Wednesday, 17 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 1755-1781

Deer Hunting

Questions (1755)

Michael Lowry

Question:

1755. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of deer hunting letting agreements that were issued in the past ten years; the number of deer hunting letting agreements that were issued to north Tipperary resident hunters during the same period; the number of the lettings that were issued to incumbent lease holders or stalking permit holders; the number of leases that have been issued to same parties on more than one occasion; the number of hunters that were authorised to hunt on more than two lettings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33341/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Deer are protected under the Wildlife Acts and may only be hunted under an annual licence granted by my Department. Applicants for deer hunting licences are required to provide information to my Department regarding the lands over which they are entitled to hunt or have sporting rights. However, my Department does not approve these local agreements and therefore does not have the data requested by the Deputy. Some applicants for deer hunting licences would have permissions to hunt on more than two locations but the number of such applicants is not readily available. My Department has issued some 4,500 deer hunting licences annually in recent years, of which 310 licences were issued in the 2013/14 season to residents in County Tipperary.

National Museum

Questions (1756)

Denis Naughten

Question:

1756. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking to appoint a zoological and insect curator at the Natural History Museum; her plans to reopen the upper floor of the museum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33539/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy may be aware, whilst my Department provides funding to National Museum of Ireland, the board of that institution is responsible for all operational matters, including recruitment, and I have no direct function in these matters. The moratorium on recruitment within the public service applies to the National Museum in like manner to Government Departments, State bodies and non-commercial agencies, including all of the National Cultural Institutions. Any applications for exemptions from the moratorium are dealt with by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a case by case basis in the context of the overall Employment Control Frameworks for the relevant institutions and/or organisation.

In this context, I am given to understand that the Museum has recently carried out a comprehensive staff restructuring review and the outcome of this is currently the subject of ongoing discussions between management at the Museum, officials within my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to determining how it might best be implemented within current financial and staffing number constraints.

My Department, the National Museum and the OPW remain conscious of the need to seek to provide full public access to the upper balcony levels of the Natural History Museum. The original development proposals in this regard included a plan to build a new structure beside the Museum, which would include a lift and provide universal access to all levels. Unfortunately, given the change in the Exchequer circumstances, it has not been possible to proceed in full with these proposals.

A programme of capital refurbishment works was completed in 2010 to facilitate the reopening of the Museum after a period of closure of almost 3 years. There is currently a management system in place to facilitate controlled supervised access to the balconies and my Department, the Museum and the OPW continue to explore all available means of providing access to the upper levels in the Museum at a reasonable cost.

National Museum

Questions (1757)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

1757. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will lift the cap on the recruitment of new staff at the Natural History Museum; and her views on the impact the level of staffing is having on the operation of the museum. [33566/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy may be aware, whilst my Department provides funding to National Museum of Ireland, the board of that institution is responsible for all operational matters, including recruitment, and I have no direct function in these matters. The moratorium on recruitment within the public service applies to the National Museum in like manner to Government Departments, State bodies and non-commercial agencies, including all of the National Cultural Institutions. Any applications for exemptions from the moratorium are dealt with by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a case by case basis in the context of the overall Employment Control Frameworks for the relevant institutions and/or organisation.

In this context, I am given to understand that the Museum has recently carried out a comprehensive staff restructuring review and the outcome of this is currently the subject of ongoing discussions between management at the Museum, officials within my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to determining how it might best be implemented within current financial and staffing number constraints.

Hare Coursing Regulation

Questions (1758, 1759)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

1758. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will grant licences for hare coursing for the 2014/2015 season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33567/14]

Joe Higgins

Question:

1759. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will be granting any hare coursing licences in the coming season. [33578/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1758 and 1759 together.

Licences under the Wildlife Acts were issued by my Department on 15 August last to the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of its affiliated clubs to facilitate the tagging and capturing of hares for the purpose of hare coursing for the 2014/15 coursing season.

The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, which is a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958.

