Written Answers Nos.745-766
745. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will detail by name, location and cost the number of capital projects funded by his Department for each of the past five years to date, in tabular form, in an area (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37955/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department, which was established in June 2011, administers and delivers a wide range of capital programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/ .
While expenditure under these programme areas takes place countrywide, it is not possible to give a county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. For example, a number of my Department’s programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies that operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no detailed breakdown on a county basis held by my Department. In addition, groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not necessarily constituted on a single-county basis.
In view of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes, and the large volumes of payments and grants thereunder on an ongoing basis, it is not clear that it would be feasible to compile and collate the breakdown of expenditure sought by the Deputy. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I would be glad to seek to provide him with relevant information in that regard. Similarly, if the Deputy would like specific information in relation to a particular scheme, I would be glad to arrange to have any such request from him examined.
746. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost to the State per mink culled through State schemes in recent years; his plans to increase the number of mink culled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37987/13]
View answerMy Department has taken an active role in mink control in recent years, concentrating on protecting the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species, including red-throated diver, corncrake, grey partridge, waders and terns, from a range of predators, including mink. €92,000 was spent in 2011 with a further €135,000 spent in 2012. Expenditure in 2013 is likely to be similar to the 2012 figure. However, as this covers many predatory species, including mink, grey crow, magpie and fox, it is not possible to isolate the exact amount spent on the culling of mink. I also provided €20,000 in 2011 to the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) to stimulate increased control of mink by game shooting clubs.
My Department will continue predator control in key areas, as I consider it has been necessary and useful, and has almost certainly been a contributory factor to the increase in corncrake numbers recorded this year.
747. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will indicate the number received by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2013 relating to corncrakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37988/13]
View answerI am pleased to say that the provisional census result for corncrakes in 2013 shows a substantial increase. As the birds are very difficult to see, the surveyors record calling males. The 2013 results are set out in the Table below:
|
Regions |
Number of birds |
|
West Donegal |
54 |
|
North Donegal |
68 |
|
West Connacht |
60 |
|
Shannon Callows |
3 |
|
Total |
185 |
This is the highest figure for over 20 years and I thank all those, including the farmers and other landowners, who have helped conserve the species. While I am cautiously optimistic about this increase, I am aware that previous population increases were not sustained and so my Department will continue to work with our partners on the necessary conservation measures.
748. Deputy Finian McGrath 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 consider amending the boundaries in this designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38043/13]
View answerI am advised that 32 landowners have exercised their right to appeal the inclusion of their lands within the Special Protection Area (SPA) referred to by the Deputy to the independent Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board, which will undertake a formal assessment of these appeals based on the scientific merits of their cases.
I understand that the landowners in question have already submitted scientific reports in support of their appeals and that formal appeal hearings will be held as soon as they can be arranged by the Board. As soon as possible thereafter, the Board will make recommendations to me, as Minister, on whether these lands, or parts thereof, should remain within the site.
749. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a person has a right to have all their dealings with the State dealt with through the medium of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38045/13]
View answerArticle 8 of the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court (Ó Beoláin v. Fahy [2001]) as conferring a right on the citizen to transact his or her business with the State through Irish. The Official Languages Act 2003 seeks to give legislative effect, insofar as the delivery of public services in Irish is concerned, to Article 8 of the Constitution. The Act provides a framework for the incremental provision of public services through Irish in order for the State to fulfil its responsibilities in this regard in a cohesive and coherent manner.In addition to various direct statutory obligations emanating from the Act, public bodies are obliged to prepare and implement language schemes, when requested by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to do so. The purpose of these schemes is to increase over time the quality and quantity of services provided in Irish by public bodies, having regard to available resources. As a result of the 143 language schemes that have been agreed since the commencement of the Act in 2003, almost 200 public bodies have been covered by the language scheme process. I am satisfied that the various schemes being implemented include the majority of public bodies who have regular contact with the general public. It is my view also that there has been a significant improvement in the quality and quantity of services being provided in Irish by public bodies as a result of the Official Languages Act.
750. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures taken by his Department in conjunction with the Arts Council to protect the State's investment in regional arts infrastructure, particularly in the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38272/13]
View answerThe 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 below 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 whole or partly funded by my Department:
- St. Patrick's Day celebrations (www.stpatricksfestival.ie );
- Music Day (www.lovelivemusic.ie );
- Culture Night (www.culturenight.ie );
- the Arts Council Festivals and Events scheme, which supports some 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 s funding of touring and dissemination of high-quality work in all disciplines through the national network of arts centres and venues;
- the Arts Council's partnership with local authorities and Arts Officers throughout the country;
- the work of the Council of National Cultural Institutions and other cultural venues in organising a wide range of activities supported by my Department;
- Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann, which is funded 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; and
- other 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. This initiative is designed to encourage philanthropy, sponsorship and endowment of the arts from private sources. Now in its second year, the initiative has proved very successful with total funding of over €1 million made available for arts projects last year. Full details can be found on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie .
Despite the limited financial resources available, my Department continues to invest in arts capital infrastructure. This year my Department's capital budget is €3.3m. A full list of capital projects supported in the last 3 years is available on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie .
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 the Deputy appreciates the funding difficulties facing all Departments at this time, she can be assured I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors.
751. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a body (details supplied) in Dublin 8 is designated as a cultural institution or a national, local or regional museum, under any specific legislation; if he will outline the legislation; if the museum standards programme operated by the Heritage Council of Ireland is based in primary or secondary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38332/13]
View answer752. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form a list of all grants or monetary awards since 2003 to a body (details supplied) in Dublin 8 under schemes operated by his Department or agencies under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38363/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 751 and 752 together.
The body referred to by the Deputy is an independent one. As Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I have no statutory responsibility for it or its collection, nor am I aware of any statutory provisions underpinning its operation.
The Heritage Act 1995 outlines the functions of the Heritage Council relating to the proposal of policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage, including heritage objects and archaeological objects. The Museum Standards Programme is a non-statutory initiative developed within the general remit of the Heritage Council.
Under the Local and Regional Museums Scheme, my Department has provided the following grants since 2011 to the body referred to by the Deputy:
|
Year |
Scheme |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
Local & Regional Museums Scheme |
17,000 |
|
2012 |
Local & Regional Museums Scheme |
9,000 |
|
2013 |
Local & Regional Museums Scheme |
3,000 |
753. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will discuss the main elements of the World Heritage sites conference in Dublin Castle in September 2013; if he will provide in tabular form the local authorities that were invited, those that attended; those that did not attend which provided an apology; and those who did not attend and not respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38387/13]
View answerUNESCO sets out a formal process for State signatories to the World Heritage Convention for the purpose of nominating properties on their territory for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A particular criterion is for a site to be considered to be of outstanding universal value, defined by UNESCO as meaning of “cultural and or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. ”
The nomination process is initiated by the relevant State authorities drawing up a Tentative List of what they consider to be the most important heritage sites within their national boundaries. Following a public consultation process and consideration by an expert advisory group, a new Tentative List for Ireland was approved and submitted to UNESCO in March 2010 containing the following sites:
- The Burren;
- Céide Fields and North West Mayo Boglands;
- The Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its Cultural Landscape;
- The Historic City of Dublin;
- Early Medieval Monastic Sites (Clonmacnoise, Durrow, Glendalough, Inis Cealtra, Kells and Monasterboice);
- The Royal Sites of Ireland (Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Hill of Uisneach, Rathcroghan Complex, Tara Complex and potentially Navan Fort in Armagh);
- Western Stone Forts (Aran Islands - 7 forts, Cahercommaun, The Burren, Caherconree, Staigue, Benagh and Dingle Peninsula).
