Thursday, 7 Jul 2016

Written Answers Nos. 186-200

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Questions (186)

Catherine Martin

Question:

186. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht why she is proposing to de-designate 46 raised bog natural heritage areas, given the importance of protecting and restoring peatlands, including raised bogs in protecting biodiversity, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and preventing and mitigating flooding in a highly cost-effective fashion, as demonstrated by the Environmental Protection Agency funded Bogland project, leading to large-scale peatland restoration projects in other countries in the European Union and further afield. [20157/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network was published in January 2014. It sets out a series of measures to ensure that Ireland meets its obligations under the EU Habitats Directive to maintain or restore raised bog habitat to favourable conservation status, as well as its obligations under the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive relating to the regulation of turf cutting on natural heritage areas, whilst at the same time avoiding unnecessary impacts on the traditional rights of landowners and users and minimising the cost to the State of compensation payments.

The review concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail:

- The phasing out by 1 January 2017 of turf-cutting on 36 existing natural heritage areas, which will remain designated - this includes 7 sites to be divided, with part to be conserved and part de-designated;

- The complete de-designation of 46 natural heritage areas - including the relevant areas of the 7 sites to be divided - where it has been judged that their contribution to the attainment of the national conservation objective for raised bog is expected to be marginal and/or restoration would be prohibitively expensive for the conservation benefits achieved. Domestic turf-cutting may continue on these sites, while larger scale or commercial turf cutting will continue to be regulated through other consent systems; and

- The designation as natural heritage areas of 25 currently undesignated raised bogs, which are in public ownership or where there is reduced turf cutting pressure, so as to compensate for the loss of habitat within the sites where it is proposed that turf cutting can be allowed to continue.

The review clearly sets out that the newly configured network will have considerable advantages over the current natural heritage area network. While the review proposes the de-designation of a number of natural heritage areas, this will be more than balanced by the proposed designation of new natural heritage areas.

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish the new legislation to de-designate the natural heritage areas in question within the first 100 days of Government. The drafting of this legislation has now been approved and the General Scheme of the Bill has been referred for consideration by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht.

Seirbhísí Eitilte

Questions (187)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

187. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh sonraí uile sheirbhís Aer Árann réitithe aici. [20158/16]

Written answers

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

Mar is eol don Teachta, rinneadh athbhreithniú sa bhliain 2014 ar riachtanas na seirbhíse aeir seo, i gcomhréir le Rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh. Cuireadh tuarascáil chuimsitheach faoi bhráid mo Roinne a chlúdaigh an tréimhse ó 2003 go 2013. Rinneadh measúnú sa tuarascáil sin ar leibhéal agus ar threocht na gcostas don tseirbhís aeir agus ar an gcomhréireacht idir an oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí agus riachtanais forbartha eacnamaíochta an réigiúin.

I measc nithe eile, léiríodh sa tuarascáil go raibh caiteachas bliantúil mo Roinne ar an tseirbhís aeir tar éis méadú faoi 136% le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe, cé gur fhan líon na bpaisinéirí a bhí á n-iompar mórán mar a chéile. Ar an mbunús sin, dúradh sa tuarascáil go raibh sé riachtanach breathnú ar roghanna éagsúla chun luach níos fearr a fháil ar airgead don Státchiste.

Is sa chomhthéacs sin a d'ullmhaigh mo Roinn, i gcomhar leis an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais, an t-Iarratas ar Thairiscintí atá faoi chaibidil. Ar ndóigh, thug mo Roinn faoin obair seo in 2015 chomh maith ach, de bharr éiginnteacht faoi stádas infhaighteachta Aerfort na Gaillimhe do thréimhse an chonartha, cuireadh deireadh leis an bpróiseas áirithe sin.

Sa phróiseas tairisceana atá ar siúl ag mo Roinn faoi láthair, is é Aerfort na Mine amháin atá luaite mar phointe imeachta ar an mórthír. Tá mo Roinn, i láthair na huaire, ag iarraidh teacht ar chomhaontú le bainistíocht na saoráidí sin a chuimseoidh rochtain ar na saoráidí mar aon leis an leibhéal táillí a bheidh iníoctha. Ní mór do mo Roinnse, ar ndóigh, na rialacha maidir le tras-fhóirdheonú agus stát-chabhair a shásamh sa phróiseas seo uile.