Where resources allow, officials of my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service attend coursing meetings, on a spot-check basis, to monitor compliance with conditions of the licences granted by my Department. These conditions have been developed and refined over a number of years and cover a range of items, including the provision of data on hare captures and releases, having a veterinary surgeon in attendance at a coursing meeting, complying with Irish Coursing Club directives, co-operating with my Department's staff and allowing only coursing club members to be involved in catching hares. My Department also receives reports from the Irish Coursing Club control stewards and veterinary surgeons in attendance on the day of hare coursing meetings.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Questions (1760)

Pat Breen

Question:

1760. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payment of bog compensation will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33663/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An application for compensation, under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012) and a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) have been made to this applicant. In addition, a once-off payment of €500 has been made to the applicant in respect of the signing of a legal agreement under this scheme. Payments to qualifying applicants in respect of 2014 are currently being processed.

Census of Population Publication

Questions (1761)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1761. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to release the 1926 census ahead of centenary celebrations of 1916; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33957/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment 'to enable publication of the 1926 census’. The project is not a 1916 Commemoration project per se, but seeks to build on the success of the digitisation of the 1901-1911 Census returns and other digitisation projects in the National Archives. A 1926 Census Working Group, comprising officials from my Department, the National Archives and the Central Statistics Office (CSO), has examined this complex project to determine what issues need to be addressed and resources put in place to move the project forward.

As the Deputy may be aware, under the relevant legislation - the Statistics Act 1993 - census data must be withheld for 100 years. To release the records before the expiry of 100 years would require a major change in legislation and policy. I am advised that such a change could prejudice and undermine the ongoing collection of national statistics data.

Accordingly, following discussions with the CSO, it is considered that the next steps should address the issue of the extensive preparatory work that will be required - in advance of the legal restriction being resolved - to facilitate the release of the data into the public domain. The CSO and the National Archives have agreed to facilitate such preparatory work and a steering committee, chaired by my Department, has met to progress these plans.

Departmental Functions

Questions (1762)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1762. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of administrative arrangements, as opposed to contracts for service, her Department is a party to; if she will provide in tabular form the party or parties to the administrative arrangement; the duration of these administrative arrangements; the cost recovery value of these administrative arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33997/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I understand that the Deputy is referring to administrative arrangements relating to the delivery of services which could potentially be considered for delivery through contracts for service to be awarded following a competitive tender process.

I am advised that my Department is not party to any such administrative arrangements.

Foras na Gaeilge

Questions (1763, 1767, 1781)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1763. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Fergus O'Dowd den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta freagra a thabhairt do na hAistritheoiri Cailithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34097/14]

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

1767. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth a bhfuair níos mó ná céad aistritheoir atá ar Phainéal na nAistritheoirí Gaeilge a bhfuil an Séala acu ríomhphost á rá go mbeidh an cháilíocht atá acu mar aistritheoirí, an Séala creidiúnaithe, á bhaint de gach duine a fuair an cháilíocht roimh 2013; cén fáth a gcaithfidh na haistritheoirí seo an scrúdú a athshuí, cén uair a mbeidh tuilleadh eolais ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34342/14]

Robert Dowds

Question:

1781. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an féidir léi a shoiléiriú cén fáth ar seoladh ríomhphost chuig 100 duine ar bronnadh an Séala Creidiúnaithe d'Aistritheoirí orthu roimh 2013, á rá go bhfuil an Séala sin á bhaint uathu de réir cinneadh de chuid Foras na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [34155/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh 1763, 1781 agus 1767 le chéile.

I dtosach báire, caithfidh mé a threisiú gur ceist oibríochtúil í seo d'Fhoras na Gaeilge. Ba chóir dom a mhíniú fosta nach cáilíocht san aistriúchán atá sa chóras creidiúnaithe de chuid Foras na Gaeilge seo ach dearbhú i leith caighdeán oibre an aistritheora. Go bunúsach, d'fhorbair Foras na Gaeilge an córas creidiúnaithe d'aistritheoirí ar mhaithe le hardchaighdeáin in earnáil an aistriúcháin a chinntiú.

