Tuesday, 8 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 1- 70

Cultural Policy

Questions (50)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she will develop Irish culture reflecting national and multicultural identity in a readily recognisable fashion, capable of being used as a major brand image at home and abroad, whether in the context of Culture 2025 or otherwise; the extent to she will do this through the arts, education and the community; the extent to which whe will contribute to the economy by expanding job opportunities created through this medium, given the extent of the contribution from the philanthropic and voluntary sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43494/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The aim of the new national cultural policy, Culture 2025, is to set out the high-level aims and policies of the Government in this area for the period up until 2025. It will seek to reinforce the crucial role of culture in society by supporting the cultural sector and providing the conditions which will allow the sector to develop and flourish across all sectors of society. Culture 2025 will also seek to reflect the modern multi-cultural Ireland and will be uplifting, accessible, relevant and easy to communicate.

To facilitate public consultation on the proposed policy, my Department published a discussion document on 8 August last. This was followed up by holding a series of local workshops to enable people across the country to have their views heard. Meetings took place in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny and Dublin.

The Dublin event, which I attended, followed the participative ‘world café’ model and was held under the Open Policy Debates programme, in line with the Civil Service Renewal Plan. I am pleased to inform the House that this event, which was held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, was an excellent occasion, with a very high level of engagement by those attending. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who participated, as well as those who were involving in organising and running the event.

Over 600 people attended the consultation events and more than 200 written submissions were received before the closing date of 31 October last. The feedback from the regional meetings and the submissions are currently being examined in detail as part of the process of drafting the cultural policy. An Experts Group and a Steering Group, established by my Department and made up of a range of cultural stakeholders, are also inputting into the consultation and drafting process.

I intend that Cuture 2015 will be a high-level and living document that will set out the framework of cultural policy for the next decade. I propose to submit it to Government shortly with intention of publishing it early in the New Year.

Easter Rising Commemorations

Questions (51)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

51. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address concerns around the disparity in funding for 1916 Centenary events in rural and urban Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43485/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is a national programme and funding is being provided to all counties to support a range of initiatives and events. I am very pleased to have secured funding of more than €48m for next year’s centenary commemorations. Approximately €30m of this will be allocated to major capital projects. Some of this investment is being concentrated on works at sites which are closely associated with the Easter Rising, such as the major new visitor centre at the GPO and the proposed commemorative centre at the National Monument in Moore Street.

The Government has also provided significant capital investment for a new cultural and visitor centre at Pearse’s Cottage in Ros Muc, Co. Galway, and for the refurbishment of the Atheneum in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. These locations also have strong resonances with the Rising.

My Department provided €1m this year to assist local authorities in preparing for their own local commemorative programmes and I recently announced a further funding package of €3m for all local authorities in 2016 in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and IPB Insurance. This will be distributed equally across each local authority and will allow communities to fully engage with next year’s centenary.

My Department is also supporting a range of State Ceremonial events across Dublin and in a number of regions across the country, including significant ceremonial events in Enniscorthy, Ashbourne, Athenry, Cork and Kerry. The Defence Forces are also working closely with local authorities on other ceremonial events taking place next year.

With funding also being provided to support a range of events across the 7 strands of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, I am satisfied that all citizens will be able to participate in this major commemoration next year.

Hare Coursing Regulation

Questions (52)

Clare Daly

Question:

52. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht during the 2015-2016 hare coursing season to date, how many meetings has she monitored through the National Parks and Wildlife Services, given her commitment to do so, and how many organisers have been found to be in breach of the conditions of their licences. [43459/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare. While I understand that there are many individuals opposed to hare coursing there is no current evidence that coursing has a significant effect on hare populations and the decision to issue licences took into consideration the final report of the Status of Hares in Ireland – Hare Survey of Ireland 2006/07.

In August this year, my Department issued licences under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club, covering their affiliated coursing clubs, to capture and tag hares for use at regulated hare coursing meetings for the 2015/16 coursing season, which extends from the end of September 2015 to the end of February 2016. To date, officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department have monitored six meetings. My Department will be examining these reports and, should there be any alleged breaches of licence conditions, these will be followed with the Irish Coursing Club and individual clubs.

