Written Answers Nos. 622-639
622. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider making all bus lanes in our cities operational 24 hours, seven days a week; the further capital investment that will be made in bus lanes this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36827/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Responsibility regarding the development of bus lanes is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. He should please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
623. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the partial and full year monetary effect of his Department's budget 2014 reductions to expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36828/14]
View answerMy Department’s gross allocation for 2014 is €1.67bn. This represents a 2% reduction on the 2013 allocation. As set out in tabular form in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's 2014 Expenditure Report, €72m is the full year impact of cuts on the gross current expenditure side of my Department's Vote and this is in line with commitments made in the 2011-2014 Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. I expect this overall reduction will be met by year end.
My capital allocation increased by 3% from €950m to €982.5, mainly by virtue of the Stimulus funding announced in Budget 2014. I expect this will be increased further by virtue of the Stimulus funding announced in May and additional allocations for Storm damage as agreed by Government earlier this year. I expect these additional allocations, once approved by the Dail, will increase my Department's capital spend this year by a further €37m.
624. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out the number of fatalities on roads here this year; the comparison with the same period last year; the actions he will take to reduce fatalities on roads here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36829/14]
View answerAs at 26 September 2014, the total number of fatalities on our roads in 2014 was 138. That is a decrease of 2 on the same period last year. From 415 deaths on our roads in 2001, we have seen a dramatic reduction to 190 deaths in 2013. However I am concerned that in the year 2013 there was an increase in road deaths from 2012.
My officials and I meet regularly with all of the bodies and agencies that have responsibility for road safety, including the Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to ensure that all necessary measures are identified and taken to improve safety on our roads.
The Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020 was launched last year. This contains 144 Actions to be implemented by the various agencies involved in order to build on the previous Strategies with the objective of making Ireland among the safest countries for road safety.
Aside from the Strategy, the Road Traffic Act 2014, was signed into law by the President on 25th February. This legislation introduces measures which will further contribute to road safety in the years to come. The Act provides for further Graduated Driver Licensing measures, adjustments to the penalty points system, increasing demerits for the most dangerous offences such as speeding and operating a mobile phone while driving.
My officials are also in the early stages of drafting the Road Traffic Bill 2014 which will contain further measures to improving safety on our roads.
I am satisfied that the actions set out in the Road Safety Strategy will be sufficient to allow Ireland to continue to make progress towards the objectives of reducing road deaths set out in the Strategy.
625. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out his views on an application to amend Bus Éireann Expressway route number 7, which is intended to abandon historic population centres such as Ballyporeen, Moneygall, Clogheen, Castlecomer, Crettyard, Ardfinnan and others, and which is before the National Transport Authority at present; his further views on whether the route in question is the only publicly operated connection between those population centres and Dublin and Cork cities; and if he will undertake to prevent this further act of abandonment and isolation of rural communities by guaranteeing a level of service which the communities themselves find acceptable. [36959/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. He should please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
626. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when there will be an end to the freeze in taking on permanent staff in Iarnród Éireann; and if he has a role in the matter. [36984/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a human resources matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
627. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that more than 180,000 persons work directly in the tourism industry and in view of the decline in tourism, especially from overseas, if he will expand the marketing of Ireland abroad, especially in emerging countries facing a surge in outward tourists due to economic development since the turn of the century; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36987/14]
View answerCSO figures show that, while visitor numbers to Ireland fell significantly in 2009 and 2010, there has been a strong recovery in the performance of the tourism sector from 2011 onwards. In 2011, the total number of overseas visits to Ireland was 6.505 million, rising slightly to 6.517 million in 2012, followed by a substantial rise to 6.986 million in 2013, up 7.2% on 2012. The positive trend has continued into 2014, with trips to Ireland for the first eight months of this year up by 9.4 % compared to the corresponding period in 2013. There were 5,200,700 overseas visits to Ireland during the eight-month period.
