Written Answers Nos. 950-962
950. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding provided by her Department or agencies of her Department to Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46539/15]
View answerI understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc has been a client company since 1998. I have been informed that Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc has received funding of €461,489 under the Visual Arts Infrastructure Programme towards costs associated with the planning and development of a visual arts workshop on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park and the development of a state-of-the-art visual arts facility in Mín an Leá, Gort a’Choirce. The facility in Gort a’Choirce contains a visual art print workshop, gallery space and two artists’ living/work spaces.
In addition, in order to assist Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc with the organisation and delivery of a 3 Year Diploma Course in Art Practice and Arts Administration, training grants totalling €268,821 were provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta as 50% co-funding, with Interreg IIIA funding the remaining 50%. I am advised that a total of 30 people attended the course over the 3 year period.
Finally, Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc received funding of €60,750 in total over the period 2003-13 from Ealaín (na Gaeltachta) Teo, a joint venture between Údarás a Gaeltachta and the Arts Council, which promotes the development of the contemporary and traditional arts in the Gaeltacht. The funding supported 8 Gaeltacht artists in residence, as well as 2 visual arts projects that allowed Gaeltacht artists the opportunity to work alongside international artists.
951. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the names of the persons she has nominated to serve in positions carrying remuneration, other than out of pocket expenses, on commissions, industrial, assurance, semi-State or other similar concerns; the amounts received annually in respect of each appointment; the name of the concern to which the appointment was made from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46658/15]
View answerDetails regarding remuneration paid since the establishment of the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht on 2 June 2011 to persons nominated by the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht to State and other relevant bodies operating under my Department's aegis are provided in the tables below.
Fees paid in this period to persons nominated to the bodies in question prior to the establishment of my Department on 2 June 2011 are not included. Similarly, fees paid in this period to ex-officio members, or to persons nominated by entities such as County Councils with rights of nomination to the bodies in question, are not included.
The board of An Foras Teanga comprises the boards of Foras na Gaeilge (16 members) and the Ulster-Scots Agency (8 members). These appointments are made by the North South Ministerial Council, arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.
Most of the boards under my Department's aegis operate on a pro-bono basis. In certain other cases, however, nominees to boards may not be paid fees due to the 'one salary' rule, while others, who could claim fees, have waived their fee on a voluntary basis.
|
Body |
Name of Minister's nominee |
Fees paid per person in 2015 |
|
Arts Council |
Sheila Pratschke (Chair) Aibhlín McCrann Joan Sheehy Miriam Dunne Monica Spencer Judith Woodworth Éimear O'Connor Brian Maguire John McAuliffe John Fanning Ciarán Walsh Mark O'Regan |
Chair - €8,978 Ordinary Members - €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 |
|
Heritage Council |
Fidelma Mullane Catherine Heaney Ted Creedon Caro-lynne Ferris Mary Keenan |
€5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €4,988 €1,995 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin Seán Ó Cuireán |
Ordinary Members - €11,970 €11,970 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl (Chair) Eoghan Mac Cormaic (Vice Chair) Pól Callaghan Colm Cavanagh Marcus Mac Ruairí Therese Ruane Éamonn Ó Gribín Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire Áine Ní Chiaráin Bríd Ní Chonghóile Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill Seosamh Mac Donnchadha |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 Ordinary Members - €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €2,172 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Tom Scott (Chair) Tony Crooks (Vice Chair) Hilary Singleton Ida Fisher Val O'Kelly William Leathem Trevor Wilson |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 Ordinary Members - €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Peatlands Council |
Seamus Boland |
€2,400 |
|
Body |
Name of Minister's nominee |
Fees paid per person in 2014 |
|
Arts Council |
Sheila Pratschke (Chair 25/2/14) Aibhlín McCrann Joan Sheehy Miriam Dunne Monica Spencer Judith Woodworth Éimear O'Connor Brian Maguire John McAuliffe John Fanning Ciarán Walsh Mark O'Regan |
