Written Answers Nos. 1-30
11. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén straitéis atá aici chun poist a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [32183/15]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimh. 32 ar 30 Aibreán 2015 faoin ábhar seo. Mar a thug mé le fios sa fhreagra sin, léiríonn 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. Tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil siad dóchasach go n-éireoidh leo na spriocanna sin a bhaint amach. 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 ar 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.
12. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that there are adequate provisions in place for the control of the deer population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32196/15]
View answerWild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer.
I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Control is normally a matter for the owner of the property on which they occur. On lands managed by my Department, shooting may be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
My Department, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, recently published a report entitled “Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action”, which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas, including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are widespread. An Irish Deer Management Forum has been established to implement the various actions listed in the report. The Forum comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas, such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations, as well as representatives from both Departments. The report can be downloaded from my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service website at www.npws.ie.
13. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is the intention of her Department to allocate finance and resources to the eradication of the problem of Asian clams on the River Shannon at Lanesborough and the surrounding area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32060/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to today’s Priority Question No 3. As I stated, my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. However, in general, control of invasive species is a matter for landowners, and my Department carries out considerable work on control of such species in National Parks and Nature Reserves.
My Department does not have the resources required to extend such work into the wider countryside, or to provide dedicated funds for such work to other bodies.
Control of aquatic species in rivers, lakes and canals is a complex and difficult issue, as many of the species concerned can be very difficult to detect until well established, and thereafter are persistent and may be impossible to eradicate.
I am aware the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland on the Asian Clam problem, as well as a wide range of useful work on invasive species, especially in controlling aquatic and waterside invasive plants. I am aware also of work carried out by bodies including County Councils, the National Roads Authority, Waterways Ireland and the Botanic Gardens. My Department will continue to work with these and other bodies.
14. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an gcuireann sí fáilte roimh leathnú scéim Líofa ar fud an oileáin ó tá an scéim sin á cur i bhfeidhm ag Cumann Lúthchleas Gael trína chlubanna timpeall na tíre. [32134/15]
View answerI dtús báire, ní foláir dom a mhíniú go mbaineann an tionscadal Líofa leis an Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta i dTuaisceart Éireann. Sheol an tAire Ní Chuilín an tionscadal sa bhliain 2011 leis an sprioc go gcláródh 1,000 duine ó thuaidh leis an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim. Ag eascairt as an tsuim a léiríodh sa tionscadal, tuigtear dom gurb é an sprioc reatha ná go mbeidh 20,000 duine cláraithe do Líofa faoi dheireadh na bliana seo. Mar is eol don Teachta, eascraíonn na polasaithe chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa dlínse seo ó fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus tá an iliomad gnríomhaíochtaí dearfacha agus praiticiúla ar siúl faoin Straitéis chun na críche sin. Tá an ról tábhachtach atá ag eagraíochtaí deonacha náisiúnta, ar nós an Chumainn Lúthchleas Gael, i dtaca le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge aitheanta sa Straitéis.
Feidhmíonn an Cumann Lúthchleas Gael ar bhonn uile-oileáin agus tá struchtúir i bhfeidhm aige chun tacaíocht a thabhairt don Ghaeilge agus don chultúr Gaelach i gcoitinne, ar a n-áirítear Coiste Náisiúnta na Gaeilge atá lonnaithe i bPáirc an Chrócaigh, coistí cúige, coistí contae agus oifigigh Ghaeilge/Chultúir. Sa chomhthéacs seo, cuirim fáilte roimh thiomantas an Chumainn Lúthchleas Gael do chur chun cinn na Gaeilge agus roimh na beartais agus na gníomhaíochtaí éagsúla a úsáideann an CLG chun na críche sin, lena n-áirítear a thacaíocht don tionscadal Líofa.
15. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta tar éis an chruinnithe speisialta de Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe a bhí ann Dé Céadaoin, an 23 Meán Fómhair, céard iad na chéad chéimeanna eile atá le tógáil; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar úsáid na háise aerfoirt ag an gCarn Mór, Gaillimh; agus céard iad na himpleachtaí do na tairiscintí a fhaightear faoin Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí maidir leis an aersheirbhís chuig Oileáin Árann. [32191/15]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, rinne mo Roinn athbhreithniú a choimisiúnú anuraidh ar an tseirbhís aeir i gcomhréir le Rialachán an AE. Léirigh an t-athbhreithniú a rinne EY go raibh cás socheacnamaíoch ann don tseirbhís aeir. Léiríodh fosta go raibh sé riachtanach sábháiltí a bhaint amach i gcomhthéacs an mhéadaithe de 136% a bhí tagtha ar chostas na seirbhíse aeir le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe 2003-2013 a bhí faoi chaibidil sa tuarascáil. Bunaithe ar mholtaí an athbhreithnithe, cuireadh próiseas tairisceana ar bun chun conradh a aontú don tseirbhís aeir don tréimhse ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2015 go dtí an 30 Meán Fómhair 2019. Is í an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais atá i mbun an phróisis tairisceana a reáchtáil thar ceann mo Roinne i gcomhréir le Rialachán an AE.
Tar éis measúnú a bheith déanta ar na hiarratais faoin bpróiseas tairisceana, fógraíodh an tairgeoir roghnaithe don chonradh seirbhíse aeir ar an 26 Lúnasa. Cuireadh in iúl freisin go raibh bronnadh an chonartha faoi réir chomhlíonadh tréimhse sosa deonaí de cheithre lá dhéag agus nach gcuirfí conradh ar bith i gcrích go rachadh an tréimhse sosa in éag ar an 9 Meán Fómhair.
I gcomhréir le comhairle dlí a fuarthas, fógraíodh ar an 10 Meán Fómhair go raibh síneadh á chur leis an tréimhse sosa dheonach go dtí an 16 Samhain. Tógadh an cinneadh seo le súil is soiléiriú a fháil maidir le hAerfort na Gaillimhe a bheith ar fáil do thréimhse an chonartha ceithre bliana ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair mar atá leagtha amach san Iarraidh ar Thairiscintí.
Chun a chinntiú go leanfar le seirbhís aeir chuig agus ó Oileáin Árann, tá mo Roinn ag plé leis an soláthraí seirbhíse reatha chun teacht ar chomhaontú maidir le síneadh a chur leis an gconradh reatha ar feadh ceithre mhí ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair.
Is í an aidhm a bhí agam ón tús ná a chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhís aeir ann i gcónaí d'Oileáin Árann agus leanfaidh mé orm chun an aidhm sin a bhaint amach feadh mo chumais.
16. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici na comhlachtaí a thagann faoi rialacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiula, 2003 a leathnú, agus cén uair a dhéanfar sin. [32133/15]
View answerTá na comhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 liostáilte i gCéad Sceideal an Achta agus sna Rialacháin um Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (Comhlachtaí Poiblí) 2006 (I.R. Uimh. 150 de 2006) a tháinig i bhfeidhm ar an 1 Bealtaine 2006.
Tá an próiseas chun uasdátú a dhéanamh ar na comhlachtaí poiblí atá le háireamh faoin Acht á bhreithniú ag mo Roinn i gcomhthéacs Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2015 atá á dhréachtú. Cuireadh Ceannteidil an Bhille a d’fhaomh an Rialtas faoi bhráid an Chomhchoiste um Chomhshaol, Chultúr agus an Ghaeltacht i gcomhréir le polasaí an Rialtais. Tá na moltaí éagsúla a rinne an Comhchoiste i dtaca leis na Ceannteidil á mbreithniú ag mo Roinn.
Tá Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2015 ar Liosta ‘A’ de Chlár Reachtaíochta an Rialtais agus táthar ag súil go bhfoilseofar é le linn théarma reatha na Dála.
17. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí sásta leis an moladh ón bhfochoiste atá ag plé leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge go mbeadh 10% de na hoibrithe poiblí in ann gnó a dhéanamh leis an bpobal trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [32184/15]
View answerIs mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuilim tar éis scríobh chuig Airí éagsúla chun dul i mbun plé leo maidir le tionscnaimh pholasaí áirithe a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu forbairt a dhéanamh ar sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí i nGaeilge. Cuimsíonn an cur chuige seo moltaí éagsúla atá déanta maidir leis an ábhar seo.
Tá an méid seo a leanas san áireamh sna tionscnaimh pholasaí seo:
- Na céatadáin íosta do na painéil do dhátheangaigh fheidhmiúla a ardú ón íosmhéid de 6% i gcomórtais earcaíochta do ghráid neamh-speisialtóireachta. Is í an mhianaidhm an céatadán a ardú ar bhonn incriminteach go dtí 20% thar thréimhse ama, ag tosú le hardú go dtí 10% mar thús.
- Treisiú a dhéanamh ar an gcreatlach pleanála don fhórsa saothair do Ranna trína gcuirtear iachall orthu mír ar leith a bheith sna pleananna gníomhaíochta don fhórsa saothair a shonraíonn na poist/réimsí oibre ina mbíonn gá le dátheangaigh fheidhmiúla le fócas ar leith ar an nGaeltacht.
18. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in advance of the upcoming budget, the specific measures she has taken to further the promotion of the arts, with regard to the creation of jobs in creative industries and the support of emerging artists, along with the other recommendations in the Irish Music Rights Organisation's report The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32197/15]
View answerThe Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. My Department provides significant support for the arts and film through its funding of the Arts Council and the Film Board while my Department provides capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure. Other financial and policy supports are also provided, for example, through the taxation system. 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. The IMRO report referred to in the Deputy's question, entitled The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy, highlights the impressive contribution the music industry makes to the Irish economy. The report contains a broad range of recommendations for which several Ministers have responsibility. My Department is examining those of relevance to my areas of responsibility.
I am aware of the potential of the creative sector to contribute to sustainable jobs growth and my Department continues to work with other Departments in regard to the audio-visual and music sectors as part of the Government’s overall objectives under the Action Plan for Jobs.
I would also like to add that my Department - through Culture Ireland – plays a major part in promoting Irish arts and music on the world stage. In this regard, the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme will present a significant opportunity next year for the sector next year.
Finally, issues in relation to the arts, film and music are will be of particular relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, Culture 2025. My Department has commenced the engagement in a nationwide consultation process on the development of the policy and I look forward to working further with the music industry as part of that process.
19. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way the Dublin Bay UNESCO designated biosphere is being implemented; her views on the concerns of dumping from dredging over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31994/15]
View answerThe Dublin Bay Biosphere is led by Dublin City Council and managed by means of a partnership between the 3 local authorities in the bay area (Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Fingal County Council), my Department (through the National Parks and Wildlife Service) and the Dublin Port Company. This partnership model provides my Department with a welcome opportunity to work with other bodies and agencies to achieve its strategic objectives and specifically those concerning the promotion of biodiversity, conservation and related education. It also demonstrates the benefits of central and local government cooperation and collaboration.
The Dublin Bay Biosphere represents a significant, exciting and unique opportunity to combine the interests of central and local government with those of the private sector and local businesses and communities in the Dublin Bay area. In the Programme for Government, we have placed much emphasis on the importance of tourism for the national recovery and specifically improving our tourism product. In this regard, I am confident that this biosphere project of international significance will bring much needed economic stimulus and employment opportunities to local communities in the Bay area.
This designation is a significant development for the Dublin Bay Area as it will provide the catalyst for local businesses and communities to demonstrate their green and conservation credentials and to explore and capitalise on the resulting commercial opportunities. It is expected that significant economic benefits will accrue from a UNESCO biosphere designation, through investment in heritage, culture, science and education and the promotion of sustainable products and services, and also sustainable tourism.
In addition to the promotion of conservation and biodiversity issues, the biosphere presents an opportunity to develop a unique brand identity for Dublin Bay to promote its amenity and recreation value. It presents a wonderful opportunity to promote Dublin as a city close to nature, providing a new incentive for people to visit the Dublin Bay area. It will augment the existing tourist attractions of Dublin City, attracting a new type of visitor, and as part of a multi-activity holiday will provide an added attraction that will encourage an extended length of stay and repeat visits from visitors in the valuable adventure tourism bracket.
