Written Answers Nos. 325-345
326. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the policy of not allowing rent allowance to a person (details supplied) who owns a house, even if that house has been condemned as unfit for habitation; if she will look into the particulars of this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13980/13]
View answerAccording to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not made an application for Rent Supplement. He may make an application for Rent Supplement by calling to his local Community Welfare Services Office and completing the necessary forms. A decision on any application lodged will be made as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; when payment will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14353/13]
View answerThe person concerned applied for disability allowance on 1 August 2012. The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 13 September 2012.
The person subsequently appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and submitted further evidence in support of their appeal.
In light of the further evidence supplied, a deciding officer has reviewed the original decision and decided that the person is medically suitable for disability allowance. A means test is now being completed and the person in question will be notified in writing as soon as a full decision is made. The appeal in this case has been withdrawn as the matter under appeal has been revised in the applicant’s favour by a deciding officer.
330. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, having regard to the importance of our built heritage, he is concerned at the degradation of the national stock of thatched houses; if his Department is monitoring the condition of this housing stock; if he can indicate a trend in terms of such houses falling into dereliction; if statistics in relation to the number and distribution of such houses are maintained by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14210/13]
View answerPart IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect architectural heritage, including thatched buildings, by including them on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
My Department does not maintain a record of the number and distribution of habitable thatched units. However, it is the practice of my Department, when undertaking county surveys for the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), to accord a 'regional' rating to thatched structures where the roof is intact. Structures rated 'regional' or higher are subsequently recommended by me, as Minister, to a planning authority, under section 53 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures. Information on such thatch buildings recorded by the NIAH is available on my Department's website at www.buildingsofireland.ie.
In addition, as part of an Architectural Advice Series, my Department plans to publish an advice book on thatching in 2013, which will include practical advice and guidance on aspects of conserving and restoring thatched structures. The nine previously published booklets in the Series cover areas such as roof and energy efficiency for traditionally built buildings. The full series is available on my Department’s website.
The nature of thatch is such that it requires regular maintenance and more frequent renewal in comparison with other types of roofing. However, some of the costs involved in maintaining thatched properties can be attributed to the use of an incorrect material, issues with the style of thatching and material used, and severe weather conditions. There are some funding streams which, subject to the availability of resources, may assist owners of thatched houses in repairing or maintaining their thatched roofs, including:
- my Department’s Structures at Risk Fund;
- the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme, which is managed by the Heritage Council Heritage for REPS 4 participants; and
- a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs administered by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
331. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on a submission (details supplied). [14124/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the bulk of the material in the submission referred to in his Question is not relevant to my area of responsibility and I will not be referring to those matters in my reply.
In relations to the arts, which does come within my area of responsibility, there is a range of ways in which my Department and relevant bodies within its remit are seeking to support arts, cultural and heritage initiatives, in conjunction with local groups and communities. These include:
- cultural tourism initiatives such as the St Patrick's celebrations, Music Day and Culture Night;
- the extensive support provided by the Arts Council for festivals and other arts and cultural events across the county;
- the range of activities organised by the National Cultural Institutions and other cultural venues supported by my Department;
- the Philanthropy Leverage Initiative, funded by my Department, which is designed to encourage philanthropic sponsorship and endowment funding of the arts from private sources, as well as the Arts Council funded Philanthropy Capacity Building Initiative;
- the many cultural and heritage events being held under the auspices of both The Gathering and our EU Presidency Cultural Programme;
- a number of web-based projects being developed by my Department to promote greater appreciation and understanding of Ireland’s heritage as a valuable amenity for residents and visitors alike;
- specific heritage-led projects such as the Historic Towns and Walled Towns Initiatives; and
- other collaborative work with bodies and groups such as the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Fáilte Ireland, and LEADER Groups.
Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. While I know that the Deputy appreciates the funding difficulties facing all Departments at this time, I can assure him that I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors. The specific allocations to be made over the next few years will, of course, be dependent on the budgetary and estimates cycles in each of those years.
332. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will identify the bogs that have been finalised for relocation of turf cutters in County Kildare; and if he will identify the list of the further 30 raised bogs that have been identified as potential relocation sites nationwide. [14130/13]
View answer333. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm that turf cutters on the Mouds and Ballynafagh bogs in County Kildare who have chosen to receive, on an interim basis, payments under the annuity payment scheme for each year while awaiting relocation to an alternative site will not be signed up to the annuity payment scheme in full that is for 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14131/13]
View answer334. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the 15 raised bog special area of conservation where relocation has been deemed unnecessary or small in scale, due to small numbers of active turf cutters on these sites, have been classed as active when turf cutting has not taken place on the sites since before 25 May 2005. [14132/13]
View answer335. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contact that has been made and the discussion that has taken place with the turf cutters on Ballynafagh Bog SAC and Clara Bog SAC by his Department and Bord Na Móna in relation to the sites finalised or close to finalisation for their relocation from these bogs; and the timeline for when relocation so such sites is likely to occur. [14133/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 to 335, inclusive, together.
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. The group from Clara Bog commenced turf cutting at the relocation site in Killeranny, County Offaly, in June last, where 23 qualifying turf cutters have now been accommodated.
Progress has been made with a view to the relocation of turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog special area of conservation in County Kildare to Timahoe North, County Kildare, which is in the ownership of Bord na Móna. Officials from my Department as well as staff from Bord na Móna recently meet with a number of qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog. A number of issues raised at the meeting are being followed up and my Department envisages that turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog will be able to commence cutting in the relocation site during the forthcoming turf cutting season.
I am advised that of the remaining 49 raised bog special areas of conservation, potential relocation sites have been identified for a further 31 bogs and work is ongoing on identifying and investigating sites. It would be inappropriate to name the locations of these sites at this early stage. 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 that had been cutting turf on these sites during the relevant five year period and would qualify for the relocation option available under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme.
Lattins Bog in County Kildare has been identified as a potential relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog special area of conservation in County Kildare. Bord na Móna has produced a preliminary suitability assessment report for the relocation site, which my Department has provided to the Secretary of the Committee of the Kildare Turf Cutters Association. My Department has asked Bord na Móna to undertake a stratigraphy survey at this site, which will provide an indication of the quality of peat there.
Since February last, my Department has been in contact with the Kildare Turf Cutters Association in order to arrange a meeting with representatives from the Association to discuss issues pertaining to Mouds Bog. However, to date, the Kildare Turf Cutters Association has not taken up this invitation.
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.
336. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2001 a grant of €2.9 million was allocated to Sligo County Council from the arts and culture enhancement support scheme as a contribution towards the construction costs of a new county museum; and the reasons the project did not proceed. [14200/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No 361 of 12 March 2013, which sets out the background on this matter. In the case the Deputy refers to, the decision not to proceed was made by the project promoter.
337. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfidh sé eolas ar fáil i bhfoirm tábla maidir le cé mhéad pacáiste tacaíochta teanga atá curtha amach chuig tuismitheoirí óna Roinn, agus é mionsonraithe de réir contae agus de réir míosa. [13642/13]
View answer338. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sé cuntas ar cé mhéad pacáiste réigiúnach éagsúil tacaíochta teanga atá ann, ar an ábhar atá i ngach pacáiste tacaíochta teanga atá ar fáil, ar theideal gach foilseacháin atá sna pacáistí agus ar na contaetha lena mbaineann gach pacáiste réigiúnach. [13643/13]
View answer339. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén méid airgid atá caite go dtí seo ar chur chun cinn na bpacáistí tacaíochta teanga; agus cén costas a bhaineann le gach ábhar-gach feachtas. [13644/13]
View answerTógfaidh mé ceisteanna 337 to 339 le chéile.
Is í aidhm ghinearálta an Chláir Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh tacú le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá ag tógáil a bpáistí le Gaeilge nó gur mhaith leo é sin a dhéanamh. Chun tacú le fíorú na haidhme sin, tá pacáiste tacaíochta ar fáil ó mo Roinn do thuismitheoirí atá ag súil le páiste nó a bhfuil páistí réamhscoile acu.
Is é an pacáiste céanna a sheoltar chuig gach uile teaghlach. Maidir lena bhfuil ann, tá ábhar léitheoireachta, éisteachta agus físe sa phacáiste atá ionadaíoch ar na mórchanúintí Gaeilge. Tá mé ag súil leis go mbeidh ar chumas mo Roinne cur leis an bpacáiste sa tréimhse amach romhainn, i gcomhar leis na páirtithe leasmhara ábhartha.