The nomination of a property to the World Heritage List is a significant undertaking that requires the development of comprehensive nomination documentation, including a management plan for the property. Following submission of a nomination to UNESCO, it is evaluated by three advisory bodies:
- the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS);
- the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and
- the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property(ICCROM).
Once the site has been evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision regarding the site’s inclusion on the World Heritage List.
The seminar I hosted on 12 September 2013 was designed to consider the interest of local authorities and community groups in pursuing full nomination of World Heritage Status for the sites on the Tentative List and to clarify all the elements involved in applying for and retaining such status. My aim is to encourage consultation within local communities and support local effort for the nomination of World Heritage Status where that is sought. Following on from the seminar, my Department will liaise further with the local authorities and communities involved with a view to further advancing that process.
The locations of sites on Ireland’s Tentative List extend over the administrative areas of 13 local authorities whose attendance at the seminar is set out in tabular form below.
|
Local Authority |
Attended |
|
Clare County Council |
YES |
|
Dublin City Council |
YES |
|
Galway County Council |
YES |
|
Kerry County Council |
YES |
|
Kildare County Council |
YES |
|
Louth County Council |
YES |
|
Mayo County Council |
YES |
|
Meath County Council |
YES |
|
Offaly County Council |
YES |
|
Roscommon County Council |
YES |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
YES |
|
Westmeath County Council |
YES |
|
Wicklow County Council |
YES |
The seminar was also attended by representatives of Armagh District Council in connection with the potential to include Eamhain Mhacha/Navan Fort in the Royal Sites of Ireland nomination.
755. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which all buildings, sites and locations associated with the 1916 Rising are listed and-or preserved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37170/13]
View answerVarious sites related to the 1916 Rising are protected under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004 or under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2011. For example, the buildings at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street are a national monument subject to a Preservation Order under the National Monuments Acts, Kilmainham Gaol is a national monument in State care, while many other sites related to the Rising are included on Dublin City Council’s Record of Protected Structures (under the Planning and Development Acts), for example the General Post Office on O’Connell Street.
The appropriate statutory protections afforded to any particular building, site or location should be considered by the relevant public body should any application be made for alternation to any protected structure.
756. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will reinstate the road from the jarvey stand entrance via Muckross Abbey to Muckross Hotel entrance in the Killarney National Park as the road has deteriorated substantially and is in need of surface dressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38628/13]
View answerMy Department continually reviews the condition of infrastructure, including roadways, in the National Parks and, where funding is available, priority maintenance and upgrading is carried out. While available funding in respect of 2013 works has been fully allocated, a review of the condition of roadways in Killarney National Park is being carried out at present. Consideration will be given in due course to the allocation of monies to any necessary road maintenance works, having regard to available resources and to overall funding priorities in our National Parks.
761. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of applications for support received so far this year in his Department, or by bodies under his aegis, from various groups involved in the performance of the arts throughout the country; the extent to which he has been in a position to respond favourably to such requests; his intentions and his ability to meet such demands in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38828/13]
View answerThe 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.
The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and my Department has no role to play in its executive or funding decisions. Full information on the Council's funding decisions is made available on their funding decisions database on their website www.artscouncil.ie
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 current year will, of course, be dependent on my Department's budgetary position as the year progresses. Details of grant payments for the current year will be published on my Department's website in due course.
762. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote the arts through the education system with particular reference to primary and second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38829/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in January last, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, TD, and I jointly launched the Arts in Education Charter. This Charter places new responsibilities on Government Departments, agencies, cultural institutions and arts organisations in terms of providing and promoting arts education to children and young people.
Both Minister Quinn and I believe passionately in arts education and want to see a joined-up Government approach across Departments, education agencies and arts organisations. The Charter will see organisations like the Arts Council, the National Cultural Institutions, the Colleges of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment working with both Departments in order to bring the arts into the classroom and learners into the institutes for the arts.