Tuigtear dom ó Fhoras na Gaeilge gur cuireadh in iúl do na haistritheoirí a bhain amach an séala roimh 2013 go mbeadh athchreidiúnú le déanamh acu sa todhchaí. Tar éis athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gcóras le gairid, cuireadh in iúl do na haistritheoirí sin go rachadh an séala atá acu in éag ag deireadh na bliana 2015 ach go gcuirfí scrúdú athchreidiúnaithe ar bun i mbliana agus arís in 2015.

Tuigtear dom ó Fhoras na Gaeilge go bhfuil an córas athchreidiúnaithe seo agus an scrúdú a reáchtáladh in 2013 bunaithe ar an bhonn nach mbeidh athnuachan trí scrúdú athchreidiúnaithe le déanamh feasta ag na haistritheoirí atá i gceist. Sna cúinsí nach mbeidh ach scrúdú amháin le déanamh ag aistritheoirí feasta, tá moltaí á meas faoi láthair ag Foras na Gaeilge i ndáil leis na féidearthachtaí atá ann chun ardchaighdeán na hearnála aistriúcháin a chinntiú, mar shampla trí fhianaise a chur ar fáil ag léiriú taithí agus caighdeán oibre sa réimse seo ar bhonn rialta. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil Foras na Gaeilge ag dul i ndáil chomhairle leis na haistritheoirí faoi láthair maidir leis na moltaí seo.

Question No. 1764 answered with Question No. 1751.

Heritage Sites

Questions (1765)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

1765. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to invest in the tourism potential of the An Grianán of Aileach fort at Burt, County Donegal as a site of similar historic importance to the Hill of Tara and with stunning scenic views of the surrounding landscape, including five counties in Ulster. [34201/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

While the 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.

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. The latest Fáilte Ireland figures show that over 3.7 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural or historical visits while in Ireland in 2013. Over 2.4 million tourists visited historic houses or castles, while over 1.5 million visited our archaeological monuments. I also understand that in 2013 there were in excess of 4.1 million visitors to heritage sites where the Office of Public Works (OPW) provides a guide service, up from 3.7 million in 2012.

An Grianán of Aileach is a national monument in my guardianship, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. As such, it enjoys the full range of protections afforded by those Acts, including a provision that any works at, or in proximity to it, are subject to my prior written consent, as Minister.

National monuments in State care are managed by the OPW. The role of the OPW includes carrying out conservation works at national monuments with the aid of capital funding provided by my Department to support this programme and, in turn, the promotion and presentation of the State’s heritage portfolio throughout the country.

Arts Funding

Questions (1766)

Seán Kyne

Question:

1766. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to increase the amount of capital funding available for arts institutions and projects given the challenges facing organisations in maintaining and expanding operations. [34219/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Funding for the arts, culture and film represents a significant contribution not only to sustaining the arts and national cultural institutions but also for job creation. The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the economy and to helping to create jobs. My Department and the sectors it represents will make a significant contribution to this work over the course of 2014 and into 2015. Within the current Exchequer 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, he can be assured that I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors.

Question No. 1767 answered with Question No. 1763.

Question No. 1768 answered with Question No. 1743.

Clár Forbartha Tuaithe

Questions (1769, 1770)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1769. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén plé a bhí aici leis an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil, i rith an dá mhí seo caite, maidir le seachadadh chlár LEADER sa Ghaeltacht agus ar na hoileáin; ar thóg sí an cheist leis an Aire maidir le clár LEADER a sheachadadh trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, agus maidir lena thábhachtaí atá sé LAG dá gcuid féin a bheith ag na hoileáin; cén freagra a fuair sí ón Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34491/14]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1770. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta ar mhol sí don Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil go bhféadfadh Údarás na Gaeltachta, go díreach nó trí fhochomhlacht a bhunú, cláir SICAP agus LEADER a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht; más rud é gur mhol, cén freagra a fuair sí ón Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtas Áitiúil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34492/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 1769 agus Uimh. 1770 le chéile.

Mar is eol don Teachta, baineann na cláracha LEADER agus SICAP atá luaite aige leis an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil. É sin ráite, is féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil mo Roinn i dteagmháil rialta leis an Roinn sin maidir le seachadadh na gclár sin sa Ghaeltacht agus ar na hoileáin.

