needed to attract and support new businesses and jobs. We will also strongly support the potential for jobs in tourism and marine activities. We will continue to support the Irish language broadcasting and arts sector.	Údarás na Gaeltachta continues to work towards achieving its job creation target of 400 jobs in the Gaeltacht in 2012. Following the recent enactment of the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the newly configured board for Údarás na Gaeltachta is expected to be in place in October.
14.	We will review the Official Languages Act to ensure expenditure on the language is best targeted towards the development of the language and that obligations are imposed appropriately in response to demand from citizens	A public consultation has been completed in respect of the review of the Official Languages Act, with over 1,400 survey responses and 240 submissions received. It is envisaged that the review will be completed and submitted to Government by end year.
15.	We will review current investment and funding programmes that benefit Irish language organisations in order to achieve visible value for money for citizens and tangible outcomes on a transparent basis.	Foras na Gaeilge is undertaking a review of its 19 core funded Irish language organisations, in accordance with a decision taken by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). It is expected that the matter will be considered formally at the next NSMC language sectoral meeting in December 2012. It is envisaged that the review will result in a reconfiguration of the Irish language sector.
16.	We will allow an exemption for domestic turf cutting on 75 natural heritage area sites subject to the introduction of an agreed national code of environmental practices	The Peatlands Council was established by Government to put in place a mediation body to respond to the commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to turf cutting on SACs and NHAs. Much progress has been made in this regard including in relation to the development of an overall national strategy on peatlands. As part of the ongoing processes, it is intended to carry out a specific review of the 75 NHA raised bogs in advance of the 2014 turf cutting season. This review will commence later this year.
17.	We will establish an independent mediation between all relevant stakeholders with specific objective of facilitating resolution to 55 special area of conservation designated bogs.	The Government established a Peatlands Council, with representatives of all interested parties to this issue. Earlier this year, the Government also convened a Peatlands Forum, under the Chairmanship of Judge John Quirke. The Peatlands Forum involved all parties impacted by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog SACs and issued a report of findings and recommendations. An enhanced compensation scheme for turf cutters - the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme - has also been put in place, and to date almost €2.3 million has been issued through this compensation scheme. Following a meeting with the European Commissioner for Environment in April 2012, the Government has agreed with the Commission on the development of a National Plan for the Management of Special Area of Conservation Raised Bogs. Work on the development of this plan is underway. There is ongoing dialogue with stakeholders in relation to relocation, the payment of compensation, and the development of the national plan.
18.	We will establish an independent mediation to resolve outstanding issues associated with turf cutting on blanket bogs.	The Peatland Council provides for effective engagement and mediation between interested parties, as set out in the Programme for Government.