Tuesday, 14 Jul 2015

Written Answers Nos. 952-966

Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (952)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

952. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the deliberations of the expert working group established under the auspices of her Department with regard to action 152 in the Action Plan for Jobs, in particular regarding the submission made by organisations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29044/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An Interdepartmental Group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies has been established to examine and report on recommendations to increase foreign and domestic investment in Ireland’s film and TV sound stage studio infrastructure in the face of growing demand for audio-visual content across multiple platforms. This builds on the process commenced last year by the Irish Film Board, which sought expressions of interest in this regard. The Group has met on a number of occasions since its first meeting in January of this year and its work is ongoing.

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Questions (953)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

953. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the lottery money that was given to the natural environment in 2013 and 2014 and has been given in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28238/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The apportionment of National Lottery funding to various lines of voted expenditure is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in accordance with the provisions of section 41 of the National Lottery Act 2013. However, for the Deputy’s information, expenditure on national culture and heritage (including the Irish language) is covered under Section 41 of the Act. Subhead B3, Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council), is one of three subheads in my Department’s Vote that are partially funded from the National Lottery allocation. The components of my Department’s Vote which are part-funded by proceeds of the National Lottery are Subhead A9, An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Arts Council); Subhead B3, Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council); and Subhead C4, Irish Language Support Schemes. Allocations in respect of these subheads are set out in the Revised Estimates Volumes for the years in question and are published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at http://www.per.gov.ie/estpubexp2013.

National Postcode System Implementation

Questions (954)

Noel Harrington

Question:

954. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to include the new Eircode postcode in all schemes and administrative roles operated by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28309/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department is undertaking a review of its name and address databases to identify the amendments required in those computer systems to accommodate the use of Eircodes. When this is completed, any necessary changes to procedures and systems will be implemented.

Deer Hunting

Questions (955)

Seán Fleming

Question:

955. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she will meet an organisation (details supplied) to discuss issues relating to deer management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28529/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I am considering a request for a meeting with the organisation in question and my Office will be in contact with it shortly.

Údarás na Gaeltachta Expenditure

Questions (956)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

956. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form a list of the Údarás na Gaeltachta-supported companies in County Donegal that are in receipt of employment grants; the number of employees supported in each company; the cost to the Údarás of the support for each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28889/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The information requested on companies supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta in County Donegal that are in receipt of employment grants and the cost to the Údarás of this support during the 2012-2014 period is provided in tabular format at the end of this reply. Total employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta-supported companies in County Donegal was 1,951 jobs in 2014, 1,942 jobs in 2013 and 1,878 jobs in 2012.

