Written Answers Nos. 43 - 50
43. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sandra McLellan den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ar thodhchaí Ealaín na Gaeltachta agus cén maoiniú a bheidh ar fáil don eagraíocht sa tréimhse atá le teacht agus ráiteas a dhéanamh ar thodhchaí Óige na Gaeltachta agus cén maoiniú a bheidh ar fáil don eagraíocht sa tréimhse atá le teacht. [13100/13]
View answerTá comhpháirtíocht i bhfeidhm idir Údarás na Gaeltachta agus An Chomhairle Ealaíon le roinnt blianta anuas ar mhaithe le hEalaín (na Gaeltachta) Teo a mhaoiniú. Leanfar leis an gcomhpháirtíocht sin i mbliana le maoiniú iomlán de €670,000. Mar thoradh air sin, beidh clár cuimsitheach tacaíochta á chur ar fáil ag Ealaín (na Gaeltachta) Teo le cuidiú le forbairt na n-ealaíon sa Ghaeltacht. Tuigtear dom fosta go mbeidh Plean Straitéise d’Fhorbairt na nEalaíon sa Ghaeltacht 2013-2016 á sheoladh ag Ealaín (na Gaeltachta) Teo go luath.
Bunaíodh Óige na Gaeltachta le tacaíocht ó Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2006. I láthair na huaire, tá 45 club óige agus 4 ionad sóisialta eile ag feidhmiú faoina scáth. Anuas air sin, tá breis agus 1,800 duine óg cláraithe leis an eagraíocht. Tá maoiniú de €250,000 curtha ar fáil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta d’Óige na Gaeltachta i mbliana.
Ní miste a aithint, ar ndóigh, go dtacaíonn gníomhaíochtaí Ealaín (na Gaeltachta) Teo agus Óige na Gaeltachta araon le cur i bhfeidhm gnéithe tábhachtacha den Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge.
44. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his function in relation to supporting the arts at a local authority level either through a direct allocation from his Department's expenditure or through EU cultural programme funding; if, in view of the large reductions in general expenditure on the arts at local level in recent years he proposes any new vehicles to support the area; if he has had any consultation with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to funding the arts at local level once proposed changes to local government are enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13118/13]
View answerGovernment policy on the arts is set out in the Programme for Government. Government policy is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life, and to maximise the potential for cultural tourism. Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, which, under the Arts Acts, is independent in its funding decisions. In 2013, the Arts Council will receive an allocation from my Department of some €60.7 million in current, capital and EU Presidency funding.
One key vehicle for delivering arts funding to the local authorities is the 28-year partnership the Arts Council has had with local authorities through annual direct funding of the national infrastructure of local arts services. Much of the work of local arts services offers people in remote and rural communities the opportunity to engage in the arts, both as audience members and as active participants in making and presenting work. The assortment of programmes offered by the Council nationwide reaches a particularly broad range of publics and communities. Another important and particularly relevant partnership, in this context, is the Arts Council's 14-year partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta, through the mechanism of Ealaíon na Gaeltachta, which has focused on developing the arts in the Gaeltacht.
With regard to funding from the EU Culture Programme, the position is that neither Ireland, nor indeed my Department, receives an allocation from the EU Culture Programme but projects must apply directly to Brussels for this funding. There is a Cultural Contact Point in Ireland, funded by the EU Culture Programme, which assists arts and culture organisations wishing to apply for funding. Information in this regard is available at its website at http://www.ccp.ie A specific strand of this programme, entitled "Local Arts Europe", features 23 projects across many areas of arts practice, each of which is led by a Local Authority Arts office, or by Ealaíon na Gaeltachta, working in cooperation with artists, art organisations and community partners in their localities, as well as artistic partners based elsewhere in Europe.
I might refer the Deputy to the proceedings of the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 24 April 2012, where discussion took place on the topic of ‘Utilising the Arts to combat disadvantage among the young, the old and the socially disadvantaged and to encourage their greater integration and social inclusion within local communities’. These discussions can be accessed on the Oireachtas website at http://debates.oireachtas.ie/TRJ/2012/04/24/.
45. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of alternative bogs that have been sourced for turf cutters forced to relocate; the number of turf cutters that have been accommodated; the number that will be accommodated before the commencement of the 2013 turf cutting season; the number of persons who will not be accommodated by the commencement of the 2013 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13042/13]
View answerOf the 2,651 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme received and acknowledged by my Department, 781 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. A total of 2,161 payments and 195 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of the applications received.
Arrangements for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs have been made as regards a group from Clara Bog special area of conservation in County Offaly and a group from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog special areas of conservation in County Galway. These arrangements involve the groups moving to nearby bogs, with the group from Clara Bog having commenced turf cutting at the relocation site in Killeranny, County Offaly, in June last, where 23 qualifying turf cutters have now been accommodated. Agreement has been reached between my Department and the group of turf cutters from Carrownagappul and Curraghlehanagh Bogs that necessary infrastructure development works will be carried out this year in the relocation site in preparation for turf cutting. The commencement of cutting depends on the ground settling following these works and I understand that cutting will commence here in 2014.
Progress has also been made with a view to the relocation in a similar manner of qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog special area of conservation in County Kildare. My Department envisages that qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog will be able to commence turf cutting in a relocation site during the forthcoming turf cutting season.
In total, 70 applicants from Carrownagappul Bog, 19 applicants from Curraghlehanagh Bog and 28 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs.
I am advised that of the remaining 49 raised bog special areas of conservation, potential relocation sites had been identified for a further 31 bogs and work is ongoing on identifying and investigating sites. Relocation is unlikely to be required, or is likely to be small-scale, for another 16 raised bog special areas of conservation due, for example, to the small number of turf cutters that have been active on these sites.
