Written Answers Nos. 31 - 50
31. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an t-iarratas ar thairiscintí do na seirbhísí aeir go dtí Oileáin Árann a tharraingt siar de bharr an mhíshásaimh atá ar na hoileánaigh maidir leis an leibhéal seirbhíse atá i gceist; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16588/15]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, i gcomhréir le Rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh, rinneadh athbhreithniú anuraidh ar riachtanas na seirbhíse aeir. Cuireadh tuarascáil chuimsitheach faoi bhráid mo Roinne a chlúdaigh an tréimhse ó 2003 go 2013. Rinneadh measúnú sa tuarascáil ar leibhéal agus ar threocht na gcostas don tseirbhís aeir agus ar an chomhréireacht idir an oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí agus riachtanais forbartha eacnamaíochta an réigiúin.
I measc nithe eile, léiríodh sa tuarascáil go raibh caiteachas bliantúil mo Roinne ar an tseirbhís aeir tar éis méadú faoi 136% le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe ó €800,000 in 2003 go €1.9 milliún in 2013, cé gur fhan líon na bpaisinéirí mórán mar a chéile le linn na tréimhse ag thart ar 40,000 paisinéir in aghaidh na bliana. Dá bhrí sin, dúradh sa tuarascáil go raibh sé riachtanach breathnú ar roghanna éagsúla chun luach ar airgead níos fearr a fháil don Státchiste. Is sa chomhthéacs sin a d'ullmhaigh mo Roinn, i gcomhar leis an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais, an t-iarratas ar thairiscintí a foilsíodh le déanaí don tréimhse ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2015 go 30 Meán Fómhair 2019.
Mar atá i gceist faoin chonradh reatha, tá bunleibhéal seirbhíse iarrtha don chonradh nua. Faoin iarratas ar thairiscintí, tá íosleibhéal seirbhíse in aghaidh na seachtaine i gceist, is é sin dhá eitilt fillte in aghaidh an lae, seacht lá na seachtaine, móide seirbhís iompair bóthair chun freastal ar na heitiltí sin. Mar atá i gceist faoin chonradh reatha, ní bheidh bac ar an chuideachta ar a mbronnfar an conradh níos mó seirbhísí ná an t-íosleibhéal sin a chur ar fáil.
Faoi Rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh, caithfear an t-iarratas ar thairiscintí a fhoilsiú ar a laghad 6 mhí roimh thús an chonartha úir. Sa chomhthéacs go dtiocfaidh deireadh leis an tseirbhís reatha ar an 30 Meán Fómhair 2015, tá sé beartaithe ag mo Roinn leanúint ar aghaidh leis an iarratas ar thairiscintí atá foilsithe. Tá spriocdháta den 8 Meitheamh 2015 ag tairgeoirí seirbhísí aeir chun tairiscintí a dhéanamh.
32. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén straiteís atá ann in 2015 agus sna blianta atá romhainn chun poist a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht; cén dul chun cinn atá déanta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16820/15]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimh. 4 ar 11 Márta 2015 faoin ábhar seo. Mar a thug mé le fíos sa fhreagra sin, leiríonn torthaí Údarás na Gaeltachta don bhliain 2014 gur cruthaíodh an líon is airde post sa Ghaeltacht anuraidh ón bhliain 2008 i leith. D’éirigh leis an Údarás 737 post nua a chruthú sa Ghaeltacht in 2014 agus bhí 7,682 post i gcliantchuideachtaí an Údaráis ag deireadh na bliana seo caite. Is é an sprioc fostaíochta atá ag an Údarás do 2015 ná 570 post nua a chruthú agus 7,000 post a choinneáil i gcliantchuideachtaí an Údaráis.
