Written Answers Nos. 601-614
601. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if unspent moneys awarded by his Department for festivals will be allocated to other festival committees, even though the festival would have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39584/15]
View answerThe award of grants for festivals is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland and not a matter in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
602. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the planned fare increases for public transport services will not act as a disincentive to public transport use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39623/15]
View answer603. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for details of discussions he has had with the National Transport Authority regarding the fares determination reports for 2016, particularly in relation to the fare increases in a number of areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39624/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 603 together.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
604. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as the Minister for the Department with overall responsibility for the entry into the State of invasive species and the control of such species once found here, other than those covered under the Wildlife Acts and Statutory Instrument No. 477 of 2011 on the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, her views on whether such issues should be a matter for the North-South Ministerial Council, to ensure uniformity across the island of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39304/15]
View answerFirstly, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions No. 1197 and 1209 of 3 November last. I take it that this question refers to species not currently listed in relevant schedules of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, Statutory Instrument Number 477 of 2011; and wish to advise that, while I have no plans at this time to extend the list of species covered by these Regulations, species may be added, provided there is sufficient evidence to justify their inclusion.
605. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the planned Cork events centre; the role of her Department in advancing the project; if her Department has been involved in talks to progress the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39317/15]
View answerI wish to confirm that a letter has now issued from my Department to Cork City Council notifying them of the allocations that are being made to this project from my Department's vote in the context of the Government's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan for the period 2016 to 2021 Building on Recovery. My Department will work closely with Cork City Council, which is leading on the delivery of this significant project for Cork.
606. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to a recent announcement regarding the culling of deer in Killarney National Park in County Kerry, how many deer are going to be culled; who is going to be engaged; the process for selecting the persons who will perform the culling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39421/15]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. With regard to Killarney National Park, every year, as part of the ongoing management of deer populations within the Park, deer numbers may need to be reduced. It is intended to commence culling later this month, once the rut has finished. This work will be undertaken by qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel of my Department. The proposed cull is no different to what has happened in previous years.
I recognise that the red deer of Killarney National Park and the surrounding area are of national conservation significance and that the subject of culling is quite emotive. There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner. My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as in Wicklow and Killarney National Parks and I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
607. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she will honour the commitment given to the Irish Farmers' Association on 28 May 2015 to reconvene a meeting on the issue of the National Parks and Wildlife Service's farm plan scheme for the Shannon Callows; the reason for the delay; the progress to date on a new farm plan scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38969/15]
View answerSpecial Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation are designated in accordance with the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive and EU Birds Directive, which have been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Both designations occur within the Shannon Callows.
A habitat enhancement scheme (known as the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme) was previously available to farmers in designated sites to undertake proactive measures for the conservations interests in question. These measures were not a condition of the designation, nor were they compensation for designation. These commitments were voluntary in nature and lasted for the period of the farm plan. This scheme was closed to new applicants in April 2010. My Department will enter into new farm plan contracts only in specific cases where pro-active measures are required by or overseen by the Department to protect/restore an important species or habitat.
Instead, significant funding is provided now 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. It is wise in my view that the Programme, co-funded with the EU, is used for such purposes. Farmers such as those in the Shannon Callows have been given priority access to the GLAS scheme. My Department has also supports an EU-funded pilot project to test Result-based Agri-environment Payment Schemes (RBAPS) in the Shannon Callows and this will run from January 2015 to June 2018. This will hopefully inform future agri-environment schemes in the Shannon Callows.
Staff of my Department are available to discuss these issues and the Designated Area Monitoring Committee may be the appropriate forum to do this.
608. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department is aware of the increased threat caused by deer from the national parks transgressing onto public roads in County Kerry; her plans to increase fencing and preventative measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39231/15]
View answerWild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. It should be noted that while the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department does licence hunting of Deer, my Department does not own the deer population. They roam freely throughout the countryside and are present in many parts of the country. My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action in March this year 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 itself comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations as well as representatives from both Departments.
With regard to calls for increased fencing in relation to incidents of deer presence on public roads in Kerry, my Department has no plans to fence the National Park. Deer, albeit larger, are like other wild animals in this country and it is not part of the remit of my Department to cordon them onto specific areas of land. Moreover, fencing the National Park would not be a viable solution and would not achieve the desired results for a number of reasons:
- The presence of deer is not confined to the National Parks and so fencing of these properties would serve no practical purpose in terms of wild deer control or management.