Chair - €8,314 €5,985 €5,542 €5,542 €5,542 €5,985 €5,542 €5,542 €7,002 (includes part-fee for 2013) €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 |
|
Heritage Council |
Fidelma Mullane Catherine Heaney Caro-lynne Ferris Ted Creedon Mary Keenan |
€5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €2,394 |
|
National Concert Hall |
Margaret Ryan (Acting Chair) |
€2,993 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin Seán Ó Cuireán Mícheál Ó Scanaill |
€11,970 €11,970 €10,607 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl (Chair) Eoghan Mac Cormaic (Vice Chair) Áine Ní Chiaráin Bríd Ní Chonghóile Therese Ruane Pól Callaghan Colm Cavanagh Marcus Mac Ruairí Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill Éamonn Ó Gribín Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Tom Scott (Chair) Tony Crooks (Vice Chair) Hilary Singleton Val O'Kelly William Leathem Trevor Wilson Ida Fisher |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €5771 |
|
Peatlands Council |
Seamus Boland |
€4,200 |
|
Body |
Name of Minister's nominee |
Fees paid per person in 2013 |
|
Arts Council |
Aibhlín McCrann Judith Woodworth Éimear O'Connor John Fanning Ciarán Walsh Mark O'Regan |
€5,985 €5,985 €5,723 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 |
|
Heritage Council |
Fidelma Mullane Catherine Heaney Caro-lynne Ferris Brendan Dunford Ted Creedon Mary Keenan |
€5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €3,706 |
|
National Concert Hall |
Margaret Ryan (Acting Chair) Kieran Tobin (Chair) |
€5,985 €2,993 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin Seán Ó Cuireán Mícheál Ó Scanaill |
€11,970 €11,970 €11,970 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl (Chair) Eoghan Mac Cormaic (Vice Chair) Áine Ní Chiaráin Bríd Ní Chonghóile Therese Ruane Pól Callaghan Colm Cavanagh Marcus Mac Ruairí Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill Éamonn Ó Gribín Liam Kennedy |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Tom Scott (Chair) Tony Crooks (Vice Chair) Hilary Singleton Val O'Kelly William Leathem Trevor Wilson |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Peatlands Council |
Seamus Boland |
€5,000 |
|
Body |
Name of Minister's nominee |
Fees paid per person in 2012 |
|
Arts Council |
Aibhlín McCrann Judith Woodworth Éimear O'Connor Ciarán Walsh Mark O'Regan |
€5,785 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,985 |
|
Heritage Council |
Caro-lynne Ferris Mary Keenan Brendan Dunford Michael Parsons Ted Creedon Fidelma Mullane Catherine Heaney |
€5,985 €5,985 €5,985 €5,601 €5,601 €5,601 €5,601 |
|
National Concert Hall |
Kieran Tobin (Chair) |
€9,450 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Micheál Ó Scanaill Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin Seán Ó Cuireán |
€10,341 €1,363 €1,363 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl (Chair) Eoghan Mac Cormaic (Vice Chair) Éamonn Ó Gribín Áine Ní Chiaráin Bríd Ní Chonghóile Therese Ruane Pól Callaghan Colm Cavanagh Marcus Mac Ruairí Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill Liam Kennedy |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Tom Scott (Chair) Tony Crooks (Vice Chair) Hilary Singleton Val O'Kelly William Leathem Trevor Wilson |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Body |
Name of Minister's nominee |
Fees paid per person in 2011 |
|
Arts Council |
Aibhlín McCrann Judith Woodworth Éimear O'Connor Ciarán Walsh Mark O'Regan John Fanning |
€5,799 €5,255 €1,779 €1,779 €1,779 €1,384 |
|
National Concert Hall |
Kieran Tobin (Chair) |
€3,150 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl (Chair) Eoghan Mac Cormaic (Vice Chair) Áine Ní Chiaráin Bríd Ní Chonghóile Therese Ruane Pól Callaghan Colm Cavanagh Marcus Mac Ruairí Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire Liam Kennedy |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 Ordinary Members - €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Tom Scott (Chair) Tony Crooks (Vice Chair) Hilary Singleton Val O'Kelly William Leathem Trevor Wilson |
Chair - €11,970/£8,140 Vice Chair - €9,830/£6,690 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 €7,695/£5,235 |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
James McGuire (Chair) |
€10,500 |
952. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of annual subscriptions to external membership bodies and groups her Department has, including the cost and details. [46771/15]
View answer953. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of annual subscriptions to newspapers or magazines her Department has, including the cost and details. [46772/15]
View answer954. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual cost to her Department of advertisements placed on its behalf in newspapers, magazines, television and radio and social media. [46773/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 952 to 954, inclusive together.