Tá spriocdháta de 15 Iúil 2016 leagtha síos chun tairiscintí bheith faighte don tseirbhís aeir. Ar ndóigh, murar féidir teacht ar chomhaontú le húinéir Aerfort na Mine roimh an spriocdháta sin, ní bheidh ar chumas mo Roinnse dul ar aghaidh leis an próiseas tairisceana.

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Questions (188)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if turf cutters will be allowed to cut turf on a bog (details supplied); if it will be granted de-designation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20113/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I recently announced that the drafting of legislation to provide for the de-designation of 46 raised bog natural heritage area sites has now been approved and the General Scheme of the Bill has been referred for consideration by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht.

The site referred to in the Deputy’s Question is a raised bog special area of conservation. It is not a natural heritage area which is scheduled for de-designation. Therefore, the restrictions on turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation, including on the site referred to in the Deputy’s Question, will not be affected by the proposed de-designation of the natural heritage areas in question.

In the context of the finalisation of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, my Department is considering the available options for turf cutters in terms of relocation to non-designated bogs and the utilisation of the relevant provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. Under article 6.3 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the site. Under article 6.4 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and where no alternatives exist.

Given the clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of turf extraction on raised bogs, it will only be possible to utilise the provisions of article 6.3 in a small number of cases. Similarly, the flexibility provided for under article 6.4, if required, will only be applicable to a small number of sites.

I am advised that, as my Department has identified a suitable relocation site for turf cutters from the special area of conservation site referred to by the Deputy, this site is not one of those sites for which the utilisation of article 6.3 or article 6.4 of the Directive is being considered.

Arts Promotion

Questions (189, 197)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage the development and promotion of the arts with particular reference to the maximisation of employment opportunities arising therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20117/16]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which the arts and heritage sectors continue to generate employment throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20125/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 197 together.

The nature of employment within the arts and heritage sectors encompasses a wide range of activities, from theatre and music to archaeology and tourism. It may also embody the industrial creative sectors, including audio-visual production.

My primary role is to support artists and the creative industries in Ireland using the mechanisms available to me across Government on common initiatives such as the Action Plan for Jobs.

In relation to assisting employment in the arts, I believe the most appropriate way to do this is to encourage the expansion of arts and cultural activity. Since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have 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 and to invest further in our heritage. 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.

Film Industry Promotion

Questions (190)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage internationally the use of Ireland as a film location with obvious beneficial economic implications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20118/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Irish Film Board is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry. The Board supports and promotes the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. The Film Board also liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland in terms of maximising joint opportunities for promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions. Examples of this could be seen during Ireland’s success at the Oscars this year and the promotional activity around the shooting of Star Wars in Ireland.

In terms of the film industry in general 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.

My Department’s investment will also 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.

Arts Promotion

Questions (191)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if support from philanthropists continues to be available towards the support of the arts and possibly the retention of paintings or other objets d’art which might be deemed to be a loss to the national heritage if disposed of outside of this jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20119/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

A scheme for the payment of tax by means of donation of heritage items continues to operate under the terms of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.

Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is a scheme of tax relief for the donation of heritage items to the National Collections. Under the scheme, heritage items that are considered outstanding examples of their type and that are pre-eminent in their class, whose export from the State would constitute a diminution of the accumulated cultural heritage of Ireland, or whose import into the State would constitute a significant enhancement of the accumulated cultural heritage of Ireland, and which are considered suitable additions to the accumulated heritage of the State, may be donated to an approved body and 80% of the market value of the item(s) is then offset against the current tax liability of the donor. There is a ceiling of €6 million in respect of the value of donations which may be made under the terms of the scheme in a calendar year.

The approved bodies are:

- The National Archives

- The National Gallery of Ireland

- The National Library of Ireland

- The National Museum of Ireland

- The Irish Museum of Modern Art

- The Crawford Art Gallery Cork

Heritage Sites

Questions (192)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which various at-risk heritage sites and buildings continue to be protected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20120/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My role, as Minister 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.

Under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014, my Department has established and maintains the Record of Monuments and Places, which affords legal protection to over 120,000 recorded archaeological sites and monuments in the State. Anyone proposing works to a monument that is included in the Record of Monument and Places must give my Department two months prior notice before works can start.