2014

Location in County Donegal	Company Name	Product/Service	Grant paid in 2014	Total Grant paid up to 31/12/2014
An Bun Beag	G Croí Teoranta	Manufacturing Measuring Appliances	0	0
An Charraig	Earagail Éisc Teo	Fish Processing	5,000	2,174,689
An Fál Carrach	Cora Tine Teo	Research/Development of Electronic Goods	0	893,497
Anagaire	Aerphort Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall Teo	Airport	24,197	898,798
	Caisleán Óir Teo	Hotel and Cultural Centre	0	5,714
Ard an Rátha	Arán Ard Teoranta	Baking	198,749	344,888
An Ghlaisigh	Teach Jack Teo	Hotel	0	0
Baile na Finne	Comhlacht Traenach na Gaeltachta Láir (2000) Teo	Heritage Tourism	0	212,825
Cill Charthaigh	Cuan Tamhnaigh Teo	Carpet Weaving and Finishing	13,194	1,486,644
Doirí Beaga	Nuvotem Teo	Toroidal Transformer	8,013	1,587,606
	Turasmara Dún na nGall Teo	Freight Service (Island)	0	5,333
	Cóin agus Abhlanna Éireannach Teo	Food Produce	16,000	412,393
	Fáisc Miotail ÉireannTeo	Vehicle Parts Manufacturing	231,782	791,708
	Euroflex Teo	Packaging Products	383,339	1,732,701
Dún Lúiche	Togra Dhún Lúiche Teo	Tourist Centre	0	392,203
Toraigh	Hotel Thoraigh Comhlacht Teo	Hotel	0	54,381
Total			880,274	10,993,379
Location in County Donegal of other industries which received grant funding in 2014	Company Name	Product/Service	Grant paid in 2014	Total Grant paid up to 31/12/2014
Ailt an Chorráin	Sliogéisc na Rossan Teo	Fish Cultivation - Oyster	72,000	460,004
An Charraig	Breandán Mac Seáin	Manufacture of All Other Types	4,000	4,000
An Clochán Liath	Caoimhín Ó Gallchóir	Specialised Design	4,000	4,000
	Dearthóirí DL	Social Activity	8,000	8,000
	Próiseáil an Clochán Liath Teo	Fish Processing	52,848	1,060,226
	Ostre'an Teo	Fish Farming	78,646	362,858
	Randox Teo	Health Products	364,621	2,195,731
An Fál Carrach	Mícheál Ó Muirí	Other Education	8,650	8,650
	Feidhm Mara Teo	Underwater/Subaqua Training Centre	30,866	219,742
An Tearmann	Comhlacht Forbartha an Tearmainn Teo	Social/Economic Services	16,277	451,281
Anagaire	Upilot Teo	Other Education	10,000	20,000
	Tionscala GPE Teo	Fibre Glass Products	22,520	414,742
Baile na Finne	Bácús Uí Bhaoill Teo	Bakery and Confectionery	3,440	281,485
	Cathal Ó Cnáimhsí	Stove Manufacture	10,500	44,000
Carraig Airt	Uppiddee Ltd	Information Technology Services	5,000	5,000
Cill Charthaigh	Bá Dhún na nGall Teo	Knitted Goods	3,410	529,342
	Cliabhain Costa Teo	Net Manufacturing	15,422	242,115
	Innealtóireacht PMC Teo	Manufacturing Metal/Engineering Products	17,735	17,735
	Oileán Glas Teo	Seaweed Processing	83,060	818,348
	Snáth Dún na nGall Teo	Spinning and Yarn	137,111	526,462
Cionn Droma	Niall Mac Suibhne	Engineering	8,000	8,000
Doirí Beaga	GSPK Circuits (Ireland) Teo	Printed Circuit Boards	760	101,848
	Niall Haicéid	Audio Engineering Service	1,693	23,619
	Bainistíocht Áras Gaoth Dobhair Teo	Elderly Care	5,111	14,487
	Millíní Admhaid Dhún na nGall Teo	Electricity Generation/Renewable Energy	8,565	9,993
	Seán Mac Giolla Bhríde	Industrial Waste Collection	15,000	45,914
	Mobileonix Teo	Call Centres Activity	21,711	73,999
Gleann Cholm Cille	Éadach Charn na nÉan Teo.	Other Textile Manufacture	51,547	51,547
Gort an Choirce	Paula Ní Fhlanagáin agus Jim Ó Donnchadh	Recycling	2,262	2,262
Leitir Mhic an Bhaird	Sliogéisc Ba Traigheanna Teo	Fish Farming	15,206	15,206
Na Dúnaibh	Troscán Tábhairne Teo	Manufacture of Wood Products	2,994	2,994
	Clós Bhád Mhíobhaigh Teo	Repair and Conservation Boats/Ships	7,469	25,720
Na Gleannta	Máirtín Ó Breisleáin	Manufacturing Knitted Goods	26,972	26,972
	Tazetta Teo	Fur Cultivation	28,261	64,661
Total			1,143,657	8,140,943
		Total Grants paid in 2014	2,023,932

