Written Answers Nos. 196-203
196. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of correspondence dated 29 June 2016 from An Taisce - the National Trust for Ireland to her Department concerning five works of art that have been in the care of the National Gallery and which have been issued export licences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19947/16]
View answerI am aware of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy which was received in recent days. My Department is considering the correspondence and will respond directly to An Taisce shortly.
197. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the report of the Post Office network business development group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19991/16]
View answerIt is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong, viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a national network of customer-focused post offices in the community. The post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. However, the postal sector is undergoing significant change, with migration towards electronic communications resulting in core mail volume decline year on year.
In recognition of the changing commercial environment, the previous Government established the Post Office Network Business Development Group, the remit of which was to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network. Mr. Bobby Kerr was appointed as the independent chairman of the group and he brought a depth of knowledge and experience in identifying and developing business opportunities for the post office network.
The final report of the group, which was published in January of this year, details 23 recommendations - with network renewal, a basic payment account and motor tax being the three key actions. The final report recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.
A number of working groups have also been established, including a network renewal implementation group, which is being independently chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr. This group is examining the number and spatial distribution of branches, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts and training and qualifications for post office employees. An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, are members of the group, which is of fundamental importance to the long-term future of the network. While good progress has been made to date, the group’s work remains on-going.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to acting on the recommendations of the final report, including supporting the implementation of a basic payment account and enabling the payment of motor tax through the post office network. Responsibility for implementation of the recommendations in the final report has recently transferred to my Department, along with a number of staff with expertise on the matter.
I recently met with Mr Kerr with a view to finalising a timeframe for the conclusion of the work of the network renewal implementation group and the implementation of the recommendations, which will refresh, renew and reinvent the Post Office Network and ensure its sustainability into the future.
198. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the role she envisages for local authorities in the roll out of rural broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19992/16]
View answerLocal Authorities will have a key role to play in the roll out of Rural Broadband. I have already commenced a programme of meetings with Local Authorities to underline this and I intend to meet with each Local Authority Chief Executive over the coming months to reinforce the importance of the rollout of broadband, and explain to them exactly what will be required. I will be asking them to establish dedicated working groups to overcome any possible barriers and to ensure there will be no unnecessary delays to the rollout of this important infrastructure to rural communities.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to measures to assist in the roll-out of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, I will establish a number of regional broadband taskforces, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies. The Taskforces will help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, by ensuring that there are no local barriers to deployment and by identifying priority areas for rollout. To this end, they will also develop Rural Digital Strategies, which will include proposals for regional digital hubs.
199. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht how the State paid a sum of €5 million to purchase Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street, Dublin 1, including details of the valuation process of the properties and of the recipients of the said moneys. [20058/16]
View answerThe cost of the acquisition of Nos. 14 – 17 Moore Street (and part of No. 18) by the State amounted to €4m. The purchase from the previous owner was effected with the assistance of the National Asset Management Agency and the €4 million consideration was arrived at in the normal commercial manner. Half the purchase price was paid to NAMA in 2015 and the balance is due to be paid in the current year.
The decision to acquire the national monument at Nos. 14–17 Moore Street for the State was because of its association with, and key role in, the events of Easter 1916 and in recognition of its significant historical value in that context.
200. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of appointments she has made to State boards since the move to the Public Appointments Service two years ago to date; the names of those appointed and the relevant position on each board; the names of those persons on the short-list; the date when the short-list was provided to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20060/16]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos 599 of 2 February 2016 and 872 of 14 April 2016 in relation to board appointments to bodies under my Department’s aegis.
Since 14 April 2016, I have made a number of appointments as set out in the following table.
TABLE: Appointments to State boards from 14 April 2016 to date
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
|
National Concert Hall |
Maura Mc Grath (Chair) James Cavanagh Rebecca Gageby (re-appointment) Gerard Gillen Eleanor Mc Evoy Máire O’Connor Michael O’Donovan John Reynolds Don Thornhill |
|
Irish Film Board |
Annie Doona (Chair) |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
Catherine Heaney (Chair) John Bowen Mary Crotty Ambrose Loughlin Judith McCarthy Denise Moroney Declan Nelson Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh Andrew Power Lynn Scarff Virginia Teehan Aidan Walsh Ingrid Hook (RDS nominee) Kathleen James-Chakraborty (RIA nominee) Mary O’Dowd (RIA nominee) Karen Wilson (NMI staff representative) |
Other than in the case of nominees/staff representative, all of these appointments were made under the www.stateboards.ie process from shortlists provided to my Department by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) of candidates deemed suitable for appointment to the boards in question. The shortlists in question were forwarded to my Department on the following dates:
- Irish Film Board - 19 January 2016;
- National Concert Hall – 26 January 2016;
- National Museum of Ireland – 8 February 2016.
I did not feel it appropriate to make appointments from these shortlists at the end of the previous Government’s term of office or during the period following the General Election when the Government was in the course of being formed.
In order to protect the confidentiality of candidates, and to avoid discouraging members of the public from putting themselves forward to serve on boards, I do not propose to disclose the names of shortlisted candidates who have not been appointed to boards.
201. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the provisions she has made to protect Sceilig Mhichíl, Contae Chiarraí, from damage during the filming there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15604/16]
View answerI am not aware of any current plans to conduct filming at this location.
Previous filming activity in 2014 and in 2015 was subject to the statutory and other requirements prescribed my Department’s National Monuments and National Parks and Wildlife Services to protect both built and natural heritage.
A detailed report was subsequently submitted to UNESCO by the Department which concluded that there had been no adverse impact on either the archaeology or wildlife of Sceilg Mhichíl.
202. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon státseirbhíseach atá earcaithe le bliain anuas ina Roinn a bhfuil Gaeilge agus Béarla acu; cén grád ar ar earcaíodh iad; cén líon iomlán státseirbhíseach a earcaíodh i rith an ama sin agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20451/16]
View answerTuigtear dom gur earcaíodh 18 ball foirne i mo Roinn le bliain anuas. Tá 9 díobh sin, 4 Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin agus 3 Oifigeach Cléireachais, in ann feidhmiú go hiomlán i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon.
203. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to review, as a matter of urgency, the disabled drivers and passengers scheme to allow consideration of additional medical conditions and disabilities which are not currently covered under it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19908/16]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
