Written Answers Nos. 1-30
10. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in the publication of the salaries of CEOs and directors in receipt of grants directly from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24469/14]
View answerThe Deputy will recall that I answered a related Question No 7 from him on 17 April 2014, when I informed him of my belief that transparency is a vital element of good governance in all organisations which receive public funds. At that time, I undertook to raise with the Arts Council the issue of transparency in the organisations which it funds and I am advised that this is being implemented by the Council. With regard to the salaries of CEOs/Directors receiving grants directly from my Department, the majority of these are already a matter of public record. In 2014, my Department will pay grants totalling just under €131 million in respect of the Arts, Culture and Film sector. Organisations in which the salaries of the CEOs/Directors are in the public domain account for 89% of this allocation. I am advised that all of the positions in question were publicly advertised, with an open selection process being used.
Public bodies are required to adhere to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. This Code requires that, in the interests of transparency and good governance, State bodies should publish in their Annual Reports details of fees and expenses paid to each of their directors, as well as the salary of the CEO. While the Code may be burdensome for small not-for-profit organisations, I consider that the principles of good governance and transparency should nonetheless be observed.
For this reason, smaller arts organisations funded directly by my Department are subject to a condition that they comply with good standards of transparency and accountability, which are set down on the website www.governancecode.ie. These standards are specifically tailored to meet the challenges of ensuring proper governance in the not-for-profit sector and are suitable for use by arts organisations, many of which are small. Adherence to these standards requires, inter alia, that the relevant organisations publish the salaries of their CEOs in their annual reports and accounts.
11. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made in removing rhododendron from the oak woods of Killarney National Park. [24474/14]
View answerMy Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticum in Killarney National Park. The extent of the problem varies from area to area within the Park and, having regard to the very dynamic nature of this invasive species, the targeted management programme is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring optimum effectiveness. In the past, large tracts of the Park, including ancient Oak woods, were heavily infested with this robust and vigorous invasive plant, which, if left unchecked, can grow in dense thickets and replace native shrub, exclude native vegetation and constrain native woodland regeneration.
The management programme has made significant inroads into the problem and large areas that were heavily infested previously are now clear of the plant. Since 2011, nearly €500,000 has been invested in this work and, for the current year, I have allocated a further €100,000 to Killarney National Park for the management of this plant. It is estimated that around 2/3rds of the 3,000 hectares originally affected by Rhododendron in the park are now under effective control.
Ultimately, the plan is to clear all Rhododendron from Killarney National Park. The annual Rhododendron management programme is intended to create conditions in the Park that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, our native woodlands.
The work involved is difficult and resource intensive and is carried out by outside specialist companies, by staff of my Department and by volunteer groups under direction and supervision. My Department is committed to continuing this important and challenging work into the future.
In this regard, I would like to recognise the past and continuing important contribution of volunteer groups to this work, and also to acknowledge the innovative work of my Department’s own staff in Killarney National Park, who have been instrumental in developing new methods to increase the effectiveness of our efforts to control this plant.
12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which grant aid continues to be made available from his Department, directly or through other agencies, for the promotion of the arts at local and community level; the extent to which applications continue to be made under this heading to the relevant agencies or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24463/14]
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 2014, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of almost €57 million in current 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 supports for a range of arts forms are 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 the 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. Cultural tourism initiatives that are wholly or partly funded by my Department include the following:
- the St. Patrick's Day celebrations,
- Culture Night;
- support through the Arts Council of some 150 small arts festivals in towns and villages throughout Ireland each year;
- funding through the Arts Council of arts centres and venues countrywide, as well as touring and dissemination of high-quality work in all arts disciplines through the national network of arts centres and venues;
- partnerships between the Arts Council and local authorities, including supports for Art Officers throughout the country.
- funding by my Department to support the work of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music;
- Heritage Week;
- web-based projects being developed by my Department to promote greater appreciation and understanding of Ireland's heritage for residents and visitors alike; and
- collaborative work with bodies and groups such as the Arts Council, the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Music Network.
A full list of capital, current and philanthropy payments made in 2013 by my Department is available on its website at www.ahg.gov.ie
13. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available to support art galleries and exhibitions, particularly in Galway and other locations outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24451/14]
View answerResponsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal statutory agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Council is independent in its day-to-day operations and I am precluded from involvement in its funding decisions. Accordingly, funding decisions in relation to art galleries and exhibitions in Galway and throughout the State are a matter for the Arts Council, as are decisions on the award of funding to local authorities. Full information on such decisions is available from the Decisions Database on the Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.ie . Details of the Council's various programmes and application forms are also available at this website.
