Brendan Griffin
Question:261. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42673/14]
View answerDepartmental Information
Questions (261)
Written answers
My Department does not have any information on the matter referred to by the Deputy.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (262, 263)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:262. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the details of the average cut paid by his Department and those bodies under its aegis to recruitment and temporary employment agencies, that is the proportion of the fees paid from State funding to such agencies received by the worker and the proportion by the agency. [42713/14]
View answer
Paul Murphy
Question:263. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an annual breakdown of the fees paid to recruitment and employment agencies by his Department and those bodies under its aegis. [42727/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.
The table below contains information in relation to accountancy services provided to my Department. These are total fees paid to the employment agency and the breakdown of these figures between the employee and the employment agency is a matter for those parties.
|
Year |
Total paid (€) |
|
2011 |
165,597 |
|
2012 |
184,864 |
|
2013 |
188,926 |
|
2014 to date |
166,690 |
An additional €4,189 was paid in 2012 for temporary recruitment in relation to the Sports Capital programme. There was an approximate breakdown of 30% as a fee for recruitment services and 70% to the employee.
In relation to agencies under the remit of my Department, this is a matter for the agencies themselves. I will, however, forward the questions to agencies under my remit for direct reply to you. If you do not hear from them within 10 working days please contact my private office.
National Parks
Questions (264)
Brendan Griffin
Question:264. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42492/14]
View answerWritten answers
In July 2012, a Steering Group involving representatives of the key stakeholders in the Lough Leane trail project was convened and charged with the planning and development of the trail. The Group meets regularly and good progress is being made on bringing this complex multifaceted project to fruition. Most of this trail will be inside the boundary of Killarney National Park and because of the associated ecological issues, the task of delivering the project will require careful consideration and planning. To ensure that the project is delivered as efficiently and quickly as possible, it has been broken down into various modules which will allow the advancement of some sections of the trail while the necessary consultations, assessments and planning and any land acquisitions as may be required for the more complicated aspects of the plan are moved along in parallel.
A planning application submitted by my Department for the provision of an access route and car park in connection with the section of the trail referred to by the Deputy is under consideration by Kerry County Council.
National Monuments
Questions (265)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:265. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the basis on which her officials suggested that the 1916 relatives commission a survey of Moore Street, Dublin 1; if she considers this indicated uncertainty about the structures on the street dating from before and after 1916; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42506/14]
View answerWritten answers
I refer the Deputy to the replies to Questions Nos. 2 and 3 on 22 October 2014. The proposal that a further survey of the area would be commissioned was mooted by a delegation which met with me last week. I explained that I had no plans to commission a further survey and that I was satisfied with the quality of the research in relation to the surveys which have been carried out. It is not a matter for my Department if any other person wishes to carry out research into any particular issue.
Animal Welfare
Questions (266)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:266. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service may estimate the strength of the hare population in the country; if county or regional variations exist in the dispersal of the species; if there are discernible trends to be noticed in hare numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42531/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is the only hare present in the State and is found throughout the country. It is classified as a “protected species” under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 as well as being listed in Annex V of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Under Article 17 of the Directive Member States are obliged to report to the European Commission on the status of listed habitats and species every six years. Each species is assessed according to its range across Ireland, the population, the quality of its habitat and its future prospects. The Irish Hare was given a favourable conservation status in the Report on “The Status of European Union Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland” which was submitted to the EU in 2013. The full technical report is available on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department, www.npws.ie.
Population figures therein are based on the most recent national survey from 2007. These estimates suggest that the population hares in the Republic of Ireland was approximately 233,000 in early 2006 and 535,000 in early 2007. Such significant inter-annual fluctuations in species population are expected, based on hare reproduction patterns and these occur in other countries with hare species. In suitable weather conditions hares may have second litters, bringing significant population increases in good years whereas in poor years with low breeding success and high mortality, populations can fall significantly.
Animal Welfare
Questions (267)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:267. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the growth in the numbers of foxes in the country, not least in urban areas, if the National Parks and Wildlife section of her Department has assessed the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42532/14]
View answerWritten answers
The fox is one of the most common and widely distributed mammals in Ireland. It is not a protected species and no national census has been undertaken. Data collated on the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s website, however, shows that it is found in every county of Ireland and has adapted to both rural and urban habitats. Like all wild animals, their populations will fluctuate naturally.
Commemorative Events
Questions (268)
Finian McGrath
Question:268. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding relatives of those who took part in the 1916 Rising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42580/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish shortly to allow for widespread public consultation. An announcement relating to this aspect will be made in the coming days, which will be of relevance to the relatives' groups. The overall programme is being brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players.
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.
These commemorations will acknowledge the service and achievements of the personnel involved with a special consideration to include their descendants and relatives. My Department is anxious to include all interested parties in this consultation around the draft programme for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising and the associated events, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.
Separately, in relation to requests to attend at Centenary commemorations, the Department of Defence has responsibility for the care and management of the service records and archives relating to the personnel of the Easter Rising. For many years, that Department has maintained a register in relation to invitations to commemorative events. Contact with the Department of Defence may be sent directly to it at the address below.
Executive Branch.
Department of Defence,
Station Road,
Newbridge,
Co. Kildare
executive@defence.ie
Relatives of those involved in that period may forward such requests to my own Department at the address below, which will be forwarded to the Department of Defence.
Commemorations Unit
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Kildare Street Dublin 2
commemorations@ahg.gov.ie
Departmental Contracts
Questions (269, 270)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:269. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide the details of the average cut paid by her Department and those bodies under its aegis to recruitment and temporary employment agencies, that is the proportion of the fee paid from State funding to such agencies received by the worker and the proportion received by the agency. [42702/14]
View answerPaul Murphy
Question:270. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an annual breakdown of the fees paid to recruitment and employment agencies by her Department and those bodies under its aegis. [42715/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
My Department does not use the services of recruitment or employment agencies. The use of such services by the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group, and any possible fees and changes in such fees, are administrative matters for the bodies and agencies themselves.