2013

Location in County Donegal	Company Name	Product/Service	Grants paid in 2013	Total Grants paid up to 31/12/2013
An Bun Beag	G Croí Teoranta	Manufacturing Measuring Appliances	0	0
An Charraig	Earagail Éisc Teo	Fish Processing	0	2,169,689
An Fál Carrach	Cora Tine Teo	Research/Development of Electronic Goods	0	893,497
Anagaire	Aerphort Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall Teo	Airport	0	874,601
	Caisleán Óir Teo	Hotel and Cultural Centre	0	5,714
Ard an Rátha	Arán Ard Teoranta	Baking	0	146,139
An Glaisigh	Teach Jack Teo	Hotel	0	0
Baile na Finne	Comhlucht Traenach na Gaeltachta Láir (2000) Teo	Heritage Tourism	0	212,825
Cill Charthaigh	Cuan Tamhnaigh Teo	Carpet Weaving and Finishing	13,196	1,473,450
Doirí Beaga	Nuvotem Teo	Toroidal Transformer	0	1,579,592
	Turasmara Dún na nGall Teo	Freight Service (Island)	0	5,333
	Bia Gaoth Dobhair Teo	Snack Foods	0	2,806,503
	Bia Gaoth Barra Teo	Snack Foods	0	2,379,205
	Cóin agus Abhlanna Éireannach Teo	Food Produce	12,389	396,393
	Euroflex Teo	Packaging Products	176,770	1,349,362
	Arán Pita Éireann Teo	Food Produce	0	670,104
Dún Lúiche	Togra Dhún Lúiche Teo	Tourist Centre	0	392,203
Toraigh	Hotel Thoraigh Comhlacht Teo	Hotel	0	54,381
Total			202,355	15,408,991
Location in County Donegal of other industries which received grant funding in 2013	Company Name	Product/Service	Grants paid in 2013	Total Grants paid up to 31/12/2013
Ailt an Chorráin	Cumhacht Comharchumann Teo.	Wind Turbine	34,225	184,153
	Damien Ó Muirí	Cleaning Service	8,000	16,000
	Sliogéisc na Rossan Teo	Fish Cultivation - Oyster	36,000	388,004
An Charraig	Ireland by Bike Limited	Sports Activities	1,197	1,197
An Clochán	Innealtóireacht J.C. Teo	Metal and Engineering	8,468	133,811
	Seirbhísí Coill Ghleann Fhinne Teo	Forest & Related Services	12,399	24,399
An Clochán Liath	Ostre'an Teo	Fish Farming	175,574	284,212
	Randox Teo	Health Products	185,522	1,831,110
An Fál Carrach	Aindriú Ó Dochartaigh	Manufacture of Glass/Glass Products	5,991	11,152
	Cuan Mhuire (N.I.) Ltd.	Human Health Activities	20,475	20,475
	Feidhm Mara Teo	Underwater/Subaqua Training Centre	3,188	188,876
	Pádraig Ó Cánainn	Vehicle Repair and Maintenance	6,208	6,208
Anagaire	Millíní Admhaid Dhún na nGall Teo	Electrical Generation/Renewable Energy	1,428	1,428
	Upilot Teo	Other Education	10,000	10,000
Baile na Finne	Bácús Uí Bhaoill Teo	Bakery and Confectionery	3,368	278,045
Cill Charthaigh	Bá Dhún na nGall Teo	Knitted Goods	2,265	525,932
	Cliabhain Costa Teo	Net Manufacturing	17,209	226,693
	Darni Ceard Teo	Weaving/Clothing Manufacture	38,500	104,327
	Oileán Glas Teo	Seaweed Processing	30,302	735,288
	Snáth Dún na nGall Teo	Spinning and Yarn	29,656	389,350
Cionn Caslach	P. F. P. Teo	Fish Processing	4,620	622,123
Cionn Droma	Donnchadh Mac Giolla Cheara	Information Technology Services	4,000	8,000
Doirí Beaga	Bainistíocht Áras Gaoth Dobhair Teo	Elderly Care	9,376	9,376
	Fáisc Miotail Éireann Teo	Vehicle Parts Manufacturing	215,659	559,926
	GSPK Circuits (Ireland) Teo	Printed Circuit Boards	1,267	101,088
	Mobileonix Teo	Call Centres Activity	52,288	52,288
	Niall Haicéid	Audio Engineering Service	2,540	21,926
	Pádraig Ó Domhnaill	Agricultural consultancy	3,175	10,159
	Paul Larkin	Language Based Activities	4,000	8,000
	R.A. Pacáistí Teo	Goods Packaging for Food Industry	59,467	3,508,251
	Seán Ó Gallchóir	Technical Analysis	4,000	8,000
	Táirgí Snáithín Gloinne Teo	Fibre Glass Boats	12,711	126,276
Gleann Cholm Cille	Tomás Ó hÁilis	Manufacture of Wood Products	8,000	8,000
Gort a Choirce	Bertina Whitley	Pet Care	2,714	5,714
Na Dúnaibh	Clós Bhád Mhíobhaigh Teo	Repair and Conservation Boats/Ships	4,482	18,251
Total			1,018,273	10,428,038
		Total Grants paid in 2013	1,220,627