Comhairlítear dom go bhfuil an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil sásta breathnú ar Údarás na Gaeltachta mar chomhpháirtí an-tábhachtach ar Ghrúpaí Gníomhaíochta Áitiúla áirithe agus go ndéanfar breithniú ar an ról a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ag an Údarás i seachadadh gníomhaíochtaí LEADER i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar son na ngrúpaí sin. Tuigtear dom fosta go bhfuil an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil ag moladh do na pobail Ghaeltachta agus oileán a chinntiú go dtéann siad i ngleic go hiomlán le próisis forbartha na Straitéise Forbartha Áitiúil dá limistéir féin, lena chinntiú go dtugtar aghaidh go hiomlán ar na hábhair is cúraim dóibh.

Dá bhrí sin, tá mé dóchasach go mbeifear ábalta teacht ar shocrú sásúil a chinnteoidh go mbeidh Údarás na Gaeltachta, go díreach nó go hindíreach, ag tacú le seachadadh na gclár LEADER agus SICAP sa Ghaeltacht.

Cumarsáid Aireachta

Questions (1771)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1771. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon agallamh i nGaeilge atá déanta aici agus ag a hAirí Stáit, ó ceapadh iad i mí Iúil, leis na meáin seo a leanas: TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió na Life, Raidió Fáilte (Béal Feirste), RTÉ Raidió 1, agus bealaí teilifíse RTÉ 1 agus 2; cé na dátaí ar a craoladh na hagallaimh; cén fad a lean gach agallamh agus cén t-ábhar a bhí ann; agus, i ngach cás, arbh agallamh beo nó agallamh réamhthaifeadta a bhí i gceist; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34493/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Mar a thuigfidh an Teachta, bíonn agallaimh agam le meáin chraoltóireachta éagsúla ó am go ham i ndáil le raon ábhar. Déantar cuid de na hagallaimh seo a chraoladh beo agus bíonn gá leis go ndéantar roinnt díobh a thaifeadadh roimh ré, ar mhaithe leis an eagraíocht meán a éascú nó mar gheall ar mo chuid dualgais féin. Go dtí seo tá na hagallaimh sin tugtha agam i mBéarla. Bíonn agallaimh ag an Aire Stáit Joe McHugh agus ag an Aire Stáit Aodhán Ó Ríordáin leis na meáin freisin agus tuigim go dtugann siad i mBéarla nó i nGaeilge iad, ag brath ar an eagraíocht atá i gceist. Ó tharla go bhfuil gach agallamh leis na comhlachtaí go léir atá liostaithe ag an Teachta craolta cheana, tá na sonraí atá á n-iarraidh ag an Teachta ar fáil go poiblí agus, dá bharr sin, ní measaim gur fiú an costas a bheadh i gceist leis na sonraí atá de dhíth a aimsiú agus a chur i láthair. Tá na hagallaimh atá i gceist le fáil trí na comhlachtaí meán faoi seach agus tá cuid mhór acu le fáil ar líne. Má tá suim ag an Teachta in agallamh faoi leith, áfach, bheinn sásta tuilleadh sonraí a chur ar fáil dó ach teagmháil a dhéanamh liom i ndáil leis.

Íocaíochtaí Deontas

Questions (1772)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1772. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon scoláirí ar íocadh deontas ina leith faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge gach bliain ó 1997 go 2014 (go dáta) arna bhriseadh síos de réir contae; cén méid iomlán bliantúil a íocadh, gach bliain acu sin, faoin scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34494/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Tá an t-eolas atá iarrtha ag an Teachta leagtha amach sna táblaí leis seo. Ní miste a lua go bhfuil líon na bhfoghlaimeoirí a bhí ar iostas i mbrúnna sa Ghaeltacht agus i dtrí cinn de choláistí cónaithe seanbhunaithe taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht curtha san áireamh. Tá líon na ndaoine fásta a d’fhreastail ar chúrsaí sa Ghaeltacht curtha san áireamh freisin.

