Written Answers Nos. 246-253
246. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3007/15]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) is involved in an ongoing basis in promoting road safety awareness and education. The Authority engages with cycling groups, particularly during the annual cycle week, and subsidises training in primary schools in conjunction with Local Authorities.
While the range of measures undertaken by the RSA in this area will always be subject to adjustment in response to need, I am satisfied that the Authority is fully engaged in this vital area.
To give an idea of some of the work in this area, the RSA is currently involved in producing a National Cycling Standard, in conjunction with Cycling Ireland and my Department, with input from a number of other stakeholders. The Standard will focus on ensuring an introductory level of road safety training on bicycles to school children, and preparing them for cycling on the public roads. The project is targeted for implementation across all schools nationally in early 2016.
A new advertisement campaign has been developed for airing this month and in summer 2015. The ad focuses on cycle safety and is aimed at cyclists and drivers, and in particular the need for drivers to take extra care when sharing the road with cyclists.
In addition, the RSA are producing a short vodcast to highlight the blind spot on HGVs as well as conducting observational studies on the use of personal protection equipment – high visibility clothing, for example - by cyclists. The results will be available on their website later this year.
It remains the responsibility of cyclists to obey the rules of the road. This is addressed in a series of videos which can be viewed on the RSA Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/rsaireland.
247. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the policy of the National Parks and Wildlife Service regarding planning applications for wind farms in highly scenic protected areas which also provide habitats for protected species (details supplied); if the NPWS has a policy of objecting to such planning applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2910/15]
View answerIn accordance with the Planning and Development Regulations, planning applications lodged with planning authorities that have the potential to impact on the built or natural heritage must be referred to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and I may make observations and recommendations to a planning authority on such applications. This includes, based on available scientific and ecological information, observations on the potential impact of an application on a special area of conservation or special protection area.
While a recommendation to refuse planning permission may be made to a planning authority, the number of such cases is limited.
I can confirm I have made observations and recommendations in relation to nature conservation to the relevant planning authority in regard to the application referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
248. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to change or extend the dates for the cutting of hedgerows; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2926/15]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Any change to that period would require amending legislation.
Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and therefore a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced.
Stakeholders had been seeking an opportunity to input their views on the operation of section 40 of the Acts and I announced, last year, a consultation process which provided that opportunity with a deadline for the receipt of submissions by 9 January 2015.
All submissions that were received by this deadline will be considered as part of any potential changes in relation to the operation of section 40 of the Acts.
249. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department carries out any ongoing evaluation of the per cent for the arts scheme; if her Department gathers statistics in relation to the number of State aided capital projects to which the scheme applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2963/15]
View answerA Government Decision in 1997 approved the inclusion in budgets for all Exchequer-funded capital construction projects of up to 1% as funding for an art project, subject to an overall cap of €64,000. While my Department has responsibility for the promotion of the Per Cent for Art Scheme, it does not have a budget for it. It therefore does not provide funding for the individual art projects and does not directly collect statistics on the scheme.
The scheme does not operate on the basis of a specific public art fund from which moneys are drawn to undertake or to commission works of an artistic nature. Rather, under the terms of the Scheme, such works are factored into and funded from the overall budget of each capital project by the public body undertaking it. This is a matter for each project promoter or commissioning body and I, as Minister, have no statutory function in this regard.
Guidelines on the Per Cent for Art Scheme are available on the Public Art website www.publicart.ie. The guidelines set out how project managers are to operate the scheme and provide a common national approach to its implementation. The Public Art website is also a comprehensive Public Art resource, which offers information on the operation of the scheme, as well as much of the output of the scheme. This includes a continuously updated directory of almost 250 permanent and temporary, public and socially engaged artworks made in Ireland, or of artwork made by Irish artists abroad. Many of these artworks were produced under the Percent for Art Scheme.
250. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a iarradh ar Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (FSS) plean teanga a réiteach; an bhfuil aon phlean teanga i bhfeidhm ag FSS faoi láthair; mura bhfuil, cén fáth nach bhfuil, ag cur i gcuntas an méid teagmhála a bhíonn ag FSS leis an bpobal; cén uair a bheartaítear plean teanga a chomhaontú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2989/15]
View answerI mí Iúil 2005, daingníodh scéim teanga faoi alt 11 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla le Bord Sláinte an Iarthair, mar a bhí ag an am agus atá anois mar Réigiún an Iarthair d’Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (FSS). Faoi alt 14(3) den Acht, fanann forálacha na scéime sin i bhfeidhm go dtí go ndaingnítear scéim nua.
