Wednesday, 1 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos. 1 - 57

Arts in Education Charter

Questions (39, 66)

James Lawless

Question:

39. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13333/16]

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

66. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the resources being made available to support the arts in education, in particular for children's books and Poetry Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13115/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 66 together.

While the provision for arts in the education system is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the ongoing partnership between that Department, my own Department and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, I am pleased that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.

The work of the two Departments and the Arts Council in implementing the Charter is achieved largely through existing structures, such as education centres and Education and Training Boards. My Department provides a small amount of funding under the Charter to assist with its implementation, for example, in relation to the funding of artists to assist in the Teacher Artist Partnership Initiative. In 2015, the Arts in Education Portal was launched and this now serves as an effective key communications and information channel for both education and arts sectors.

As recently as last April, a very successful inaugural National Arts in Education Day was held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, with over 200 attendees from both education and artistic fields.

In terms of direct support for the arts, this is primarily a matter for the Arts Council operating under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council’s ten-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.

The Arts Council contributes funding to a number of organisations to assist in the delivery of Arts in Education projects in schools. These include Poetry Ireland's Writers in Schools Scheme, where writers and storytellers visit primary and post-primary schools, as well as the Bringing to Book Artist-in-Residence Scheme, a Children's Books Ireland project.

Departmental Functions

Questions (40, 42)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

40. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of the significant public demand for the reinstatement of a Department with responsibility for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht; if she has engaged with senior members of the arts community regarding their demands for such a Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13257/16]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

42. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her response to public concerns regarding the lack of priority given to the arts at Government level and the lack of recognition of its contribution to society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13113/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 42 together.

As indicated by the Taoiseach in his statement to Dáil Éireann of 6th May, my Department will, in its new configuration, retain all of the functions previously assigned to it, in addition to taking on a number of new functions in relation to rural affairs and regional development. This continuing commitment is reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

I can assure the House that the creation of a larger Department with a greater remit will not in any way diminish the importance of arts and culture within Government. In fact, I consider that a larger Department with wider responsibilities can bring greater weight to bear in promoting the importance of arts and culture right across Government.

Officials of my Department are currently engaging with their counterparts in the relevant Departments to establish the precise details of the functions that will now come under the remit of my Department and to identify the associated personnel and other resources to be transferred. I anticipate that this process will be brought to a conclusion shortly, following which the issue of delegations to the newly appointed Ministers of State in my Department will be addressed, as appropriate.

Since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year. Building on this, the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.

Finally, I would like to state that I have met with representatives of the National Campaign for the Arts and I have assured them of my continuing commitment to the arts, to the delivery of relevant undertakings in the Government Programme and to a new National Cultural Policy - Culture 2025 - which is built on ongoing dialogue and collaboration with the cultural sector.

Arts Funding

Questions (41)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

41. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her objectives for arts funding in the coming years; the specific commitments that are in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13344/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As I set out in my reply to Priority Question No 32, the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve.

Other priorities, in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government, include:

- The publication of Culture 2025, Ireland's first national cultural policy, which I intend to finalise shortly, and which will provide a framework for considering a range of important issues, including improving access to culture, breaking down barriers in areas of social exclusion and disadvantage, and how culture is enriched by greater cultural diversity;

- The continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter;

- Encouraging local authorities to strengthen the role of arts and heritage officers including by building stronger links with local development. This will also feed into my expanded brief covering regional development and rural affairs;

- Opening the new capital grants scheme for applications to provide upgrades to existing regional arts and cultural centres around the country;

- Boosting supports to regional museums and facilitating increased loans between our National Cultural Institutions and our network of regional museums;

- Working with the Irish Film Board/Screen Ireland to ensure that Ireland is maximised as a location for international film production; and

- Further encouraging strong, mutually beneficial links between the business community and arts organisations.

These priorities represent an ambitious agenda and I look forward to working with all partners and across all parties of this House to develop and implement these initiatives.

With regard to funding, I would like to point out that, following years of reductions in Exchequer funding of the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts. For example, the allocation to the Arts Council in 2016 is some €60.1m, an increase of 6% over the past 2 years. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance these priorities in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.

Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 40.

Natural Heritage Areas

Questions (43)

Clare Daly

Question:

43. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 25 June 2015, the action, if any, she has taken since June 2015 to stop bait digging on Bull Island, a practice described by naturalists as inconsistent with the nature reserve status of the island and which is having a negative impact on birds on the mudflats. [13117/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As I indicated in my reply to Question No 171 on 26 May 2016, I am very aware that the Bull Island is a hugely important amenity resource for the people of Dublin, as well as being of very high nature value. Clearly, the concept of sustainable use is important in the management of such areas, particularly if there is a long history of such amenity use by the local population.