Regional staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department will continue to attend coursing meetings during the 2015/16 season, as resources allow, to monitor compliance with the conditions of the licences.

Artists' Remuneration

Questions (53)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she will take to address the issues of very low incomes among arts practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43504/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to Irish 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. Income and pension arrangements for artists can vary widely across the sector. Employment in the arts sector encompasses a wide range of activities. It can include those engaged in the arts practice within specific artistic genres and encompass areas that flow from such artistic pursuits. It may also embody the industrial creative sectors, including audiovisual production.

I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This measure recognises the invaluable contribution which arts and culture practitioners make here at home and abroad.

Aosdána was established in 1981 and is a unique State initiative which honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Ireland. There are up to 250 artists who are members of Aosdána. A means-tested grant is available to members and is designed to enable them to devote their energies fully to their work. Artists can also avail of other State supports and payments, subject to the standard eligibility conditions.

The Arts Council has recently published its strategy "Making Great Art Work", which sets out its plans for leading the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. It has a particular focus on the role of artists.

Finally, my Department through its support for the Arts Council, the Film Board, and other cultural initiatives also provides significant support for creative workers in Ireland. This year, as part of Budget 2016, I was pleased to announce a 12% increase in allocations across a range of areas, including the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, and a new investment programme for regional arts and cultural centres. There will be significant benefits accruing for artists and creative workers from many of the Ireland 2016 programmes supported by this additional funding, including at an international level.

Heritage Schemes

Questions (54)

Michael Conaghan

Question:

54. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are proposals in place for Inchicore and Kilmainham to become an industrial heritage hub due to industrial revolution sites in the area; and if she will consider the area as a cultural and heritage hotspot to entice tourists to visit sites, parks and museums therein. [43505/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My role, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with regard to the protection and management of our built and natural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of the architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures or within a designation of an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future. I am aware of the important legacy of Industrial Heritage and its role with respect to cultural, heritage and economic development in areas such as Inchicore and Kilmainham and elsewhere throughout the country. Indeed, my Department has recently undertaken a National Inventory of Architectural Heritage for Dublin 8, which has recorded such structures in the area.

However, I consider that any proposals for Inchicore/Kilmainham to become an industrial heritage hub and/or a cultural/heritage hotspot, or for the setting up of such areas, would be a matter for the relevant Local Authority in the first instance.

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Questions (55)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

55. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfidh sí an t-eolas is deireanaí maidir leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain ar fáil agus cathain a bheidh sé ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43463/15]

Written answers

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

Mar is eol don Teachta, is ar mo Roinnse atá an fhreagracht uileghabhálach an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 a chomhordú i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla. Cuirtear é seo i gcrích tríd na struchtúir éagsúla, lena n-áirítear an Coiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht, an Coiste Comhairleach, an Grúpa Idir-Rannach agus na grúpaí ardleibhéil éagsúla. Beidh an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge cúig bliana ar an bhfód ag deireadh na bliana seo. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá díospóireacht oscailte ar pholasaí faoin Straitéis eagraithe ag mo Roinnse. Is í an aidhm atá leis an díospóireacht oscailte ná breathnú siar ar an méid atá déanta faoin Straitéis le cúig bliana anuas agus breathnú chun tosaigh ar na tosaíochtaí faoin Straitéis don tréimhse cúig bliana atá romhainn. Ag eascairt as an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin atá ar siúl mar chuid den díospóireacht oscailte, beifear ag súil na príomhthosaíochtaí straitéiseacha don tréimhse cúig bliana ó 2016 ar aghaidh a aithint agus a fhoilsiú.

Beidh comhdháil faoin díospóireacht oscailte ar siúl amárach i mBaile Átha Cliath. Beidh an chomhdháil dírithe ar na réimsí gnímh atá sonraithe faoin Straitéis, ach go háirithe oideachas, an Ghaeltacht, an teaghlach, seirbhísí poiblí, na meáin chumarsáide agus an teicneolaíocht. Mar chuid den díospóireacht oscailte, eagraíodh cruinnithe Gaeltachta le coicís anuas in Indreabhán, Co. na Gaillimhe, i gCill Airne, Co. Chiarraí agus i nGaoth Dobhair, Co. Dhún na nGall. Bhí na cruinnithe Gaeltachta dírithe ach go háirithe ar chur i bhfeidhm praiticiúil an phróisis pleanála teanga faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.