The table below lists the annual subscriptions paid by my Department for membership of professional bodies, both corporate and individual, in 2015. The total cost of these subscriptions came to €19,601.
|
Membership Body |
Number of Subscriptions |
Total Cost |
|
Institute of International and European Affairs |
Corporate |
€ 7,000 |
|
Europarc Federation |
Corporate |
€ 2,331 |
|
Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland |
Individual (1) |
€ 2,290 |
|
Canal and River Trust |
Corporate |
€ 1,400 |
|
European Movement Ireland |
Corporate |
€ 1,300 |
|
ESRI |
Individual (2) |
€ 750 |
|
Public Affairs Ireland |
Corporate |
€ 578 |
|
Chartered Accountants of Ireland |
Individual (1) |
€ 565 |
|
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management |
Individual (4) |
€ 552 |
|
Royal Institute of British Architects |
Individual (1) |
€ 439 |
|
Royal Town Planning Institute |
Individual (1) |
€ 396 |
|
ESRI |
Corporate |
€ 375 |
|
The Academy of Urbanism |
Corporate |
€ 336 |
|
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants |
Individual (1) |
€ 308 |
|
Chartered Institute of Personnel Development |
Individual (1) |
€ 213 |
|
Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland |
Individual (2) |
€ 200 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
Individual (1) |
€ 165 |
|
Nautical Archaeology Society |
Individual (1) |
€ 155 |
|
Tree Council of Ireland |
Corporate |
€125 |
|
Law Society of Ireland |
Individual (1) |
€ 85 |
|
British Biological Society |
Individual (1) |
€ 38 |
|
Total |
€19,601 |
The amount spent by my Department in respect of newspapers and magazines, including digital subscriptions, in 2015 came to €8,656. The table below summarises the quantities of each printed publication delivered on a daily/weekly basis.
|
Publication |
Number of Copies purchased |
|
Irish Times (includes one digital subscription) |
4 |
|
Irish Independent (includes one digital subscription) |
3 |
|
Irish Examiner |
1 |
|
The Star |
1 |
|
The Sun |
1 |
|
The Mirror |
1 |
|
Daily Mail |
1 |
|
Evening Herald |
1 |
|
Connacht Tribune |
1 |
|
Northern Standard |
1 |
|
Sunday Independent |
1 |
|
Sunday World |
1 |
|
Sunday Business Post |
1 |
|
Sunday Mail |
1 |
|
Sunday Mirror |
1 |
|
Sunday Sun |
1 |
|
Farmers Journal |
1 |
In addition, professional and technical journals are also supplied to specialist staff due to the nature of their work. The cost of these in 2015 was of the order of €1,812.
Finally, the cost of advertisements placed in newspapers, magazines, television and radio and social media incurred by my Department in 2015 was €18,056.
955. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide funding to help with the cost of preserving the 7th century ruins of Saint Feichin’s Church and Holy Well on Omey Island (details supplied); if grants are available to help with this preservation project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46830/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 679 of 8 December 2015.
With regard to funding, the position is that financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings. My Department itself operates a Structures at Risk Fund to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, that are protected under the Planning and Development Acts and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, which had an allocation of €624,000 in 2015, was administered through the local authorities and sought to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. A scheme for 2016, which will be delivered through the local authorities, is currently being finalised.
I launched a new €2 million scheme - the Built Heritage Investment Scheme - for the repair and conservation of protected structures on 21 October 2015. This scheme will operate in 2016, via the local authorities, on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme, which ran in 2014. It is expected to support a significant number of projects across the country and to create employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas. The scheme for this year is effectively closed as local authorities were required to submit a provisional schedule of projects to my Department by 16 December 2015.
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 contributed to particular heritage themes. The Council would be able to advise if the particular structure referred to by the Deputy would be eligible for funding, now or in the future.
The remainder of my Department’s built heritage capital budget for 2016 will be focused on the conservation and presentation of the State's heritage portfolio, which is managed by the Office of Public Works.
956. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht how the €28.8 million capital budget under the Decade of Centenaries Programme will be spent in 2016, in tabular form. [46878/15]
View answerThe bulk of the capital allocation to my Department for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme will focus on a number of the "Permanent Reminders", which are being developed as part of the Historical Reflection Strand of the Programme. These include:
- The development of the GPO Witness History visitor centre - an immersive, interactive experience in the heart of the GPO;
- The development of 14 Henrietta Street as a Tenement Museum, in conjunction with Dublin City Council;
- The restoration of specific parts of Richmond Barracks and the creation of an exhibition and interpretative space, in conjunction with Dublin City Council;
- The development of a cultural centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh, to provide, inter alia, a experiential introduction to the Irish language and the local Gaeltacht culture and environment;
- The conservation and restoration of the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street;
- The restoration of the Kevin Barry Rooms in the National Concert Hall; and
- The restoration and refurbishment of the Atheneum in Enniscorthy in order to allow it to be used as an important community amenity.