Cé gur iarradh ar Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte dréachtscéim teanga a ullmhú i mí na Nollag 2006 agus cé gur cuireadh dréachtscéim faoi bhráid na Roinne Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, mar a bhí ag an am, níor daingníodh an dréachtscéim leis an FSS ar bhonn náisiúnta ó shin, go príomha mar gheall ar phleananna athstruchtúraithe a bhí á mbeartú don FSS.
Tá plé gníomhach ar bun idir oifigigh mo Roinne agus an FSS le tamall anuas maidir le dréachtscéim teanga a aontú leis an FSS ar bhonn náisiúnta. Ag eascairt ón bplé seo, tá tús curtha ag an FSS le próiseas comhairliúcháin ina leith ó 7 Eanáir 2015. Sa chomhthéacs seo, ní miste a nótáil go bhfuil athruithe substaintiúla sa treis ag an FSS faoi láthair maidir le bunú na nGrúpaí Ospidéal agus na nEagraíochtaí Sláinte Pobail. Táthar ag súil go gcuimseoidh an dréachtscéim nua atá á hullmhú na struchtúir nua seo.
251. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon pleananna teanga a comhaontaíodh gach bliain ó tháinig Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 i bhfeidhm, agus idirdhealú á dhéanamh idir an chéad phlean, an dara plean agus an tríú plean i ngach cás; cé na forais, na heagraíochtaí nó na Ranna Stáit a bhí i gceist i ngach bliain acu sin; cén líon pleananna atá fós i bhfeidhm agus a comhaontaíodh tráth is luaithe ná trí bliana ó shin; cén líon iomlán comhlachtaí a thagann faoi réim na reachtaíochta seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2990/15]
View answerTá eolas maidir leis an líon scéimeanna teanga a daingníodh ó tháinig Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 i bhfeidhm tugtha sna táblaí thíos:
Céad Scéimeanna Teanga
An líon céad scéimeanna teanga daingnithe
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Bliain |
Líon scéimeanna |
Comhlacht Poiblí |
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2004 |
1 |
An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta |
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2005 |
22 |
An Chomhairle Ealaíon |
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An Coimisiún Reifrinn |
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An Coimisiún um Cheapacháin Seirbhíse Poiblí |
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An Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil |
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An Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta |
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An Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna |
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An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna |
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An tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Dhún na nGall |
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Comhairle Contae Chiarraí |
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Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall |
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Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe |
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Comhairle Contae Phort Láirge |
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Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte - Limistéar an Iarthair |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe - Maigh Eo |
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Oifig an Ombudsman & Oifig an Choimisinéara Faisnéise |
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Oifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí |
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Oifig an Uachtaráin |
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Oifig na gCoimisinéirí Ioncaim |
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Ollscoil na hÉireann, Maigh Nuad |
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Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh |
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Roinn an Taoisigh |
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2006 |
18 |
An Roinn Airgeadais |
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An Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha |
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An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais |
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An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála |
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An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara |
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Banc Ceannais na hÉireann |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae na Gaillimhe |
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Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath |
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Comhairle Chathair na Gaillimhe |
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Comhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas |
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Comhairle Contae Fhine Gall |
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Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo |
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Comhairle Contae na Mí |
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Óglaigh na hÉireann |
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Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath |
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Ollscoil Luimnigh |
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Ollscoil na hÉireann, Corcaigh |
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Seirbhís Oideachais Chontae Chiarraí |
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2007 |
29 |
An Bord Pleanála |
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An Bord Seirbhísí Bainistíochta Rialtais Áitiúla |
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An Bord Seirbhísí Ríomhaire Rialtais Áitiúla |
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An Bord um Chúnamh Dlíthiúil |
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An Foras Riaracháin |
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An Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh |
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An Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí |
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An Roinn Cosanta |
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An Roinn Iompair Turasóireachta & Spóirt |
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Clárlann na nGníomhas & Clárlann na Talún |
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Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chathair Chorcaí |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chathair na Gaillimhe |
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Coláiste Oideachais Eaglais na hÉireann |
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Comhairle Chathair Chorcaí |
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Comhairle Chathair Luimnigh |
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Comhairle Contae an Chláir |
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Comhairle Contae Chorcaí |
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Comhairle Contae Dhún Laoghaire-Ráth an Dúin |
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Comhairle Contae Liatroma |
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Comhairle Contae Lú |
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Comhairle Contae na hIarmhí |
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Comhairle Contae Ros Comáin |
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Comhairle Contae Thiobraid Árann Thuaidh |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn |
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Oifig an Ard-Aighne & Oifig an Phríomh-Aturnae Stáit |
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Oifig an Choimisinéara Cosanta Sonraí |
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Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí |
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2008 |
15 |
An Bord um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh |
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An Crannchur Náisiúnta |
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An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas |
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Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Bhaile Átha Cliath |
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Comhairle Chathair Phort Láirge |
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Comhairle Contae Cheatharlach |
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Comhairle Contae Chill Dara |
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Comhairle Contae Longfoirt |
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Comhairle Contae Luimnigh |
