Written Answers Nos. 34-42
34. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his proposals for conservation grants on State owned buildings on Mountjoy Square, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52863/12]
View answerMy Department has a limited allocation to assist with the conservation and presentation of the State’s Heritage portfolio generally, which is channelled through the Office of Public Works. €405,000 was allocated for these purposes in 2012. However, there are no particular plans to grant aid State-owned buildings on Mountjoy Square, Dublin.
My Department also has some limited funding for structures at risk. This year I approved offers of funding to 43 conservation projects in 27 local authority areas to a total value of €500,000 under the Structures at Risk Fund. This included an offer of grant aid of €15,000, allocated via Dublin City Council, for conservation works to 65 and 66 Mountjoy Square, which are privately owned. Applications for this funding are made by local authorities to my Department.
35. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in the context of Ireland's forthcoming presidency of the EU, he will be taking the opportunity to advance culturally innovative ideas at European policy level; the measures he proposes to advance; if he specifically intends to seek means to capitalise on Ireland's cultural and genealogical resources through European policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52866/12]
View answer156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to promote a positive image of Ireland during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU through the medium of the arts and national heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53370/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 156 together.
The Deputy will appreciate that, in assuming the Presidency of the EU Council of Culture Ministers, I will be engaged with progressing work on dossiers which have been under discussion and consideration by my colleague Ministers for some time. The progress achieved on these dossiers has been the focus of much of the work of the preceding Trio Presidencies, Poland, Denmark and Cyprus. It is my intention to pursue these issues to successful conclusions within the limitations of time, budgets procedures and activities in other EU Institutions. The key priorities on the Council's Culture agenda are Creative Europe, Europe for Citizens, Europe Cities of Culture and Europeana.
The Culture Programme for the EU Presidency, which will embrace international and national elements, is being co-ordinated and planned by my Department in conjunction with the Arts Council and other partners. I am confident that, through the diverse and comprehensive range of activities planned across Ireland, in Brussels, Paris, Berlin and throughout Europe, that Ireland's reputation as a progressive, imaginative and innovative nation within the arts, culture and heritage spheres will be further enhanced and consolidated.
I should also say that I am acutely aware of the importance of the contribution of the country’s genealogy resources to the country’s overall cultural policy. In this regard, I will shortly be bringing a memorandum to Government setting out my proposals in this area. In the context of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, I will be anxious to avail of every opportunity to exploit our county's rich genealogical heritage in engaging with our European neighbours. These plans will also be of benefit in relation to the ongoing arrangements for The Gathering.
36. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad tionónta de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta sa Ghaeltacht atá faoi réir forálacha cíosa uas-athbhreithnithe amháin, agus cé na bearta atá tógtha aige chun deireadh a chur le feidhmiú forálacha cíosa uas-athbhreithnithe amháin. [52970/12]
View answerTá sé curtha in iúl dom ag Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil suas le 600 aonad inligthe ag an eagraíocht sa Ghaeltacht i bpunann maoine substaintiúil atá os cionn 250,000 méadar cearnach. Tá na haonaid seo lonnaithe ar fud na Gaeltachta i seacht gcontae éagsúla. Mar a dúradh i dtuarascáil bhliantúil agus cuntais Údarás na Gaeltachta don bhliain 2011, tá tuairim is 60% dá mhaoin faoi thionóntachtaí gnó agus tionscail. Ós rud é go dtagann deireadh le léasanna ó am go chéile, ní bheadh sé praiticiúil a rá go baileach ag aon am ar leith cén líon léasanna atá faoi réir forálacha cíosa uas-athbhreithnithe amháin.
Tuigtear dom go raibh nós caighdeánach ag Údarás na Gaeltachta go dtí an bhliain 2010 forálacha cíosa uas-athbhreithnithe amháin a chur i léasanna. Tuigtear ón Údarás go bhfuil cúpla céad léas atá ann fós ón am sin le forálacha cíosa uas-athbhreithnithe amháin. Tá na léasanna sin i bhfeidhm ó thréimhse roimh 28 Feabhra 2010, nuair a tugadh isteach an cosc ar fhorálacha cíosa uas-athbhreithnithe amháin faoi alt 132 den Acht um Athchóiriú an Dlí Talún agus Tíolactha 2009.
Cé go bhfuil na léasanna seo fós ann, is fiú a thabhairt faoi deara go bhfuil ról gníomhach forbartha fiontraíochta ag an Údarás agus go mbíonn sé ar a dhícheall ag iarraidh a chliantchomhlachtaí a chothabháil agus a fhorbairt. Clúdaíonn sé seo ceadú fóirdheontais cíosa i gcásanna áirithe, chomh maith le rátaí éagsúla cíosa le haghaidh limistéar éagsúil a thógann san áireamh cíosanna an mhargaidh i gceantair iargúlta. Dá bhrí sin, tuigtear dom go bhfuil cur chuige báúil ag an Údarás i leith a chuid chliantchomhlachtaí laistigh de rialacha an Aontais Eorpaigh agus a scéimeanna féin maidir le cúnamh Stáit.
Tuigtear dom fosta gur cleachtas caighdeánach san Údarás é le roinnt blianta anuas nach gcuirtear aon mhéaduithe cíosa i bhfeidhm nuair a thagann léasanna den chineál sin aníos le hathbhreithniú a dhéanamh orthu.
37. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to fund community groups, clubs, and associations through 2013 given the fact that State funded banks are requesting the said groups that receive funding from his Department to personally guarantee all loans drawn down in lieu of their allocated funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53063/12]
View answerI am not aware that State funded banks are requesting community groups, clubs and associations that receive funding from my Department to personally guarantee all loans drawn down in lieu of their allocated funding.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht I have no statutory role in the day to day operations of banks in this country. This is a matter for the boards and management of those banks, with oversight from the relevant regulatory authorities.