As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to expanding private support of the arts and, in that context, a small capital grants scheme has been introduced by my Department for 2014. This scheme is also designed to encourage philanthropy. In 2014, the scheme has a maximum allocation per project of €10,000, which can be applied to meet up to 70% of the cost of the project. The balance of 30% must be funded from the project's own resources, or from philanthropic sources, or by a mixture of both. The 2014 scheme is an indication of the ongoing work being done to support the development of a culture of philanthropy in the arts sector.
15. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason no compensation was paid to land designated as a special protection area for the hen harrier despite the fact that applicants were promised €14,000 for the first 100 acres. [20213/14]
View answer26. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the engagement that his Department has had with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the development of a scheme to adequately compensate farmers and landowners whose lands have been designated for the protection of the habitat of the hen harrier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24281/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 26 together.
Ireland is obliged under the EU Birds Directive to designate Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for Annex I species such as the Hen Harrier. Annex I species are those that are deemed in greatest need of conservation due to population and range declines.
An incentivising scheme - the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme - was made available to landowners in certain SPAs to undertake measures above and beyond what is required in terms of compliance with legislation. The Hen Harrier SPAs were included within this scheme and Hen Harrier farm plans accounted for 360 of the 658 farm plans that have been produced across the country to date.
Such farm plans were voluntary and scheduled over five years, during which time the landowner received annual payments for carrying out the additional habitat measures in accordance with the plan.
In the case of Hen Harrier, prescriptions included maintenance of suitable rush cover, suitable stocking rates, improvement of hedgerows and control of encroaching scrub. This scheme was sourced from Exchequer funding. Due to budgetary constraints, the scheme closed to new applicants in April 2010. My Department is honouring contracted commitments to the end of the 5 year period.
In terms of the future, my Department is in ongoing discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning a range of measures for the protection or restoration of biodiversity under Ireland's next EU co-funded Rural Development Programme (RDP). The draft RDP includes measures focused on areas designated as SPAs under the Birds Directive or Special Areas of Conservation under the Habitats Directive. It is envisaged that this approach will be implemented through the proposed new GLAS scheme. The latest version of the GLAS scheme makes specific reference to the Hen Harrier. The draft RDP is currently subject to a public consultation process, as announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
16. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the preservation and restoration of the historical site of the last headquarters of the 1916 leaders at 14-17 Moore Street was not included in the six flagship commemoration projects to be funded under the phase 4 infrastructure stimulus projects he announced on 13 May 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23675/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a priority of the Government in the context of the commemorative programme for the Decade of Centenaries has been to advance a number of significant capital projects that would provide a lasting legacy of the centenary of the Rising. I was very pleased, therefore, to be present on 13 May last when the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an allocation from Stimulus Funding of €22 million for 2015 for key commemorative projects. This followed on from an initial allocation of funding for 2014.
The flagship projects being advanced include:
- the development of a permanent interpretive centre at the GPO;
- the digitisation and provision of a permanent home for the Military Service Pensions Archive;
- the development of visitor facilities at Kilmainham Courthouse;
- the conservation of Richmond Barracks;
- a tenement museum in Henrietta Street, and
- a visitor centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh in Ros Muc.
Significant refurbishment and development works are also to be carried out at the National Archives headquarters and at the National Concert Hall.
In relation to the site at 14-17 Moore Street, my statutory function arises from the Preservation Order under the National Monuments Acts, which conveyed to the site its status as a national monument. As a result of the Preservation Order, any works affecting the monument require my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
In July 2013, I signed an order of consent that approved a commemorative centre proposal, as well as the full repair and conservation of the monument buildings. That consent was conditional on a revised project design being submitted to me that took full account of the elements of the proposal for which consent had been refused and the conditions attached to the approved works.
A revised design was received in March of this year and has now been assessed and approved, subject to a number of new conditions. The decision I have made on the revised designs will, I believe, secure the future of one of the most important sites in modern Irish history. The accompanying conditions will also ensure that the restored buildings will, from day one, have a standard of finish and appearance that befits their historical importance.
It should be noted that, unlike the flagship commemorative projects already referred to, the funding for the Moore Street project is being provided through the National Asset Management Agency.