Seo a leanas na sonraí faoina bhfuil sa phacáiste faoi láthair:
Leabhar agus CD Rabhlaí Rabhlaí - Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne;
Leabhar agus CD Ící Pící - Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde;
Leabhar agus CD Peigín Leitir Móir - Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin;
Leabhar Lúlú agus an Oíche Ghlórach - Bridget Bhreathnach;
Leabhrán comhairle/eolais do thuismitheoirí Ag Tógáil Clainne le Gaeilge - Comhluadar; agus
Mála eolais ó Cúla4 ina bhfuil cás pinn luaidhe, peann luaidhe, cairt airde agus eolas maidir le haipeanna atá oiriúnach do pháistí atá ag foghlaim Gaeilge. Is féidir iad seo a íoslódáil saor in aisce. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ag http://www.tg4.ie/ie/programmes/cula4/cula-caint.html .
Tá infheistíocht €35,577 déanta ag mo Roinn sa phacáiste go dtí seo. Baineann sé seo le costas an phacáiste féin, chomh maith leis na costais a bhain le heolas a scaipeadh faoin bpacáiste, lena n-áirítear an costas a bhain le físeán mearscaipthe a fhorbairt. Is féidir teacht ar an bhfíseán ag http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZu7T75OQd0 .
Tá 659 pacáiste dáilte ag mo Roinn faoin tráth seo. Seo a leanas na sonraí faoin dáileadh go dtí seo:
Pacáistí dáilte (14 Márta 2013)
|
Contae |
- |
|
Thar Lear |
15 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
53 |
|
Co. an Dúin |
3 |
|
Co. an Longfoirt |
2 |
|
Co. Aontroma |
9 |
|
Co. Ard Mhacha |
1 |
|
Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath |
100 |
|
Co. Cheatharlach |
1 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
49 |
|
Co. Chill Chainnigh |
2 |
|
Co. Chill Dara |
20 |
|
Co. Chill Mhantáin |
6 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
30 |
|
Co. Dhoire |
5 |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
45 |
|
Co. Fhear Manach |
1 |
|
Co. Liatroma |
1 |
|
Co. Loch Garman |
5 |
|
Co. Lú |
9 |
|
Co. Luimnigh |
16 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
61 |
|
Co. Mhuineacháin |
1 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
192 |
|
Co. na hIarmhí |
2 |
|
Co. na Mí |
9 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
9 |
|
Co. Ros Comáin |
5 |
|
Co. Thiobraid Árann |
4 |
|
Co. Thír Eoghain |
3 |
|
Iomlán |
659 |
340. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the proposed Meenlaragh to Falcarragh Special Protection Area in County Donegal, if he will list the public facilities in which the maps and associated documents were displayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13676/13]
View answer341. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the Meenlaragh to Falcarragh Special Protection Area in County Donegal, if he will list the newspapers and radio stations in which the advertising for the consultation process were carried and the dates of these announcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13677/13]
View answer342. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the Meenlaragh to Falcarragh Special Protection Area in County Donegal, if there is a requirement in his Department’s written guidelines or guidelines within the National Parks and Wildlife Service for prior consultation with landowners before formal written correspondence is issued informing them that their land is to be within the proposed SPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13678/13]
View answer343. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the Meenlaragh to Falcarragh Special Protection Area in County Donegal, if prior consultation has ever taken place with landowners before their land is included in a SPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13679/13]
View answer344. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the coordinates of sightings over the past six years of the corncrake in the area proposed to be included in the Falcarragh/Meenlaragh Special Protection Area, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/13]
View answer345. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the Meenlaragh to Falcarragh Special Protection Area in County Donegal, if he will suspend the process of designation until such time as agreement can be reached with the local communities on the boundaries of the SPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13681/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 340 to 345, inclusive, together.
In December 2007, the European Court of Justice found that Ireland was in breach of its obligations under Article 4 of the Birds Directive by failing to designate a sufficient number of sites as Special Protection Areas for the conservation of Corncrake (case C418/04). In this regard, the Falcarragh to Mín an Chladaigh area, which had been identified as an Important Bird Area in a report published in 2000, was specifically mentioned in the Court’s ruling. A failure to abide by the Court’s findings would result in the probable imposition of fines against the State. In the circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to suspend the designation process for the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh SPA.