Funding provided by my Department is normally in the form of grants and is underpinned by conditions on the manner in which those grants are disbursed.
39. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé tar éis iarraidh ar aon bhall foirne ina Roinn, nó atá i gcomhlacht faoi scáth a Roinne, atá ag saothrú níos mó ná €200,000 sa bhliain mar thuarastal, 15% dá dtuarastal, nó an méid dá dtuarastal bliantúil atá os cionn €200,000, cibé acu is lú, a tharscaoileadh; agus má tá sin déanta aige, cén dáta ar a ndearna sé an teagmháil sin den chéad uair; cén líon de bhaill foirne a bhí ag saothrú tuarastail os cionn €200,000 ar an dáta sin; cén líon de bhaill foirne a thoiligh don iarratas sin; cén líon a dhiúltaigh don iarratas agus cén líon nár thug freagra ar an iarratas. [52976/12]
View answer46. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sandra McLellan den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfidh sé tábla ar fáil a léiríonn an líon foirne atá ina Roinn, nó i gcomhlachtaí atá faoi scáth na Roinne, a raibh a luach saothair bliantúil, ar an 31 Nollaig 2011, lena n-áirítear tuarastal, pinsean agus sochair, os cionn €400,000, idir €300,000 agus €399,000, idir €200,000 agus €299,999, idir €150,000 agus €199,000, agus an dtabharfaidh sé miondealú ar na poist a bhí ag na daoine sna bandaí thuas [52975/12]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 39 agus 46 le chéile.
Tá sonraí sa tábla thíos den líon ball foirne de chuid mo Roinnse agus de chuid chomhlachtaí a thagann faoi choimirce mo Roinnse, mar aon leis na gráid ábhartha, sna réimsí tuarastal a luaitear.
|
Réimse tuarastal € |
Líon foirne |
Grád na foirne |
|
€400,00 agus níos mó |
- |
Ní bhaineann |
|
€300,000 go €399,999 |
- |
Ní bhaineann |
|
€200,000 go €299,999 |
- |
Ní bhaineann |
|
€150,000 go €199,000 |
1 |
Ard-Rúnaí |
Mar is léir ón tábla, ní raibh aon bhall foirne de chuid mo Roinnse ná de chuid chomhlachtaí a thagann faoi choimirce mo Roinnse ag fáil luach saothair bliantúil ag leibhéal os cionn €200,000 ag 31 Nollaig 2011. Is amhlaidh atá i gcónaí.
40. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the recent abolition of the boards of the National Library and the National Museum will enhance Ireland’s cultural tourism market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53061/12]
View answer48. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he acknowledges the importance of the key national cultural institutions as custodians of Irish culture and history; the way the current restructuring programme he has embarked upon will enhance and maintain this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53062/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 48 together.
The Deputy will be aware that, as part of a range of reforms recently agreed by Government under the Public Service Reform Plan, it was decided that the existing National Archives of Ireland (NAI) governance model will be applied to the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and the National Museum of Ireland (NMI). A single statutory NLI and NMI Advisory Council will operate pro bono in place of the existing boards. Board membership will be reduced overall by some 60%. It is anticipated that this model will achieve significant savings and increase efficiencies across the institutions. The NLI and NMI will operate with statutorily independent Directors. A robust shared services model will be deployed - through my Department in relation to corporate support services and by formal inter-institutional agreement in relation to operational services.
It is my intention to make clear statutory provision for the independent status of the Director of the NLI and the Director of the NMI. Issues such as the status of staff (whether as civil or public servants) and related administrative matters will be pursued at the appropriate time with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the institutions and relevant staff associations/unions.
These reforms will, I believe, lead to significant efficiencies for both institutions and will improve their ability to programme events, exhibitions and other activities of interest to cultural tourists.
The Government has also agreed a range of reforms in relation to our national galleries under the Public Service Reform Plan. In relation to the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and Crawford Art Gallery, the reform actions include:
- the boards of the three institutions to be scaled back to a maximum of 9 members each, including the Chair, with all to operate on a pro bono basis; and
- the three institutions to implement an agreed range of corporate support and operational shared services.
I believe that these reforms will help the institutions to run more efficiently, provide a better service to the public in the new and challenging environment that they must operate in and better equip them to raise funds independently of Government.
Ireland has an impressive cultural offering and I wish to equip our organisations with the skills and structures they need in the challenging times ahead. I am pleased too to acknowledge the crucial importance of all of our national cultural institutions as custodians of Irish culture and history.
42. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason an indemnification is being sought for Waterways Ireland from residents who are seeking a combined mooring and passage permit in view of the fact that insurance companies will not cover such an indemnity. [52867/12]
View answerI am advised by Waterways Ireland that it and its predecessors have always sought a signed indemnity from boat owners making an application for a permit. This requirement has been reflected in the Waterways Ireland permit application since the body came into existence. Waterways Ireland has just introduced a new permit application form and the historic indemnity wording has been updated.
I understand that an indemnity is required to protect Waterways Ireland against loss or damage in the event of any claims which arise and are caused by a third party, as outlined in the indemnity clause.
Waterways Ireland derives its authority to impose indemnity requirements under the Canals Act 1986 (Bye-Laws) 1988, which states:
6(1): The Commissioners may issue permits to authorise and regulate the use of boats on the canal property; and
6(2): Permits may contain such reasonable written conditions as the Commissioners think fit.