- The Park is over 10,000 ha in size including some rugged terrain. Fencing this area would be an enormous task which is unlikely to result in the desired objective.
- Sika deer are capable of going under fencing that is 8 inches off the ground while Red deer are capable of knocking fences that are preventing them from reaching traditional feeding and shelter grounds.
- The erection of a fence this size could also impact on the sensitive habitats within the Park.
- There are many deer outside the Park boundaries which would still be capable of running into the path of motorists.
- I am of the view that improving sight lines for motorists as well as improved (possibly larger) signage is likely to be the most effective measure to assist motorists in remaining vigilant when driving through areas where populations of deer can be expected.
Officials from my Department have discussed this with Kerry County Council and I understand that Kerry County Council have prepared a scheme of works (which includes a number of measures including trimming back of overhanging tree branches, enhancement/relocation of road-side signs, etc.) in this regard.
609. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to increase funding to the National Library of Ireland to ensure that its collections are properly preserved and protected for future generations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39298/15]
View answerThe National Library is one of our foremost National Cultural Institutions, charged with collecting, preserving, promoting and making accessible the documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland. I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the National Library, and indeed other cultural institutions, following the significant reduction of resources available to the Exchequer as a result of the economic crisis. These are significant challenges which will not be fixed overnight, and will most likely take a number of years to address.
Thanks to the fact that the economy has improved, I was in a position to secure an additional €2 million in once-off funding for our National Cultural Institutions in late 2014, as part of the 2015 Revised Estimates. This included an increased allocation of €600,000 for the National Library.
The funding was aimed at addressing specific issues in a number of key institutions, including the National Library. While this funding was originally secured on a once-off basis, I was pleased to retain it again for 2016. It should be noted that the Library will also benefit from additional funding under the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme next year.
In relation to the security of the collection, I am aware that the Library gives this issue the highest priority and, where incidents have arisen, they have brought in appropriate expert advice to assist them. I was also pleased to recently approve a new post in the National Library for a security and facilities manager, which will be key to managing and planning the storage and security of the Library’s collection.
It is widely acknowledged that the Library holds a significant amount of its collection in an historic Victorian era building, which would not meet modern standards in terms of environmental and other controls.
I will shortly be making a positive announcement about the development of a capital investment plan for the Library's Kildare Street building. I am confident that those plans will allow the Library to continue to deliver on its core objectives, including the protection and conservation of its collections.
610. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason Ireland has not nominated two persons to the panel of judges for the European Capital of Culture designation. [39325/15]
View answerThe selection process for the European Capital of Culture is undertaken by an Expert panel consisting of 10 members. The European institutes and bodies appoint the members and comprise 3 members from each of the following: the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission and one member representing the Committee of the Regions together with a chair from the Commission. Member States have the option to appoint up to 2 members to the Committee. However, this is not a requirement and I decided in the circumstances, and having regard to the nominations from Ireland, not to exercise this discretion on this occasion.
611. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on requests to her office from Clondalkin Tidy Towns in Dublin 22 to have Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery on Monastery Road brought under national protection; and the additional options available to the local community, local government or central Government to assist in protecting and preserving this historic site. [39400/15]
View answerTo qualify for inclusion in the statutory Record of Monuments and Places as issued under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, a monument must date from before 1700 AD. I understand that this cemetery, which was attached to Mount St Joseph Seminary or Monastery, catered for burials from 1825 to 1965. On that basis it does not quality for entry into the Record of Monuments and Places. For a monument to be taken into my ownership or guardianship under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004, or made subject to a preservation order, I must be satisfied that it is a national monument within the meaning of those Acts, and that its preservation is a matter of national importance. This can only ever be an option in a very small number of especially important cases and, while I appreciate fully the significance the local community undoubtedly attaches to this cemetery, I am afraid that it does not meet the statutory criteria for national monument purposes.
Funding is provided by my Department for heritage conservation projects via a number of schemes, which are either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and certain agencies. On 9 February last, I announced an allocation of €624,000 for the Structures at Risk Fund 2015, to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This Fund, which is being administered through the local authorities, encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures, which might otherwise be lost. The Fund, which is now closed, was open to two applications per local authority, of which only one application may be in respect of a publicly-owned building. It is primarily a matter for the local authority to nominate its two applications. Since 2011, over 100 structures have been safeguarded for the future as a result of the Structures at Risk Fund. The operation of a similar scheme in the future would be contingent on dedicated funding being made available to my Department.