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Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin |
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Leabharlann Chester Beatty |
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Oifig an Stiúrthóra um Fhorfheidhmiú Corparáideach |
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An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS) |
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Teagasc |
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2009 |
14 |
An Binse Comhionannais |
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An Garda Síochána |
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An Roinn Sláinte |
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Bord Scannán na hÉireann |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae an Chláir |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Chorcaí |
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Comhairle Buirge Chill Chainnigh |
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Comhairle Contae an Chabháin |
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Comhairle Contae Chill Mhantáin |
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Comhairle Contae Laoise |
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Foras na Mara |
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Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann |
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Oifig an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste |
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Oifig Chláraitheoir na gCara-Chumann & Oifig um Chlárú Cuideachtaí |
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2010 |
6 |
An Roinn Post, Fiontar & Nuálaíochta |
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Comhairle Contae Loch Garman |
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Comhairle Contae Shligigh |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Thrá Lí |
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Ollscoil Bhaile Átha Cliath, Coláiste na Tríonóide |
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2011 |
0 |
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2012 |
3 |
An Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta & Gaeltachta |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath |
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Seirbhís Thithe an Oireachtais |
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2013 |
4 |
An Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain |
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Údarás Aerphort Bhaile Átha Cliath |
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Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann |
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2014 |
6 |
An Bord Bia |
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An Ghníomhaireacht Bainistíochta Rialtais Áitiúil |
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An tÚdarás um Bhóithre Náisiúnta |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Phort Láirge |
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Suirbhéireacht Ordanáis Éireann |
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Údarás Aerfort na Sionainne |
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Iomlán |
118 |
Dara Scéimeanna Teanga
An líon dara scéimeanna teanga daingnithe
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Bliain |
Líon scéimeanna |
Comhlacht Poiblí |
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2009 |
8 |
An Coimisiún um Cheapacháin Seirbhíse Poiblí |
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An Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil |
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An Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta |
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An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Dhún na nGall |
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Comhairle Chathair na Gaillimhe |
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Ollscoil Luimnigh |
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Roinn an Taoisigh |
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2010 |
10 |
An Roinn Cosanta |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath |
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Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae na Gaillimhe |
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Comhairle Contae Chiarraí |
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Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall |
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Óglaigh na hÉireann |
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Oifig an Ard-Aighne & Oifig an Phríomh-Aturnae Stáit |
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Oifig an Choimisinéara Cosanta Sonraí |
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Oifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí |
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Seirbhís Oideachais Chontae Chiarraí |
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2011 |
1 |
An Bord Pleanála |
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2012 |
6 |
An Crannchur Náisiúnta |
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Coláiste Oideachais Eaglais na hÉireann |
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Comhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn |
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Oifig an Ombudsman & Oifig an Choimisinéara Faisnéise |
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Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh |
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2013 |
11 |
An Coimisiún Reifrinn |
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An Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna |
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An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna |
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An tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí |
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Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais |
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Comhairle Contae Chill Chainnigh |
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Gailearaí Náisiúnta na hÉireann |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe - Maigh Eo |
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Oifig an Uachtaráin |
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Oifig na gCoimisinéirí Ioncaim |
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Ollscoil Bhaile Átha Cliath, Coláiste na Tríonóide |
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2014 |
9 |
An Bord um Chúnamh Dlíthiúil |
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An Roinn Airgeadais |
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An Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha |
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Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe |
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Foras na Mara |
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Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan |
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Leabharlann Chester Beatty |
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Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí |
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Ollscoil na hÉireann, Maigh Nuad |
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Iomlán |
45 |
Tríú Scéimeanna Teanga
An líon tríú scéimeanna teanga daingnithe
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Bliain |
Líon scéimeanna |
Comhlacht Poiblí |
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2013 |
1 |
An Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil |
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2014 |
6 |
An Roinn Cosanta |
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Comhairle Contae Chiarraí |
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Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall |
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Óglaigh na hÉireann |
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Oifig an Choimisinéara Cosanta Sonraí |
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Oifig an Stiúrthóra Ionchúiseamh Poiblí |
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Iomlán |
7 |
Tá 53 scéim teanga san iomlán i bhfeidhm le os cionn trí bliana, ar a n-áirítear 47 céad scéim agus 6 dara scéim. Mar is eol don Teachta, faoi réir alt 14(3) d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, fanann scéim i bhfeidhm ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana ón dáta a ndaingnítear í nó go dtí go mbíonn scéim nua daingnithe, cibé acu is déanaí.
