Thursday, 17 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 739-751

Recreational Angling Sector

Questions (739)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

739. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific efforts she has made since my most recent correspondence in relation to addressing outstanding matters with the Laune Anglers Association relating to the management of beat 3 of the River Laune in County Kerry; if this Deputy's correspondence in relation to same will be responded to with an updated position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45916/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department is currently considering the management arrangements in respect of Beat 3 of the River Laune, Killarney and a response will issue in due course.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (740)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

740. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeframe for the completion of all aspects of work at Killarney House in County Kerry, including the date of opening, when staff recruitment will commence and the number of positions that will be advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45926/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The final phase of works to the House began in early January 2014 and the works, including the new extension, are now substantially complete. Work is also nearing completion with regard to the landscaping of the grounds and ornamental gardens, with planting expected to be concluded during Spring 2016. The interpretation/exhibition phase of the project is also advancing.

I expect that the various elements of works will be completed in the coming months and it is intended that these amenities will be open to the public as soon as possible in 2016.

Staffing requirements at this location, as with all other areas of my Department, remain the subject of on-going consideration in light of the overall business needs and within the pay framework to be approved for 2016. Once this interpretation/exhibition phase has been moved forward sufficiently, the staffing requirements of the project will be addressed. In this regard, the nature of the posts required, as well as the numbers involved and the budgetary implications, will be determined in due course.

National Parks Projects

Questions (741)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

741. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to repair and resurface roads in Killarney National Park in County Kerry in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45927/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011. Since 2011, my Department has expended almost €400,000 on works to roads within Killarney National Park, including:

- €26,666 (inclusive of VAT) on repairs to a roadway in the Killarney Demesne area, from the Deenagh Lodge to the White Bridge;

- €175,000 (inclusive of VAT) on repairs to roadways in Muckross and in the Reen area of the Demesne; and

- approximately €25,000 (inclusive of VAT) on repairs last year to a roadway in Muckross.

Future works on the roads will be considered within the context of both the management priorities for Killarney National Park and the limited funding resources available for the management of National Parks and Nature Reserves across the country.

National Roads running through the Park are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local authority, as appropriate.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit

Questions (742, 743)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

742. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will request a meeting with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to address safety for jarveys and their passengers crossing the N22 opposite the main entrance gate to the Killarney National Park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45928/15]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

743. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the metal structures for tying up jarveys' horses at Ross Castle will be relocated to the opposite side of the roadway, as the current location results in gravity carrying the horses' urine across the roadway, which persons must walk and cycle through; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45929/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 743 together.

With regard to relocating the metal structures referred to by the Deputy, I have asked officials of my Department to engage with the jarveys with a view to resolving this matter early in the New Year. In relation to the issue of the road safety for passengers and jarveys crossing the N22, I understand that this is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (744)

Jack Wall

Question:

744. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on concerns in regard to the protection of three historic buildings (details supplied) in County Kildare; the actions she proposes or agreed with local authorities or private owners to ensure the protection of such buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46038/15]

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 architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.

Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of 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. 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.

The two structures referred to by the Deputy are included on the Record of Protected Structures, while 11 structures at the other location referred to are listed. That location is also is in the local Architectural Conservation Area. It is a matter for Kildare County Council to address the issues raised by the Deputy in terms of compliance with the Planning and Development Acts.

The two structures referred to are also included on the Record of Monuments and Places maintained by my Department under section 12 of the National Monuments Acts 1930, as amended. As a consequence, any proposal to carry works at or in relation to the monuments is required to be notified to me not less than 2 months before the works commence.

Waterways Ireland Expenditure

Questions (745)

Barry Cowen

Question:

745. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of the full restoration of the Ulster Canal; the State's contribution to date; the British Government's and Northern Ireland Executive's contribution to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46107/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Ulster Canal is approximately 93 kms (58 miles) in length. It links the south west corner of Lough Neagh with the south east corner of Upper Lough Erne and passes through or close to Counties Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh in Northern Ireland and Counties Monaghan and Cavan in Ireland. It passes through a number of towns and villages, including Monaghan and Clones.

The cost estimate for the restoration of the full Ulster Canal navigation from Upper Lough Erne to Lough Neagh is based on the 2007 business case prepared by Fitzpatrick Associates for the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Restoring the Ulster Canal: Outline Business Case, June 2007). The costs, presented in sterling (GBP), were estimated at some £141.6 million at 2007 prices.