Mar chuid den díospóireacht oscailte fosta, tá plépháipéar foilsithe ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne. Táthar ag díriú ar shaincheisteanna straitéiseacha ar leith sa phlépháipéar chun fócas a thabhairt don phróiseas comhairliúcháin atá á reáchtáil mar chuid den díospóireacht oscailte ar pholasaí. Cuirtear fáilte roimh aighneachtaí faoin bplépháipéar a chur chuig mo Roinn faoin 18 Nollaig.

Chomh maith leis an díospóireacht oscailte ar pholasaí a reáchtáil, tá mo Roinnse ag déanamh comhordú ar an eolas atá le foilsiú ag na Ranna Rialtais go léir faoin méid atá bainte amach faoin Straitéis le cúig bliana anuas. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an t-ábhar seo foilsithe go han-luath.

Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme

Questions (56)

Joe Carey

Question:

56. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports she provides for the restoration and conservation of built heritage, including the recently announced Built Heritage Investment Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43477/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies such as the Heritage Council. This year my Department operated a Structures at Risk Fund to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, which has an allocation of €624,000 in 2015, is administered through the local authorities and encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. This fund, which is now closed, was open to two applications per local authority.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. The announcement of any proposed grant schemes can be monitored on www.heritagecouncil.ie.

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 recently announced new €2 million investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures – the Built Heritage Investment Scheme – will operate, via the Local Authorities, on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme (BHJLS), which ran in 2014, and is expected to support a significant number of projects across the country and create employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas. This announcement will come as a welcome boost to the custodians of heritage properties.

It seeks to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craft workers and tradespeople. Protected structures, proposed protected structures and structures that contribute to the character of an Architectural Conservation Area will be eligible for assistance.

The minimum level of funding awarded will be €2,500 with up to a maximum of €10,000 generally applicable, while up to a maximum of €15,000 will be available to the 6 city local authorities. The State’s contribution to each project must be matched by a similar contribution from the private sector per application. The scheme will operate through 2016 and will be administered by the local authorities, all of which have been informed of their allocations and the process and timelines involved.

With respect to 2016, my Department is currently finalising its consideration of the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage next year in the context of its overall allocations. I will publish details of the funding schemes for 2016 as soon as these are finalised.

Special Areas of Conservation Management

Questions (57)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if all outstanding issues arising from the impact on landowners of special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas, with particular reference to traditional farming activities and turf cutting, have been satisfactorily resolved; if the European authorities has responded to submissions made in this regard; if an equilibrium is likely to emerge in respect of the contentious issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43495/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the Habitats Directive. This Directive aims to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation within special areas of conservation and special protection areas. The Habitats Directive has been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. It is recognised that the nomination of a site for designation as a special area of conservation may have an impact on the manner in which certain lands may be farmed. The designation of lands does not mean that the lands are subject to blanket restrictions. However, they must be managed appropriately.

In accordance with the relevant legislation, certain activities in protected sites may only be undertaken with my consent, as Minister. Compensation may be payable where a person has been refused consent by me for a prescribed activity within a designated site that he or she had been undertaking in the five year period prior to the refusal. However, compensation schemes have generally been put in place, where required, without the need to undergo a formal process under the relevant legislation.

Since this Government has come into office, huge efforts have been made to solve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation, within the framework of the Habitats Directive. This has included intense and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission.

A long term compensation scheme has been introduced to compensate turf cutters for their loss arising from the cessation. This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off incentive payment of €500.

The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan was published in January 2014. It sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. It is expected that this Plan will be finalised early next year.

Final resolution of all issues in relation to the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation will only be brought about by everyone working together, within the law, with my Department and with the Peatlands Council, which was established with the purpose of ensuring the input from all stakeholders.

The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas. The Review has concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat 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.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (58)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

58. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she will take to address concerns regarding the survival of the Golden Eagles in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43496/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No 66 today. The issues affecting the long-term survival of golden eagles re-introduced over the last 15 years are complex. My Department and the Golden Eagle Trust will meet in the coming weeks to review the performance of the project to date and will examine what genuinely effective options are available in the short and medium term. My Department will then be in a position to decide if further discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in regard to agri-environment measures would be useful.

