Written Answers Nos. 712-730
712. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year saving to the Exchequer if all non-commercial State sponsored bodies CEO salaries under the aegis of her Department were reduced by 10%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39274/13]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department but it does not have a Board.
Citizens Information Board
The savings to the Exchequer if the salary of the Chief Executive Office the Citizens Information Board was reduced by 10% would be in the region of €11,000 per annum.
Pensions Board
The Pensions Act 1990 (as amended) provides for the establishment of the Pensions Board and for the appointment of Board members.
At the outset, it should be noted that there would be no savings to the Exchequer if a 10% reduction to the salary of the Chief Executive Officer of the Pensions Board is self-financing. The Board is fully funded from a levy on all occupational pension schemes.
Pensions Board Change Programme
The Public Service Reform Programme provided for a critical review of the integration of the regulatory functions of the Pensions Board with the Financial Regulator and the merging of the Pensions Ombudsman with the Financial Services Ombudsman. The recommendations arising out of the Critical Review on the Pensions Board were approved by Government in April 2013 and were provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2013.
The governance structure of the Pensions Board is being restructured with two distinct arms as follows: Oversight of the Pensions Board will be undertaken by a three person body called the Pensions Authority. This will consist of a Chairperson and two officials from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Finance. A separate unpaid Pensions Council, with a majority of members representing consumer interests, will advise the Minister on pensions policy.
Consideration is currently being given the appointment of the members of the new Pensions Authority. Section 7 of the Pensions Act provides for the payment to the Chair such remuneration and expenses as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minster for Finance sanction. It is expected that the post of Chair of the Pensions Authority will still be remunerated (fee in 2012 was €11,970). The remaining members will be civil servants and therefore these positions will not attract a fee.
Social Welfare Tribunal
No remuneration is paid to members of the Tribunal. The Tribunal meets only when and where required in order to deal with claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit made in the context of an industrial dispute. Members can claim fees for attending hearings or meetings and are also entitled to claim for travel and subsistence expenses, where appropriate.
713. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year saving to the Exchequer if all State agency board members fees, non commercial State sponsored bodies and commercial semi-State companies, under the aegis of her Department were reduced by 25%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39284/13]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Citizens Information Board
Details of potential annual savings on fees for members of the Citizens Information Board should a 25% reduction be applied are set out as follows.
|
Total projected fees 2014 |
25% saving |
|
€66,000 |
€16,500 |
The figure given for the projected annual fees for 2014 includes potential fees in respect of current vacancies. There are currently two vacancies on the Board. Two existing board members have declined to accept fees and potential amounts are not included for these in projected figures.
Pensions Board
The Pensions Board is fully funded from a levy on all occupational pension schemes. Therefore there would be no savings to the Exchequer if a 25% reduction was applied to the current Board Members’ fees.
Pensions Board Change Programme
The Public Service Reform Programme provided for a critical review of the integration of the regulatory functions of the Pensions Board with the Financial Regulator and the merging of the Pensions Ombudsman with the Financial Services Ombudsman. The recommendations arising out of the Critical Review on the Pensions Board were approved by Government in April 2013 and were provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2013.
The governance structure of the Pensions Board is being restructured with two distinct arms as follows:
-Oversight of the Pensions Board will be undertaken by a three person body called the Pensions Authority,. This will consist of a Chairperson and two officials from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Finance.
-A separate unpaid Pensions Council, with a majority of members representing consumer interests, will advise the Minister on pensions policy.
Consideration is currently being given the appointment of the members of the new Pensions Authority. Section 7 of the Pensions Act provides for the payment to the Chair such remuneration and expenses as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minster for Finance sanction. It is expected that the post of Chair of the Pensions Authority will still be remunerated (the fee in 2012 was €11,970). The remaining members will be civil servants and therefore these positions will not attract a fee.