I believe that there is now a great opportunity to have a fully restored commemorative centre in Moore Street in time for the centenary of the Rising in 2016 and that it should be the shared goal of all parties to help ensure that outcome. Together with the interpretive centre planned for the GPO, the Moore Street project will provide a key focal point for our commemoration of the events, the people and the sacrifices they made in 1916.
18. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén chomhairle atá tugtha ag Ernest &Young le muintir Oileán Árann agus le fostóirí ar Oileáin Árann mar gheall ar aersheirbhís chuig Oileáin Árann. [24458/14]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an fhreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Tosaíochta Uimh 1 don lá inniu. Tá conradh i bhfeidhm ag mo Roinn le hAer Arann chun seirbhís aeir a chur ar fáil chuig na hOileáin Árann. Tiocfaidh deiridh leis an chonradh ar 30 Meán Fómhair. Faoi théarmaí an chonartha, tá sé de rogha ag mo Roinn síneadh bliana a chur leis go 30 Meán Fómhair 2015.
Mar is eol don Teachta, d’fhostaigh mo Roinn an comhlacht EY chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar riachtanas na seirbhíse aeir i gcomhréir le Rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh. Agus an t-athbhreithniú ar siúl ag EY, tuigtear dom go ndearnadh teagmháil dhíreach le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla chun a dtuairimí a fháil faoin tseirbhís aeir. Ina theannta sin, tuigtear dom gur tugadh deis, trí na comharchumainn ar na hoileáin, páirtithe leasmhara eile a aithint a mbeadh suim acu aighneacht a dhéanamh.
Tá an tuarascáil athbhreithnithe curtha i gcrích ag an chomhlacht EY agus foilsíodh é ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne ar an 28 Bealtaine. Is tuarascáil chuimsitheach atá ann a chlúdaíonn an tréimhse ó 2003 go dtí 2013. Aithníonn an tuarascáil na tionchair éagsúla atá ag an tseirbhís aeir ar shaol na n-oileánach chomh maith le costais éagsúla na seirbhíse agus an treo ina bhfuil na costais sin ag dul.
Tá an tuarascáil curtha ag mo Roinn faoi bhráid an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh i gcomhréir le Rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh. Maidir leis an chéad chéim eile, tá sé ag dul do na páirtithe leasmhara go léir go scrúdófar gach a bhfuil sa tuarascáil chun go mbeidh an Roinn ábalta freastal ar riachtanais na n-oileán uile taobh istigh de na hacmhainní atá ar fáil. Beifear ag scrúdú na moltaí atá sa tuarascáil go mion sa tréimhse atá romhainn sula dtógtar aon chinneadh maidir le todhchaí na seirbhíse.
19. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he envisages funding for his Department will be maintained for the year 2015 at the same levels as the year 2014; the funding priorities he envisages for the new year; if funding for the Heritage Council will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24284/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, it was announced as part of Budget 2014 that comprehensive reviews of both current and capital expenditure would be undertaken by all Government Departments during 2014. These reviews are conducted on a periodic basis to re-set Ministerial expenditure ceilings in line with emerging Government priorities and will form the basis of the Government's future multi-annual budgetary framework. The reviews are currently ongoing and will be considered by Government later this year, with a view to underpinning expenditure ceilings for 2015 and beyond, as well as clarifying policy options and informing prioritisation decisions arising from the ceilings. Accordingly, it is not possible to say at this stage what the final outcome of Government discussions in this regard will be.
My Department will continue to provide funding for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, in so far as resources allow. Decisions on funding for the Heritage Council in 2015 will be subject to the normal budgetary process later this year.
20. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funds will be made available to save St. Columba's Church in Swords, in view of its important history to the area and nationally. [24280/14]
View answerGrant funding for the protection of built heritage is provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which are either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies. I recently gave approval in principle for the allocation of €15,000 to St. Columba’s Church in Swords under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme. My Department made available a fund of €5 million under this scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. This fund will support a significant number of projects across the country and employment in the conservation and construction industries. The scheme will operate throughout 2014 and is administered by the local authorities.
I understand that in 2005 St Columba’s Church was also awarded €25,000 for roof repairs from the Local Authority Conservation Grants Scheme, which operated at that time.
The conservation officer in the local authority will generally be able to advise of funding available for conservation works to protected structures in the area in question and it is advisable for interested parties to remain in contact with their local authority on an on-going basis.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also operates a community grants scheme. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to allocate its funding appropriately, given competing priorities within the heritage sector. I understand that in 2014 the Council is not providing direct grant aid for protected structures, due to the availability of funding from the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme. However, the church vestry in question should contact the Heritage Council directly to ascertain if the church is eligible for funding under any of the Heritage Council’s programmes now, or in the future.
21. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to increase the numbers of National Parks and Wildlife Service officers to protect wildlife. [24282/14]
View answerMy Department directly employs 565 staff who are allocated to a broad range of functional areas across the Arts, Culture, Film, Music, Built and Natural Heritage, Irish Language, Gaeltacht, Islands and North/South Co-operation sectors. These staff are allocated to the various functional areas on the basis of need, having regard to overall resource availability. Of the total Departmental staff, 283 work in the area of natural heritage through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. In addition, my Department will take on up to 50 seasonal staff during the year to assist the NPWS. As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on public service recruitment remains in place and, as a result of this, my Department is not in a position to recruit new staff to deal with wildlife protection. However, it is hoped to bring in some staff from other Departments on secondment to assist in priority areas.
Despite the constraints, I am satisfied that NPWS is playing a comprehensive and valuable role in the conservation and protection of our natural heritage. For example, in the last year or so:
- Ireland's 6 National Parks of Wicklow, Killarney, The Burren, Connemara, Ballycroy and Glenveagh have been well managed, remained open for visitors and provided a wide range of education and visitor services to the public.
- Significant progress has been achieved on a major capital project of developing Killarney House and Gardens as a new interpretive and information service for Killarney National Park.
- Considerable progress was made on the development of a suite of initiatives to address peatlands policy issues. This work, which was carried out in conjunction with the Peatlands Council, led to the publication early in 2014 of a draft National Peatlands Strategy, a draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan and the results of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area (NHA) Review. These documents raise issues of considerable importance for current stakeholders and future generations. A public consultation process in relation to them began in early 2014.
- A total of 2,959 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, applicable to raised bog special areas of conservation, have been received and are being dealt with by my Department.
- The Burren Farming for Conservation Programme is in 4th year of operation, with some 160 farmers involved. In September 2013, I accepted Ireland’s first ‘European Diploma of Protected Areas Award’ from the Council of Europe for the sustainable management of the Burren.
- In the period 2009 to end-2013, there were almost 160 prosecution cases taken by NPWS officials for breaches of national wildlife legislation.
- My Department's NPWS staff processed and granted some 7,000 licences in 2013 under various provisions of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. In addition, over 360 certificates and permits were granted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- My Department's NPWS contributed to a successful Irish Presidency of the European Council in relation to Cultural and Heritage issues, including guiding European legislation, leading at international meetings and hosting relevant events and meetings here at home.
In the circumstances, I consider that my Department's staff are continuing to deliver an excellent service to the public, notwithstanding the demands placed on them, including resource constraints.
24. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé sásta leis an bpróiseas inar roghnaigh Foras na Gaeilge sé cheanneagraíocht le freastal ar réimsí éagsúla d’fheidhmiú polasaí Gaeilge; an bhfuil sé sásta go bhfuil Foras na Gaeilge ag diúltú soláthar dóthanach foirne a cheadú do na ceanneagraíochtaí roghnaithe agus ina ionad sin, go bhfuil an Foras ag brú struchtúr foirne a fhágfaidh nach mbeidh na ceanneagraíochtaí ábalta a gcuid feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24279/14]
View answer27. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an aontaíonn sé leis an gcóras nua-mhaoinithe atá molta ag Foras na Gaeilge a fhágfaidh go mbeidh laghdú foirne i mórán gach réimse de na ceanneagraíochtaí roghnaithe; nach mbeidh soláthar déanta d’íocaíochtaí iomarcaíochta do na ceanneagraíochtaí roghnaithe ná do na heagraíochtaí a bheidh ag cailleadh maoinithe; go mbeidh Foras na Gaeilge ag sárú dea-chleachtais maidir le bainistiú athruithe; go bhfuil luas míchuí leis an bpróiseas; agus go bhfuil an Foras ag séanadh a gceart ar fhostaithe na hearnála Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24278/14]
View answer28. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén cuíchóiriú a dhéanfar ar eagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe Fhoras na Gaeilge; cad a dhéanfaidh sé chun cearta fostaíochta agus leanúnachas na seirbhísí a chosaint. [24459/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 27 and 28 together.