Easter Rising Commemorations

Questions (59)

David Stanton

Question:

59. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the implementation of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43544/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31 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 is 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, local authorities 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:

- I was delighted to host the first of the State ceremonial events of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme on 1 August last to commemorate the funeral of O'Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin Cemetery, in the presence of President Michael D Higgins and An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D.

- Over 84 public consultation meetings were held with local communities all around the country. 31 individual county plans were launched on 8 October last containing over 1,800 events across the country. €1m was allocated to facilitate these plans this year, with a further €3m to be made available next year.

- An allocation of €22 million in capital funding is being provided through my Department’s Vote in 2015 for the ‘Permanent Reminder’ projects, with a further €31m being provided next year. These capital projects are progressing well.

- The Global and Diaspora Programme was launched on 29 June and was very positively received at home and abroad.

- On 6 August, the Arts Council announced 9 major arts projects to commemorate 1916.

- The National Flag Initiative was launched on 14 September, marking the commencement of the delivery by the Defence Forces of our National Flag and the Proclamation to over 3,300 national schools across the country. Well over 2,000 flags have now been delivered and the project has been very well received.

- The Irish Language strand - An Teanga Bheo - was launched at the end of October by An Taoiseach.

- The Education Programme strand was launched on 22 September for the primary, post-primary and third-level education sectors.

- Consultation is ongoing with relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including official, political, media, artistic and NGO stakeholders.

- The National Cultural Institutions are planning a range of innovative exhibitions and projects and all are progressing well. The National Library launched its 2016 plans just yesterday.

- The official Culture Ireland programme “I am Ireland” was launched by Minister of State Ó Ríordáin on 3 October. This will showcase the best of Irish arts and culture on the international stage.

- On 10 November, I announced that work was to start on the development of the new Commemorative Centre at the National Monument in Moore Street, which was acquired by the State earlier in the year.

Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place under each of 7 strands of the Programme, including the 31 county plans launched in October, can be found on my Department’s dedicated website at www.ireland.ie.

Easter Rising Commemorations

Questions (60)

Catherine Byrne

Question:

60. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial supports she will provide to local authorities to make the over 2,000 community events and initiatives that have been confirmed for 2016 as part of the local authority-led county plans a reality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43541/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Under the Community Participation strand of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, some 84 public consultations, facilitated by the local authorities with support from my Department, have taken place nationwide. Each of the local authorities has developed a rich and diverse series of events and projects that will take place next year. I was very pleased to participate with An Taoiseach and other Government colleagues at the official launch on 8 October last of the 31 individual county plans arising from this process. My Department provided €1m this year to assist local authorities in preparing for their local commemorative programmes and I recently announced a further funding package of €3m for all local authorities in 2016 in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and IPB Insurance. This will be distributed equally across each local authority and will allow communities to fully engage with next year’s centenary.

The local authorities are now in the process of organising individual launches of their county plans, which include a wide variety of events, lectures and opportunities for the public to get involved with the centenary programme.

With funding also being provided to support a range of events across the 7 strands of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, I am satisfied that all citizens will be able to participate in this major commemoration next year.

Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place under each of the programme strands, including the 31 county plans launched in October, can be found on my Department’s dedicated website at www.ireland.ie.

National Library

Questions (61)

Catherine Byrne

Question:

61. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the recently announced €10 million capital investment programme for the National Library will address outstanding concerns at the library; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43542/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The 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 reduction in resources available to the Exchequer as a result of the economic crisis. There are significant challenges which will not be fixed overnight, and indeed will most likely take a number of years to address.

It is widely acknowledged that the Library holds part of its collection in an historic Victorian-era building in Kildare Street that would not meet modern standards in terms of environmental and other controls. In this regard, I was delighted to be in a position to announce a major new capital investment plan for the National Library's historic Kildare Street premises, as part of the Government's Public Capital Programme – Building on Recovery 2016-2021. I have earmarked an allocation of €10m in funding for the first phase of the works.