Social Welfare Tribunal
No remuneration is paid to members of the Tribunal. The Tribunal meets only when and where required in order to deal with claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit made in the context of an industrial dispute. Members can claim fees for attending hearings or meetings and are also entitled to claim for travel and subsistence expenses, where appropriate. There was no expenditure in 2012 and 2013 to date as no hearings or meetings were required. Accordingly, no savings would have arisen if a reduction to fees had been implemented.
714. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the urban fox population has increased in the past few years, if it is an area of concern for health, what are other cities doing about the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36807/13]
View answerThe fox is one of the most common and widely distributed mammals in Ireland. It is not a protected species and no national census has been undertaken. Data collated on the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s website, however, shows that it is found in every county of Ireland and has adapted to both rural and urban habitats. It is well established in the suburbs of Dublin, and in Dublin city. With regard to the issue of health, the Deputy will appreciate that foxes are wild animals and should not be encouraged into close contact, for example, by feeding in gardens.
717. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding a special protection area in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37668/13]
View answerThe landowner in question has exercised his right to appeal the inclusion of these lands within this Special Protection Area (SPA) to the independent Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board who will undertake a formal assessment of the appeal based on the scientific merits of the case. I understand that the Board has already written to the landowner, outlining its requirements and requesting a scientific report in support of the appeal.
Following receipt of this report from the appellant, and a similar focused report from my Department, the Board will arrange a formal appeal hearing. As soon as possible thereafter, the Board will make a recommendation to me, as Minister, on whether the land, or parts thereof, should remain within the site.
718. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will change the policy that bans the cutting of hedges from March until September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37917/13]
View answerThe Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2010 prohibit the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife, from 1 March to 31 August. This is subject to certain specific exceptions, one of which permits these activities during the prohibited periods on grounds of public health and safety and this notably occurs where road hazards may require hedge trimming or vegetation clearance.
Hedgerows are an important reservoir of biodiversity and habitat for birds, insects, wild flowers and other wildlife during the summer breeding season. The purpose of these provisions is to protect bird life during the nesting season, to prevent forest fires, and to protect vegetation and wildlife habitats during the months of growth and reproduction.
While hedgerows and scrub are important as wildlife habitats, they need to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity. In that regard, my Department is reviewing the current legislative provisions. As part of that review, the potential for setting the relevant dates by statutory instrument, rather than in primary legislation, as is the position currently, will be examined.
Furthermore, I included a commitment in the National Biodiversity Plan 2011-2016 to review, in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, both hedgerow and scrub regulation with a view to producing guidelines to encourage best practice for hedgerow and scrub management for wildlife.
719. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if work has commenced on the creation of a national terrestrial and marine habitat map; and if he will outline the stages that have been completed to date. [38097/13]
View answerIn June 2011, a number of State agencies, including the Environment Protection Agency, Ordnance Survey Ireland, Teagasc, the Heritage Council, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and my own Department, established a national landcover and habitat working group. The aim of the group is to address the strategic gap in information on landcover, landuse and habitats in Ireland and the initiative was undertaken in accordance with the objectives of Ireland's National Biodiversity Plan, which aims to progress the development of a national terrestrial and marine habitat map by 2015.
As part of this initiative, the EPA undertook a pilot mapping of habitats in County Roscommon utilising existing spatial data accessible to members of the group. Data sources from my Department include baseline and repeat surveys of a range of habitats listed in the EU Habitats Directive or those which provide habitats for species listed in the Directive. The Roscommon pilot identified the feasibility of the approach and also identified gaps in knowledge and data in particular to map unenclosed and upland areas. Further consideration is being given to the outcome of the pilot before developing a national program.