It has been long recognised that bait digging occurs at the Bull Island and that such digging removes some worm species that are also used as food by the birds on the Island. As I stated in my recent reply, the Bull Island is surveyed annually as part of the Irish Wetland Birds Survey, which collects data on the number of wintering birds at sites around the country. This survey is coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland under a contract from my Department. Officials from the Scientific Unit of my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service have reviewed the data for the Bull Island from 2001 to 2014 and concluded that there is no evidence of any decline of the bird groups, such as waterfowl and waders, that use and feed on the mudflats. For example, in the winter of 2001/2002, the peak number of waders, one of the main groups of birds species, was 16,513. In the winter of 2014/15, the peak number was almost identical, at 16,733. There were some fluctuations in numbers over those years, especially during and after the exceptionally cold winter in 2010, but numbers have recovered since then.

There is a very similar pattern for ducks and geese, another important group of birds associated with the mudflats.

I am advised therefore that there is no current evidence of a negative impact from the bait diggers, although there will be temporary disturbances in small areas. Accordingly, I am not convinced that there is a need to intervene on bait digging. My Department will continue to review data from the Bull Island and from other relevant sites elsewhere in the country.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (44)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

44. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of investment from capital spend her Department has made in County Kildare since 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13116/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Details of the annual funding allocation to my Department at subhead level are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume. Through these subheads, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/.

Expenditure under these programme areas is recorded and accounted for on a national basis and it is not possible to give a regional or county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. For example, a number of my Department’s programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies that operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no detailed breakdown on a county basis held by my Department. Groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not typically constituted on a single-county basis.

In view of this and because of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes, and the large volumes of payments and grants involved, it is not possible to provide the information sought. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I will endeavour to provide him with relevant information in that regard.

Arts Funding

Questions (45)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

45. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding awarded to the arts, excluding commemoration specific pieces of work, since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13256/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Details of the funding allocations made available to my Department are published each year in the Revised Estimates Volume with the outturn published in the annual Appropriation Account. These publications are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and on the website of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Most of my Department's arts and culture budget is allocated to the agencies under its remit. Within these allocations, the Arts Council is the primary State agency for funding the arts in Ireland. In 2016, I provided €60.1m to the Arts Council, an increase of over 7.5% since 2014. This does not include any specific funding for commemorations.

Details of the Arts Council's expenditure including its individual grants are published on the Arts Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie.

Where my Department makes direct grants to organisations, the figures are published on the website of my Department at www.ahg.gov.ie. The figures for 2016 will be published in due course.

It should be noted that the support provided directly by my Department for the arts primarily relates to capital investment in arts infrastructure. In this regard, I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years focussed on upgrading the existing stock of arts and cultural centres around the country.

My Department is finalising the guidelines and application forms in relation to the scheme which I intend to open for applications very shortly.

Film Industry Development

Questions (46, 52)

Colm Brophy

Question:

46. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans she has to improve supports to the Irish film sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13263/16]

John Paul Phelan

Question:

52. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the recent success of a number of Irish films internationally, her plans to improve supports for the audiovisual sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13265/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 52 together.

The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to progressively increase funding for the arts over the lifetime of the Programme, with specific reference to the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.

The Programme for a Partnership Government also contains a commitment to work with the Irish Film Board to ensure that Ireland is maximised as a location for international film production.

In this regard, I am pleased that I have already been able to provide some additional support to the Film Board this year, with additional current funding of €500,000. This increased investment will help to maximise the benefits brought about by the Government’s enhancement of the Section 481 film tax credit system, including the decision to increase the cap for eligible expenditure on film projects to €70 million, as announced as part of Budget 2016. Decisions in relation to tax relief are, of course, a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Under the Action Plan for Jobs, my Department, in conjunction with other stakeholders, is committed to commissioning an economic analysis of the current value of the audio visual industry in Ireland, to assess the scale, strengths and contribution of the sector in terms of economic activity and employment levels and its potential to expand further. My Department has also concluded a new co-production treaty with Canada, which will come into effect in the coming weeks.

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Questions (47, 48)

Brendan Smith

Question:

47. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cé na tosaíocthaí a bheidh aici i leith na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta do théarma an Rialtais seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13311/16]

Carol Nolan

Question:

48. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an bhféadfadh sí léiriú a thabhairt ar an mbuiséad atá aontaithe aici don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht don bhliain atá romhainn. [13270/16]

Written answers

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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 47 agus 48 le chéile.