Ní miste dom a mheabhrú don Teachta gur éirigh liom cistiú breise de mhilliún euro a fháil i mbuiséad caipitil an Údaráis do 2015. Tá mé sásta go gcuideoidh an cistiú breise seo leis an Údarás chun poist a choinneáil ina chliantchuideachtaí sa Ghaeltacht agus chun tuilleadh infheistíochta a mhealladh go ceantair Ghaeltachta. Fágann sé seo go bhfuil soláthar caipitil de €6.687m ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta ón Státchiste in 2015, mar aon le foinsí maoinithe an Údaráis féin ó dhíol sócmhainní agus infheistíochtaí.
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint le tiomantas athnuaite an Rialtais i leith forbairt réigiúnach na tíre ina iomláine. Sa chomhthéacs seo, leanfaidh Údarás na Gaeltachta, i gcomhar le Fiontraíocht Éireann agus an tÚdarás Forbartha Tionscail, ag iarraidh infheistíocht shuntasach a mhealladh chuig an Ghaeltacht.
In 2015, leanfaidh an tÚdarás air ag maoiniú réimse de thionscadail a bhaineann le forbairt fiontraíochta agus cruthú fostaíochta, le béim ar leith ar mhicreathionscadail agus chomhlachtaí atá ag tosú as an nua. Lena chois sin, aithníonn an tÚdarás an gá atá le forbairt scileanna chun feabhas a chur ar dheiseanna fostaíochta do phobal na Gaeltachta agus chun cuidiú le fostaithe i gcliantchuideachtaí an Údaráis a gcuid scileanna a uasghrádú. Cabhróidh an cur chuige seo chun táirgí nua a fhorbairt, margaí nua a aimsiú agus dá thoradh sin méadú a chur ar acmhainneacht fáis agus ar rathúlacht ghnóthaí na Gaeltachta.
33. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici go leanfaidh an tseirbhís aeir go hÁrainn ar aghaidh ar an gcaighdeán ar a bhfuil sé ó thaobh mhinicíocht eitiltí agus chostas d'oileánach de; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16587/15]
View answerTá an fógra ag lorg tairiscintí do sheirbhís aeir d'Oileáin Árann don tréimhse ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2015 go dtí an 30 Meán Fómhair 2019 foilsithe anois le spriocdháta den 8 Meitheamh 2015 ag tairgeoirí seirbhísí aeir chun tairiscintí a dhéanamh.
Faoin iarratas ar thairiscintí, tá íosleibhéal seirbhíse in aghaidh na seachtaine i gceist, is é sin dhá eitilt fillte in aghaidh an lae, seacht lá na seachtaine, móide seirbhís iompair bóthair chun freastal ar na heitiltí sin. Mar atá i gceist faoin chonradh reatha, ní bheidh bac ar an chuideachta ar a mbronnfar an conradh níos mó seirbhísí ná an t-íosleibhéal sin a chur ar fáil.
San iarratas ar thairiscintí, leagtar síos uastáillí do thicéid don tseirbhís aeir. Tá ardú beag i gceist san iarratas ar thairiscintí ar na huastáillí sin, seachas mar atá i bhfeidhm faoin chonradh reatha.
34. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has contacted the Department of Justice and Equality demanding that gardaí be sent out to patrol bogs with a view to preventing domestic turf cutters from exercising their rights to cut their own turf, for their own use, on their own family turf banks; if she will confirm that it is her Department that has hired airplanes and engaged helicopters, at taxpayers' expense, to monitor bogs; the cost to the taxpayer of all of these operations on an annual basis since such operations began; her views that it would be preferable to resolve the issues involved by co-operation and compromise achieved through fair and honest negotiations, as has consistently been offered by the Turf Cutters and Contractors' Association, than impacting on Garda resources that would otherwise be better deployed fighting crime and protecting citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16850/15]
View answerThe regional service of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department investigates all reports of illegal turf cutting and, where the evidence so dictates, further actions to secure compliance are taken. These actions may ultimately lead to court proceedings being initiated. It is not the policy of my Department to comment on individual instances of non-compliance or the modalities of how they are proceeding. Needless to say, it would clearly be much more preferable that such actions need not have to be taken in the upholding of the law.