My Department also undertakes habitat mapping within inshore and coastal marine Natura 2000 sites. In many such sites, this has been a collaborative effort with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine so as to facilitate more informed management of aquaculture and sea fisheries. This mapping work, along with the national seabed mapping programme (INFOMAR) and bespoke mapping projects undertaken within the wider public service, is contributing to the development of a national marine habitat map. All such efforts were recently compiled by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Marine Institute to support Initial Assessment reporting as required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
720. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if EU funding is available to Ireland to help tackle the problem of the invasive species known as Japanese knotweed; if so, if he will apply for same; his views regarding the potential cost to the State if the problem is not addressed now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38280/13]
View answerJapanese knotweed was first introduced to Ireland over 100 years ago. It forms dense thickets along roadsides, waste-grounds and waterways, reproduces by vegetative means and is difficult to kill off once it becomes established. This plant is included among the list of the 100 most invasive alien species of the world.
My Department has been working with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to fund and manage the Invasive Species Ireland Project since 2006. This initiative provides advice and guidance on the management of a range of invasive species, including the knotweed, which can negatively impact on the environment and on property on the island of Ireland. I am not aware of any estimated cost of not addressing the spread of this species. Best Practice Management Guidelines for Japanese knotweed have been published and can be accessed at on the project website at www.invasivespeciesireland.com. These guidelines provide practical advice to persons and organisations, including local authorities, on the removal and disposal of Japanese Knotweed. When dealing with Japanese Knotweed, it is critical to ensure that any viable rhizomes, the main means by which the plant spreads, are not given the chance to escape into the wider environment.
I am aware that EU funding is available for projects to tackle the problem of invasive species. For example, a project on Controlling Priority Invasive Non-native Riparian Plants and Restoring Native Biodiversity (CIRB) aims to control and, if possible, eradicate harmful invasive plant species, including Japanese Knotweed, from trial river catchments in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The £2.6 million CIRB project commenced in early 2011 and will operate until December 2014. The project is part financed by the European Union's European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross-border Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and part-financed by Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment .
In addition, my Department provided Inland Fisheries Ireland with matching funding of over €700,000 under the EU Life+ funding initiative for a four year project called CAISIE (Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Ireland) to target the invasive curly-leaved waterweed (Lagarosiphon major) in Lough Corrib, Co. Galway, and to tackle key invasive species on the Grand Canal, Barrow Line and Navigation.
My Department will consider the results of these programmes to see whether further targeted schemes should be pursued or supported in the future.
721. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the national landscape strategy will be finalised as it was due in November 2012. [36867/13]
View answerFollowing on from work in this area by an interdepartmental Steering Group chaired by my Department, and taking into account submissions arising from the public consultation in respect of the National Landscape Strategy Issues Paper, I expect to bring proposals to Government towards the end of the year, with a view to finalising the National Landscape Strategy for publication in 2014.
722. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress to date in establishing a national park in the north midlands cut-away bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36934/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, at the request of North Midlands Peatlands Park Committee (NMPPC), I facilitated a meeting with elected representatives and members of the NMPPC last autumn. At that meeting, I explained that in principle my Department would welcome any initiative to rehabilitate cutaway bog in a way that enhances its biodiversity and its attractiveness to visitors. I also explained that, as Bord na Móna has stewardship of the bogs in question, their management, present use for commercial peat production and future rehabilitation are, in the first instance, matters for that company.
I have written a letter of support for the project to Bord na Móna and my Department remains willing to engage with the company in relation to the matter if it is considered that such engagement would be helpful .
723. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details in tabular form by location of the number of hen harrier birds in each of the SPAs, Slieve Aughty, Slieve Beagh, Slieve Bloom, Boggeragh, Sleive Felim and Mullagareik, of which his Department is aware; the number of individual land-holdings and landowners within the boundaries of these areas; the number of landowners in receipt of compensation from his Department within these areas; the number of landowners who have unsuccessfully applied to be included in a compensation arrangement from the Department from these areas; the total amount of compensation paid to landowners in each of these areas since designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36937/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is available from the Republic of Ireland Hen Harrier Survey 2010 and is set out in the Table below (the survey report is available at http://www.npws.ie/publications/irishwildlifemanuals/IWM59.pdf ):
|
Site Code |
Site Name |
Number of pairs breeding or attempting to breed (2010) |
|
4160 |
SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS SPA |
9 |
|
4161 |
STACKS TO MULLAGHAREIRK MOUNTAINS, WEST LIMERICK HILLS AND MOUNT EAGLE SPA |
29 |
|
4162 |
MULLAGHANISH TO MUSHERAMORE MOUNTAINS SPA |
3 |
|
4165 |
SLIEVEFELIM TO SILVERMINES MOUNTAINS SPA |
7 |
|
4167 |
SLIEVE BEAGH SPA |
6 |
|
4168 |
SLIEVE AUGHTY MOUNTAINS SPA |
23 |
|
- |
Total |
77 |
The figures on the number of landowners identified within these SPAs are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The number of participants who received payments under my Department’s Farm Plan Scheme for the Hen Harrier is set out in the table.
|
County |
Number of Participants |
|
Clare |
86 |
|
Cork |
53 |
|
Galway |
32 |
|
Kerry |
60 |
|
Laois |
7 |
|
Limerick |
96 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
32 |
|
Total |
377 |
A further 27 people wrote to my Department expressing an interest in joining the Hen Harrier Farm Plan Scheme after it closed in April 2010.
By mid-September 2013, my Department had paid €11,031,200 to participants in the Hen Harrier Farm Plan Scheme for work completed as part of their contracts.
724. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which it has been possible to categorize and utilise for tourism and educational purposes, the numerous heritage sites and buildings throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36950/13]
View answerWhile promotion of Ireland as a tourist designation is primarily a matter for Tourism Ireland and the development of tourism is the responsibility of Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, I am committed to availing of every possible opportunity to project a positive global image for Ireland. To this aim I have met with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to enhance co-operation between my Department and both tourism bodies in promoting heritage and tourism.
The unique qualities of Ireland’s national heritage play a significant role in enhancing and projecting Ireland’s image abroad, and in supporting economic renewal through cultural and heritage tourism and in downstream opportunities, such as in the retail, catering and accommodation sectors. Fáilte Ireland figures show that some 3.5 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural activities while in Ireland in 2011. Over 2.5 million tourists visited historic houses or castles, while 2 million visited our archaeological monuments. There were over 3.7 million visitors to heritage sites where the Office of Public Works provides a guide service.
My Department’s network of National Parks and Nature Reserves are also a major part of Ireland’s tourism attractions. My Department is supporting the greater use of our parks and reserves in a manner which is compatible with conservation and protection of their biodiversity. It can be difficult to give an exact number for visitors to National Parks as there are many access points to some of the parks but visitor numbers have been estimated at over 2 million per annum. Ireland’s National Parks are the most popular destinations for the domestic holiday market, with 23% of this tourism market segment visiting the Parks in 2011.
Where numbers are more readily measurable, increases have been seen in recent years. In 2011, Connemara National Park attracted a footfall of 202,543 visitors (representing a 30% increase on 2010 visitor numbers), Glenveagh National Park attracted a footfall of 112,000 visitors, while Glenveagh Castle attracted 41,161 visitors. Muckross House witnessed an increase of 13% in visitor numbers with 105,145 people visiting the House.
My Department is also actively engaged in a wide range of activities in support of The Gathering, both in co-operation with bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works, and in promoting its own initiatives. For example the ‘Places to See’ and ‘Monuments to Visit’ websites provide directions to lesser known heritage sites and details of what the visitor can expect to find on arrival. A small amount of capital funding is provided by my Department to support the Office of Public Works’ conservation programme for the State's heritage portfolio, many properties from which attract high levels of visitors to Ireland.
My Department will continue to develop visitor facilities where resources allow, such as walking and cycling routes, enhanced signage and interpretation. In the last couple of years my Department opened modern visitor centres at Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo, Clara Bog Nature Reserve, Co. Offaly, and a visitor information point for the Burren National Park in Corofin, Co. Clare.