1997	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,370	€451,734
Co. Mhaigh Eo	1,208	€80,184
Co. na Gaillimhe	9,665	€810,959
Co. Chiarraí	2,820	€233,651
Co. Chorcaí	2,054	€160,903
Co. Phort Láirge	968	€73,247
Co. na Mí	385	€32,134
Co. an Chláir	239	€17,477
IOMLÁN	23,709	€1,860,288

1998	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,446	€501,758
Co. Mhaigh Eo	1,371	€96,813
Co. na Gaillimhe	9,892	€901,892
Co. Chiarraí	2,808	€250,867
Co. Chorcaí	2,004	€181,300
Co. Phort Láirge	966	€83,973
Co. na Mí	393	€38,162
Co. an Chláir	236	€19,354
IOMLÁN	24,116	€2,074,118

1999	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,383	€486,608
Co. Mhaigh Eo	1,378	€97,152
Co. na Gaillimhe	9,686	€885,680
Co. Chiarraí	2,639	€240,102
Co. Chorcaí	1,888	€163,962
Co. Phort Láirge	983	€85,785
Co. na Mí	342	€31,615
Co. an Chláir	252	€20,602
IOMLÁN	23,551	€2,011,506

2000	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,642	€588,008
Co. Mhaigh Eo	1,563	€122,663
Co. na Gaillimhe	9,873	€1,014,667
Co. Chiarraí	2,801	€287,378
Co. Chorcaí	1,651	€161,847
Co. Phort Láirge	1,003	€103,183
Co. na Mí	304	€30,492
Co. an Chláir	267	€25,350
IOMLÁN	24,104	€2,333,586

2001	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,876	€656,870
Co. Mhaigh Eo	1,938	€170,462
Co. na Gaillimhe	10,189	€1,163,941
Co. Chiarraí	2,744	€312,482
Co. Chorcaí	1,447	€162,654
Co. Phort Láirge	989	€117,162
Co. na Mí	201	€25,359
Co. an Chláir	258	€31,218
IOMLÁN	24,642	€2,640,146

2002	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,917	€872,322
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,230	€233,282
Co. na Gaillimhe	10,486	€1,524,948
Co. Chiarraí	2,871	€413,535
Co. Chorcaí	1,368	€194,964
Co. Phort Láirge	1,048	€157,269
Co. na Mí	254	€32,347
Co. an Chláir	252	€38,101
IOMLÁN	25,426	€3,466,767

2003	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,993	€939,824
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,286	€283,746
Co. na Gaillimhe	9,805	€1,610,009
Co. Chiarraí	2,922	€450,420
Co. Chorcaí	1,415	€242,876
Co. Phort Láirge	934	€163,031
Co. na Mí	211	€35,204
Co. an Chláir	293	€45,008
IOMLÁN	24,859	€3,770,118

2004	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	7,106	€929,881
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,304	€259,910
Co. na Gaillimhe	9,520	€1,558,368
Co. Chiarraí	2,806	€431,322
Co. Chorcaí	1,503	€233,756
Co. Phort Láirge	898	€164,112
Co. na Mí	195	€30,856
Co. an Chláir	245	€29,824
IOMLÁN	24,577	€3,638,030

2005	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	7,024	€1,075,089
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,318	€304,285
Co. na Gaillimhe	9,962	€1,880,263
Co. Chiarraí	2,819	€493,317
Co. Chorcaí	1,620	€272,709
Co. Phort Láirge	1,033	€198,576
Co. na Mí	185	€36,390
Co. an Chláir	242	€0
IOMLÁN	25,203	€4,260,629

2006	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	7,603	€1,196,702
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,269	€330,547
Co. na Gaillimhe	10,442	€2,081,407
Co. Chiarraí	2,882	€538,299
Co. Chorcaí	1,698	€314,232
Co. Phort Láirge	1,092	€223,706
Co. na Mí	183	€36,870
Co. an Chláir	476	€94,390
IOMLÁN	26,645	€4,816,150

2007	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,074	€1,021,869
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,354	€347,098
Co. na Gaillimhe	11,469	€2,589,994
Co. Chiarraí	3,148	€645,494
Co. Chorcaí	1,655	€337,418
Co. Phort Láirge	1,157	€258,783
Co. na Mí	179	€39,470
Co. an Chláir	235	€53,330
IOMLÁN	26,271	€5,293,454