Ar 10 Iúil 2013, cheadaigh an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas socruithe nua d’eagraíochtaí atá bunmhaoinithe ag Foras na Gaeilge . Mar thoradh ar an gcinneadh sin, d'eagraigh Foras na Gaeilge próiseas tairisceana poiblí chun iarratais a fháil ó ghrúpaí ar mhaith leo feidhmiú mar eagraíochtaí ceannais faoin chur chuige nua. Beidh tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha i réimsí ar leith le seachadadh ar bhonn uile-oileáin ag na heagraíochtaí ceannais seo a leanas atá roghnaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge:
- Conradh na Gaeilge : ardú feasachta, cosaint teanga agus ionadaíocht;
- Cumann na bhFiann : forbairt deiseanna úsáidte Gaeilge agus gréasán do dhaoine óga;
- Gael-Linn : oideachas in earnáil an Bhéarla agus d’aosaigh, agus deiseanna úsáidte do dhaltaí scoile;
- Gaelscoileanna : Gaeloideachas/tumoideachas agus réamhscolaíocht lán-Ghaeilge;
- Glór na nGael : forbairt pobail agus eacnamaíochta; agus
- Oireachtas na Gaeilge : deiseanna a thacaíonn le húsáid na Gaeilge agus le bunú gréasán.
I gcomhréir le cinneadh na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas, tá fóram comhpháirtíochta uile-oileáin bunaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge chun cur chuige comhoibríoch ag na heagraíochtaí ceannais a chinntiú. Ina theannta sin, tá fóram forbartha teanga uile-oileáin le bunú ag Foras na Gaeilge atá ionadaíoch de shainleasa teanga áitiúla, atá maoinithe ag an bhForas ag leibhéal an phobail.
Faoi na socruithe nua seo, cuirfidh Foras na Gaeilge scéim ar bun fosta chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil do raidió pobail trí Ghaeilge sa dá dhlínse. Ina theannta sin, cuirfear maoiniú ar fáil sa todhchaí, mar is cuí, don Áisaonad ó thuaidh, i gcomhthéacs fheidhm reachtúil Fhoras na Gaeilge i ndáil le tacú le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge.
Tiocfaidh na socruithe nua maoinithe i bhfeidhm ón 1 Iúil 2014. Mar thoradh ar an chur chuige nua straitéiseach seo, agus ar an athdháileadh maoinithe ó chostais riaracháin go dtí seirbhísí túslíne, táthar ag súil go mbeifear in ann seirbhísí níos éifeachtaí a sheachadadh do phobal na Gaeilge sa dá dhlínse. Ina theannta sin, táthar ag súil go mbeidh cur chuige nua comhpháirtíochta i gceist, agus deis ag na pobail iad féin ionchur a bheith acu i bhforbairt na teanga sa todhchaí.
Is faoi Fhoras na Gaeilge atá sé na socruithe nua maoinithe a chur i bhfeidhm. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil comhairleoirí ceaptha ag Foras na Gaeilge maidir le bainistíocht athruithe, pleanáil straitéiseach agus pleanáil teanga chun cabhrú leis an bhForas agus leis na heagraíochtaí chun an córas úr a chur i bhfeidhm. Ag tógáil san áireamh gur cuireadh tús leis an athbhreithniú ar na heagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe in 2008, ní fheictear dom go bhféadfaí a rá go bhfuil luas mí-chuí leis an bpróiseas.
Maidir le gnóthaí fostaíochta, ní miste a nótáil go bhfuil foireann na n-eagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe fostaithe go díreach ag na heagraíochtaí sin. Faoin dlí a bhaineann le cúrsaí fostaíochta, baineann ceisteanna maidir le híocaíochtaí iomarcaíochta reachtúla leis na fostóirí ar an gcéad dul síos. Mura bhfuil na hacmhainní ag na heagraíochtaí iad féin chun na híocaíochtaí seo a dhéanamh, agus sa chás go bhfuil na heagraíochtaí sin ag scor, tuigtear dom go bhfuil maoiniú ar fáil ó chistí Stáit ar leith sa dá dhlínse chun cabhrú le heagraíochtaí a ndualgais reachtúla iomarcaíochta a chomhlíonadh. Sna cúinsí sin, tuigfidh na Teachtaí nach bhfuil aon ról reachtúil ag mo Roinnse maidir leis an ábhar seo.
25. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the work his Department is doing in regard to the biodiversity crisis in Ireland, as was highlighted by National Biodiversity Week; the way the National Parks and Wildlife Service is addressing biodiversity concerns in our national parks such as a potential population decrease in badgers due to badger culling and the return of an invasive form of rhododendrons in national parks as seen in Killarney National Park among other growing biodiversity concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24285/14]
View answerMy Department works extensively with a range of public authorities and NGOs to protect and enhance Ireland's biodiversity. For example, my Department substantially funds the Irish Environment Network to support events throughout Biodiversity Week, which is an annual event held across Ireland. In 2011, the Government approved Ireland’s 2nd National Biodiversity Plan, entitled ‘Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016’ and I expect to be in a position to publish an interim review of the plan in the coming months. The review will highlight some of the significant progress made on key objectives over the past three years, and will also help us to take stock of areas where further progress is needed. It will also provide a useful basis for discussions with interested parties.
On the matter of badger culling, there is no programme of badger culling in our National Parks. Under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012, badgers are afforded the status of protected wild animals. They are also recognised under the Bern Convention, whereby states which are party to the Convention must take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the protection of wild fauna and to ensure that any exploitation of wild fauna is properly regulated.
Population estimates for badgers have been generated on a number of occasions in recent years and do not indicate any significant reduction in badger numbers. The most up to date figures, which are based on a peer-reviewed paper published in February this year by scientists in UCD, Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, puts the national population at between 70,000 and 90,000 animals. This closely matches the previous population figure of 84,000 calculated in 2009 by researchers in University College Cork.
With regard to the invasive species Rhododendron ponticum, my Department carries out an annual targeted programme in Ireland’s National Parks to manage this invasive species. The extent of the problem varies from property to property and, having regard to the very dynamic nature of this invasive species, my Department's targeted management programme is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring optimum efficacy. The work involved is carried out by outside specialist companies, by staff of my Department and, in some cases, by volunteer groups under direction and supervision. My Department will continue to invest in this important programme of work with a view to creating conditions in our National Parks that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, our native woodlands.
29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le fostaíocht a chruthú sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [24461/14]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimh 5 den 17 Aibreán 2014. Mar a thug mé le fios san fhreagra sin, tuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta gur cruthaíodh 616 post nua in 2013 i gcliant-chuideachtaí de chuid an Údaráis sa Ghaeltacht. Ag deireadh na bliana sin, bhí 7,650 post i gcliant-chuideachtaí de chuid an Údaráis, lena n-áirítear 6,970 post lánaimseartha agus 680 post páirtaimseartha. Tuigim ón Údarás fosta gurb é an sprioc fostaíochta atá ag an eagraíocht do 2014 ná 520 post nua a chruthú agus go bhfuil siad sásta go mbainfear an sprioc fostaíochta sin amach.
30. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on his plans to reform the governing structures of the national cultural institutions; if he is satisfied with their current activities; if he will consider requesting that the national cultural institutions ensure their open hours also cater to citizens who are in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24466/14]
View answerIn response to the Government’s Public Service Reform Plan published in November 2011, my Department conducted a critical examination of the structure and operation of a range of cultural institutions and bodies, including the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Crawford Art Gallery Cork, the National Library, the National Museum, the National Archives, the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Concert Hall. The review was submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, following which it was considered and accepted by Government. My Department subsequently drafted General Schemes for a number of National Cultural Institutions Bills, which have since been approved by Government. The Heads of Bill Have been submitted to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht for pre-legislative scrutiny, as considered appropriate.
The key reforms being progressed for the National Cultural Institutions relate to:
- Governance, including a streamlining of Boards;
- Reinforcement of curatorial independence and identity;
- Shared supports; and
- Statutory underpinning.
The Government has decided in relation to the legislation that:
- The legislation underpinning the National Gallery of Ireland is to be updated appropriately;
- The statutory accountability framework supporting IMMA and the Crawford Art Gallery is to be clarified;
- The existing National Archives governance model is to be deployed to the National Library and the National Museum;
- Statutory curatorial and operational independence is to be underscored for the Directors of the two institutions;
- The current boards of the National Library and National Museum are to be replaced with smaller Advisory Councils, which will operate pro bono and provide, inter alia, advice to the Minister;
- The National Archives Act 1986 will be updated appropriately; and
- The National Concert Hall will in the future operate as a statutory body under primary legislation.
Opening hours are a matter for the management of the institutions and are kept under routine review. Most of the institutions open on Saturdays to facilitate the public and all of them have websites that provide access to sections of their collections and resources. On-line collections are added to, as resources permit. Alternative means of access and the question of public opening times in general are amongst the matters being discussed with the institutions as part of the implementation of the Government's Public Sector Reform Plan and in the context of the Haddington Road Agreement.