Killarney House in Killarney National Park is currently undergoing major refurbishment to transform it into the main visitor and interpretative centre for the National Park with a focus on interpreting the parks natural wealth. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with OPW as project managers and Fáilte Ireland which has committed funding of €5.2 million towards the project, under its Tourism Investment Programme.
In addition, my Department provides core funding for several heritage organisations such as the Heritage Council, which supports a range of initiatives including National Heritage Week, and the Irish Architectural Foundation, which runs the successful Open House event each year.
This year, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, my Department is also initiating a pilot programme, the Historic Towns Initiative , in Youghal, Westport and Listowel with the Heritage Council and the local authorities in each town. My primary objective with this initiative is to ensure that the participating towns have access to, and an understanding of, appropriate guidance to assist them in best conserving their heritage assets and, in so doing, underpin the sustainability of their community and local economy. It is my hope that meeting these goals will also, by extension, significantly enhance the visitor experience in these towns, thus helping to maximise the potential positive contribution of tourism to each of these towns and their respective hinterlands.
725. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which his Department, directly or through bodies under his aegis, has been in a position to offer assistance to community based groups involved in the festivals or the promotion of the arts on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36951/13]
View answer728. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number and locations of musical productions and events of a classical and-or traditional nature to which he and his Department have been in a position to make a financial or other supportive contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36954/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 725 and 728 together.
The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life.
As 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. In 2013, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of over €60.6 million in current, capital and EU Presidency funding. Details of all funding provided by the Arts Council to arts practitioners, arts groups and venues, including arts centres, are available on the Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie. In a wider context, the Arts Council support of a range of arts forms is set out in its strategic overview document entitled Developing the Arts in Ireland: Arts Council Strategic Overview 2011-2013. In this strategy document, which is available on the Council's website, its work and key strategic principles that inform its funding decisions are laid out.
I have outlined previously for the Deputy a range of ways in which my Department and relevant bodies within its remit are supporting cultural and heritage initiatives in conjunction with local groups and communities. These include the following listed cultural tourism initiatives that have been wholly or partly funded by my Department:
St. Patrick's Day celebrations;
Music Day;
Culture Night;
Arts Council's support of Arts Festivals, - Festivals and Events scheme, which supports c.150 small arts festivals in towns and villages throughout Ireland each year;
Arts Council funding of arts centres and venues around the State as well as the council' s funding of Touring and Dissemination of high-quality work in all disciplines through the national network of arts centres and venues.
Arts Council's partnership with local authorities and Art Officers throughout the country.
The Council of National Cultural Institutions and other cultural venues – organise a wide range of activities supported by my Department;
Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann–funding by my Department to support their work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music;
Cultural and heritage events being held under the auspices of The Gathering;
Web based projects being developed by my Department to promote greater appreciation and understanding of Ireland's heritage for residents and visitors alike; Collaborative work with bodies and groups such as the Arts Council, the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann, and Music Network.
My Department also operates a philanthropic initiative for arts and culture organisations.
I would also refer the Deputy to my previous replies in relation to these matters.
727. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he is in a position to assist with the promotion and development of the film industry with particular reference to the use of various scenic locations throughout this country for film-making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36953/13]
View answer764. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which it is intended to promote the use of this country as a film location with obvious and consequent economic benefits; if he has had any discussions with potential film-makers from overseas regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38831/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 764 together.
As the Deputy is aware, primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions (including assistance with locations for the making of films), is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). The IFB is the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry and I have no responsibility in relation to its day-to-day operational matters, including the allocation of resources to different support programmes and schemes.
In regard to the supports available, I would direct the Deputy's attention to the annual reports of the IFB, which are lodged periodically in the Oireachtas Library, and also to the publications by the Board itself on its website www.irishfilmboard.ie .