In addition, my Department had recently written to applicants from Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough special area of conservation in County Roscommon, who had expressed an interest in relocation, in order to ascertain interest in relocation to a particular site from the 2013 turf cutting season. I understand that this site would not suit the majority of those who wish to relocate from Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough due to the distance of the potential relocation site from their homes. However, a small number of applicants have indicated to my Department an interest in relocation to this site.
The Deputy will appreciate that relocation is a very complex process, in terms of investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity, the infrastructure/drainage works required, establishing the number who can be accommodated on the site, the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease, and possible planning and Environmental Impact Assessment requirements. Accordingly, it will only be possible to bring this process to a conclusion over time in respect of all the relocation sites. It is not possible to indicate, therefore, when exactly additional turf cutters can be accommodated at any of these sites over and above the specific cases already mentioned.
A payment of €1,500 or a supply of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum is available under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to applicants while awaiting relocation to non-designated bogs. An additional once-off payment of €500 will be provided where legal agreements are signed with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
46. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way section 481 of the Irish film and television tax incentive published in the Finance Bill will assist the production of indigenous programmes and films; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13134/13]
View answerThe whole area of the development of the Irish audiovisual industry was examined during the preparation of the Creative Capital Report – Building Ireland's Audiovisual Creative Economy. The Report was published in July 2011 and an implementation committee to pursue the execution of its recommendations has been established. One of the main recommendations in the Report is the extension of the Section 481 Scheme until the end of 2020; it was previously approved until the end of 2015.
In his budget speech last December, the Minister for Finance, Mr Michael Noonan, T.D., announced that the Section 481 Scheme will be extended to 2020. An important and significant change will mean that the scheme will operate as a tax credit model from 2016. This will allow an extended lead-in period to enable the sector to adapt to the change to a tax credit model.
This very good news has been welcomed by the sector. The extension of this scheme gives a great deal of certainty to the Irish audiovisual sector to the end of this decade. I believe that it will be a major factor in the continued growth of the sector and I understand that the pipeline of potential projects is now building steadily.
47. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications the Passport Office processed in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the current waiting time for a passport; the measures in place to provide emergency passports; the measures being taken to improve the turnaround of passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13178/13]
View answerThe total number of passport applications processed for the period 2010 to 11 March 2013 is detailed as follows:
|
Year |
Applications |
|
2010 |
675,324 |
|
2011 |
679,946 |
|
2012 |
714,744 |
|
To 11 March 2013 |
135,525 |
Demand for passport services is highly seasonal, with almost 50% of applications being received in the four months April – July each year. Therefore the Department employs temporary clerical staff (TCOs) to help the Passport Service meet and improve our turnaround times during this peak. This year 133 TCOs will be recruited and allocated across all offices in the Passport Service.
I am pleased to confirm that all correctly completed applications submitted through the recommended Passport Express service, used by the vast majority of passport applicants within the State, are being processed within the ten day guarantee.
For particular situations which require the applicant to call to a passport office, the Passport Service now operates an appointment system and extended opening hours. This has significantly reduced the incidence of queues and reduced waiting time for members of the public.
In situations of genuine and unforeseen urgency, emergency passports are issued during the week at the passport offices in Dublin and Cork. Additionally, my Department provides a Duty Officer Service outside normal office hours to deal with matters requiring immediate attention, including the issue of passports. Emergency passports permitting travel abroad are issued only in circumstances where the Passport Service is satisfied, on the basis of the application and supporting evidence, that the proposed journey is related to the death or serious injury or illness abroad of a close relative or a medical emergency relating to the applicant him/herself; and the presence of the applicant at the foreign location in connection with such an unexpected event is necessary or highly desirable; and the need to travel has arisen at short notice.
48. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will open in 2013 grant round for the emigrant support programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13378/13]
View answerThe 2013 grant round opened on 16 January and closed on 20 February with applications for 358 projects received from 17 countries. The assessment process, which is carried out in conjunction with our missions abroad, is now underway. The focus of the 2013 grants will be on supporting key frontline welfare and advisory services and on projects aimed at supporting new arrivals. I am pleased that despite the difficult financial situation we face, the Government has maintained funding under the ESP at a level of €11,595,000 for 2013.
49. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the following article (details supplied) regarding Israel and the Middle East; if he is of the opinion that it the article indicates bias; his views on whether it is inappropriate given the fact that Trocaire receives €15.5 million annually from State funding; and if he intends to raise the issue directly. [13441/13]
View answerThe Government’s aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger. Our partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) represents a very important element in this effort. Trócaire is one of a number of Irish NGOs that receives Irish Aid funding for its work to tackle poverty in the developing world. In common with other Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Trócaire undertakes awareness raising and campaigning activities which it considers relevant to its programmes. The Government respects the right of civil society organisations to campaign on issues which they consider relevant to their mission. It is not a requirement of this Irish Aid funding that every position taken by Trócaire must be one with which the Government is in agreement.
In this particular case, I have myself stated publicly that there is a strong moral case for settlement products to be excluded from the EU market, and that Ireland would support a proposal for such a ban at EU level.
50. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to liability for the property tax where a person lives above a pub or shop and is paying rates on the entire building; if he will clarify whether or not they are liable for the property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13195/13]
View answerThe Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 sets out how the tax is to be administered and provides for the collection of Local Property Tax (LPT).
In the case of a property that is used for both commercial and residential purposes, LPT is only due on the residential portion of the property where the residential portion is not subject to commercial rates. Where the entire building including the residential portion is subject to commercial rates, LPT would not be due on the residential portion of the property.
