Thursday, 18 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 279-287

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options

Questions (279)

Frank Feighan

Question:

279. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of bog relocations that have been completed to date; and the progress on relocation arrangements for affected turf cutters in the following bogs: Bellanagare Bog, Callow Bog, Carrowbehy-Caher Bog, Cloonchambers Bog and Derrinea Bog, Tullaghanrock Bog, Drumalough Bog, Corbo Bog, Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough in County Roscommon; and Corliskea, Trien, Cloonfelliv Bog in Galway-Roscommon. [34936/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Some 3,000 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, applicable to raised bog special areas of conservation, have been received and acknowledged by my Department. Of these, 824 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. As the Deputy will appreciate, relocation is a complex process, in terms of:

- investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity;

- the infrastructure/drainage works required;

- establishing the number that can be accommodated on the site;

- the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease; and

- possible planning and Environmental Impact Assessment requirements.

Notwithstanding this complexity, progress in relocating turf cutters to non-designated bogs is being achieved in a number of cases and arrangements have been made to date as regards:

- Clara Bog special area of conservation in Co Offaly, where 25 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated on Killeranny Bog; and

- Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog special areas of conservation in Co Galway, where 23 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated on the Islands Bog and Killasolan Bog.

Togher Bog, Co Roscommon, was assessed as a suitable relocation site for a group of qualifying turf cutters from Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough special area of conservation. My Department envisaged that this group would have been able to commence cutting in the relocation site during the 2014 turf cutting season. However, no final agreement was reached with the group. Another potential site has been identified in this case and is being followed up.

Potential relocation sites have also been identified for qualifying turf cutters from Bellanagare Bog, Callow Bog, Cloonchambers Bog, Corbo Bog, Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv Bog and Drumalough Bog special areas of conservation with a view to seeking expressions of interest for relocation to these sites.

No qualifying applicants under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme have expressed an interest in relocation from Derrinea Bog, Carrowbehy/Caher Bog or Tullaghanrock Bog special areas of conservation and it is considered that relocation is unlikely to be required for these sites.

A payment of €1,500, index-linked, or a supply of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum, is available under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to qualifying applicants while awaiting relocation to non-designated bogs.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (280)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address the problem of farmers being at a loss because of lands being sterilised because of the hen harrier; if she will engage directly with the concerned farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34939/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Hen Harrier is protected under the European Union’s Birds Directive and 6 Special Protection Areas have been designated for the conservation of the species. The birds are under threat due to a number of factors, such as the reclamation of upland open habitats for agriculture, the development of wind farms and the maturing of the large-scale forests planted in upland areas. Designation does not mean that lands are sterilised, however, they must be managed appropriately. An Inter-Departmental Steering Group has been established to draw up a Threat Response Plan for the Hen Harrier, comprising representatives from my own Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Group will examine all of the issues at hand, including forestry consents, planning permissions for wind farms, and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. The first meeting of this Group took place in late July and it will continue its important work over the coming months.

It is intended that a wider Consultative Committee will also be established, to include representation from the sectors likely to be affected by the outcomes of the Plan, including farming, forestry and wind energy, as well as non-governmental organisations. Through the Consultative Committee, the views of those affected will be sought and incorporated into the work of the Steering Group. The Group is presently considering the most appropriate and effective means of establishing the Consultative Committee.

Officials of my Department have already had significant engagement with farming organisations in regard to this issue. The Threat Response Plan aims to bring certainty to consent authorities and landowners and to develop a framework for consents that can operate in compliance with EU legal requirements.

Heritage Sites

Questions (281)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

281. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will facilitate a site (details supplied) in County Kerry becoming a UNESCO world heritage site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34941/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

UNESCO sets out a formal process for State signatories to the World Heritage Convention to nominate properties for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The nomination process is initiated by the State authorities drawing up a Tentative List of what they consider to be the most important heritage sites within their national boundaries. A particular criterion is that a site must be considered to be of outstanding universal value, defined by UNESCO as meaning of “cultural and or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.” Following a public consultation process and consideration by an expert advisory group, a new World Heritage List Tentative List for Ireland was approved and submitted to UNESCO in March 2010 containing the following sites:

- The Burren;

- The Céide Fields and the North West Mayo Boglands;

- The Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its Cultural Landscape;

- The Historic City of Dublin;

- Early Medieval Monastic Sites;

- The Royal Sites of Ireland; and

- The Western Stone Forts.