2012

Location in County Donegal	Company Name	Product/Service	Grants paid in 2012	Total Grants paid up to 31/12/2012
An Charraig	Earagail Éisc Teo	Fish Processing	0	2,169,689
An Fál Carrach	Cora Tine Teo	Research/Development of Electronic Goods	53,966	893,497
Anagaire	Aerphort Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall Teo	Airport	0	874,601
	Caisleán Óir Teo	Hotel and Cultural Centre	0	5,714
Ard an Rátha	Arán Ard Teoranta	Baking	146,139	146,139
Baile na Finne	Comhlacht Traenach na Gaeltachta Láir (2000) Teo	Heritage Tourism	0	212,825
An Ghlaisigh	Teach Jack Teo	Hotel	0	0
Cill Charthaigh	Cuan Tamhnaigh Teo	Carpet Weaving and Finishing.	14,797	1,460,254
Croithlí	Nuvotem Teo	Toroidal Transformer	0	1,579,592
Doirí Beaga	Turasmara Dún na nGall Teo	Freight Service (Island)	0	5,333
	Bia Gaoth Dobhair Teo	Snack Foods	0	2,806,503
	Bia Gaoth Barra Teo	Snack Foods	0	2,379,205
	Cóin agus Abhlanna Éireannach Teo	Food Produce	43,583	384,004
	Euroflex Teo	Packaging Products	47,628	1,172,592
	Arán Pita Éireann Teo	Food Produce	0	670,104
An Bun Beag	G Croí Teoranta	Manufacturing Measuring Appliances	0	0
Dún Lúiche	Togra Dhún Lúiche Teo	Tourist Centre	0	392,203
Toraigh	Hotel Thoraigh Comhlacht Teo	Hotel	0	54,381
Total			306,112	15,206,636
Location in County Donegal of other industries which received grant funding in 2012	Company Name	Product/Service	Grants paid in 2012	Total Grants paid up to 31/12/2012
Ailt an Chorráin	Damien Ó Muirí	Cleaning Service	8,000	8,000
An Clochán	Seirbhísí Coill Ghleann Fhinne Teoranta	Forest & Related Services	12,000	12,000
An Clochán Liath	Machaire le Chéile Teo	Community Enterprise	445	133,557
	Forbairt na Rosann Teo.	Tourism	3,040	318,141
	Leda Formwork Idirnáisiúnta Teo	Déantús Earraí Tógála	8,893	47,849
	Ostre'an Teo	Fish Farming	35,888	108,638
	Próiseáil (an Clochán Liath) Teo	Fish Processing	69,605	1,007,378
	Randox Teo	Health Products	918,373	1,645,588
An Fál Carrach	Aindriú Ó Dochartaigh	Manufacture of Glass/Glass Products	5,161	5,161
	Feidhm Mara Teo	Underwater/Subaqua Training Centre	7,908	185,688
An Tearmann	Micheál Ó Dubhaill	Simple Retail Solutions	20,000	20,000
Anagaire	Seán Mac Giolla Easpaig	Forge and Workshop	2,199	25,339
	Tionscala GPE Teo	Fibre Glass Products	32,747	392,222
Árainn Mhór	Comharchumann Árainn Mhór- Baile Saoire	Tourism Enterprise	6,503	527,183
Baile na Finne	Finn Mac Aodhain	Language Based Activities	4,000	8,000
	Cathal Ó Cnáimhsí	Stove Manufacture	5,000	33,500
	Bácús Uí Bhaoill Teo	Bakery and Confectionery	9,941	274,677
	Ardaitheoirí Teoranta	Engineering	45,000	90,173
Cill Charthaigh	Algaran Teo	Manufacting Food Produce	3,363	38,719
	Bá Dhún na nGall Teo	Knitted Goods	3,410	523,667
	Darni Ceard Teo	Weaving/Clothing Manufacture	18,815	65,827
	Cliabhain Costa Teo	Net Manufacturing	34,420	209,485
	Snáth Dún na nGall Teo	Spinning and Yarn	47,971	359,694
	Oileán Glas Teo	Seaweed Processing	71,207	704,986
Cionn Caslach	Éabha Nic Gabhann	Environmental consultancy	4,000	4,000
	Lámha Inspioráide	Crafts and Art	4,450	34,346
Cionn Droma	Donnchadh Mac Giolla Cheara	Information Technology Services	4,000	4,000
Doirí Beaga	Cló Uladh Teo	Book publishing	1,740	38,881
	Niall Haicéid	Audio Engineering Service	2,540	19,386
	Pádraig Ó Domhnaill	Agricultural consultancy	3,175	6,984
	Seán Ó Gallchóir	Technical Analysis	4,000	4,000
	Paul Larkin	Language Based Activities	4,000	4,000
	Fáisc Miotail ÉireannTeo	Vehicle Parts Manufacturing	8,978	344,267
	Táirgí Snáithín Gloinne Teo	Fibre Glass Boats	44,565	113,565
	R.A. Pacáistí Teo	Goods Packaging for Food Industry	933,994	3,448,784
	Largo Foods Intellectual Properties Ltd.	Manufacturing Other Food Produce	15,023	410,930
	Éist agus Cuidiú Teoranta	Insurance Call Centre	218,477	374,128
Gort an Choirce	Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc Teo	Community Arts	15,615	730,310
Na Dúnaibh	Clós Bhád Mhíobhaigh Teoranta	Repair & Conservation Boats/Ships	13,769	13,769
Total			2,652,215	12,296,822
		Total Grants paid in 2012	2,958,327