The investment will be delivered as a phased programme of works in partnership with the Office of Public Works. The redevelopment will address the following key areas:

- Refurbishment of the 1890s building to meet modern standards for universal access, fire prevention, health and safety, circulation, security, mechanical and electrical services, and environmental sustainability;

- Upgrading and enhancement of visitor and reader facilities;

- Upgrading the conditions in which heritage collections are kept;

- Improvement of both access and security;

- Upgrading and rationalisation of operational areas; and

- Provision of better linkages throughout the Library’s extended buildings complex.

I am confident that investment plan will allow the Library to continue to deliver on its core objectives, including the protection and conservation of its collections, as well as enabling it develop its place as a venue for research, culture, learning and tourism. The investment will help transform the Library into a world-class facility for the storage and display of some of our most important historical documents.

State Papers

Questions (62)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

62. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her timeframe for introducing a 20-year rule for the release of State papers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43499/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Under the National Archives Act 1986, Government Departments, Offices and the Courts have an obligation to transfer records older than 30 years, subject to certain exemptions, to the National Archives. The Government has now agreed to amend the legislation to reduce the period for the transfer of records to the National Archives from 30 years to 20 years. Given that the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland have already moved to a 20 year rule, I was cognisant of the importance of maintaining, as far as possible, synchronicity of release of records with the UK and Northern Ireland, especially in regard to Anglo-Irish matters. In particular, the Government agreed to:

- reduce from 30 years to 20 years the time limit for the deposit of Departmental records with the National Archives of Ireland;

- implement the change on a phased basis, starting with the Departments of An Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Justice and Equality;

- extend the reduction to other Departments as resources permit; and

- engage with Government Departments to deal with the current backlog of records over 30 years old, which have not yet been transferred to the National Archives.

These changes will be implemented following the enactment of the relevant legislation to amend the National Archives Act 1986. My Department, in consultation with the Director of the National Archives, has begun drafting Heads of a Bill, which I will bring to Government in due course.

Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme

Questions (63)

Helen McEntee

Question:

63. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the recently announced built heritage investment fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43457/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies such as the Heritage Council. This year my Department operated a Structures at Risk Fund to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, which has an allocation of €624,000 in 2015, is administered through the local authorities and encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. This fund, which is now closed, was open to two applications per local authority.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. The announcement of any proposed grant schemes can be monitored on www.heritagecouncil.ie.

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 recently announced new €2 million investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures – the Built Heritage Investment Scheme – will operate, via the Local Authorities, on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme (BHJLS), which ran in 2014, and is expected to support a significant number of projects across the country and create employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas. This announcement will come as a welcome boost to the custodians of heritage properties.

It seeks to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craft workers and trades people. Protected structures, proposed protected structures and structures that contribute to the character of an Architectural Conservation Area will be eligible for assistance.

The minimum level of funding awarded will be €2,500 with up to a maximum of €10,000 generally applicable, while up to a maximum of €15,000 will be available to the 6 city local authorities. The State’s contribution to each project must be matched by a similar contribution from the private sector per application. The scheme will operate through 2016 and will be administered by the local authorities, all of which have been informed of their allocations and the process and timelines involved.

With respect to 2016, my Department is currently finalising its consideration of the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage next year in the context of its overall allocations. I will publish details of the funding schemes for 2016 as soon as these are finalised.

Heritage Projects

Questions (64)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

64. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the recently announced proposals to safeguard Ireland’s historic houses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43498/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am aware of the growing risk to the sustainable future of the remaining stock of Irish Historic Houses in private ownership, where owners have consistently struggled, throughout the last century, to find sustainable alternative means of meeting the on-going costs of their maintenance. I have also recognised that these Houses are often a hugely important resource for local communities and a vital attraction for tourists, which can and do contribute significantly to the local economy. It is within this context that I had the Action Plan for Irish Historic Houses in Private Ownership developed and secured Government approval for it. I was very pleased, therefore, to subsequently launch the Action Plan on 30 November last.

The objective of the Action Plan is to assist historic houses in general with their on-going protection, management and promotion into the future. Specific actions include:

- working with the local authority to develop a more streamlined, partnership approach with the local economy;

- seeking to optimise the provision of existing supports and fiscal incentives; and

- seeking to develop new initiatives that might help to establish priorities by way of targeted support mechanisms.