The specific 2016 allocations of the Capital Budget for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme are being finalised at present.
957. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of the concerns raised by Bird Watch Ireland regarding her decision on 23 December 2015 to allow greater flexibility in the cutting and burning of hedgerows in the months of March and August; the safeguards that will be in place for any hedgerow cutting and burning in these months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1125/16]
View answer959. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to reverse changes made to hedge cutting and scrub burning dates (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1132/16]
View answer961. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the rationale behind the changes to the hedge cutting and scrub burning dates announced on 23 December 2015, the groups she or her Department met with when considering this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1238/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 959 and 961 together.
Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife.
Following a review of section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, including from BirdWatch Ireland, I recently announced proposals to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures has been included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which has just been published. I have on occasion met with stakeholders on a range of issues, many of whom availed of the opportunity of re-iterating views expressed in their submissions in response to the public consultation.
The existing provisions relating to section 40 of the Wildlife Acts are still in operation and any changes to the closed period are dependent on the passage of the Heritage Bill 2016 through the Oireachtas.
958. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will have research conducted into the nesting times of birds here; if she is aware that many species of birds, such as Yellowhammers which are a conservation concern, have nesting times outside the existing months where restrictions on cutting and burning hedgerows exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1126/16]
View answerIt is my intention that by amending the Wildlife Acts, managed hedge cutting can be allowed under strict criteria during August to help ensure that issues such as overgrown hedges can be tackled. This is a matter of genuine concern to rural dwellers and farmers. I am keenly aware that we must ensure that this should not impact upon our populations of wild birds, including yellowhammers and many other species. For that reason, any such cutting will be subject to conditions and restrictions which will be specified in regulations in relation to hedgerow husbandry, management or maintenance to protect fauna or flora.
In addition, my Department will monitor activity under the proposed new provision, and an assessment of the impacts will be carried out before any decision is taken on continuing this measure beyond the pilot phase. In that context, my Department will work towards gathering the data required to underpin such a decision. This will include data in regard to bird nesting, and the level and impact of cutting.
The existing provisions of section 40 of the Wildlife Acts relating to the closed period for hedge cutting are still in operation and any changes to the closed period are dependent on the passage of the Heritage Bill 2016 through the Oireachtas.
960. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht what records are available to historians in relation to births, deaths and marriages over the last century in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1179/16]
View answerThe website www.irishgenealogy.ie, which operates under the auspices of my Department, contains the Indexes to the Civil Records of Irish Births, Deaths and Marriages dating from 1864, with non-Roman Catholic Marriages recorded from 1845. Section 27 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 provides for public online access to register entries in respect of:
- births more than 100 years ago,
- marriages more than 75 years ago, and
- deaths more than 50 years ago.
These provisions in the 2014 Act allow members of the public to directly search these historical registers, via online access, for the first time. My Department works in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection and the General Register Office on this project.
In 2015 the National Library of Ireland launched a website containing images from the Library’s collection of Catholic parish register microfilms. The registers contain records of baptisms and marriages from the majority of Catholic parishes in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 1880 – see http://registers.nli.ie/about.
Although a census of the Irish population was taken every ten years from 1821 to 1911, the earliest complete surviving Census is for 1901. The 1901 and 1911 Census are both fully searchable online, free of charge, on the National Archives website - see http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/
As well as offering access to the historic Civil Records Indexes, the website www.irishgenealogy.ie also acts as a portal to other important records. A user of the website can now input a search and will see if relevant details appear on any of the linked websites. The user can then link automatically to the results of the search carried out on such websites. Importantly, the system also highlights the variety of information that exists to allow people to search for their ancestors.
962. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the discussions her Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to her Department or to agencies of her Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1366/16]
View answerWhile, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I have no statutory role in relation to either the Living Wage, nor the National Minimum Wage, I can confirm that my Department adheres to all relevant public procurement guidelines and that suppliers and service contractors to my Department are required to confirm that they have taken account of their statutory and legal obligations relating to the employment protection and working conditions of their employees, in the provision of goods and services sought for my Department through the eTenders website.
The issue of procurement and services supply within the bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational matter for the Executive and Board of the bodies themselves.