2008	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	6,413	€1,050,488
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,734	€431,367
Co. na Gaillimhe	12,449	€2,776,222
Co. Chiarraí	3,002	€608,620
Co. Chorcaí	1,766	€347,130
Co. Phort Láirge	1,333	€287,490
Co. na Mí	194	€42,168
Co. an Chláir	221	€50,001
IOMLÁN	28,112	€5,593,486

2009	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	5,803	€949,637
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,930	€463,690
Co. na Gaillimhe	12,546	€2,835,404
Co. Chiarraí	2,804	€603,711
Co. Chorcaí	1,746	€360,213
Co. Phort Láirge	1,343	€289,286
Co. na Mí	198	€42,410
Co. an Chláir	216	€49,109
IOMLÁN	27,586	€5,593,458

2010	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	5,141	€762,845
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,786	€381,728
Co. na Gaillimhe	11,961	€2,548,891
Co. Chiarraí	2,279	€442,015
Co. Chorcaí	1,393	€273,630
Co. Phort Láirge	1,144	€231,660
Co. na Mí	195	€40,820
Co. an Chláir	221	€46,260
IOMLÁN	25,120	€4,727,849

2011	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	4,675	€660,226
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,874	€367,251
Co. na Gaillimhe	12,311	€2,472,177
Co. Chiarraí	2,331	€470,503
Co. Chorcaí	1,031	€190,219
Co. Phort Láirge	1,017	€194,291
Co. na Mí	279	€52,953
Co. an Chláir	196	€38,542
IOMLÁN	24,714	€4,446,159

2012	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	4,737	€664,351
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,936	€318,811
Co. na Gaillimhe	11,668	€2,352,816
Co. Chiarraí	2,146	€407,881
Co. Chorcaí	1,019	€120,441
Co. Phort Láirge	893	€119,051
Co. na Mí	278	€51,129
Co. an Chláir	163	€16,945
IOMLÁN	23,840	€4,051,425

2013	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim
Co. Dhún na nGall	4,702	€629,770
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,957	€311,050
Co. na Gaillimhe	10,995	€2,199,580
Co. Chiarraí	2,092	€365,220
Co. Chorcaí	877	€106,337
Co. Phort Láirge	648	€83,021
Co. na Mí	342	€62,092
Co. an Chláir	170	€15,685
IOMLÁN	22,783	€3,772,755

2014	Líon Scoláirí	Caiteachas faoin Scéim go dtí seo i mbliana
Co. Dhún na nGall	4,057	€624,682
Co. Mhaigh Eo	2,742	€267,793
Co. na Gaillimhe	10,821	€1,936,166
Co. Chiarraí	1,652	€281,218
Co. Chorcaí	777	€89,255
Co. Phort Láirge	687	€76,097
Co. na Mí	345	€56,924
Co. an Chláir	0	€0
IOMLÁN	21,081	€3,332,134

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Questions (1773)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1773. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici cúiteamh a thabhairt faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge do na mná tí i leith na gcostas breise a bheidh orthu ó 2015 ar aghaidh mar gheall ar na táillí uisce nua atá á dtabhairt isteach ag an Rialtas; ar phléigh sí an cheist seo leis an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil. [34495/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Tá áthas orm a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil i gceist agam leanúint leis an gcúnamh atá ar fáil ó mo Roinnse faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge in 2015. Mar chuid den ghnáthphlé a bhíonn ar siúl ag an tráth seo gach bliain, beidh cruinniú ag mo Roinn go luath le Comhchoiste Náisiúnta na gColáistí Samhraidh, nó CONCOS, mar a thugtar orthu. Tá mé cinnte go bpléifear na himpleachtaí ar fad a bheadh ag aon chostais bhreise, táillí uisce san áireamh, ar na teaghlaigh atá aitheanta faoin scéim. Má mheastar go gcabhródh sé ceist na dtáillí uisce a phlé le páirtithe leasmhara eile, d'fhéadfadh mo Roinn breathnú air seo. Tuigfidh an Teachta, ar ndóigh, go mbeidh aon phlé a dhéanfar faoi na nithe seo le tarlú i gcomhthéacs na n-acmhainní a chuirfear ar fáil do mo Roinnse ó phróiseas na Meastachán do 2015.