Údarás na Gaeltachta Funding

Questions (65)

Seán Kyne

Question:

65. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional funding will be made available to Údarás na Gaeltachta in the supplementary budget allocations, given its excellent record in job creation, and to help realise the potential which exists for further job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43502/15]

Written answers

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

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 12 November 2015 in relation to this matter. As I outlined in that reply, as Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, I very much understand the importance of job creation in retaining sustainable communities in Gaeltacht areas. I am also very cognisant of the ongoing challenge of maintaining existing jobs, in addition to creating new jobs, in the Gaeltacht. In that context, I wish to acknowledge the important enterprise and employment function of Údarás na Gaeltachta as the regional economic agency for the Gaeltacht. I am well aware of Údarás na Gaeltachta's proposal to increase its capital budget over a period of time to €12m per annum. I am also very aware and supportive of the case advanced by the organisation that such an increase in funding would enable it to create an additional 300 jobs per annum. The case for funding outlined specific measures, including the upgrading of its existing property portfolio and the provision of new property solutions in a number of geographic and sectoral areas.

The Deputy will be aware that Údarás na Gaeltachta's capital provision for 2016 is €5.687m. The Deputy will, of course, also be aware that, during the Revised Estimates process for 2015, I secured an additional capital allocation of €1m for Údarás na Gaeltachta. I wish to again assure the Deputy that I am continuing to seek further funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta under the Revised Estimates process for 2016.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (66)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

66. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will introduce urgent measures to conserve the Golden Eagle population which has fallen to a critically low level; if she has discussed eliminating the threats to the Golden Eagle population in and around the Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal with the management of the National Parks and Wildlife Service or with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43490/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project is managed by the Golden Eagle Trust in partnership with, and with funding from, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which, as the Deputy will be aware, is a section within my Department. The purpose of the reintroduction project was to bring back eagles to Ireland, restoring a species that had been persecuted in the late 19th Century. The golden eagle was present in Glenveagh until 1910.

Experts on eagles in Scotland visited Glenveagh, by then a National Park, in the 1990s, and considered that the habitats in north Donegal were suitable for a reintroduction programme. 61 birds, sourced as chicks in Scotland, were released in Glenveagh between 2001 and 2012. The original plan was to release 75 birds over five years but it became increasingly difficult to find suitable donor stock in Scotland, resulting in fewer releases over a longer time span than originally planned.

Using data from radio and satellite tags and wing tags fitted to the released birds, it was established that some birds moved around Ireland and some even returned to Scotland. Some birds are known to have died of natural causes but 3 of the 10 satellite-tagged birds were poisoned, two in Donegal and one in Northern Ireland. My Department produces annual reports on all known cases of mortality and persecution of birds of prey.

The re-introduced eagles have nested over a number of years, and in 2014 and 2015 there were 3 known nests. However, breeding success has not been as good as anticipated. Sometimes, as is the case in 2015, this may be due to adverse weather at critical stages during nesting. However, as has been pointed out by the Golden Eagle Trust in recent weeks, there may also be issues to do with habitat quality and the amount of food prey available in the landscape.

There are many factors at play in matters concerning the ecology and behaviour of the golden eagle. Certainly, large-scale burning, as has occurred in recent years, is a factor in reducing habitat quality. Such burning poses a threat to property and forestry as well as to wildlife, and my Department is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to try to reduce this problem.

My Department and the Golden Eagle Trust will meet in the coming weeks to review the performance of the project to date and will examine what genuinely effective options are available in the short and medium term. My Department will then be in a position to decide if further discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in regard to agri-environment measures would be useful.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (67)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

67. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her response to issues associated with hen harrier conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43486/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An Inter-Departmental Steering Group was convened in July 2014 to assist in the development of a Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan. The Group is examining all of the issues at hand, including forestry and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. A Consultative Committee with representatives from all the relevant sectors was also set up, including representatives of agriculture and forestry. This year my Department undertook a survey of Hen Harriers in Ireland. Such surveys are carried out every 5 years. It was agreed by all parties on the Consultative Committee that the results of the 2015 Hen Harrier survey should be incorporated into the Plan. The Steering Group and Consultative Committee met in the past month to consider the results of the 2015 Hen Harrier Survey and will meet again shortly to continue work towards the first draft of the Plan.