My Department's role in relation to tourism is concerned primarily with national policy. Responsibility for the marketing the island of Ireland as a visitor destination in overseas markets is a day-to-day matter for Tourism Ireland, a cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement. The agency is active in a range of developing markets, and I am forwarding the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for further information. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
I am currently completing a review of tourism policy, which is intended to set out the overall direction for tourism up to 2025. A draft of the new Tourism Policy Statement was published by my predecessor in July. I expect to publish the finalised Tourism Policy Statement in the coming weeks.
628. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties many agencies representing persons with disabilities and reduced mobility are having while using public transport, often with no customer service staff at DART stations to assist persons and ramps on Dublin Bus broken regularly; in view of the European regulation 181/2011, which states that public transport agencies are obliged to provide services to persons with disabilities, his views on these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36989/14]
View answerEU Regulation 181/2011 came into force on 1 March 2013 and establishes certain rights for passengers when travelling by bus or coach. Much of the regulation applies to journeys greater than 250km, however the regulation does allow for a number of core rights applicable to all regular services regardless of distance. These include non-discriminatory transport conditions, access to transport for disabled and mobility impaired persons at no additional cost and also financial compensation for loss or damage to mobility equipment. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the designated National Enforcement Body for this Regulation and checks that all transport bodies comply with the Regulation. All state transport bodies publish their policies in this regard.
My Department’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005 "Transport Access for All" which was updated in 2012, sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes. This includes making all suburban and Inter-city passenger trains, as well as urban and Intercity public transport buses/coaches accessible for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources and while more work remains to be done, significant progress has been made in recent years across all modes.
Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems such as the Luas are fully accessible.
In relation to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities, the NTA funds a programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities.
Under this programme the refurbishment of 255 access ramps on buses operated by Dublin Bus is underway and will shortly be completed. I am also assured by Dublin Bus that a ramp check is included in the daily drivers first use bus check.
In relation to Iarnrod Eireann’s fleet all operational rolling stock is internally accessible with the use of a portable wheelchair ramp at all stations. I understand that if assistance is required Iarnród Eireann will ensure that a member of staff is available to help a wheelchair user once they receive 24 hours’ notice of the times of both the inward and outward journeys. In the future procurement of new trains the technical specifications will include the incorporation of an automatic wheelchair ramp.
I am committed to the on-going improvement of access to public transport for persons with disabilities and will continue to provide capital funds for this purpose as part of the relevant capital plans.
629. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the application process will be open for the next round of sports capital grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37000/14]
View answerNo decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.
630. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to explain the reason there is a 25% increase in membership fee to Fáilte Ireland homes approval scheme for 2015. [37041/14]
View answerThe setting of fees for the listing of accommodation is a matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. He should please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
631. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to explain the reason for the lack of marketing of the south east, midlands and east coast in 2014; and his plans to promote these areas in 2015. [37042/14]
View answerResponsibility for marketing the island of Ireland as a visitor destination in overseas markets is a day-to-day matter for Tourism Ireland, a cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement.
In 2014, Tourism Ireland has undertaken extensive promotional activity to promote the South East, Midlands and East Coast regions as it seeks to build on the return to growth in overseas tourism achieved in recent years. This includes:
- participation by tourism enterprises from the regions concerned at major consumer and travel trade fairs, and travel trade missions;
- familiarisation visits to the South East, Midlands and East Coast regions for influential travel and lifestyle journalists from around the world; and
- a programme of fact-finding visits to the South East, Midlands and East Coast regions for overseas tour operators, travel agents and business tourism buyers.
Fáilte Ireland is the agency with responsibility for the development of the tourism industry in Ireland. The agency is currently developing a unifying tourism proposition for those counties in the east and south of Ireland. These areas share a rich historic built environment, for example Viking Waterford, Medieval Kilkenny and Brú na Boinne. This project will group the cultural and heritage tourism assets of Ireland’s East and South via a network of routes, trails and journeys into a new tourism experience that will appeal to overseas visitors. The project is expected to be launched in early 2015.
