Written Answers Nos. 152-160
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which his Department continues to be in direct contact with local arts groups, musical or dramatic societies in the context of offering financial or other support on a yearly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53371/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, including funding decisions. The allocation to the Arts Council for 2012 is €63.241 million. The State appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector makes to the internationally renowned artistic reputation of this country. Within the current economic constraints, that investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of the sector.
I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts sector within the available financial resources and in the light of the evolving budgetary and Estimates processes.
160. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the current status of the proposed prospecting at Doora, County Clare, by a company (details supplied) [53110/12]
View answerI am advised that there are eleven Prospecting Licences currently held in County Clare by Lundin Mining Exploration Ltd. Prospecting area No 3787 includes the Gorteen (Electoral District of Doora) area and other townlands in the Bunratty Upper Barony (an area of 39.53 km²). The licence for this area has been held since June 1994 and covers exploration for base metals (lead and zinc), barytes, silver, calcite and fluorite. Reports submitted by the company and assessed by Departmental geologists merited a number of extensions to the licence since 1994.
The licence was due for renewal again in 2012 and in this regard, the notice of intention to grant a Prospecting Licence was published in July last. The advertisement signalled the opportunity to lodge objections to the renewal of the licence with the Minister. No objections were received and the licence was renewed until 7 June 2014.
On the basis of the most recent quarterly public statements by Lundin Mining Exploration Ltd. on its website, a review and full integration of all of the exploration data will be done for the Clare Project to better understand the structure and mineralization. I understand, therefore, that considerably more work needs to be carried out before the likelihood of a commercial prospect is determined.