I would also like to direct the Deputy to the website of the Irish Film and Television Academy - www.ifta.ie – which is another useful information and promotional tool.
729. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has, directly or through the good offices of bodies under his Department's aegis, facilitated or encouraged the preservation, refurbishment or otherwise making safe any historical monuments, sites or venues deemed to be of historical significance, endangered and-or of architectural significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36955/13]
View answer732. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he is in a position to offer grant assistance from the proceeds of national lottery or other sources towards the maintenance and-or restoration of preserved or listed building currently deemed to be at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36958/13]
View answer759. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number and location of endangered heritage sites or buildings throughout the country his future plans regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38826/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 729, 732 and 759 together.
My Department has a number of measures at its disposal to facilitate or encourage the preservation or otherwise making safe of protected structures and monuments.
All known archaeological monuments, of which there are in excess of 130,000, are entitled to protection under the National Monuments Acts. The Acts allow me to make a preservation order where I consider a national monument to be at risk. Protection may be extended to previously unrecorded monuments by entering them in the Register of Historic Monuments or the Record of Monuments and Places. Prosecutions in respect of damage to recorded monuments are initiated where warranted.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012 provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including them on the Record of Protected Structures. Under section 53 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012, I may make recommendations to a planning authority concerning the inclusion in its record of protected structures any structures which I consider would merit such inclusion and the attendant planning restrictions which would apply to protect the structures’ special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.
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. Recognising this duty of care placed on owners of protected structures, a number of State financial supports provide for the conservation and restoration of heritage structures in both private and public ownership.
Comprehensive statistics are not available in respect of the number and location of endangered heritage sites or buildings throughout the country. As the Deputy can appreciate, however, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances.
An overall allocation is provided from the National Lottery each year for expenditure through the Votes of various Departments. In 2013 my Department’s allocation of funding of €4.446m to the Heritage Council was partially funded by National Lottery funds. In turn, the Heritage Council supports a range of heritage conservation projects. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to allocate its funding appropriately given competing priorities within the heritage sector. However, I understand that in 2013 the Council is funding or otherwise supporting a number of programmes for the conservation and preservation of our heritage.
Additionally, my Department provides funding through a Structures at Risk Fund to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under Part IV and, in certain cases, works to safeguard structures within Architectural Conservation Areas, where an urgent need for works to such structures has arisen and has been demonstrated. In 2013 I allocated a total of €475,000 in grant funding to thirty-four local authorities under my Department’s Structures at Risk Fund 2013 to enable conservation works to forty-five heritage structures in both private and public ownership deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration and which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012.
This year, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland and the Heritage Council, my Department is also initiating a pilot heritage-led regeneration programme, the Historic Towns Initiative , in Youghal, Westport and Listowel with the local authorities in each town. I have awarded €80,000 to each of the three towns from my Department’s voted allocation towards works to promote and enhance the heritage of the town in line with the objectives of this pilot programme.
My Department is also providing €350,000 of funding to the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2013 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. The OPW undertakes the care and maintenance of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship (of which there are approximately 750). My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.
My Department has been and is currently involved in various actions which aim to address specific issues such as the endangerment of our national heritage. These include the work of an expert advisory committee, set up in 2011 and representing key stakeholders, to review the operation of Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012 in respect of protection and management of architectural heritage.
My Department also publishes a series of booklets for owners and occupiers advising on the care and maintenance of old and historic structures. These are available on my Department’s website www.ahg.gov.ie .
In 2011, I announced a major refurbishment programme for Killarney House and its ornamental grounds and gardens. The House will be developed as the main visitor and interpretative centre for the National Park highlighting the beauty and interpreting the richness and significance of the Park's landscapes, habitats, flora and fauna as well as telling the story of man's interaction with the park over the centuries. It is also intended that some of the formal rooms will be restored to their former glory. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with OPW as the project managers and Fáilte Ireland which has committed funding of €5.2 million under its Tourism Capital Investment Programme.