The case referred to had not been identified as a potential nomination at that stage and consequently was not part of the deliberations of the expert advisory group.

The nomination of a property to the World Heritage List is a significant undertaking that requires the development of comprehensive nomination documentation, including a management plan for the property. Following submission of a nomination to UNESCO, it is evaluated by three advisory bodies:

- the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS);

- the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and

- the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).

Once the site has been evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision regarding the site’s inclusion on the World Heritage List.

My Department’s policy, which mirrors that of UNESCO, is that nominations for world heritage status must be driven in the first instance by local authorities and communities. Against that background, my Department hosted a seminar in September 2013 for local authorities and community representatives from the areas of the sites on Ireland’s current Tentative List to gauge the level of interest in the potential nominations and to clarify the significant research and other requirements involved in preparing nomination documentation. Discussions have subsequently taken place in relation to all the sites on the Tentative List and my Department is working with stakeholders to consider and advance the next steps in these cases.

As indicated above, the site referred to by the Deputy is not on the current Tentative List. However, I am aware and encouraged by the extent of the local interest and support for the plans to bid for World Heritage inscription. My Department has met with local representatives on a number of occasions to discuss the advancement of the project and will continue to support these efforts to the greatest extent possible within available resources and in light of the need to service the nominations that are already on the existing Tentative List.

Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda

Questions (282)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

282. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici chun an tseirbhís leathanbhanda a fheabhsú sa Ghaeltacht; an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoin iliomad fadhbanna sa Ghaeltacht de dheasca easpa seirbhíse leathanbhanda; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34943/14]

Written answers

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

Aithním gurb é forbairt an ghréasáin leathanbhanda ceann de phríomhriachtanais bonneagar an lae inniu. Aithním fosta an tábhacht a bhaineann le soláthar leathanbhanda ardluais a bheith ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht, ach go háirithe ag na príomhláithreáin fostaíochta. Sa chomhthéacs sin agus i gcomhthéacs an Phlean Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda a foilsíodh in 2012, is féidir liom a rá go bhfuil an t-ábhar seo á phlé ag oifigigh mo Roinne le hoifigigh na Roinne Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil an Roinn sin ag brú ar aghaidh leis an bPlean Náisiúnta Leathanbhanda agus go bhfuil 3 chéim i gceist leis an bplean seo:

- Éascú a dhéanamh ar an bpróiseas soláthar leathanbhanda trí roinnt de na constaicí a bhí aitheanta ag na soláthróirí leathanbhanda a bhaint as an mbealach;

- Eolas a bhailiú ó na soláthróirí leathanbhanda faoi cad iad na ceantair ina bhfuil sé i gceist acu soláthar leathanbhanda ardluais a sholáthar, ionas go bhféadfaí na ceantair nach bhfuil sé i gceist acu a chlúdach a aithint; agus

- Le cabhair airgid ón Eoraip, maoiniú a dhéanamh ar sholáthar leathanbhanda ardluais (30MB/s) do gach teach agus gnó nach bhfuil sé i gceist ag na soláthróirí leathanbhanda a chlúdach.

Sa chomhthéacs seo, ní miste dom a rá go dtuigtear dom go bhfuil iarratas déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta faoin gClár ERDF don tréimhse 2014-2020. Baineann an t-iarratas sin go príomha le seirbhís leathanbhanda ardluais ar chostas réasúnach a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht.

Is féidir liom a dhearbhú go leanfar go tréan leis na hiarrachtaí teacht ar bhealaí chun a chinntiú go mbeidh soláthar leathanbhanda ardluais ar chostas réasúnach ar fáil sna ceantair Ghaeltachta a luaithe agus is féidir.