Foras na Gaeilge

Questions (1774)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1774. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén cistiú a cuireadh ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge gach bliain ó 2011 i leith; an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an cistiú seo a mhéadú an bhliain seo chugainn. [34498/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Is mian liom aird an Teachta a tharraingt ar an bhfreagra a tugadh ar Cheist Dála Uimh 116 den 26 Meitheamh 2014. Léirítear sa tábla seo a leanas an caiteachas iarbhír a rinne Foras na Gaeilge ó na hallúntais chómhaoinithe a chuir mo Roinnse ar fáil don eagraíocht le linn na tréimhse ó 2011 go 2014:

Bliain	2011 €m	2012 €m	2013 €m	2014 €m
Buiséad	13.494	13.160	12.386	11.519 (meastachán)

Ní miste a nótáil nach bhfuil an maoiniú ar leith ó mo Roinnse i ndáil le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge agus Colmcille san áireamh anseo.

Maidir le 2015, tuigfidh an Teachta go mbraithfidh an buiséad ar phróiseas na Meastachán sa dlínse seo agus ar chinneadh na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i dtráth cuí. Ní miste a shoiléiriú, áfach, go bhfuil sé aontaithe cheana féin ag na Ranna Airgeadais sa dá dhlínse go gcaithfidh na forais trasteorainn go léir sábháil éifeachtúlachta de 4% ar a laghad a chur i bhfeidhm in 2015.

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Questions (1775)

Michael Creed

Question:

1775. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of landowners who availed of the compensation scheme available arising from the designation of their lands as special areas of conservation; the advice she has received in relation to the non-availability of compensation for this designation to affected land owners given that the compensation scheme was an integral part of the process of designating these lands as SAC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34717/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, compensation is payable from my Department where a person has been refused consent by me, as Minister, for a prescribed activity within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Area (SPA) – also known as Natura 2000 sites - that he or she has been legally undertaking in the five year period prior to the refusal. Since the introduction of this compensation provision in 1997, fewer than 20 individual applicants have sought and been paid compensation, and these related predominantly to commercial peat extraction. The Deputy will be aware that a specific compensation scheme has been put in place for those affected by the cessation of domestic turf cutting on raised bogs selected for designation as SACs. Under the scheme, some 3,000 applications have been received and over €9m has been paid in compensation to date.

In terms of farming, a small-scale 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 those necessary to comply with legal requirements. To date, 658 farm plans have been produced under this scheme. The scheme is generally closed to new applicants, but payments to farmers who are in contract with my Department will continue until their contract expires.

While my Department has a lead role in relation to the implementation of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, the bulk of available EU and national funding to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of these Directives is provided through the rural development programme, operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Agri-environmental schemes such as REPS and AEOS have provided a range of supports, including payments in respect of Natura 2000 sites, to tens of thousands of farmers. The proposed new Green, Low carbon Agri-environment scheme (GLAS), to be operated by that Department, makes provision for financial supports for agri-environmental actions by farmers in SACs and SPAs.

It should also be noted that in accepting payments under the Single Farm Payment scheme, farmers agree to abide by legal requirements and restrictions arising from the designation of land within Natura 2000 sites.

National Museum

Questions (1776)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1776. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position in relation to the future of the National Museum of Country Life, Turlough, County Mayo; if her Department has received correspondence in relation to a funding shortfall at the museum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34725/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Museum of Country Life is one of four visitor sites operated by the National Museum of Ireland. It is home to the national collection of objects representing the traditional way of life in Ireland since 1850 and attracts in the region of 100,000 visitors per annum. The Museum is a major part of the cultural tourism infrastructure in the West of Ireland with an estimated benefit to the local economy of €4.5 million through tourism spend, direct and indirect employment and expenditure on local products and services. My Department is in receipt of correspondence from the National Museum in relation to the financial situation of the Museum as a whole and discussions are ongoing in this regard between my officials and the Museum in the context of the 2015 Estimates process. The Deputy may wish to note the clear statement by the Board and Director of the National Museum of Ireland to the effect that closure of the Museum of Country Life is not contemplated.