A High Level Implementation Group was established to oversee the implementation of the Art in Education Charter earlier in the year and it will report twice a year. The Implementation Group is chaired by Professor John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus, NUI Maynooth. Its membership includes Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council, Mary Nunan, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Alan Wall, Director, Department of Education and Skills and Niall Ó Donnchú, Assistant Secretary, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The Group has met on a number of occasions and has been proactive in meeting organisations from both the arts and education sectors. Progress is being made on a number of initiatives, including developing a website/portal as a key communications and information channel for both the education and arts sectors. Suitable models for art-rich schools and for artists to become involved in the programme are also being examined by this Group.
There is no specific funding provision in my Department's Vote for arts in education this year. However, the Deputies may be aware that in May 2012 I announced the introduction of a new philanthropic initiative on a pilot basis for arts and culture organisations. This year, €210,000 will be available to arts organisations under this scheme and the majority of the Philanthropy Initiative funding will be directed towards arts and culture organisations seeking support for projects that include an education component. The application form includes a provision that in the event of multiple applications competing for limited grant allocation, priority will be given to Arts in Education projects aimed at disadvantaged (DEIS) schools.
763. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has identified the availability of funding from EU sources for the promotion and development of festivals throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38830/13]
View answerAs I have informed the Deputy previously, there are two programmes operated by the European Union in the areas for which I have responsibility. These are the Media Programme and the Culture Programme and both run from 2007 to 2013 inclusive.
The Media Programme is the EU support programme for the European audiovisual industry and details in this regard, including in relation to the operation of the programme and the funding provided, are available at www.mediadeskireland.ie .
The Culture Programme is the EU support programme for organisations working in the field of culture. Assistance and information is available to arts and culture practitioners who wish to apply for grants under the Culture Programme from the European Cultural Contact Point (CCP) Ireland. The CCP provides information, advice and technical assistance to anyone in Ireland interested in applying to the European Commission for such funding. It also provides additional information and assistance which might help to establish links and partnerships with colleagues in Europe and beyond. All details are available from a dedicated website at www.ccp.ie.
The way the programmes operate is that periodically there are calls for proposals from the European Commission seeking applications for support under the two programmes. The applications are then assessed by an independent body, the Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture. Decisions on what support is provided are based on the merits of the applications: there is no quota for each country or no amount allocated to each country.
There is further comprehensive information available on all projects which received funding across the Union at the website: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm
Under the Irish Presidency of the European Union, in the first six months of this year, detailed discussions were held between the Member States, the European Commission and the European Parliament on a new framework programme for the cultural and creative sectors. This will run from 2014 to 2020 and will be called the Creative Europe Programme. It includes a proposal to amalgamate the current Culture and MEDIA programmes under a common framework and create an entirely new facility to improve access to finance. It is hoped that the new programme will be finalised shortly under the Lithuanian Presidency.
766. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote traditional music and song at various levels and media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38833/13]
View answerMy Department is committed to enhancing our traditional culture by supporting groups and organisations involved in furthering the traditional arts. Since 2005, €20m has been provided in capital grant aid to organisations that promote traditional music and song, such as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Na Píobairí Uilleann (The Pipers Club), for infrastructural development throughout the State.
My Department provides an annual current grant to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. In 2013, this amounts to €1.591m. Comhaltas has over 400 branches nationwide and has been to the fore in training young people in the traditional arts.
Other organisations funded by my Department that encourage and foster the traditional arts of music and singing include the Arts Council, Foras na Gaeilge and Ealaín na Gaeltachta. These organisations provide funding to the many festivals held in the country every year where thousands of young people participate and are encouraged to develop their artistic talents. My Department also assists An Gael-Acadamh, which provides a range of classes for young people in the Connemara Gaeltacht.
I would especially like to direct the Deputy's attention to Culturefox, an initiative paid for by my Department to promote the arts and culture. Culturefox is both a website and an "app", and has a separate section for the promotion of traditional music and song. It is free to use for promoters and consumers alike.
