Written Answers Nos. 146-151
146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the rules PeoplePoint applies in limiting an optical allowance for work usage purposes only (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16296/16]
View answerIn relation to the Deputy's request for a review of the optical allowance, I am informed that PeoplePoint administers the allowances system on behalf of the employing Department, in line with Civil Service HR policies and indeed Government policy. PeoplePoint does not have any role in assessing eligibility for allowances. Eligibility is a matter for the employing Department. PeoplePoint is the HR and pensions administration shared service centre for the Civil Service, it provides administration services on behalf of its clients.
In relation to the individual concerned, I am informed that an email was sent to this person on 13 April informing her that the form she submitted, which was completed by her optician, did not indicate a refund was due. She was given the opportunity to resubmit her form. Once the correct information has been provided by her optician her application will then be considered in line with policy.
147. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she will provide Leader funding to groups and start-up businesses. [16331/16]
View answerMy Department is currently concluding the selection of LEADER local development strategies. I expect to issue the first contracts to Local Action Groups in the coming weeks as discussions on contract and implementation arrangements are concluded.
Funding will commence under the programme, including for the organisations referred to in the Question, as contracts are signed with the respective Local Action Groups. Any group or start-up business looking for support should liaise directly with the Local Action Group for their area.
148. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to adopt a new all-party approach to national cultural policy; to submit the culture policy, Culture 2025, to the relevant Oireachtas committee as a matter of priority; to ensure that Culture 2025 is allocated appropriate time for debate in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16146/16]
View answerSignificant 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 in 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. This expert committee has broad representation across arts and cultural interests.
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. I look forward to consideration of Culture 2025 by the Oireachtas and would very much welcome the adoption of an all-party approach in this matter.
149. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date for the national famine memorial day 2016. [16147/16]
View answer150. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to designate a fixed Sunday in order to mark the national famine memorial day every year. [16148/16]
View answer151. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will mark the famine victims’ mass grave in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin 9, located between the O’Connell and Parnell monuments, at the 2016 commemoration. [16149/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 151, inclusive, together.
As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring on behalf of the Government that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine, my main focus being that the victims of the famine are remembered appropriately and respectfully.
While the commemoration ceremony retains a degree of continuity in its format, the date and the cultural elements of the commemoration may change from year to year. I do not consider it desirable to fix the same date each year, given the factors that may need to be considered, such as the site selection process, the availability of the lead person to officiate at the ceremony and the general arrangements at community level. This flexibility facilitates the commemoration being held in the most appropriate context each year. In the circumstances, I have no plans to designate a fixed date for the National Famine Commemoration.
With regard to 2016, the National Famine Commemoration Committee has agreed that the National Famine Commemoration will take place this year at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, on Sunday, 11 September. The precise arrangements have not yet been finalised but it has been agreed that a memorial will be put in place to mark the event and officials from my Department are in contact with Glasnevin Cemetery in this regard.
