Written Answers Nos. 92 - 109
92. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the names of the museums that received funding under the local and regional museums scheme 2012; the amount allocated to each museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44236/13]
View answerOver the past six years, my Department has operated a scheme of funding support to promote and enhance the marketing of local and regional museums, and to support programmes established to attract the aged, young, and socially disadvantaged to visit these institutions. Cultural events held in museums to attract a local and tourist audience and/or to promote museums as focal centres of the local community have also been supported through this scheme.
The names of the museums that received funding under this scheme in 2012 together with the amounts received are set out in the following table.
|
Name of Museum |
Amount |
|
Allihies Copper Museum |
€6,328 |
|
Cavan County Museum |
€9,900 |
|
Donaghmore Workhouse Museum |
€1,000 |
|
Dundalk County Museum |
€7,200 |
|
Foynes Aviation & Maritime Museum Ltd |
€500 |
|
The Irish Jewish Museum |
€9,000 |
|
Kerry County Museum |
€4,433 |
|
Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne |
€3,500 |
|
Rothe House and Garden |
€4,900 |
|
Waterford Museum of Treasures |
€11,000 |
93. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an mbeadh sé in ann a chinntiú go gcuirfear sochair shocheacnamaíocha na seirbhíse san áireamh sa scrúdú a dhéanfar maidir leis an oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí i leith na seirbhíse aeir d'Oileáin Árann agus nach mbeidh an scrúdú sin teoranta d'anailís costais is tairbhe nach dtabharfadh aon aitheantas d'fhíorluach na seirbhíse. [44247/13]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, tá mo Roinnse ag lorg tairiscintí ó chomhlachtaí chun tabhairt faoi athbhreithniú ar an tseirbhís aeir a chuirtear ar fáil d'Oileáin Árann faoi Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí faoi Rialacháin 1008/2008 den Aontas Eorpach. Tá an t-athbhreithniú sin á dhéanamh anois mar go bhfuil gá lena leithéid faoi na Rialacháin sin agus tá téarmaí tagartha an athbhreithnithe i gcomhréir leo. Is léir ó na téarmaí tagartha sin go scrúdófar cás socheacnamaíoch don tseirbhís aeir, i measc nithe eile san athbhreithniú atá beartaithe.
94. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the changes he foresees to the Irish language and Gaeltacht structures, schemes and organisations as a result of the cuts in his Department's budget in this area. [44487/13]
View answerAn amount of just under €40m will be available to my Department in 2014 for Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Island functions, in addition to over €38m for North South cooperation. These indicative figures, which represent an overall 5% reduction on the equivalent 2013 allocations, are subject to the Estimates being approved in due course and also to the agreement of the North South Ministerial Council in the case of the North South provisions.
Although it was necessary, having regard to the overall economic situation, to reduce my Department's budget across various sectors, I am confident that, with an increased focus on achieving effectiveness and value for money, the allocations will be sufficient to meet my Department's priorities in 2014.
97. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views regarding the potential to develop language tourism products here; his views on whether the Appalachian and UIster-Scots diasporas in North America would be attracted to Ulster-Scots and Gaelic linguistic interpretations of Irish history including the history of the Ulster Plantation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44248/13]
View answer315. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to develop language tourism in respect of Ulster-Scots and Gaeilge, with reference to the Appalachian community in North America. [43516/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 315 together.
As I indicated in my response to Question No 446 on 30 April 2013, my Department is actively engaged in language promotion with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government, particularly through the provision of funding and support for the work of the two agencies of An Foras Teanga, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. One of the key priorities identified by the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2013 is to develop strategic national and international engagements with Scotland and with North America in order to widen access to and appreciation of Ulster-Scots culture and heritage. I understand that the Ulster-Scots Agency has already undertaken some activities in regard to promotion of Ulster-Scots in North America. For example, the Agency had a presence at The Brits Off Broadway Festival in New York, where it worked with Tourism Ireland to support the Boat Factory play about Belfast shipbuilding. The Agency also had an attendance at the Milwaukee Irish Fest through the Young Ambassadors programme, in partnership with St. Patrick's Centre, Downpatrick, and this month an Agency team will attend the Stone Mountain Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
I understand that the Agency is involved in co-operation with Tourism Ireland, including production of a book on the author CS Lewis and provision of publicity for Ulster-Scots culture in marketing initiatives for the USA and Canada. At home, the Agency is engaging with local councils and others with relevant heritage assets to fill a key gap identified by Tourism Ireland around the development of the Ulster-Scots/Scotch-Irish tourism content. In that context, the Agency proposes to develop heritage content in Co. Donegal around the stories of Rev Francis Makemie and President Buchanan.