National Library

Questions (283)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

283. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total amount of income given to the National Library of Ireland, broken down by source, in each year for the past seven years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35040/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Deputy will be aware that all of the National Cultural Institutions, including the National Library, have unavoidably suffered cuts in their allocations in recent years. This is a difficult reality that every publicly funded body has had to deal with during the economic crisis. I can assure the House that the Government has done its utmost to minimize budget cuts to the cultural institutions, in so far as was possible, while being cognisant of competing demands on the public finances. The following table sets out the exchequer grant funding provided to the National Library of Ireland since 2008 by my Department. Other income sources as per the Library's published Annual Accounts are also provided.

National Library - Income 2007 to 2013	2013*	2012*	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007
Royalty & Reproduction Income	-	-	7,751	8,477	5,741	29,593	55,578
Heraldry Income	-	-	37,000	37,378	49,664	52,440	2,200
Library events & Corporate Functions	-	-	9,256	1,250	3,342	4,935	4,400
Restaurant	-	-	15,987	16,492	17,554	12,809	7,251
Copying Services	-	-	92,012	100,624	94,713	91,403	90,982
Sponsorship & donations	-	-	2,008	0	20,000	300	40,000
Miscellaneous Income	-	-	3,089	2,637	18,796	26,040	4,720
Gross Loss on Shops	-	-	(63,858)	(88,536)	(32,842)	(10,826)	(12,835)
Total NLI Generated	-	-	103,244	78,321	176,968	206,694	192,296
Interest Income	-	-	6,500	4,172	2,632	32,469	28,702
Foreign Exchange Rate Gains/(Losses)	-	-	(7,382)	(8,902)	(4,136)	65,917	(3,702)
Oireachtas Grant	6,605,000	7,120,000	8,084,000	9,251,000	10,742,000	11,875,000	12,701,000
Total Income per Annual Accounts	-	-	8,186,361	9,324,591	10,917,464	12,180,081	12,918,295

*Annual Accounts not yet published

Irish Language

Questions (284)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

284. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to promote the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35050/14]

Written answers

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

The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 consists of a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of the Irish language. The Strategy promotes a holistic, integrated approach to the Irish language which is consistent with international best practice. The Strategy sets out nine areas for action, including education, the Gaeltacht, the family, public services, the media, the economy, legislation and various cross-cutting initiatives. While my Department has the overarching responsibility for the Strategy, it is working in co-operation with other key stakeholders to implement the Strategy on an incremental basis. Progress is being made with regard to the systematic implementation of a wide range of measures under the Strategy within the resources available. In this regard, I would like to refer the Deputy to the progress report on the implementation of the Strategy during the period 2010-2013 and to the implementation plans published by the relevant Departments, 11 in total, in July 2013. These documents reveal a coherent approach to the implementation of the Strategy which will have a positive impact on the language in the long-term. It is envisaged that updates will be published shortly on the implementation of the Strategy by the relevant Departments over the past year.

Significant progress has been made by my own Department with regard to the implementation of the Strategy since the progress report was published last year. For example:

- The language planning process under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 is being progressed by my Department in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge.

- The language planning criteria were published in September 2013 and the language planning guidelines were published in January 2014.

- Priority is being given to the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas which have been recognised for the purposes of the Gaeltacht Act. Notices, which officially commence the language planning process, have been published in relation to 9 areas. Another 4 notices will be published in the autumn, with the final 13 notices being published in 2015.

- As a result of submissions received under a public consultation process, my Department will publish a list of towns shortly which could be recognised under the Act as Gaeltacht Service Towns.

- In the case of the Irish Language Networks, I understand that Foras na Gaeilge intends to announce its Irish Language Network Scheme later this year.

For the first time ever as part of the 2014 Revised Estimates, a specific allocation of €0.5 million was provided to my Department for the Strategy. This funding is being allocated towards various activities which support the language planning process on the ground. This includes support for community organisations to assist them in preparing and implementing language plans under the Gaeltacht Act 2012.