In terms of other activities to promote tourism to these areas, I am also referring the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland for further information. He should please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
632. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a permit was issued to a company (details supplied) to carry munitions or dangerous cargo through Shannon Airport on 21 September 2014, in view of the fact that it has been the largest provider of commercial airlift in the wide-body cargo segment for the United States Air Mobility Command for the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/14]
View answerThere was no munitions permit issued for a flight landing at Shannon on 21 September.
However, I am aware that an Atlas Air aircraft routing Miami to Amsterdam diverted to Shannon on the 21 September due to a suspected technical fault. The aircraft landed safely and following a technical check departed on 22 September. I understand from the Shannon Airport Authority that the aircraft that diverted was transporting a large consignment of flowers.
633. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the deferred members of the pension fund in Aer Lingus will be put under the protection of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37111/14]
View answerResolution of the funding difficulties of the IASS is primarily a matter for the Trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme’s members and the Pensions Authority. The process currently underway involves all these stakeholders.
Pension schemes are closely regulated under Irish and European pension law and the Pensions Authority is the national statutory regulatory authority in Ireland. There are prescribed protections, procedures and limitations in place governing any reductions in pension rights introduced to address funding difficulties in a scheme such as the IASS. Legislation in this area including, the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2013, is a matter for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
634. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out his views on whether deferred members of the Irish aviation superannuation scheme could potentially lose 60% of their potential benefits under revised proposals for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37174/14]
View answerResolution of the funding difficulties of the IASS is primarily a matter for the Trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme’s members and the Pensions Authority. The process currently underway involves all these stakeholders.
There are over 5,000 deferred members of the scheme and I do understand their concerns in relation to the funding of the scheme. However, such matters are governed by the Pension Acts, which fall under the responsibility of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
Pension schemes are closely regulated under Irish and European pension law and the Pensions Authority is the national statutory regulatory authority in Ireland. There are prescribed procedures and limitations in place governing any reductions in pension rights introduced to address funding difficulties in a scheme such as the IASS.
The Pensions Acts have been amended over recent years to provide for the sharing of the risk of scheme underfunding across all scheme members. The issue of how these changes might be applied in the case of the IASS is a matter for the Trustee of the scheme, which is required under trust law to act in the best interests of all scheme beneficiaries.
The principal employers have recently written to the members of the scheme, including the deferred members, informing them that an agreement has been reached with the Trustee on comprehensive pension changes. The letter outlines the various stages of the process going forward with a target date for implementation of the proposals of 31 December 2014.
A set of clear proposals is being put forward, which offers the best chance to resolve the long-standing problems of the scheme and give the members certainty about their future pension entitlements, and I would urge all parties to accept them.
635. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form all of the State agencies, bodies, organisations and working groups under his Department's remit; the core duties and functions of same; the number of staff at same; the budget of each for 2013 and proposed budget for 2014; the date of establishment of the agencies or organisations; and the legislation, primary or otherwise, from which they derive their powers. [37213/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy regarding the agencies, bodies, organisations and working groups under the Department's remit, their core duties and functions, the date of establishment and the legislation from which they derive is available in the following table.
The staff numbers of each agency are available in the Annual Reports of the Agencies while the 2013 budget of each and the proposed 2014 budget are available in the book of estimates.
