Sandra McLellan
Question:23. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on plans that her Department have made regarding the 1916 centenary events. [40046/14]
View answerCommemorative Events
Questions (23)
Written answers
I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question No. 6 today. I am committed with my Government colleagues to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.
As I have previously outlined to the House, the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme that has been developing since 2012 to commemorate the key events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included:
- the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster Parliament;
- the formation of Volunteer movements;
- the 1913 Lockout and the role of suffragettes; and
- the outbreak of World War I.
In the coming year, alongside the continuing experience of World War I, the programme will address the Cultural Revival in Ireland, which reflected the strengthening sense of national identity and determination to achieve autonomous government.
As part of the 2016 commemorations, arrangements have been made for a number of flagship capital projects for which funding of €22 million is being provided in 2015. These projects include the new GPO visitor facility, the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse, a dedicated facility for the Military Pensions Archive at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the provision of visitor facilities at Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc, refurbishment works at Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin - as well as the commencement of refurbishment and development works at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall's Kevin Barry Rooms.
This capital programme will be complemented by an integrated national plan focused on the 2016 Commemorations, for which an allocation of €4 million is being provided to my Department in 2015. This allocation will help support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group. There will also, of course, be an appropriately solemn component to the commemoration.
My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish in the coming weeks to allow for widespread public consultation. The overall programme will be brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.
I will be keen to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ‘ground-up’ initiatives to ensure local communities can put their own shape on the commemorations as we move towards 2016. This process will build on the contacts that have been made, as part of the ongoing commemorative programme since 2012, with a wide range of bodies and community groups throughout the country, who are already engaged in preparing their own projects and contributions to the 2016 commemorations.
Question No. 24 withdrawn.
Commemorative Events
Questions (25)
Micheál Martin
Question:25. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the 1916 commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36524/14]
View answerWritten answers
I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question No. 6 today. I am committed with my Government colleagues to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.
As I have previously outlined to the House, the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme that has been developing since 2012 to commemorate the key events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included:
- the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster Parliament;
- the formation of Volunteer movements;
- the 1913 Lockout and the role of suffragettes; and
- the outbreak of World War I.
In the coming year, alongside the continuing experience of World War I, the programme will address the Cultural Revival in Ireland, which reflected the strengthening sense of national identity and determination to achieve autonomous government.
As part of the 2016 commemorations, arrangements have been made for a number of flagship capital projects for which funding of €22 million is being provided in 2015. These projects include the new GPO visitor facility, the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse, a dedicated facility for the Military Pensions Archive at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the provision of visitor facilities at Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc, refurbishment works at Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin - as well as the commencement of refurbishment and development works at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall's Kevin Barry Rooms.
This capital programme will be complemented by an integrated national plan focused on the 2016 Commemorations, for which an allocation of €4 million is being provided to my Department in 2015. This allocation will help support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group. There will also, of course, be an appropriately solemn component to the commemoration.
My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish in the coming weeks to allow for widespread public consultation. The overall programme will be brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.
I will be keen to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ‘ground-up’ initiatives to ensure local communities can put their own shape on the commemorations as we move towards 2016. This process will build on the contacts that have been made, as part of the ongoing commemorative programme since 2012, with a wide range of bodies and community groups throughout the country, who are already engaged in preparing their own projects and contributions to the 2016 commemorations.
Turbary Rights
Questions (26)
Brian Stanley
Question:26. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update regarding her Department's efforts to find a viable relocation option for turf cutters at Coolrain bog. [40155/14]
View answerWritten answers
A total of 62 applications for compensation from Coolrain Bog 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, 11 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. 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.
A number of potential relocation sites for Coolrain Bog have been identified and investigated. Bord na Móna is currently undertaking an assessment of one of these sites, on behalf of my Department, in order to determine its suitability as a site to which turf cutters from Coolrain Bog could relocate to.
Seirbhísí Farantóireachta
Questions (27)
Seán Kyne
Question:27. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an t-eolas is deireanaí maidir le síniú an chonartha nua don tseirbhís farantóireachta go hInis Mór roimh dheireadh na míosa seo; cén fáth nach ionann na táillí do na seirbhísí idir na hoileáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40140/14]
View answerWritten answers
Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta gur thug mo Roinn faoi phróiseas tairisceana d’fhonn iarracht a dhéanamh conradh farantóireachta paisinéirí a aontú don oileán sin. Comhairlítear dom nach mbeadh sé cuí níos mó a rá mar gheall air ag an bpointe seo. Tá an tseirbhís reatha go dtí an oileán sin á reáchtáil ar bhonn príobháideach. Dá bhrí sin, níl aon ionchur ag mo Roinn sna táillí a ghearrtar ar na paisinéirí.
Departmental Programmes
Questions (28)
Sandra McLellan
Question:28. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the adopt a woodland scheme. [40048/14]
View answerWritten answers
The proposed pilot Adopt a Woodland Project, to be rolled out in Killarney National Park, aims to employ the assistance of volunteer groups to prevent priority woodlands habitats from becoming re-infested with Rhododendron, to assist with the on-going Rhododendron control and management programme in Killarney National Park and to highlight to the public the problem of Rhododendron ponticum in native habitats. My Department is currently considering how best to match the capacity of volunteer groups with the specific tasks involved, before finalising the detail of the scheme. I want to ensure that project is correctly targeted and managed so that the areas requiring attention are dealt with in the most effective way. My Department hopes to release further details in the near future.
Special Areas of Conservation Criteria
Questions (29)
Seán Kyne
Question:29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans she has put in place to compensate farmers who were restricted under the 12 Bens destocking scheme but who have received no payment in 2014; if she has consulted with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding these farmers; and if those of existing ASOS schemes are entitled to a compensating payment in 2014, especially those who have exited National Parks and Wildlife scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40141/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 5 year grazing restriction in the 12 Bens/Garraun Complex and Maam Turk Mountains Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) ran from the 1 November 2008 until the 31 October 2013. This grazing restriction was lifted on 1 November 2013. As there is no ongoing restriction in these areas, no further compensation falls due. Appropriate supports for sustainable upland farming should be provided for in the next Rural Development Programme and my Department has made detailed submissions to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in this regard.
My Department has fulfilled its financial commitments to all other farmers in the area who were in REPS and the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme, where all fully completed documentation was received from participants.