Arts Council Funding

Questions (1777)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

1777. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will ensure the Arts Council is adequately funded to support an organisation (details supplied) especially in view of the regional significance of this centre and the role it plays in the landscape of film and visual culture in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34766/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, which is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is a statutorily independent body, funded by my Department and independent in its day-to-day operations, and I am precluded by statute from any role in relation to its individual funding decisions.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1778)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1778. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of new appointments made in her Department and those bodies under her remit since March 2011 to date in 2014, with a breakdown of the grade to which they were appointed during the period. [35115/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is subject to the moratorium on public sector recruitment. Since its establishment in June 2011, a total of 4 new appointments have been made by my Department (1 Principal Officer, 1 Assistant Principal Officer, 1 Service Officer and 1 General Operative). This figure does not include seasonal or Ministerial appointments.

As summarised in Table 1 below, 23 appointments have been made in bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group during this period. A further 21 appointments have been made to North South Bodies, summarised in Table 2 below. As the Deputy will be aware, North South bodies are not subject to the Employment Control Framework. These figures do not include seasonal appointments.

Table 1 Bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group

Body	Appointments
Irish Film Board (2)	1 CEO 1 Legal and Business Affairs Executive
Arts Council (3)	1 Director 2 Assistant Principal Officer
Chester Beatty Library (2)	1 Director 1 Curator of East Asian Collections
Crawford Art Gallery (2)	1 Gallery Secretary 1 Operations Manager
IMMA (1)	1 Director
Údarás na Gaeltachta (2)	1 CEO 1 Solicitor
National Gallery of Ireland (4)	1 Director 2 Senior Attendant 1 Executive Officer
National Concert Hall (6)	1 Director 1 Clerical Officer 1 Receptionist 3 Assistant Principal Officer
Heritage Council	Nil
National Museum of Ireland (1)	1 Director
National Library of Ireland	Nil

Table 2 North/South Bodies

Waterways Ireland (7)	1 CEO 4 General Operatives 1 Manual Fitter/Welder 1 Boatperson
The Ulster-Scots Agency (5)	1 PA to CEO 1 Grants Admin Assistant 1 Finance Officer 1 Accountant 1 Director of Corporate Services
Foras na Gaeilge (9)	1 Deputy Chief Executive Officer 1 Office Secretary (Belfast) 1 Engineer Grade III 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Executive Officer 3 Clerical Officer 1 Warehouse Officer

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Questions (1779)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1779. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of public sector employees under her remit who are subject to a freeze on their increment payment in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35129/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

A total of 49 staff in my Department and 124 in the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, are subject to a freeze in the payment of increments due in 2014, as provided for under the terms of the Haddington Road Agreement.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1780)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1780. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of civil servants, public servants and semi-State employees in her Department on career break at the time of the Haddington Road agreement who lost their right to return to their old positions; of these, the number who have since been offered redeployment opportunities; the number who availed of suitable redeployment opportunities; the number who terminated their employment; the number who have been accommodated with supernumerary positions after being on redeployment lists of over one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35140/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy will be aware the Civil Service Career Break Scheme explicitly provides that staff may be required to accept assignment to a different post on their return to work.

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department and the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group in relation to those staff, on career break on 1 July who were due to return to work to date is summarised below.

Of the eight staff of my Department who were on career breaks on 1 July 2013, five were due to return to work in the period from 1 July 2013 to date and three have done so, with two others choosing to resign.

Of the twenty-five staff employed by bodies under the aegis of my Department who were on career breaks on 1 July 2013, six were due to work in the period from 1 July 2013 to date. While one officer confirmed their resignation, five have returned to work, two on a supernumerary basis. I am further advised that one of these latter two officers had been placed on a redeployment panel prior to their return to work and that this officer remains on the redeployment panel.

Question No. 1781 answered with Question No. 1763.