Further information with regard to the promotion of the Irish language is available on the following websites: www.ahg.gov.ie, www.udaras.ie and www.forasnagaeilge.ie.

National Archives

Questions (285)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

285. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is the practice of her Department to employ an archivist to examine records and archives once records are deemed appropriate for archiving to determine the quality of the records, the importance, the estimated care and attention needed to preserve the records and so on; if not if she will consider this option in order to best capture the most valuable records before they potentially deteriorate in storage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35389/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department has detailed procedures in place concerning the examination and transfer of paper records that have permanent value from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to the National Archives, in accordance with the National Archives Act, 1986 and Regulations, 1988 which have been circulated to all staff members. All line divisions within my Department are required to examine the records relevant to their areas of responsibility and arrange for the transfer of records to the National Archives as appropriate.

I am confident in the abilities of the Department's staff and the staff of the National Archives of Ireland to carry out their functions in this matter. It is not the practice of my Department to employ an archivist and I am advised that the current approach secures the preservation of records which warrant preservation as archives and ensures that appropriate arrangements are made for public access to archives.

National Archives

Questions (286)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

286. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total cost to her Department, and agencies under the aegis of her Department, for the storage of records and archives that are ultimately intended to be forwarded to the National Archives of Ireland; if she will provide this cost for 2012 and 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35411/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I have been advised by my Department that it is not possible to identify what proportion of its records held in storage will ultimately be transferred to the National Archives. An initial examination at the beginning of each year is conducted to establish if any records are due for transfer to the National Archives by identifying the records that will be 30 years old or more on 31st December of that year. As the Deputy will be aware, there are certain limited circumstances where records that are more than 30 years old may be retained by a Department or withheld from public inspection. I am advised that the cost to my Department in 2012 and 2013 of off-site storage of records was €111,451 and €116,393 respectively.

With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, the Deputy will appreciate that the matters raised are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to be transmitted to the heads of relevant bodies with a request that they provide information, to the extent feasible, directly to the Deputy.

Seirbhísí Tacaíochta Teanga

Questions (287)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

287. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici chun an méid Gaeilge a úsáideann daoine go laethúil i gCill Airne, Co. Chiarraí, a mhéadú; an bhfuil a fhios aige go bhfuil an Ghaelscoil sa bhaile ag fás go tapa, go bhfuil suim mhór sa teanga sa bhaile agus gur mhór an chabhair don tionscal turasóireachta níos mó Gaeilge a bheith á labhairt ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34944/14]

Written answers

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

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá sé mar aidhm ag an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 an líon daoine a úsáideann an Ghaeilge go laethúil a ardú thar shaolré na Straitéise. I gcomhréir lena ról reachtúil, cuireann Foras na Gaeilge réimse tacaíochtaí éagsúla ar fáil chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa phobal ar bhonn uile-oileáin, lena n-áirítear an Scéim Phobal Gaeilge, Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh, Scéim na nImeachtaí Óige, Scéim na bhFéilte, Scéim na gComplachtaí Drámaíochta agus an Scéim Tacaíochta Gnó. Anuas air seo, tá maoiniú á chur ar fáil ag Foras na Gaeilge do na heagraíochtaí ceannais chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar bhonn uile-oileáin i réimsí éagsúla, lena n-áirítear tríd an ngaelscolaíocht, forbairt pobail agus forbairt eacnamaíochta. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ag www.forasnagaeilge.ie.

Ní miste a nótáil gur reáchtáladh Oireachtas na Samhna, mórfhéile na Gaeilge, i gCill Airne sna blianta 2010, 2011 agus 2013 agus go reáchtálfar ann é arís i mbliana. Ina theannta sin, tuigtear dom go bhfuil craobh gníomhach de Chonradh na Gaeilge i gCill Airne agus go raibh Ard-Fheis an Chonartha ar siúl i gCill Airne i mbliana. Is léargas dearfach é seo ar an obair reatha atá ar siúl chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn i gCill Airne.