The Agency considers that the optimum way to engage the Ulster-Scots/Scotch-Irish diaspora is through genealogy, heritage and musical connections. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, direct physical engagement with the USA is limited by resources and therefore the goal is limited to 2-3 outward missions per year. Accordingly, the Agency proposes to focus more on developing its web-based offerings in order to maximise its reach in the US market. The website www.DiscoverUlsterScots.com, which is currently being developed by the Agency, will be a key component in this regard and will include information about key heritage sites of relevance to Ulster-Scots in Scotland, Ireland and the USA.
Finally, I should also refer the Deputy again to the work of Colmcille, the partnership programme between Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to promote the use of Irish and Scottish Gaelic within Ireland and Scotland, and also between the two countries. Further information in this regard is available on the agencies' websites at www.ulsterscotsagency.com and www.forasnagaeilge.ie.
98. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cathain atá sé i gceist ag an Aire ceannteidil Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus na haighneachtaí a fuair a Roinn i dtaobh an Bhille sin a fhoilsiú. [44225/13]
View answerMar atá léirithe i gClár Reachtaíochta an Rialtais, táthar ag súil Bille a fhoilsiú in 2014 ina ndéanfar foráil do na leasuithe ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Tá na céimeanna cuí idir lámha ag mo Roinn faoi láthair chun Cinn an Bhille seo a dhréachtú agus táthar ag súil na dréacht-Chinn a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais a luaithe agus is féidir.
Déanfaidh an Bille foráil do na leasuithe ar an Acht Teanga ag eascairt as an athbhreithniú ar an Acht, mar a bhí sonraithe i gClár an Rialtais. Ina theannta sin, déanfaidh an Bille foráil do na leasuithe ar an Acht Teanga ag eascairt as an gcinneadh Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chomhcheangal le hOifig an Ombudsman, mar a bhí sonraithe i bPlean an Rialtais um Athchóiriú na Seirbhíse Poiblí .
Tá sé i gceist agam torthaí an phróisis chomhairliúcháin phoiblí a reáchtáladh mar chuid den athbhreithniú ar an Acht a fhoilsiú in am trátha i dteannta le Cinn an Bhille.
99. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his efforts to promote enterprise in the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44249/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Údarás na Gaeltachta is the regional development agency for the Gaeltacht. It promotes productive employment through the development of natural resources, skills and entrepreneurial abilities and through the attraction of investment to the Gaeltacht. It also promotes and supports community development initiatives and a wide range of language, cultural and educational schemes aimed at strengthening the Irish language in the Gaeltacht.
While there is long established cooperation between Údarás na Gaeltachta, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, these links are being strengthened as a result of a Government decision made in this regard in May 2011. A formal mechanism for cooperation was agreed between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland earlier this year, which will benefit enterprise development in the Gaeltacht. The Government has also decided that Údarás na Gaeltachta will maintain responsibility for micro-enterprise and small business supports in the Gaeltacht, in addition to having appropriate access to supports from the new Local Enterprise Offices.
Annual funding is provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta from my Department's Vote. This amounts to a total allocation of €18.409 million from the Exchequer in 2013, which Údarás na Gaeltachta supplements with income generated from investments and from the sale of assets. As a result of investment by Údarás na Gaeltachta, 689 new jobs were created in the Gaeltacht in 2012. Total employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies at year-end was 7,553 jobs, of which 6,933 were full-time jobs and 620 were part-time jobs.
100. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will report on the Government's plans to commemorate the Battle of Clontarf next year. [39147/13]
View answer310. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is funding available for events commemorating the Battle of Clontarf and associated battles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44119/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 310 together.
A series of events is set to take place during 2014 to commemorate the millennium anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Ború. Already the impending occasion has engendered a considerable degree of enthusiasm among historical groups, community agencies and business interests with connections to the marking of this important point in Irish history.