The proposal to designate a number of Corncrake sites in Co Donegal, including the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh SPA, was advertised in the Donegal News, the Irish Times and in the Foinse supplement to the Irish Independent in the week commencing 4 July 2011. In addition, the proposed designations were announced four times daily on Highland Radio on 6, 7 and 8 July 2011.
Some 909 landowners and licence holders who could be identified in respect of the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh SPA were written to and provided with detailed information packs, including maps outlining the proposed boundaries, the reasons behind the proposed designation and the processes for objecting.
Maps and details of the proposed designations were also made available for inspection in
- the Garda Stations in Bunbeg, Carrick, Carndonagh, Carrigart, Creeslough, Culdaff, Dunfanaghy and Malin;
- the libraries in Carndonagh and Letterkenny;
- offices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and of Teagasc in Letterkenny;
- the Donegal County Council offices in Lifford; and
- the Department of Social Protection offices in Letterkenny.
Under the provisions of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, the requisite consultation process commences after the notification of the intention to designate a site.
The Falcarragh to Meenlaragh SPA was chosen as a site for Corncrake on foot of evidence from survey work over a period of years indicating that the area is of continued importance to this species. Using the best available spatial data on Corncrake distribution and numbers, a suitable boundary for the SPA was produced by my Department. The annual survey data was gathered using international best practice methodology as part of ongoing Corncrake conservation work. This species spends a large proportion of its time concealed in vegetation and sightings are rare. The primary method of estimating its abundance and distribution relies on analysis of the audible records of this vocal species. It is only the male that regularly calls or sings and there is usually no direct recording of the female or young in an area. Scientific studies have shown that the nest of a female Corncrake and her brood rearing area is usually within 250 meters of the singing place of the male with which she paired. Individual male Corncrake can call from several locations over the course of a breeding season and may pair with more than one female.
Over 35 individual Irish grid reference records estimating the singing locations of male Corncrake are outlined below. These estimates are of calling male Corncrakes that were recorded in or, due to their proximity, were considered to be associated with, the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh SPA over the course of the last six breeding seasons.
|
X |
Y |
Year |
Individual bird ID |
|
193926 |
433781 |
2012 |
B93.1 |
|
193926 |
433781 |
2012 |
B93.1 |
|
193927 |
433780 |
2012 |
B93.1 |
|
193945 |
433815 |
2012 |
B93.1 |
|
194449 |
434485 |
2012 |
B93.3 |
|
194480 |
434411 |
2012 |
B93.3 |
|
194480 |
434411 |
2012 |
B93.3 |
|
194480 |
434411 |
2012 |
B93.3 |
|
194452 |
434438 |
2012 |
B93.3 |
|
194458 |
434486 |
2012 |
B93.3 |
|
194027 |
434229 |
2012 |
B93.4 |
|
194270 |
434390 |
2012 |
B93.4 |
|
194098 |
434341 |
2012 |
B93.4 |
|
194089 |
434341 |
2012 |
B93.4 |
|
193117 |
433562 |
2010 |
B93.1 |
|
193120 |
433560 |
2010 |
B93.1 |
|
189447 |
432725 |
2009 |
B83.8 |
|
19172 |
43175 |
2008 |
B93.1 |
|
19165 |
43181 |
2008 |
B93.1 |
|
19164 |
43182 |
2008 |
B93.1 |
|
1895 |
4324 |
2008 |
B83.2 |
|
1895 |
4323 |
2008 |
B83.2 |
|
18959 |
43242 |
2008 |
B83.2 |
|
18958 |
43240 |
2008 |
B83.2 |
|
1895 |
4327 |
2008 |
B83.3 |
|
18941 |
43271 |
2008 |
B83.3 |
|
18945 |
43272 |
2008 |
B83.3 |
|
1895 |
4327 |
2007 |
B83.2 |
|
1895 |
4323 |
2007 |
B83.2 |
|
1895 |
4326 |
2007 |
B83.2 |
|
1894 |
4327 |
2007 |
B83.3 |
|
1894 |
4324 |
2007 |
B83.3 |
|
189469 |
432316 |
2007 |
B83.4 |
|
1916 |
4319 |
2007 |
B93.1 |
|
1919 |
4319 |
2007 |
B93.1 |
|
1917 |
4322 |
2007 |
B93.2 |
|
1916 |
4317 |
2007 |
B93.2 |