I also have a role, as Minister, in terms of being a prescribed body under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2015, whereby development proposals that may impact on our built heritage are referred by a planning authority to my Department so that recommendations can be made as appropriate to avoid or mitigate any such impacts.

My Department has a number of measures at its disposal to facilitate the maintenance and restoration of major historical or cultural sites. As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the National Monuments Acts of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites and in such cases there is a statutory duty to maintain the national monument. Such maintenance is undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Local authorities are responsible under the National Monuments Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians.

My Department is also providing €350,000 of funding to the OPW in 2016 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. OPW undertakes the care and maintenance of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship (of which there are approximately 750). My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.

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.

Under Section 54 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may add to or delete from its record of protected structures, a structure, a specified part of a structure or a specified feature of the attendant grounds of a structure. Such a structure, specified part of a structure, or specified feature remains on the record of protected structures until such time as the planning authority deletes it. Provision is made in the Act for the carrying out of works to protected structures either by way of planning permission or on the foot of a declaration received from a planning authority that certain works that would not materially affect the character of a structure are exempted development. There is a duty of owners and occupiers to protect structures from endangerment. Where structures become endangered or unauthorised development has been or is being carried out, the planning authority has the powers to take appropriate action.

There is a number of ways in which my Department acts in respect of possible heritage sites/buildings deemed to be at risk. One of these is the receipt of applications for funding for the repair, conservation, preservation or safeguarding of protected structures, sites or monuments. Financial support is being provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings.

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 in excess of 330 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 fully allocated.

The Structures at Risk Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, which has an allocation of over €900,000 and will support 57 projects nationally in 2016, 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. Funding for 2016 has now been fully allocated.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (193)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department is engaged in the restoration of major historical or cultural sites throughout the country at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20121/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My role, as Minister 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.

Under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014, my Department has established and maintains the Record of Monuments and Places, which affords legal protection to over 120,000 recorded archaeological sites and monuments in the State. Anyone proposing works to a monument that is included in the Record of Monument and Places must give my Department two months prior notice before works can start.

I also have a role, as Minister, in terms of being a prescribed body under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2015, whereby development proposals that may impact on our built heritage are referred by a planning authority to my Department so that recommendations can be made as appropriate to avoid or mitigate any such impacts.

My Department has a number of measures at its disposal to facilitate the maintenance and restoration of major historical or cultural sites. As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the National Monuments Acts of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites and in such cases there is a statutory duty to maintain the national monument. Such maintenance is undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Local authorities are responsible under the National Monuments Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians.

My Department is also providing €350,000 of funding to the OPW in 2016 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. OPW undertakes the care and maintenance of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship (of which there are approximately 750). My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.

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.

Under Section 54 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may add to or delete from its record of protected structures, a structure, a specified part of a structure or a specified feature of the attendant grounds of a structure. Such a structure, specified part of a structure, or specified feature remains on the record of protected structures until such time as the planning authority deletes it. Provision is made in the Act for the carrying out of works to protected structures either by way of planning permission or on the foot of a declaration received from a planning authority that certain works that would not materially affect the character of a structure are exempted development. There is a duty of owners and occupiers to protect structures from endangerment. Where structures become endangered or unauthorised development has been or is being carried out, the planning authority has the powers to take appropriate action.

There is a number of ways in which my Department acts in respect of possible heritage sites/buildings deemed to be at risk. One of these is the receipt of applications for funding for the repair, conservation, preservation or safeguarding of protected structures, sites or monuments. Financial support is being provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings.

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 in excess of 330 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 fully allocated.

The Structures at Risk Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, which has an allocation of over €900,000 and will support 57 projects nationally in 2016, 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. Funding for 2016 has now been fully allocated.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme

Questions (194)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which full and-or final settlement has been achieved in respect of displaced turf cutters in County Kildare arising from the application of special areas of conservation, SACs and natural heritage areas, NHAs; and if any further issues that remain outstanding are being addressed in this context. [20122/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

174 applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been acknowledged by my Department in respect of Mouds Bog and 60 applications in respect of Ballynafagh Bog in County Kildare. A total of 475 annual payments, 187 turf deliveries and 38 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Mouds Bog and 124 annual payments, 20 turf deliveries and 15 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Ballynafagh Bog. 78 applicants from Mouds Bog and 23 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog.