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge

Questions (68)

Seán Kyne

Question:

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta i gcomhthéacs luach na Gaeilge sa gheilleagar agus staidéar a deir gur fiú os cionn €136 milliún do gheilleagar na Gaillimhe gach bliain an Ghaeilge, arbh fhiú breathnú ar scéim náisiúnta a thabhairt isteach chun gnólachtaí a spreagadh agus a mhealladh le níos mó Gaeilge a úsáid; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43501/15]

Written answers

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

Cuirtear maoiniú bliantúil ar fáil faoi Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge mo Roinne do na heagraíochtaí Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gnó Mhaigh Eo agus Gael Taca i gcathair Chorcaí, a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn san earnáil ghnó. Tá os cionn €1.5m curtha ar fáil i ndeontais ag mo Roinn do na heagraíochtaí seo le linn na tréimhse ó 2011 go dáta. Cuireann Foras na Gaeilge cúnamh, comhairle agus maoiniú ar fáil don earnáil ghnó chun úsáid na Gaeilge a spreagadh trína fheachtas sainbhrandála Gnó Means Business agus faoina Scéim Tacaíochta Gnó agus faoin gciste tacaíochta Nuálachas san Earnáil Ghnó. Tá eolas maidir leis na tacaíochtaí seo le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin Fhoras na Gaeilge ag an nasc http://www.gaeilge.ie/gno-means-business/

Tá tionscnaimh ar leith á bhforbairt ag Foras na Gaeilge fosta chun dea-chleachtas a éascú san earnáil ghnó trí mholtaí agus réitigh phraiticiúla a chur ar fáil maidir le húsáid éifeachtach an dátheangachais i gcomhréir le dea-chleachtais idirnáisiúnta i leith mionteangacha. Chuige sin, tá treoirleabhar dírithe ar úsáid an dátheangachais ar chomharthaíocht (Comharthaíocht Dhátheangach – Treoir ar an gCleachtas is Fearr) ar fáil ón bhForas agus táthar ag súil treoirleabhar nua ar dhea-chleachtais an dátheangachais ar phacáistíocht a fhoilsiú i mí Eanáir 2016. Ina theannta sin, tá scéim náisiúnta Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge á hullmhú ag Foras na Gaeilge i láthair na huaire chun gnólachtaí a spreagadh agus a mhealladh le níos mó Gaeilge a úsáid.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (69)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

69. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts she has made since the wildfires of spring 2015 which threatened large parts of Killarney National Park in County Kerry to ensure that the national park will not be as vulnerable to wildfires, deliberately started or otherwise, in spring 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43460/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Significant environmental damage is caused by wildfires. This issue has become more acute in recent years, as evidenced by the spate of fires in various parts of the country, including Co. Kerry, last spring. The main source of such wildfires is thought to be the deliberate starting of fires without concern for the consequences. My Department is one of a number of agencies represented on the Inter-Agency Gorse Fire Group that explores issues surrounding such fires. An Garda Síochána, which is also represented on the Group, leads any criminal investigation. My Department, of course, cooperates fully with Garda investigations and any other investigations that may be initiated by other statutory bodies.

Since 2011, my Department has taken over 40 prosecutions against individuals for breaches of section 40 of the Wildlife Acts. Fines were imposed in most cases, ranging from €50 to €600. In some cases, the defendants were also ordered by the Court to pay legal costs and expenses.

Members of An Garda Síochána are also authorised officers to prosecute breaches of the Wildlife Acts. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, the Marine and Food and with An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, to investigate the causes of wild fires which have affected Killarney National Park and, where evidence is forthcoming, to pursue appropriate action under the Wildlife Act or other legislation.

Cultural Policy

Questions (70)

Mick Wallace

Question:

70. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the creation of a body, or the adaptation of an existing body, which would provide funding, upskilling, legal advice and promotion for emerging musicians, perhaps along the lines of the Music Commission in New Zealand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43484/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

In Ireland, the Arts Council is the agency which is charged with the development of the arts, including music. I have no plans to create a new agency for music. The issue of the music industry has also been raised during the public consultation process which I put in place for the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, Culture 2025. This will be reflected in the policy document which I will publish early in the New Year.