2008 was the first year of expenditure on the project following the North South Ministerial Council Decision to proceed with the restoration of 13 kms of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones at an estimated cost of some €35m. The total expenditure between 2008 and 2015 amounts to €1,263,000. This figure includes design, environmental study and planning costs. It also includes expenditure of €347,000 incurred on foot of the Government approval that I secured earlier this year for Waterways Ireland to proceed with the restoration of the 2.5 km section of the Ulster Canal from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson. These works are proceeding, with the bulk of the expenditure due to take place in 2016.

The Ulster Canal restoration project has been 100% funded by the Irish Government to date.

Departmental Agencies Expenditure

Questions (746)

Barry Cowen

Question:

746. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of re-establishing Culture Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46108/15]

Written answers

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

Culture Ireland was established in 2005 under my Department to promote Irish arts abroad. Following a review in 2012, the Government committed to maintaining Culture Ireland as a division of my Department and to expanding its remit to work on a cross agency basis to ensure maximum impact from investment in Irish arts. An Expert Advisory Committee has been established to guide and oversee this work.

Culture Ireland continues to operate effectively on this basis and the Deputy will be pleased to note that a budget of €5m is being provided for next year – a 100% increase over 2015. This will also enable Culture Ireland to present an international culture programme, entitled I am Ireland, to celebrate the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme globally.

Air Services Provision

Questions (747)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

747. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual cost of the air service to na hOileáin Árann. [46217/15]

Written answers

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

In relation to the Aran Islands air service, my Department currently has two contracts in place.

The first of these contracts is for the provision of the air service itself and is to run from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016 at a cost of €1,620,120.

The second contract is for management of aerodromes, which primarily relates to the aerodromes on the Aran Islands that are the points of access for the air service. This is to run from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2019 at an annual cost as follows:

Year 1 - €408,360;

Year 2 - €468,384;

Year 3 - €483,907;

Year 4 - €497,535.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (748)

Robert Troy

Question:

748. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of appointments to State boards under the aegis of her Department and the number of appointments that have been advertised on her Department's website since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46248/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I am advised that, since the establishment of my Department in June 2011, 118 appointments have been made to State boards under the aegis of my Department (not including reappointments). I am further advised that 49 vacancies were publicly advertised through various media. In addition, 36 vacancies are currently advertised, or have recently been advertised, via the Public Appointments Service on www.stateboards.ie.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (749)

Robert Troy

Question:

749. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of her Department who have appeared before the relevant Oireachtas joint committee since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46263/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I am advised that, since the establishment of my Department in June 2011, Chairpersons have been appointed to nine State boards under the aegis of my Department. Eight of these Chairpersons appeared before the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. In the remaining case, the Chairperson appointed did not appear before the Committee as the appointment was made on an interim basis only.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (750)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

750. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the Acts currently in force for which she has lead responsibility and that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced, including the purpose of same, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46278/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The information sought by the Deputy in respect of those Acts for which I have lead responsibility is set out in the following table.

Title of Act	Details and Purpose of those Section(s)/Part(s) and other relevant information
Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000	Section 36, which relates to the regulation of the activities of commercial shoot operators.
National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015 (signed by the President on 10 December 2015)	Under section 4 of the Act, an order will be required to fix the establishment day of the National Concert Hall. Under section 39(1) of the Act, an order will be required to fix the day on which the name change for the Irish Film Board will take effect.
National Cultural Institutions Act 1997	Section 4(1) – in relation to offences - insofar as it relates to sections 16 or 65 of the Act, or section 25 of National Monuments Act 1930. Section 49(1)(f) and (g) relating to regulation of export of certain decorative art and cultural objects Section 49(4) – relating to declaration by order of exclusion from operation of Part IV of the Act relating to Heritage Collections (other than documents and paintings) Section 49(5) – relating to the variation by order of ages specified for decorative objects Section 49(14) –in relation to a defence against prosecution. Part V, sections 52 to 59 (inclusive) – relating to the acquisition of certain cultural objects. Sections 65 and 66, which relate to the depositing of published material in the National Library of Ireland and related copyright matters (matters since incorporated in section 198 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000)

Living Wage Introduction

Questions (751)

Dara Calleary

Question:

751. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46400/15]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I am advised that, based on current staffing and pay levels, the estimated additional annual cost of introducing an hourly wage of €11.50 for all employees, employed both directly in my Department and in agencies under its aegis and who are not already paid that amount or more, would be in the order of €160,000.