In relation to dredging/dumping at sea proposals, it is the function of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue Dumping at Sea permits and Integrated Pollution Control licences. Applications for consent under the Foreshore Act for developments are administered by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. My Department’s role, as a consultee to these licensing processes, is to review the various proposals submitted by the consent authorities and provide recommendations and/or observations, if any, to the relevant consent authorities, for their ultimate decision.
20. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of compensation that has been paid to commercial operators on bogs designated as special areas of conservation; if she will provide a breakdown of the amount of compensation paid to commercial operators on each designated bog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32062/15]
View answerSince 1999, a number of applications for compensation from affected industrial and commercial operators have been made to and assessed by my Department.
Compensation has been paid by my Department on the basis of proven actual losses incurred as a result of the cessation of industrial and commercial turf extraction on protected sites. The total amount of such compensation, including legal fees, was €1,963,155. A breakdown of this amount is set out as follows:
|
Special Area of Compensation (SAC) |
Year in which compensation was paid |
Amount of compensation paid |
|
Cloonmoylan Bog SAC |
2011 |
€157,532 |
|
Ox Mountains Bog SAC |
2004 |
€143,787 |
|
Lough Forbes Complex SAC |
2006 |
€442,466 |
|
Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog SAC |
2003 |
€447,666 |
|
Moud's Bog candidate SAC |
2010 |
€605,270 |
|
Moud's Bog SAC |
2007 |
€140,234 |
|
Ballynafagh Bog SAC |
2008 |
€26,200 |
21. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the National Parks and Wildlife Service has decided to no longer seek copies of post mortems carried out by vets at coursing meetings; and if she acknowledges that only a post mortem can reveal true cause of death and that for transparency, this should be requested to ensure no clubs can claim deaths from natural causes which could prove to be untrue. [32180/15]
View answerHare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Under the terms of the Wildlife Acts, licences are required by the Irish Coursing Club, covering their affiliated coursing clubs, if they wish to capture or tag hares for use at regulated hare coursing meetings. Such licenses are issued on an annual basis by my Department. I recently gave approval to the granting of the annual licence to the Irish Coursing Club for the 2015/2016 coursing season.
There are a total of 26 conditions attached to the licences. Where resources allow, officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department attend coursing meetings, on a spot-check basis, to monitor compliance with conditions on the licences granted by my Department. Veterinary officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also attend some meetings on an annual basis.
To assist my officials in the monitoring of these events, my Department also receives reports from the Irish Coursing Club Control Stewards and Veterinary Surgeons in attendance on the day of hare coursing meetings.
It is a licence condition that a qualified veterinary surgeon should be in attendance during all coursing meetings and that a signed report on the general health of the hares and on any injuries or deaths of hares that occur during the meeting should be submitted to my Department. While I understand that post-mortem examinations are carried out at coursing meetings in certain circumstances, it has never been a licence condition that reports on these examinations are submitted to my Department.
22. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici airgead a chur ar fáil le síneadh a chur le céibh Inis Oírr agus le ligean don Chomhairle Contae pleanáil a dhéanamh le haghaidh chéim 2 agus 3 de chéibh Inis Meáin; an bhfuil iarratas faighte aici ón gComhairle Contae i ndáil leis na hoibreacha sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31992/15]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, is le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe na céanna seo. Cé go raibh comhfhreagras idir mo Roinn agus an Chomhairle maidir leis na forbairtí seo san am a caitheadh, níl buiséad ar fáil do mo Roinn faoi láthair le cuidiú leis an gComhairle Contae chun na hoibreacha seo a chur i gcrích.
23. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that adequate space in the official programme for the 1916 centenary celebrations has been allocated to commemorating and celebrating the central role of Irish workers and women in the events of 1916. [31990/15]
View answerThe Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31st March 2015, will include a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to formal State occasions, running throughout 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The programme will be an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future.
