Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2013
108. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown of the heritage spend by category of the €1.2 million estimated for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24866/13]
View answerAn amount of €1.2m in capital funding on subhead B.5 Natural Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service was carried over into 2013 in accordance with the procedures governing unspent capital. The State has a particular responsibility to preserve active raised bog habitat under European Council Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) which requires Ireland to protect various species and habitats which are of European importance. In 2012, an allocation of €1.2m was set aside to fund surveys of raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) within the context of the development of a National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan and a Review of raised bog Natural Heritage Areas. These funds were not utilised in 2012 due to unforeseen delays in commencing the procurement process for the surveys. However, these surveys will have to be undertaken during 2013.
