Tuesday, 1 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 633-643

Fisheries Protection

Questions (633)

Denis Naughten

Question:

633. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht why she has not performed an assessment of the impact of the Asian clam infestation in the River Shannon at Lanesborough in County Longford, and its impact on the natural eutrophic lake with the Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation habitat of Lough Ree, given its protection under European Union law; when she will undertake such an assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42540/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I refer to the reply to Question No. 44 of 12 November, 2015. The position is unchanged.

Forestry Sector

Questions (634)

James Bannon

Question:

634. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she will take to save the oak woodlands (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42567/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department is investigating this matter and I will write to the Deputy when I have received a report.

National Monuments

Questions (635)

Seán Crowe

Question:

635. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht why no public consultation took place on the plans to erect a statue to polar explorer Ernest Shackleton in Athy in County Kildare. [42770/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department has no role in relation to this proposal. It may be a matter for the local authority.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit

Questions (636)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

636. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional benches will be provided at various locations (details supplied) in Killarney National Park in County Kerry so that persons may rest if they need to, particularly those with mobility issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42773/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Deputy will be aware that various types of seating (appropriate to the locations) are available to visitors at a number of locations throughout the Park. The need for additional seating is kept under review and my staff will assess the locations mentioned to determine the feasibility of providing additional seating, subject to health and safety and operational requirements.

National Monuments

Questions (637)

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

637. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of the representations from the Committee for the Commemoration of Irish Famine Victims to have a memorial stone placed, as appropriate, in the Custom House; her future plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42796/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. In carrying out these functions, my main focus is to ensure that the victims of the Irish Famine are respectfully and appropriately remembered and also to raise awareness of current food security issues worldwide. The Great Famine is marked each year at formal commemorations in Ireland and abroad. The 2015 National Famine Commemoration was held in Newry in September and was a great success, enjoying significant cross-community representation. The 2015 International Famine Commemoration ceremony was held at St. John, New Brunswick, Canada in October and was also very successful.

My Department works with other Government departments and with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that the Great Famine is marked each year by appropriate annual commemorations. My officials are already commencing preparations for next year's national and international commemorative ceremonies, which will take place in Leinster and Philadelphia, USA, respectfully. While our primary focus must remain on the successful delivery of these commemorations, I can confirm that officials from my Department have been in contact with the Office of Public Works to examine the possibility of placing a memorial stone within the grounds of the Custom House in Dublin. This would recognise the staging of the inaugural National Famine Commemoration at that location, in 2008. As these discussions are at an early stage, no final decisions have been made in this matter as of yet.

Scéimeanna Teanga

Questions (638, 639, 640)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

638. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nach bhfuil scéim teanga i bhfeidhm ach ag 115 chomhlacht phoiblí as 400. [42819/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

639. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an í an tAire féin atá freagrach as a chinntiú go bhfuil scéim aontaithe le gach comhlacht poiblí, de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003. [42820/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

640. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad atá an tAire chun a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go bhfuil scéim aontaithe le gach comhlacht poiblí agus cén dáta a bheidh seo déanta. [42821/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Joe McHugh)

Tógfaidh mé ceisteanna 638, 639 agus 640 le chéile.

Mar a thug mé le fios don Teachta i mo fhreagra ar Cheisteanna Dála 604 agus 608 ar an 24 Samhain 2015, tá 107 scéim teanga reatha i bhfeidhm agus tá 115 comhlacht poiblí clúdaithe faoi na scéimeanna sin. Clúdaíonn na scéimeanna teanga sin mórchuid na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a mbíonn plé idirghníomhach ag an phobal leo ar bhonn rialta, lena n-áirítear ranna agus oifigí Stáit, údaráis áitiúla, institiúidí oideachais agus comhlachtaí poiblí eile nach iad.

Ní miste a nótáil go bhfuil laghdú suntasach tagtha ar líon na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a mbítear ag plé leo faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla mar gheall ar an chuíchóiriú agus an sruthlíniú atá déanta ar chomhlachtaí poiblí an Stáit le roinnt blianta anuas. Tá na hathruithe seo á mbeachtú i gcomhthéacs Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú).

Déantar scéimeanna teanga a dhaingniú le comhlachtaí poiblí ar bhonn céimnithe. Sa chomhthéacs seo, tá plé gníomhach ar siúl ag oifigigh mo Roinne le 129 comhlacht poiblí chun scéimeanna teanga a aontú leo. Tá sé aitheanta go bhfuil dúshláin ag baint leis an phróiseas chun scéimeanna teanga a aontú, go háirithe sa chomhthéacs reatha ina bhfuil brú mór ar acmhainní. Tá bearta dearfacha á dtógáil ag an Rialtas chun tacú leis an phróiseas agus chun feabhas a chur ar sheirbhísí poiblí i nGaeilge. I measc na mbearta sin, áirím na céimeanna atá idir lámha chun cur le líon na n-oifigeach sa Státseirbhís atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge.