|
Name of Agency/Body/Working Groups |
Core Duties/functions |
Date of Establishment |
Legislation (primary or otherwise |
|
Port of Cork Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
03/03/1997 |
Harbours Act 1996 (No.11/96) |
|
Drogheda Port Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
03/03/1997 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Dublin Port Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
03/03/1997 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
03/03/1997 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Shannon/Foynes Port Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
11/09/2000 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Galway Harbour Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
03/03/1997 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
New Ross Port Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
03/03/1997 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Port of Waterford Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
11/01/1999 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Wicklow Port Company |
Management, control, operation and development of harbour/port |
26/04/2002 |
Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) |
The function of the MCIB is to carry out investigations into marine casualties that take place in Irish waters or involve Irish registered vessels. |
June 2002 |
Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000. |
|
Railway Safety Commission |
(1)To foster and encourage railway safety (2) to enforce the Railway Safety Act 2005 and any other legislation relating to railway safety (3) To investigate and report on railway accidents and incidents for the purposes of determining compliance with safety management systems and safety targets. |
1 January 2006 |
Railway Safety Act 2005 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
The functions of the Bureau include: - The receipt and analysis for intoxicants of specimens of blood and urine forwarded to the Bureau.- The issue of certificates of analysis.- The provision of equipment for the taking or provision of specimens of blood and urine.- Approval, supply and testing of equipment or apparatus for indicating the presence of alcohol in the breath.- Approval, supply and testing of equipment or apparatus for determining the concentration of alcohol in the breath.- Research on drinking and drugs in relation to driving, including the methods of determining the amount of alcohol or drugs in a person’s body and the epidemiology of driving under the influence of intoxicants.
|
November 1968
|
Road Traffic Acts 1968 –2014 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
The functions of the Authority include: - Developing and implementing information and education campaigns to increase awareness of road safety and promote safer driving - Improving vehicle standards - Establishing and monitoring a standard for driver instruction - Overseeing the system of driver licensing and undertaking certain enforcement activities - Working with stakeholders to ensure a co-ordinated response and ensure our collective resources are used wisely and efficiently - Undertaking accident and road safety research in order to develop measures and recommendations to improve road safety - Advising the Minister for Transport on road safety policy - Producing road safety strategy documents and monitoring their implementation
|
September 2006 |
Road Safety Authority Act 2006. |
|
Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) |
Responsible for the investigation of aircraft accidents, serious incidents, and incidents (Occurrences) that occur within Ireland. In addition the AAIU provides assistance to foreign safety investigation authorities who conduct investigations into occurrences of Irish registered and / or operated aircraft abroad. Furthermore, in some cases Foreign States may delegate Investigations back to the AAIU as the state of registry/operator. Furthermore the AAIU is responsible for the investigation of accidents to Irish registered/operated aircraft that crash in international waters. |
AAIU was formed in 1994 within the then Department of Transport, Energy and Communications. It coincided with the formation of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the aviation regulator. |
Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 205 of 1997 Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulations, 1997 came into effect on the 25 July 1997.
SI No. 205 has since been replaced by SI No. 460 of 2009, Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations, 2009 and came into effect on 9th December 2009.
The AAIU is also subject to EU Regulation No. 996/2010 and International Convention Annex 13 |
|
Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) |
The Irish Aviation Authority is responsible for the management of Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of Irish civil aviation and the oversight of civil aviation security in Ireland
|
1993 |
Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993. |
|
Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) |
Commission is responsible for: - regulating Dublin Airport Authority’s airport charges at Dublin Airport. - regulating the Irish Aviation Authority’s aviation terminal services charges. -approving ground handlers. - licensing Irish air carriers. - enforcing consumer protection regulations which focus on the rights and entitlements of passengers travelling by air. - implementing certain aspects of community legislation in relation to slot allocation and schedule coordination, and - licensing travel agents and tour operators in Ireland |
2001
|
Aviation Regulation Act, 2001 |
|
Dublin Airport Authority |
Management, operation and development of Dublin and Cork airports. |
21.07.04 |
State Airport Act 2004 (No. 32) |
|
Cork Airport Authority |
Management, operation and development of Cork airport. |
21.07.04 |
State Airport Act 2004 (No. 32) |