I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that special recognition is given to the particular roles played by all participants, including Irish workers and Irish women around the country, in the events of the Rising.
At the centre of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme are the State ceremonial events, which represent the formal and solemn remembrance of the events of 1916 by the citizens of Ireland as the seminal event in our modern history and which focus on remembering and honouring those who took part in the Easter Rising and those who gave their lives.
I can advise the Deputy that two State ceremonial events are confirmed in the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme which commemorate the significant role of women and Irish workers in the Rising:
- A special State ceremonial event will take place on 8th March 2016 – International Women's Day - to highlight the important role played by women in the Rising.
- On 29th March 2016 a State ceremonial event will take place at Liberty Hall in collaboration with the trade union movement to commemorate the significant contribution of the Irish Citizen Army and James Connolly in the events of the 1916 Rising. My Department is working closely with the Trade Union movement in the development of this event.
Other events and initiatives are also being developed including a dedicated exhibition on the role of women in the Rising. A conference and a seminar have been confirmed which will be hosted by NUI Galway and DCU respectively and will explore the role of women in politics over the past 100 years since 1916.
Under the 'Community Participation' strand of the programme, the 31 local authorities are currently finalising their plans for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level following an extensive public consultation process. It is envisaged that many local authorities will be hosting specific events and developing initiatives dedicated to commemorating the significant role of women and Irish workers in the 1916 Rising.
Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place under each of the above strands can be found on the website, www.ireland.ie.
24. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in view of the upcoming budget, she has had any discussions with the Department of Social Protection in relation to a specific grant to assist artists starting out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32198/15]
View answerIssues in relation to state supports in terms of employment or social welfare schemes are a matter for the Minister of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation or Minister for Social Welfare as relevant.
The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to society and to the international artistic reputation of this country. Ireland has a reputation for being supportive of artists through the provision of the tax exemption for artists. I was pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which arts and culture practitioners make here at home and abroad. The feedback available to me indicates that artists very much welcomed the increase in the exemption limits. The scheme ensures that Ireland continues to be a place where the work of artists is valued and where their place in society is assured.
25. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of turf cutters that have been relocated since the commencement of the 2015 turf cutting season; the number that have received an offer of relocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32131/15]
View answerRelocation is a complex process, which involves investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity; assessing the infrastructure/drainage works required; establishing the number that can be accommodated on a site; assessing the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease; and meeting possible planning and environmental impact assessment requirements.
Progress in relocating turf cutters to non-designated bogs has been achieved in a number of cases:
- Clara Bog special area of conservation in County Offaly, where 25 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated on Killeranny Bog; and
- Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog special areas of conservation in County Galway, where 23 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated on the Islands Bog and Killasolan Bog.
A further 7 qualifying turf cutters from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog are being accommodated at Cloonabricka Bog in County Galway, where turf cutting is scheduled to commence next year.
When relocation sites have been assessed as suitable, my Department has been seeking expressions of interest from turf cutters with a view to them moving to these sites. My Department has written to over 330 turf cutters from 23 special area of conservation bogs seeking expressions of interest in relocation to specific sites and is moving forward with the relocation process where sufficient interest has been received in relation to such sites.
While the various stages in the relocation process are ongoing, qualifying turf cutters may avail of an annual payment of €1,500, index-linked, or delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum, under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme.
26. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking to address the Asian clam threat to Lough Ree and the Shannon special protection area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32132/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to today’s Priority Question No 3 As I stated, my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. However, in general, control of invasive species is a matter for landowners, and my Department carries out considerable work on control of such species in National Parks and Nature Reserves.
My Department does not have the resources required to extend such work into the wider countryside, or to provide dedicated funds for such work to other bodies.
Control of aquatic species in rivers, lakes and canals is a complex and difficult issue, as many of the species concerned can be very difficult to detect until well established, and thereafter are persistent and may be impossible to eradicate.