The remainder of my Department’s built heritage capital budget for 2015 is focused on the conservation and presentation of the State's heritage portfolio, which is managed by the Office of Public Works.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. For 2015, the Council administered a community based heritage grants scheme with funding of €547,000 available for projects that contribute to particular heritage themes. While I understand that applications have closed for their 2015 scheme, the Council may be able to advise if the structure would be eligible for funding now or in the future. The Heritage Council’s website is www.heritagecouncil.ie.
612. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39469/15]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was received on 21 October 2015 by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
I am advised that an affidavit has been issued to the applicant in relation to the legal interest in the bog plot on which he claims to have been cutting turf. Once the affidavit has been returned, my Department will be in a position to process the application further.
613. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to provide for a new Government policy on architecture subsequent to the current policy's expiry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39574/15]
View answerThe Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015 was launched in October 2009 and provides the appropriate framework for architectural policy up to 2015 and beyond and is led centrally by the Built Heritage and Architectural Policy Unit in my Department. The policy places an emphasis on sustainable development of the environment and urban design, incorporates architectural heritage in a holistic integrated manner, and encourages and supports high quality modern architecture. The policy complements and supports the Government’s wider economic strategy within the Programme for Government in areas such as built environment research and qualitative place-making. My Department has provided grant assistance to organisations that support the Government policy on Architecture. The focus on awarded grant aid is to support activities that relate directly to the objectives and 45 direct actions within the policy but which are independently run through other organisations/stakeholder groups and which may be assisted by a financial contribution. These include initiatives such as:
- Research, surveys, reviews including those which could contribute to architectural or policy development;
- Promoting an increased appreciation and public awareness of architecture/urban design in Ireland or the rich and unique built heritage environment (exhibitions, conferences, lectures, specific initiatives etc.);
- Increasing awareness and public understanding of the challenges confronting the built environment.
The actions set out in the Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015 cover a broad spectrum and involve many participants in addition to Government departments and State agencies where applicable.
I have no immediate plans for a new policy. However, my Department will be conducting a “taking stock” exercise on actions completed to date on conclusion of the current policy with a view to having a review carried out which will involve consultation with key stakeholders including educational institutions, professional bodies and organisations devoted to the promotion of architecture. The outcome of such a review will contribute to the determining of any further policies as and when applicable.
614. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in regard to the operation of the National Archives Act 1986, her views on figures obtained through a Parliamentary Question from all Departments of State (details supplied) outlining the estimated annual spend on storage of records which cannot be accommodated at the National Archives due to an inability to properly process the records in a timely manner; if she is aware that this is directly due to under-provision of funding for the archives; her views on whether it represents value for money for the taxpayer that the Exchequer continues to pay storage, security and retrieval costs for records yet does not invest in the necessary facilities and staff at the archives to more properly manage these records; her further views on whether there is a widespread failure to adhere to the spirit of the 1986 Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39588/15]
View answerThe National Archives is one of our foremost National Cultural Institutions, with a statutory remit to collect, manage, and preserve the public record of Ireland and ensure its availability both as a resource and to safeguard citizens' rights. I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the National Archives, and indeed other cultural institutions, following the significant reduction of resources available to the Exchequer as a result of the economic crisis. These are significant challenges which will not be fixed overnight, and will most likely take a number of years to address. In addition Government Departments and other Agencies have also faced significant reductions in resources and this has had a negative impact on their ability to process and prepare records for transfer to the National Archives.
The Government recently agreed to reduce the time period for the transfer of records from 30 years to 20 and, in line with that, it was also agreed that the National Archives would undertake a pilot study, with the Department of Education and Skills, to ascertain the cost to Departments of storing records which should have been transferred to the National Archives.
It is widely acknowledged that the Archives headquarters in Bishop Street are at capacity in terms of the amount of storage available, and the building is also limited by a lack of exhibition space for the important historic documents which the National Archives holds in its collection.
In response to these issues, and as part of the Commemorations programme, the Government agreed to provide funding for the first phase in a capital development plan at the National Archives. I was delighted to be in a position to make €8 m available for the purposes of this capital development, which will shortly go to tender, and construction is expected to start in 2016. This development will address many of the longstanding issues with the National Archives headquarters.