Feedback from the wider community, voluntary and not-for-profit institutions, and organisations associated with the planned commemoration has indicated the need to provide co-ordination, technical support and access to existing State services and facilities. Hence I continue to encourage the co-ordination of the activities of Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland and agencies and bodies associated with my own Department, with a view to developing a commemorative programme that reflects the influence of the Vikings in Ireland and the Battle of Clontarf as a defining event in our history.
The site of the Battle of Clontarf is known to have been on the banks of the river Tolka in Dublin, closer to Glasnevin than to modern-day Clontarf. Glasnevin Trust has maps from circa 1800 that suggest that the 'bloody acre' – the historic centre of the battle – are within what is now its land. Cognisant of the potential of these events to be of wide tourist interest, I continue to encourage the co-ordination of organisations in Waterford, Killaloe and Ballina in emphasising their Viking Heritage and links to Brian Ború, as well as with Dublin City Council and groups from Clontarf, to maximise the potential benefit to these areas from increased tourism.
I envisage that the national cultural institutions will play an important role in any commemorative arrangements, especially the National Museum of Ireland. In that context, I understand that the National Museum intends to hold a major exhibition on Brian Ború and the Battle of Clontarf in 2014. It is expected that the exhibition will have an international focus with loans from institutions across Europe. The exhibition will not only present Ireland and Europe in the later Viking Age, but also examine the continuing significance of Brian Ború and Clontarf in Irish folklore and popular imagination right up to modern times.
In addition to possible initiatives by the national cultural institutions, my Department will be consulting with local authorities and other interested parties on their intentions with a view to the development of a co-ordinated programme. A number of issues are under consideration, including the development of a framework of events and the production of a branding pack or emblem. Decisions on these elements will fall to be made in the coming weeks, having regard to available resources.
101. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mary Lou McDonald den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le maoiniú a sholáthar chun ionad oidhreachta a thógáil ag Teach an Phiarsaigh in am do chomóradh 100 bliain Éirí Amach na Cásca. [44226/13]
View answerFaoin bpacáiste spreagtha caipitil de chuid an Rialtais a fógraíodh sa cháinaisnéis, tá maoiniú de €6m curtha ar fáil don bhliain 2014 do Chlár Cuimhneacháin 1916. Tá roinnt tograí i gceist leis an gClár seo, lena n-áirítear Ard-Oifig an Phoist, an Chartlann Mhíleata agus Teach an Phiarsaigh.
Ní miste a nótáil nach bhfuil aon suimeanna ar leith luaite go fóill as an bpacáiste €6m d'aon cheann de na tograí seo. Tuigtear dom go ndíreofar air sin nuair a fhoilseofar na Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe faoi dheireadh na bliana.
Beidh breithniú le déanamh, ar ndóigh, i gcomhar leis na páirtithe leasmhara, ar na céimeanna a bheidh le tógáil i gcás Theach an Phiarsaigh chun an togra a chur chun cinn, i bhfianaise na n-acmhainní uile a bheidh ar fáil amach anseo faoi Chlár Cuimhneacháin 1916.
102. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding that will be available to the Arts Council for the coming budgetary year; if he intends to increase the level of funding available to the Arts Council; the way in which the funding for the last budgetary year was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44241/13]
View answerThe 2014 allocation to An Chomhairle Ealaíon/The Arts Council is €55,893,000, of which €55,800,000 is current and €93,000 capital. These figures are, of course, provisional, pending publication of the Revised Estimates Volume in due course. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and neither I nor my Department has a role to play in its executive or funding decisions. I would remind the Deputy that all of the Arts Council's funding decisions from 2007 to 2013 inclusive are available on its website at http://www.artscouncil.ie/en/we_funded.aspx .
Even with a reduced Departmental budget, for every week of 2014 more than €2.3 million will be invested in arts, culture and film. This figure does not include the separate allocation of €6 million arising from the National Lottery transaction for the National City of Culture initiative.
103. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Crowe den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas maidir le todhchaí Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta ó thaobh thacaíocht a Roinne de. [44227/13]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé inniu ar Cheist Tosaíochta Uimh 57.
104. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Martin Ferris den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an mbeidh Rialtas na hÉireann, go cinnte, ag iarraidh ar an Aontas Eorpach (AE) deireadh a chur leis an maolú ar stádas na Gaeilge in AE in 2016; agus an aithníonn an tAire go bhfuil baol ann do stádas na Gaeilge in AE mura ndéantar amhlaidh faoin am sin, mar go mbeadh stádas ag an nGaeilge in AE le nach mór deich mbliana ag an bpointe sin agus go bhfuil baol ann go gcuirfear deireadh leis an stádas in ionad maolú eile a chur i bhfeidhm; agus an bhfuil imní air toisc nach bhfuil plean céimniúil curtha ar bun ag aon Rialtas ó baineadh stádas amach don Ghaeilge in AE an 1 Eanáir 2007 le fáil réidh leis an maolú faoi dháta ar leith; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44229/13]
View answerAr an gcéad dul síos, is mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta nach bhfeictear dom go bhfuil aon chúis imní ann go gcuirfear deireadh le stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil agus oibre san Aontas Eorpach.
Is mian liom aird an Teachta a dhíriú ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimhir 546 ar 2 Iúil 2013 ar an ábhar seo. Mar a thug mé le fios sa fhreagra sin, beidh cinneadh le tógáil faoi dheireadh na bliana 2015 faoi thodhchaí an mhaolaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh agus beidh an cheist seo le breithniú ag an Rialtas in am trátha.
Idir an dá linn, táthar ag obair leis na hinstitiúidí Eorpacha ar bhonn leanúnach chun a chinntiú go mbeidh dóthain foirne cáilithe fostaithe sna hinstitiúidí chun freastal ar na riachtanais a bhaineann le stádas na Gaeilge san Eoraip. Mar thacaíocht don chur chuige seo, tá céimeanna tógtha ag mo Roinnse le roinnt blianta anuas chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil d'fhorbairt na téarmaíochta Gaeilge agus do réimse de shainchúrsaí tríú leibhéal ábhartha.
Ní miste a nótáil go bhfuil mo Roinnse i mbun athbhreithnithe ar an réimse cúrsaí tríú leibhéal atá á maoiniú, féachaint an bhfuil bealach níos fócasaithe ann chun cohórt céimithe le Gaeilge a sholáthar le poist a líonadh in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an t-athbhreithniú seo críochnaithe faoi dheireadh na bliana.
106. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department has considered applying for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culutral Organisation recognition and support for hurling under its heritage programme; and if any consideration has been given to any potential benefits to tourism here as a result of such a designation. [44242/13]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ireland is currently not a signatory to this Convention so it is not possible at the moment for hurling to be recognised under the Convention, as suggested by the Deputy. However, this is something that I would support. Officials within my Department are examining the matter to determine the case for signing up to the Convention and to assess if the cost involved could be justified. I am expecting a report in this regard to be available to me shortly.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department continue to seek to attract international film makers with a view to promoting this country as a film location; the extent to which interest continues to be shown by the main film makers in such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44251/13]
View answer324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of films made here in each of the past five years to date; the anticipated extent of such activity in future years; if any particular or specific action is required to promote this country as a film location with consequent economic benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44795/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 324 together.
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question Nos. 727 and 764 of 18 September, 2013. 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, 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. The IFB has been allocated €14.037m in 2014 to carry out its functions.
In regard to the number of films made with support by the IFB, 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 IFB itself on its website www.irishfilmboard.ie. It is difficult to predict with certainty the number of films that will be made in the future. However, consultations between my Department, the IFB and the Department of Finance has resulted in a number of changes to Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 (Film Tax Relief Scheme) to ensure that Ireland retains or regains competitiveness in attracting foreign film projects to Ireland.
The scheme was extended to the end of 2020 in the 2013 Finance Act and further changes were announced last week by the Minister for Finance in his budget speech. The budget announcement brings forward the new regime for film tax reliefs to 2015, and also extend the definition of 'eligible individual' in the scheme for film relief to include non-EU talent. This will increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a destination for film investment and allow the audiovisual production sector to maintain existing jobs and hopefully create new ones.
108. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current condition of Vernon Mount House in Cork city; the actions that have been taken to ensure its protection as a building of significant heritage value; if he has any plans to ensure that the house can be accessed by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44244/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority Question No 54 (44625/13).