|
Shannon Group plc |
Oversee the exercise by Shannnon Airport and Shannon Commercial Enterprises of their functions, promote the development of aviation and other business activities around Shannon airport. |
05.09.14 |
State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 (No. 27) |
|
National Facilitation Committee |
This Committee was established to bring together the main players operating at Irish airports to provide a forum to ultimately improve the passenger experience. |
25.04.12 |
The need for the committee arises from a provision of Annex 9 of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Convention which requires the establishment of a National Facilitation Committee. |
|
Sub-Group on Airport Immigration Matters |
Sub-group was been established to deal with the full range of issues concerning immigration at airports, including the introduction of new technology and passport matters. |
19.11.13 |
None - Sub-group of the National Faciliation Committee |
|
Railway Procurement Agency |
Responsible for managing the construction and operation of Luas, to procure new light rail lines and Metro through a number of means including Public Private Partnership (PPP) |
2001 |
Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 |
|
National Transport Authority
|
Responsible for securing the provision of public passenger land transport services, including the provision of subvented bus and rail services by Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail. The NTA also has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry. In the Greater Dublin Area the NTA has the functions relating to Strategic Planning of transport and investment in public transport infrastructure. |
December 2009 |
Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 as amended by the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 |
|
Córas Iompair Éireann
|
Through its subsidiaries, CIÉ is the main provider of land public transport services within the State. The organisation structure is a holding company and three major operating companies – Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann. Each of the three CIÉ operating subsidiaries have PSO contracts with the NTA under the provisions of the DTA Act 2008 as amended. |
January 1945 |
Transport Act 1950 and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008
|
|
Bus Átha Cliath-Dublin Bus
|
The principal objectives of BÁC are to provide passenger services by road for the city and county of Dublin. BÁC is also required to operate commercially to the maximum extent possible taking account of the public service obligations of the company. |
1986 |
Transport (Re-Organisation of CIE) Act 1986 |
|
Bus Éireann-Irish Bus
|
BÉ is empowered to provide a wide range of bus and coach services throughout the country including expressway coach services linking major cities and towns; local bus services in rural areas; city bus services in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. They are also responsible for the operation of the national school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. |
1986 |
Transport (Re-Organisation of CIE) Act 1986 |
|
Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail
|
The principal objectives of IÉ are to provide a railway service and a road freight service. It is the general mandate of the company to operate commercially to the maximum extent possible, taking account of the public service obligations of the company and to manage, maintain and develop the rail network infrastructure. |
1986 |
Transport (Re-Organisation of CIE) Act 1986 |
|
National Roads Authority (NRA) |
General duty to secure the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads, overall responsibility for the planning and supervision of works for the construction and maintenance of national roads and other functions assigned to it under the Roads Act 1993, as amended. |
23 December, 1993 |
Roads Act, 1993, as amended and Statutory Instruments made under the Act, as amended and relevant EU Directives. |
|
Irish Sports Council |
Improving standards in high performance sport; increasing participation rates in sport; facilitating standards of fair play; combating doping; producing research and communicating information on sport. |
1 July 1999 |
Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 |
|
National Sports Campus Development Authority |
Develop a sports campus on the Abbotstown site; Furnish and equip the sports campus; Manage, operate and maintain the sports campus; and Encourage and promote the use of the sports campus by professional and amateur sports people and members of the public. |
June 2006 |
National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006 |
|
Failte Ireland |
Encourage Promote and Support Tourism |
28 May 2003 |
National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 |
|
Tourism Ireland Limited |
Tourism Ireland is the all-island tourism marketing company established under the Good Friday Agreement. Tourism Ireland's role is to help grow overseas tourism revenue and visitor numbers to Ireland, and to help Northern Ireland to realise its tourism potential. |
Tourism Ireland Ltd was formally incorporated on 11th December 2000. |
Its Memorandum and Articles of Association govern its operations and it is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) established under the Good Friday Agreement.
|
636. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out her views on a matter relating to Killarney National Park and the issue of rhododendron infestation (details supplied). [36619/14]
View answer637. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to explain the position regarding the continued reliance of her Department on the unsuitability for wider dissemination of the long-term strategic programme for the control of rhododendron ponticum in Killarney National Park (details supplied). [36620/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together.