Mar is eol do na Teachtaí, tá spriocanna sonracha leagtha síos sa Chlár Rialtais maidir le:

- Forfheidhmhiú na Straitéise 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge;

- Cruthú fostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht trí Údarás na Gaeltachta;

- Páistí a spreagadh chun freastal ar réamhscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge nó ar naíonraí sa Ghaeltacht;

- Aitheantas a thabhairt don tábhacht a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge mar theanga oibre iomlán in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh agus céimeanna cuí a thógáil chun deireadh a chur leis an mhaolú; agus

- Infheistíocht sa Ghaeilge a mhéadú.

Ar ndóigh, tá an Straitéis 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge fite fuaite le gníomhaíochtaí mo Roinne thar na réimsí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta go léir agus beidh sé mar chéad thosaíocht agamsa an Straitéis sin a chur i bhfeidhm i gcomhar leis na páirtithe leasmhara.

Maidir le cúrsaí buiséid, ní miste dom a mheabhrú do na Teachtaí gur tríd an phróiseas Meastacháin agus Cáinaisnéise a dhéantar leithdháileadh ar an soláthar airgid a chuirtear ar fáil ar bhonn bliantúil do mo Roinnse agus, go deimhin, do na Ranna Rialtais go léir. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tuigfidh an Teachta go ndéanfar an soláthar airgid don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht ón Státchiste don bhliain 2017 a mheas i gcomhthéacs an phróisis sin níos déanaí i mbliana.

Commemorative Events

Questions (49)

Martin Heydon

Question:

49. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the Ireland 2016 centenary programme; if the programme of events will continue for the remainder of 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13261/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is the centrepiece of the Decade of Centenaries and has been met with widespread support across all sectors of our society. The Programme is a year-long initiative, with a huge diversity of programmes and events running throughout 2016, to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme has engaged our communities at home and abroad in an unprecedented way and I believe strongly that the benefits at community level, and indeed nationally, should not be underestimated. The inclusive nature of the Programme has enabled citizens to re-engage actively with our history and has encouraged them to consider the future of their communities, as they look back, and reflect upon, the events of 100 years ago that led to the birth of our democratic State.

While a large number of key events took place around the Easter period, the Programme will continue through the remainder of 2016 and there are a number of exciting and innovative programmes and initiatives planned, including many activities at local level.

Reimagine is the final phase of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme – the third component of the overall Remember, Reflect, Reimagine theme. The objective of the Reimagine phase is to create an enduring impact and long-term legacy of 2016, building on the momentum and very positive public responses to the Remember and Reflect phases of the Centenary Programme. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to continuing to commemorate the most significant events in the history of this State, ensuring that these commemorations are inclusive, and enhance our understanding of our shared history, particularly among children and young people, so that they have a meaningful and lasting impact. I am confident that our citizens will continue to engage energetically with these issues as we move into the final phase of the Programme.

Commemorative Events

Questions (50)

David Cullinane

Question:

50. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the centenary funds dedicated to the 2016 programme will be ring-fenced for the purpose of arts, heritage and culture in budget 2017. [13193/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched last year, is a wide-ranging year-long series of events, which has been hugely successful to date in engaging citizens right around the country. In this regard, I secured an allocation of €18.1m in current funding for 2016 to support centenary events, both at home and abroad.

Since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.

Legislative Measures

Questions (51)

Martin Heydon

Question:

51. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the Heritage Bill 2016 and, in particular, on the proposed amendment to the closed period for hedge cutting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13260/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Heritage Bill 2016, which passed its 2nd Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016, provides, inter alia, for a power to the Minister to permit, by regulations, the burning of vegetation in March (a month normally closed to burning) during such period or periods and in such areas of the State as the Minister may specify. The regulations may also set out conditions or restrictions to protect protected habitats and species in areas where such burning is permitted. There is also proposed provision to allow landowners or their agents to cut, grub or destroy vegetation in any hedge or ditch during August, subject to such regulations as the Minister may make. Both of these provisions would remain active for a pilot period of two years, with provision for continuation by resolution by each House of the Oireachtas.

I have sought the restoration of the Heritage Bill 2016 to the legislative programme through the Offices of the Government Chief Whip and the Leader of the Seanad. I am informed they are currently finalising this programme with a view to moving it shortly.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 46.

Heritage Sites

Questions (53, 58)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available for heritage buildings and protected structures within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13255/16]

Declan Breathnach

Question:

58. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to introduce an incentive scheme for persons for the upkeep of protected structures. [11546/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 58 together.

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.

With regard to the provision of incentives, as the Deputy can appreciate the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant demands on public finances within the context of a recovering economy that is facing a challenging national and international environment.