I am aware the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland on the Asian Clam problem, as well as a wide range of useful work on invasive species, especially in controlling aquatic and waterside invasive plants. I am aware also of work carried out by bodies including County Councils, the National Roads Authority, Waterways Ireland and the Botanic Gardens. My Department will continue to work with these and other bodies.
27. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 18 June 2015 and in view of the forthcoming commencement of the coursing season, the steps she has taken to allocate extra resources to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to monitor licence compliance during coursing events in the upcoming season. [31989/15]
View answerRegional staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department who attend coursing meetings perform a wide variety of functions which are set out in the reply to the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 18 June 2015. Regional staff will continue to attend coursing meetings during the 2015/16 season, as resources allow, to monitor compliance with the conditions of the licences.
28. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the destruction of a major archaeological monument, a major timber-built road of European significance at Mayne Bog, Coole, County Westmeath, is continuing, given the National Monuments Service, under her aegis, has known since 2005 about the existence of the monument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32186/15]
View answerMy Department, through the relevant development control frameworks and in co-operation with the landowner, is pursuing an archaeological response in this case that is based on preservation in-situ of those parts of the trackway where it is a realistic option and preservation by record where it is no longer viable.
Most recently in that context, my Department submitted a set of archaeological observations, with three specific recommendations in relation to the trackway, to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in connection with an Integrated Pollution Control licence application to the Agency earlier this year for peat extraction at Mayne Bog. The form and extent of the archaeological excavation sought by my Department was directly comparable to the archaeological mitigation strategies adopted in relation to similar monuments on Bord na Móna peatlands.
The archaeological investigations recommended by my Department to the EPA have since been carried out by the landowner under a separate licence granted by me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under section 26 of the National Monuments Act 1930. The works were inspected and verified at the time by my Department’s National Monuments Service.
A report on the excavations has since been received and is being examined in my Department, which will liaise with the landowner in relation to any further archaeological work on the trackway that is determined from the report as being necessary and appropriate.
29. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on her efforts to ensure that the paintings in the Beit collection remain here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32192/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to today’s Priority Question No. 1.
30. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a progress report on her Department’s contribution to the 1916 commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32195/15]
View answerThe Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31st March last, includes a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to the formal State occasions, which will run throughout 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The Programme will be an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future.
Officials of my Department have facilitated an intensive consultation period over the last few months, including active engagement with schools, universities, colleges, business and voluntary organisations, arts and culture institutions, historical societies and representative groups – at home and in our Diaspora around the world – to inform, to stimulate debate and discussion about 2016, and to foster programme initiatives. Work has been ongoing to implement a comprehensive programme and planning is well underway for the range of initiatives within the seven programme strands.
Among the key milestones achieved to date are the following:
- Over 83 public consultations, facilitated by the local authorities, have taken place nationwide. Arising from this, 31 individual local authority plans will be launched in October. I have allocated €1 million in 2015 in current funding to support this process.
- I was delighted to host the first of the State ceremonial events of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme on 1st August to commemorate the funeral of O'Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin Cemetery, in the presence of President Michael D. Higgins and the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D.
- An allocation of €22 million in capital funding is being provided through my Department’s Vote in 2015 for the ‘Permanent Reminder’ projects. These capital projects are progressing well and potential launch dates have been identified.
- The Government has announced its intention to purchase and restore the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin, and arrangements to this end are progressing well.
- The Global and Diaspora Programme, including the preliminary Culture Ireland plans, was launched on 29th June and was very positively received at home and abroad.
- On 6th August, the Arts Council announced 9 major arts projects to commemorate 1916.
- The launch of the National Flag Initiative took place on 14th September, with the first in a series of deliveries by the Defence Forces of the National Flag and the Proclamation to over 3,300 national schools across the country.
- The grants programme for Irish language projects under the ‘An Teanga Bheo’ strand of the Programme has been completed and will be announced in the coming weeks.
- The Education Programme strand was launched on 22nd September for the primary, post-primary and third level education sectors; and
- Consultation is ongoing with relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including official, political, media, artistic and NGO stakeholders.
Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place under each of the above strands can be found on my Department’s dedicated website at www.ireland.ie.