My 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 National Park and the programme and the control methods used are regularly reviewed and refined to respond to the dynamic and vigorous nature of the plant in order to mitigate its impact throughout the Park. While a wide range of control methods are considered for this purpose, those chosen are generally selected on the basis of optimum efficacy, having regard to the most effective use of available resources.
Since 2011, my Department has invested c. €500,000 in this programme, with an additional €100,000 invested in the programme this year. Approximately 3,000 of the 10,000 hectares in the Park were, to some extent, affected by Rhododendron infestation. My Department’s management programme has made significant inroads into the problem and now approx. 2,000 of those hectares, involving some 40 different sites, are under effective control.
The work involved is arduous and resource intensive and is carried out by outside specialist companies, Department staff and by volunteer groups under staff direction and supervision. In this regard, my Department recognises the past and continuing important contribution of volunteer groups to this work, and also the innovative work of Department staff in Killarney National Park who have been instrumental in developing new methods to control this plant.
Ultimately, the plan is to clear all Rhododendron from the Park. The management programme is intended to create conditions in the Park that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, Ireland’s native woodlands. My Department is committed to this important and challenging work and will continue to engage with volunteer groups who are willing to assist my Department with its Rhododendron management programme.
638. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to explain the position regarding jointly funding the purchase of the Motte in Granard, County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36693/14]
View answerAlthough in private ownership, Granard motte and bailey is a national monument in the guardianship of the 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 requirement that any works at, or in proximity to it, are subject to my prior written consent. My Department and Longford County Council have agreed to a joint approach to the potential acquisition of this national monument for the State. My Department has requested the Office of Public Works to enter negotiations with the landowner to establish if agreement could be reached on the proposal. These negotiations must, however, be conducted within the confines of the Office of Public Works’ site valuation and the limited capital funding available to my Department and the Council for the proposed acquisition.
639. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form the names of all of the State agencies, bodies, organisations and working groups under her Department's remit; the core duties and functions of same; the number of staff at same; the budget of each for 2013 and proposed budget for 2014; the date of establishment of the agencies or organisations; and the legislation, primary or otherwise, from which they derive their powers. [37199/14]
View answerA list of the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group along with details of the individual websites is contained in the following table. These websites contain details on the core duties and functions of these bodies and agencies and also the details relating to the date of establishment and, where applicable, any relevant legislation from which they derive their powers.
Bodies and Agencies funded from the Department's Vote Group:
|
Body |
Website Address |
|
An Coimisinéir Teanga |
www.coimisineir.ie |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
www.udaras.ie |
|
Arts Council |
www.artscouncil.ie |
|
National Archives |
www.nationalarchives.ie |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
www.irishmanuscripts.ie |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
www.museum.ie |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) |
www.modernart.ie |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
www.nationalgallery.ie |
|
Crawford Gallery |
www.crawfordartgallery.com |
|
National Concert Hall |
www.nch.ie |
|
National Library of Ireland |
www.nli.ie |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
www.cbl.ie |
|
Irish Film Board |
www.irishfilmboard.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
www.heritagecouncil.ie |
Cross Border Implementation Bodies under the aegis of the Department:
|
Body |
Website Address |
|
Waterways Ireland |
www.waterwaysireland.org |
|
An Foras Teanga, which comprises: |
|
|
1. Foras na Gaeilge |
www.gaeilge.ie www.forasnagaeilge.ie |
|
2. Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch |
www.ulsterscotsagency.com |
Details of the expenditure allocations made available to the bodies in question are published each year in the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) and the Appropriation Account. The REV also includes Agency Statements, which provide details in relation to staff numbers and expenditure on administration and pay in the previous year. These publications are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at www.per.gov.ie and on the website of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General at www.audgen.gov.ie.
The Deputy may note that this reply does not include organisations, other than those listed above, which receive grants from my Department, or indeed routine working groups established within my Department to support the delivery of its goals.