Metal Detectors

Questions (957)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

957. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a working group will be established to review a matter (details supplied) regarding metal detecting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29080/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Measures to regulate the use of metal detectors were introduced in the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987 to protect our archaeological heritage from the irreparable damage and loss which results from indiscriminate use of metal detectors to search for archaeological objects. The 1987 Act sets out statutory provisions regarding the general use of metal detectors to search for archaeological objects on any lands and the particular requirements applying to their use or possession on protected monuments and archaeological sites. My Department, in co-operation with the National Museum of Ireland, has published guidelines setting out advice to the public on the use of detection devices and their impact on our archaeological heritage. The guidelines are available on my Department’s website and are also available in museums, libraries and local authority offices. The guidelines explain both the provisions of the relevant legislation and the reasons it was enacted in 1987. The 1987 Act does not prohibit the use of metal detectors for archaeological purposes, rather it ensures such use takes place in a regulated manner, subject to appropriate safeguards.

The National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 implemented in statute law the ruling of the Supreme Court in Webb v. Ireland that archaeological objects found in the State which have no known owner are State property. The 1994 Act, also in line with the findings of the Supreme Court, established a statutory scheme for payment of rewards to finders of archaeological objects, at the discretion of the Director of the National Museum of Ireland. It has been a legal requirement since the enactment of the National Monuments Act 1930 that finds of archaeological objects must be reported to the Director of the National Museum.

I am satisfied that the current legislation is reasonable, proportionate and effective and I do not propose to establish a working group of the kind referred to by the Deputy.