My Department incurred expenditure of €34,423 in 2012, €56,018 in 2013 and €6,286 in 2014 for the hire of private aircraft to carry out aerial monitoring of activity on raised bog special areas of conservation where the requirement to cease turf cutting applies. Private aircraft are only used when the Air Corps is not in a position to undertake these flights. It should be recalled that Ireland is at risk of action before the European Court of Justice, with a risk of substantial and daily fines, if these special areas of conservation, which are protected under Irish and European law, are not preserved.
The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, published in January 2014, sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. The draft Plan sets out the demanding tests which must be met before turf cutting could be consented to within the provisions of the Habitats Directive. The final Plan will clarify whether the relevant provisions of the Directive could be applicable for any particular special area of conservation and will seek to establish whether sufficient consensus can be achieved at a national level to make a successful case to the European Commission for flexibility in accordance with article 6.4 of the Directive. Work is on-going with stakeholders with a view to the finalisation of the National Plan, which responds to the central recommendation of Mr. Justice Quirke arising out of the 2012 Peatlands Forum.
35. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the preservation of the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street in Dublin 1 and for an interpretative centre on the site ; if she will provide guarantees that this centre will be supported and funded beyond the centenary celebrations. [16770/15]
View answerAs I outlined in my reply to today’s Priority Questions Nos. 1 and 2, my primary function in this case arises from the Preservation Order that was placed on Nos. 14 - 17 Moore Street under the National Monuments Acts in 2007 in order to protect No. 16 as the site of the final council of war and final headquarters of the Leaders of the 1916 Rising.
The area surrounding the Moore Street national monument is largely in private ownership, is not covered by the provisions of the National Monuments Acts and is the subject of a grant of full planning permission by An Bord Pleanála. Dublin City Council has statutory responsibility under the Planning and Development Acts for all planning and development matters in the area.
With regard to the national monument itself, the position is that that the Preservation Order requires the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to be obtained for any works affecting the monument buildings. After extensive deliberations, Ministerial consent was given to the owners in April 2014 for the creation of a 1916 Commemorative Centre in the monument buildings, involving the full repair and restoration of the structures, both internally and externally.
Proposals that subsequently went before Dublin City Council late last year would have allowed the exchange of two modern 1990s buildings at Nos. 24 and 25 Moore Street, currently used as a cleansing depot, in return for full ownership of Nos. 14 - 17 being transferred to the City Council. The transfer would have been accompanied by NAMA funding to cover the full cost of the restoration project and the proposed commemorative centre. I was disappointed that Dublin City Councillors rejected these plans, which I believe provided a real opportunity to have the restoration work completed and the commemorative centre open in time for the centenary of the Rising in 2016.
However, in order to ensure the long-term future of the national monument, I have secured the approval of the Government for it to be acquired by the State. This will bring the national monument into public ownership and secure its long-term future. It will also facilitate the safeguarding and restoration of the buildings, and the development of the proposed 1916 Commemorative Centre to be run as a public facility.
My own Department and the other parties involved are working to bring these matters forward as speedily as possible and I will be reverting to Government in the coming weeks with final proposals in this regard.
36. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will review the designated special protected area for the hen harrier; her plans to further compensate farmers for the significant loss in value of farming land in such designated areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12815/15]
View answerSpecial Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated in accordance with the provisions of the EU Birds Directive, which has been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Member States are obliged to provide protection for listed species in the Birds Directive through the designation and management of SPAs. I do not have any plans to review the SPAs in the near future.
Significant funding is provided through the Rural Development Programme (operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Participation in the Basic Payment Scheme requires farmers to abide by the statutory requirements relating to Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation – collectively known as Natura 2000 sites. Agri-environment schemes, such as the new GLAS scheme, have provided and will continue to provide a range of supports, including payments for specific measures in Natura 2000 sites, to eligible and participating farmers. I understand that there is to be a dedicated measure in GLAS for farmers in targeted areas who abide by a specific measure for Hen Harrier.
37. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures in place for applying for funds to support local and national film-making projects; if she will liaise with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to examine opportunities where locally made films could be used as a promotional tool for Ireland. [16589/15]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions, is the responsibility of the Irish Film Board. This includes assistance with locations for the making of films. The Film Board has a good track record of using locations throughout Ireland, and Irish scenery is considered as a major asset in attracting film makers to Ireland. The Film Board works closely with Tourism Ireland in utilising audiovisual productions, made in Ireland, as promotional tools for encouraging visitors to Ireland.
Detailed information on the supports available from the Film Board, including in relation to film locations, can be found on its website www.irishfilmboard.ie.
38. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way she and her Department are encouraging musical appreciation among young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16826/15]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels, including music and musical performance, is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions in funding the arts. Full details are available on the Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie.
In addition, my Department funds targeted initiatives for music, which are channelled through the Music Network. These include the Music Capital Scheme, which is designed to assist individuals and groups to purchase musical instruments and is administered by the Music Network on behalf of my Department. Further details in relation to the Music Network and its schemes are available at www.musicnetwork.ie.
In 2013, an Implementation Group was set up jointly by the Minister for Education and my predecessor to implement the Arts in Education Charter. The Charter seeks, inter alia, to encourage the visitation of schools by artists of all disciplines and by schools engaging with professional arts and cultural practice. I met with the Implementation Group yesterday and I am very impressed with the progress which has been made so far. An Arts-in Education Portal Site has been developed which will be a valuable resource to teachers, including teachers who seek to encourage appreciation in children and young people for music and indeed appreciation for all of the arts. It is hoped that the Portal will be launched next month.
39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which agreement has been reached between the traditional canal users, dwellers, recreational users and Waterways Ireland in regard to the draft regulations to dramatically increase charges, which could have the effect of limiting the extent to which the canals may be available to such users in the future; if the submissions received in connection with the issue have been fully examined; the extent to which it is expected to accede to these requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16744/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions No. 654 of 10 February 2015 and No. 169 of 11 March 2015.
I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the proposed by-laws that Waterways Ireland intends to make in order to enhance the management of the canals for all canal users.
Waterways Ireland undertook a public consultation process in relation to the proposed bye-laws in 2014. I am advised that the main stakeholders, including the Inland Waterway Association of Ireland, the Heritage Boat Association, the Royal Canal Amenity Group and the Irish Boat Rental Association, were contacted individually and invited to meet with the Chief Executive and the senior management team of Waterways Ireland prior to submitting their views. In addition, the current permit holders, including traditional canal users and canal dwellers on the Royal and Grand Canals and the Barrow Navigation, received individual written notices and were given the opportunity to make their views known.
I understand that over 2,000 submissions were made in the course of the public consultation process. A summary of the consultation process and of the submissions received is available on the Waterways Ireland website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/public-consultation.
The current position is that there is ongoing liaison between Waterways Ireland and my Department with a view to finalising the draft by-laws, which will be referred to me with recommendations for consideration and final decision. As previously stated, it is my intention to afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the draft by-laws.
40. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the support her Department provides for Irish music and Irish produced music; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16828/15]
View answerThe Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry.
My Department provides significant support to the industry through its funding of the Arts Council, capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure, and through other financial and policy supports. I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to society and to the music industry.
Last year, in response to a proposal from the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (IASCA), a capital grant of €50,000 from my Department was awarded for the purpose of introducing a digital music system to be available to all Irish musicians and to Irish broadcasters. This system will assist in the assessment of the amount of radio airplay of music which is output from the Irish music industry.
41. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will approve and expedite a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17024/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 3rd of March 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
42. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17027/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 30 of March 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
43. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to allow for an accumulation of sick days to make up the six days needed to qualify for illness benefit for persons with long-term illnesses or receiving treatment for cancer, whereby they may be off sick four days on a repeat cycle, depending on their illness and consequent treatment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17043/15]
View answerGenerally, a person is not entitled to illness benefit (IB) for the first six days of any period of incapacity for work. These are called "waiting days" and Sunday is not counted as a waiting day.
However, where not more than three days have elapsed since a previous claim for IB, no waiting days apply and payment is made from the first day of the new claim.
There is currently no provision for payment of IB in the type of circumstance outlined in the question whereby a person is absent from work for short periods (less than 6 days) on a regular basis of more than 3 days since the last absence from work.
45. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans in regard to advancing the JobBridge qualifications to include persons who have professional qualifications but who are not obtaining employment in their field due to lack of experience, and due to their circumstances have to obtain work in a non-professional field to provide for their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17054/15]
View answer46. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to reducing the time limit on qualifying for JobBridge to allow persons with professional qualifications to obtain a JobBridge position, where such a position will allow them to gain experience in their chosen professional field; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17058/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
JobBridge is an activation measure to help jobseekers break the vicious cycle whereby they cannot get a job without experience but cannot get experience without a job. It is open to all jobseekers who have been unemployed, and in receipt of a jobseeker payment or credits, for at least three months over a six month period regardless of their level of education or professional/vocational background.
The three-month eligibility condition to access JobBridge is based on the labour market policy of ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those most likely to remain on the Live Register for an extended period. The scheme was designed to allocate scarce exchequer resources fairly while ensuring that it does not replace or displace the normal operation of the labour market, which is an essential element of Ireland’s economic recovery.
The success of the Scheme is largely due to host organisations offering internships across a wide spectrum of work types suitable for unskilled and inexperienced jobseekers as well as those holding professional qualifications.
There are currently no plans to change the qualifying period for JobBridge.
47. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the carer's allowance scheme to community houses which provide social support programmes for the elderly through the community or community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17061/15]
View answerCarer’s allowance (CA) is an income support paid to individual carers, aged 18 or over, living with and providing full time care and attention to a care recipient who requires such full-time care and attention. In certain limited circumstances, CA may also be paid to a non-resident carer – for example, in cases there is a direct means of communication between the carer's residence and that of the care recipient.
In relation to participation in community employment (CE) schemes, CA is not paid to people who are also in receipt of an allowance for participating in CE schemes.
48. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the steps her Department is taking to make it easier for self-employed persons who lose their jobs to get back into employment or to start their own businesses again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17069/15]
View answerPersons engaged in self-employment are entitled to apply for means tested jobseekers allowance (JA) should they find that their income from their self-employment has reduced significantly and is no longer providing adequate income support. All means, including that derived from self-employment, is assessed and, where appropriate, JA can be paid.
A person who was self-employed and closes their business can apply for a means tested JA payment for income support while they are without employment. Additional to these income supports, the Department also operates the back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) for those longer term jobseekers who wish to pursue a self-employment opportunity. This allowance is designed to provide the full value of the prior social protection payment in the first year of operation reducing to 75% in year two. In the case of jobseekers, the qualifying period required for access BTWEA is 12 months. The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance provides immediate access to support where people who have lost their jobs and qualify for jobseekers’ benefit wish to set up a business. Payment under the scheme is at the same rate and for the same duration as their entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit.
The Intreo service delivered by the Department is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports and is available to provide additional individually focused supports. Supports for persons wishing to start-up a business or to support an existing business are also available from local enterprise offices and from local development companies. A number of websites provide on-line support and advice, including www.welfare.ie. The location of local enterprise offices around the country can also be found on www.localenterprise.ie and information on supports available to small and medium enterprises can be obtained at www.actionplanforjobs.ie.
49. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17087/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on the 9th of April 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
50. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed following the submission of further medical evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17095/15]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded a disability allowance payment with effect from 14 January 2015. First payment will be on 20 May 2015 and any arrears due will follow shortly.
