Written Answers Nos 214-220
214. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the requirement to spend a percentage of the funding for new roads on commissioning art works and if this requirement is flexible in so far as the location of where the works are located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47553/14]
View answerThe commissioning of artistic features on road projects under the 'Per Cent for Art' scheme is a matter for the local authority concerned in conjunction with the National Roads Authority.
The overall responsibility for the Per Cent for Art scheme rests with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
215. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 768 of 17 June 2014, if a review has been undertaken of the national car testing facilities in County Clare; his plans to open a second NCT centre in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47571/14]
View answerI understand that the Road Safety Authority responded directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter in June last and I will forward the Deputy's current Question to the RSA for an update of the situation and direct reply.
216. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount approved by his Department through the Office of Public Works for works arising out of the storms that occurred between 13 December 2013 and 6 January 2014; the amount claimed to date by local authorities; the amount expended to date by his Department; if any unspent balances for work not completed will be carried over into 2015 to enable the local authorities complete the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47603/14]
View answerThere were a number of severe weather events from late 2013 into 2014. After the December/January damage the Government acknowledged that the budgets of Local Authorities and relevant Departments/Offices did not provide for the estimated direct financial costs for clean-up and infrastructure repair and restoration works, and agreed that additional funding would be made available to Local Authorities via the Votes of the respective Departments/ Offices. My Department was in contact with local authorities at various points during the year in relation to progress on works required to repair damage caused to roads by severe weather and to establish what funding would be drawn down this year. Based on the responses from local authorities a Supplementary Estimate for €14.1 million was approved this week for my Department to cover expenditure on roads related to severe weather damage. In addition works to the value of about €2.1 million are due to be undertaken in 2015.
A total of €6.8 million has been provided under the Supplementary Estimates for my Department in respect of Severe Weather funding for damages to Iarnród Éireann infrastructure and rolling stock. I anticipate that the full amount will be claimed before the end of this year.
The Irish Coast Guard facilities suffered minor damage during the severe weather and all necessary matters have been addressed through the OPW.
My Department is also considering an appropriate mechanism for allocating the approved funding to address the storm damage to the Shannon River Embankments at Shannon Airport, within the 2015 budgetary process.
217. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a lorgófar tairiscintí don tseirbhís aeir go dtí Oileáin Árann; cá fhad a thógfaidh an próiseas tairisceana agus é á chur i gcuntas go mbeidh deireadh leis an gconradh reatha ag deireadh shamhradh 2015; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47598/14]
View answerTá mo Roinn i láthair na huaire ag scrúdú tuarascáil EY a rinne athbhreithniú ar an tseirbhís aeir d'Oileáin Árann. Beidh an scrúdú sin críochnaithe go luath agus déanfar cinneadh faoin tseirbhís aeir ina dhiaidh sin. Tá an cur chuige maidir le fógraíocht agus eile do sheirbhísí mar seo leagtha síos i Rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh 1008/2008. Beidh mo Roinn ag cloí leis na rialacháin sin agus tairiscintí á lorg i leith na seirbhíse aeir. Ní miste a nótáil go bhfuil conradh i bhfeidhm don tseirbhís aeir go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair 2015.
218. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the proposal to extend the Erne navigation from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra, County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47529/14]
View answerI have been informed by Waterways Ireland that it commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment for the proposed extension of the Erne Navigation from Belturbet to Killeshandra and Killykeen in County Cavan. I am further advised that, on reviewing the environmental information from this process, Waterways Ireland's considered view is that the development of a viable project is not feasible, given the conservation designations of the lake complex. Waterways Ireland does not, therefore, propose to pursue the proposal further at this time.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to provide funding in 2015 to the Heritage Council for the local authority conservation grant scheme; if the funding will be prioritised to projects approved by local authorities previously where the work was never carried out; whether persons in this category will have to apply again for funding under any new scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47608/14]
View answer220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding she plans to provide to local authorities directly in 2015 for the preservation of protected structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47609/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.
My Department is currently considering the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage in 2015 in the context of its overall allocation and final decisions will be made following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume.
As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Nonetheless, the competing priorities regarding the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage are kept under ongoing review having regard to the resources available to my Department. Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department via a number of measures, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies.
In 2014, my Department was provided with an allocation of €5m Capital Stimulus funding for a new Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme to assist with works to safeguard protected structures, in private and civic ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000-2012.
In 2011, 2012 and 2013, my Department operated a Structures at Risk Fund to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Act, where an urgent need for works to such structures had arisen and had been demonstrated. Both of these schemes were administered by local authorities.
My Department also provided funding for conservation works to heritage structures in State care in 2014 and previous years. This funding supported works to structures both under the management of the Office of Public Works and in local authority ownership or management.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports in 2015 and future years having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.
Finally, my Department provides support for the Irish Heritage Trust, which has a mandate to acquire for public access important heritage properties where the State does not wish to acquire them directly and where there is imminent risk to their heritage value.