Financial support is being provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings. My Department 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 is administered through the local authorities and seeks to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. Applications for this scheme have now closed for 2016 and recommended projects are 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 now closed for applications.

The terms and conditions for both these schemes can be found on my Department’s website at www.ahg.gov.ie.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. For 2016, the Council is administering a community based heritage grants scheme available for projects that contributed to particular heritage themes. Further details can be found at www.heritagecouncil.ie.

I also consider applications for determination under Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Under the terms of the Act, owners and/or occupiers of approved heritage buildings and/or gardens can apply for tax relief in respect of expenditure incurred on repair, maintenance and restoration, on condition that they open to the public. In order to be approved for this relief, a building/garden must be intrinsically of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest and reasonable access to the property must be afforded to the public.

Late last year, I launched an Action Plan for Irish Historic Houses in private ownership. The objectives of the plan will be to assist historic houses in general with their on-going protection, management and promotion into the future. Nine key actions form the backbone of the plan and its successful delivery will require the coordinated work of private owners, government Departments, local government and agencies. I am open to considering introducing further instruments to protect our national built heritage, but these must be considered within the overall context of the current economic situation and the need to prioritise the demands on public finances.

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.

Cultural Policy

Questions (54, 67)

Kate O'Connell

Question:

54. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she intends to publish Culture 2025, the national cultural policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13112/16]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

67. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to update Dáil Éireann on the progress of Culture 2025. [13267/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 67 together.

Significant progress has been made in drafting the first National Cultural Policy - Culture 2025. This followed a major public consultation process in 2015, including a national cultural workshop held in October at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Work by my Department, the expert steering group and a wider expert committee continued on the document in early 2016 and is currently on-going.

The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the publication of Culture 2025 as a priority and I intend to submit the draft policy to Government for consideration in the coming weeks. As I have stated previously, this first such policy will be a living document and will form the basis of an on-going dialogue with all who are interested in cultural policy.

Offshore Islands

Questions (55)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

55. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to increase the operational grant paid to the non-Gaeltacht island community companies each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13328/16]

Written answers

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

My Department assumed responsibility for the funding structure for the non-Gaeltacht iIsland development companies in May 2015 and subsequently maintained that funding at the same level as had been previously provided by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. This has also been the case in 2016. Comhar na nOileán Teo is presently administering the funding structure on behalf of my Department.

I can assure the Deputy that funding for the non-Gaeltacht island companies will continue to be a priority for my Department but, as she will appreciate, the estimates and budgetary processes for 2017 have not yet been initiated.

Foireann Roinne

Questions (56)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an dtabharfaidh sí na sonraí maidir leis an laghdú atá tagtha ar líon na bhfoirne i Roinn na Gaeltachta le deich mbliana anuas. [13195/16]

Written answers

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

Tá sé curtha in iúl dom go raibh 68 oifigeach sannta do Rannóg na Gaeilge/Gaeltachta nuair a bunaíodh mo Roinn ar an 2 Meitheamh 2011. Is é 53 an líon oifigeach atá sannta don Rannóg sin faoi láthair, idir Na Forbacha agus Baile Átha Cliath. Déantar athbhreithniú leanúnach ar an leibhéal foirne i bhfianaise riachtanais ghnó atá ag teacht chun cinn, mar atá le feiceáil i bpróiseas pleanála mo Roinne don fhórsa oibre.

Commemorative Events

Questions (57)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has carried out an assessment of the success and impact of the State commemorative events held throughout the Easter period; to provide attendance figures for the events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13254/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

A large number of events took place over the Easter weekend as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, all of which were very well attended by invited guests and members of the public. In particular, the military parade and ceremony at the GPO on Easter Sunday saw approximately 4,500 guests attending (predominantly relatives of those who took part in the 1916 Rising) as well as many thousands of citizens attending the parade right along its route. Easter Monday saw the largest public history and cultural event ever staged in Ireland, with more than 500 free talks, exhibitions, music, theatre, debates and performances across a number of venues and zones in Dublin city centre. It is estimated that over 1 million people were present to participate in and enjoy these two events alone.

Feedback from members of the public and the media clearly indicated the very positive engagement of the general public with the commemorative events, as well as the extent to which citizens felt a great sense of national pride and respect during this historic time.

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is a year-long initiative, with a huge diversity of programmes and events running throughout 2016. While a large number of the key events took place around the Easter period, the Programme will continue through the remainder of 2016 and there are a number of exciting and innovative programmes and initiatives planned, including many activities at local level. I am confident that our citizens will continue to engage with the Programme over the coming months.

I will decide in due course on the approach that should be adopted to appropriately assess the impact of the Centenary Programme, following the conclusion of the year’s events.