Tá uasdátú á dhéanamh ar an Chéad Sceideal d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla faoi láthair chun na hathruithe móra atá tagtha ar chomhdhéanamh na seirbhíse poiblí le roinnt blianta anuas a bheachtú. De réir an eolais is déanaí atá ar fáil i ndáil leis an phróiseas uasdátaithe, tuigtear dom go dtagann tuairim is 443 comhlacht poiblí faoi scáth an Achta faoi láthair.
Is mian liom a mheabhrú don Teachta fosta go bhfuil sonraí maidir leis na scéimeanna uilig atá daingnithe go dáta, mar aon leis na scéimeanna atá á n-ullmhú faoi láthair, ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, www.coimisineir.ie.
252. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason it is intended to have the one contract for the management of the aerodromes on the Aran Islands and for Cleggan and Inishbofin, County Galway, in view of the statements made by the present and past Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Islands that alternative uses and arrangements are being considered for the aerodromes in Inishbofin and Cleggan; the effect the awarding of a single contract could have on the possibility of developing the aerodromes in Cleggan and Inishbofin either directly or through a lease for private aero-tourism and club use in order to attract more people to the region and the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3046/15]
View answerThe aerodromes on the Aran Islands and at Cleggan and Inishbofin are currently under one management contract. This contract will end on 30 September 2015. My Department is currently seeking tenders from consultants to assist it in relation to the procurement process for the contract for the Aran Islands air service and the contract for the aerodrome management service.
It is my Department’s view that this process will not interfere with the plans to dispose of the aerodromes at Cleggan and Inishbofin as it is anticipated that the management contract for these aerodromes will cease once alternative arrangements have been put in place.
253. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in making a decision regarding an appeal for a proposal to designate nine sites on Inishbofin Island, County Galway, as a special protection area, which was lodged 20 months ago, particularly as the areas appeal board advisory committee visited the island on 8 May 2013; the date that the recommendation of the appeals board was communicated to her Department; the processes followed by her Department since in consideration of this appeal; when a recommendation was sent to her for a decision; the reasons this decision has not been made, particularly in view of the promises made on taking office by this Government in relation to a democratic revolution and better government; when a decision is now expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3052/15]
View answerA number of landowners had objected to the designation of their lands within the Inishboffin, Omey, Turbot Islands proposed special protection area. Following a Departmental review the landowners opted to take their cases to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board, an independently chaired Board which makes recommendations to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on such cases.
I understand that the Board had not been in a position to meet for a number of months in late 2013 and early 2014, resulting in some delay. The matter was considered by the Board on 17 April 2014 when the recommendations were finalised and subsequently submitted to the then Minister.
Ministers must ensure that the designations appeals process is completed in the appropriate manner to meet the requirements of the relevant European Union legislation. Following receipt of the recommendations, my predecessor felt it would be useful to arrange a meeting between the Board members and officials of the Department to review the process followed. As a result, no decision was taken on the recommendations pending this meeting, which took place on 20 October 2014.
Following that meeting and having considered fully the recommendations, I have recently decided upon all these cases. My Department is currently in the process of notifying the appellants of the outcome.