Tá na forálacha a bhaineann le scéimeanna a dhaingniú sonraithe in ailt 11-18 d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Maidir le dualgas an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta i dtaca le scéim a dhaingniú, forálann alt 14(1) den Acht mar a leanas: "Ar chomhlacht poiblí do thíolacadh dréacht-scéime don Aire, féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le cibé daoine eile lena n-áirítear cibé Aire eile (más ann) den Rialtas a measfaidh an tAire gur chóir dul i gcomhairle leo, agus le toiliú cheann an chomhlachta phoiblí lena mbaineann, an dréacht-scéim a dhaingniú gan leasú nó fara cibé leasuithe is cuí leis nó léi.”

National Raised Bog Management Plan Publication

Questions (641)

Tom Fleming

Question:

641. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funds available for restoration work in raised bogs; the location of the bogs; the programme of work; when the work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42858/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

In the context of Budget 2016, I announced that funding of €9 million will be available under the Exchequer Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021 for the programme of peatlands restoration. The proposed programme of conservation measures for raised bogs is set out in the draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. The final Plan is scheduled to be published early next year.

In October 2015, the European Commission approved funding under the EU LIFE programme for a €5.4 million project for the restoration of active raised bog on 12 sites in Ireland’s special area of conservation network. €1.35 million will be contributed by my Department to this project.

The project will operate for a period of 5 years and will commence in January 2016. A project team is being recruited to implement this project and will be consulting with local communities in the relevant areas.

Details of the 12 project sites are set out in the following table.

EU Life Project Site	County
Killyconny Bog	Cavan and Meath
Clara Bog	Offaly
Ferbane Bog	Offaly
Mongan Bog	Offaly
Moyclare Bog	Offaly
Raheenmore Bog	Offaly
Sharavogue Bog	Offaly
Carrowbehy/Caher Bog	Roscommon
Derrinea Bog	Roscommon
Garriskil Bog	Westmeath
Carrownagappul Bog	Galway
Ardagullion Bog	Longford

Restoration plans which will set out proposals for the restoration of all of Ireland’s 53 raised bog special areas of conservation and associated habitats are currently being drafted. These plans will identify technically feasible restoration measures for the various zones of each bog including the high bog, cutover bog and surrounding margins. The implementation of these measures will be with a view to the targets for active raised bog at the particular special area of conservation being met. The draft restoration plans will be developed further in conjunction with local stakeholders and communities.

Typical peatland restoration measures include the blocking of drains in the high bog area, tree and vegetation clearance and installation of peat dams, where necessary.

Through consultation with stakeholders and local communities it will be possible to develop ideas for maximising socio-economic benefits for local communities through peatlands restoration. These could include improving existing or building new facilities (e.g. tracks, board walks, and bog bridges), encouraging the creation of small tourism enterprises, and enhancing the value of a site as an educational resource.

Departmental Legal Cases Data

Questions (642)

Billy Timmins

Question:

642. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of legal cases currently ongoing against her Department including State agencies under her aegis; the number of cases that took place during the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the cost of those that were contested and what damages were involved; the costs and damages of those that were settled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43260/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

There are three cases currently before the Irish courts against the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht relating to the functions of my Department. Between 2011 and 2014 a further seven legal actions were completed against me, as the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in the courts. Four of these were ended by way of settlement, with legal costs totalling €197,600. The value of settlements or damages arising from these cases totalled €212,500.

Legal costs of €27,500 were incurred in relation to the remaining three cases, while no costs have yet arisen from settlements or damages in those cases.

It should be noted that I was represented by the Chief State Solicitor's Office in all ten cases. The figures given for legal costs relate only to costs for which my Department was liable in relation to other parties involved in the cases concerned.

Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are separate legal entities in their own right. The issues raised by the Deputy are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question and are matters for the bodies concerned.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (643)

Regina Doherty

Question:

643. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of employees under her remit who are classified under a contract of indefinite duration; the number of these who are receiving incremental salary payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43274/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I am advised that my Department has one member of staff employed on a Contract of Indefinite Duration and receiving incremental salary payment. I am further advised that 74 staff are employed on Contracts of Indefinite Duration within the bodies under the aegis of my Department, 73 of whom are receiving incremental salary payments.