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (958, 959, 960)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

958. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the number of hunting-related offences detected by, or brought to the attention of, her Department in 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29171/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

959. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of successful prosecutions brought by her Department for hunting-related offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29172/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

960. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide in tabular form the number of prosecutions brought by her Department for hunting-related offences west of the River Shannon and east of the River Shannon in 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29173/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 to 960, inclusive, together.

The number of successful prosecutions taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department in 2013 and 2014 relating to illegal hunting under various provisions of the Wildlife Acts are set out in the table that follows this reply. These prosecutions relate to the illegal hunting of deer, hares, badgers and wild birds.

Members of An Garda Síochána are empowered under the Wildlife Acts to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute as they see fit.

Prosecutions for illegal hunting – 2013 and 2014

	2013	2014
Number of prosecutions taken	4	3
Number of successful prosecutions	4	2
Location of prosecutions East/West of Shannon	All East	All East

Wildlife Protection

Questions (961, 962, 963)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

961. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ban the sale of migratory birds, as she has been urged to do by the National Association of Regional Game Councils with the support of the Woodcock Association of Ireland, Birdwatch Ireland and the Association of Game Shoot Operators, given that all of these associations have identified a major problem in the exploitation of migratory birds through unregulated tourist hunting, most of which is alleged to be taking place in the black economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29174/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

962. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether the banning of the sale of migratory species will significantly remove the motivation and/or incentive for their commercial exploitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29175/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

963. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht whether she believes there is already significant precedent for banning the sale of migratory species, such as Statutory Instrument No. 228 of 1992 banning the sale of the curlew, and Statutory Instrument No. 241 of 1982 banning the sale of goldeneye ducks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29176/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 961 to 963, inclusive, together.

My Department is aware of concerns expressed by a number of organisations relating to the apparent increase in the hunting of certain migratory birds, including woodcock. I intend to hold a short consultation with relevant stakeholders on options to address concerns about woodcock to ensure their views are known to my Department on this matter. There is already legislation in place banning the sale of certain wild birds such as curlew, goldeneye and gadwall.

My officials will examine the options arising out of this consultation with a view to affording increased protection as appropriate to woodcock populations. I am conscious that the next hunting season for woodcock starts on 1 November. I would aim to have any necessary change in place by that time.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (964)

Seán Fleming

Question:

964. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current average age of permanent staff employed within her Department and the agencies under her Department's remit; the way this varies from the end of 2008 and 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29191/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The average age of staff in my Department at the end of 2014 was 47, as against an average of 46 at the end of 2011, which was the year of its establishment. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:

Body	Average age at the end of 2008.	Average age at the end of 2011.	Average age at the end of 2014
Arts Council	38	42	45
Ulster-Scots Agency	42	45	48
Irish Film Board	36	39	41
Chester Beatty Library	44	46	48
Crawford Art Gallery	44	47	49
Foras na Gaeilge	46	42	43
Heritage Council	39	42	45
Irish Museum of Modern Art	40	43	45
National Concert Hall	39	44	45
National Library of Ireland	45	43	45
National Museum of Ireland	44	47	48
Údarás na Gaeltachta	48	48	50
Waterways Ireland	47	48	50
National Gallery of Ireland	45	47	49

Air Services Provision

Questions (965)

Seán Kyne

Question:

965. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on tendering for a new contract for the air service for Oileáin Árann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29207/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The procurement process for this contract is being administered by the Office of Government Procurement. I understand that the closing date for receipt of tenders was 22 June and that the assessment process is currently under way. I have not yet been advised of a date for the completion of this process.

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Questions (966)

Seán Kyne

Question:

966. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps being taken to de-designate natural heritage areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29216/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network was published in January 2014 and concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitats through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete de-designation of certain natural heritage areas.

Some 46 natural heritage areas (including parts of 7 natural heritage areas) are scheduled for de-designation.

Regulatory change will be required to give full effect to the de-designation of the sites. The appropriate form of this change is being considered within my Department. I expect that the process will be completed by the end of the year.