Discussions are on-going with qualifying applicants from Ballynafagh Bog with a view to relocation to a non-designated bog in close proximity.

Due to the issues involved in terms of a relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog, my Department, in consultation with turf cutter interests, has been considering whether consent could be given to cut turf on this site under article 6.3 of the EU Habitats Directive. Under article 6.3 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown by rigorous scientific investigations that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the site.

The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, which is available to download from my Department’s website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas.

Carbury Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of the natural heritage areas which is to remain designated as a natural heritage area arising from the review.

I recently announced that the drafting of legislation to provide for the de-designation of 46 raised bog natural heritage area sites has now been approved and the General Scheme of the Bill has been referred for consideration by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. Hodgestown Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of those scheduled for de-designation arising from the review.

Arts Funding

Questions (195, 196)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department continues to provide funding for the arts at local and community level, directly or indirectly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20123/16]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department directly or through bodies under her aegis continues to support various festivals or cultural events organised annually or on a once-off basis throughout the country; the amount of such support provided in the past three years to date under specific headings directly, through the Arts Council or other bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20124/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Heather Humphreys)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.

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. Details of the Council's funding decisions can be found on its website at the following link www.artscouncil.ie/Who_we_funded/.

Direct funding from my Department for arts primarily relates to capital funding for individual projects, as well as the promotion of Irish arts and culture abroad through Culture Ireland. A small number of summer schools and similar events receive funding from my Department. Details of these are on my Department’s website at www.ahg.gov.ie.

In addition, my Department’s support for commemorative events can cover many artistic and cultural responses to the Decade of Commemorations. This year in particular the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is providing a rich and inclusive diversity of events both nationally and internationally, to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Question No. 197 answered with Question No. 189.

Waterways Issues

Questions (198)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department either directly or through Waterways Ireland have reached agreement with traditional canal dwellers and canal recreational users with regard to draft proposals to increase the costs to traditional users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20126/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As I stated in my reply to Question No. 149 from the Deputy on 1 June 2016, provisions to amend the Canals Act 1986 in order to allow for the subsequent making of bye-laws to regulate boating on the canals and to manage the use of the canals are contained in the Heritage Bill 2016. The proposed changes would allow Waterways Ireland to make new bye-laws to proactively manage the Royal and Grand Canals, as well as the Barrow Navigation.

The Heritage Bill 2016 passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme which was published on 8 June 2016. I have requested that this Bill would proceed to the Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.

Deputies and Senators will have the opportunity to consider the implications of this Bill as it passes through the various stages of enactment. In regard to the making of bye-laws subsequent to the enactment of the Heritage Bill, I would be pleased to afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the introduction of the bye-laws.

Departmental Funding

Questions (199)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

199. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will approve a grant to a club (details supplied) to allow the club commence works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20210/16]

Written answers

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

An application for capital funding in the case referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on the 20th May 2016. The application is currently being evaluated by my Department and will be considered in the context of other applications and funding available under the scheme. This has been explained to the applicant.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Questions (200)

Joan Burton

Question:

200. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the Government increased the total number of Ministers without assigning a single one with exclusive responsibility for the arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht; how arts policy priorities will now be implemented in the revised departmental structure; and her views on the more than 13,000 persons who have already joined an online campaign to see the full Department of the arts re-instated. [20216/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I confirmed on Tuesday this week that the name of my newly reconfigured Department was approved by Government as the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The new name reflects the broader remit of the reconfigured Department, which retains all of the responsibilities of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with additional responsibility for a wide range of programmes relating to rural and regional affairs and development.

The creation of a larger Department, with a wider remit, will not in any way diminish the importance of arts and culture within Government. On the contrary, a larger Department with wider responsibilities, will bring greater weight to bear in promoting the importance of arts and culture right across Government. The wider brief of rural and regional affairs sits well with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to strengthen the role of arts and heritage at local level, including by building stronger links with local development groups.

This is also coupled with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to progressively increase funding to the arts as the economy continues to improve. In 2016, the Arts, Culture and Film programme of my Department will account for the highest proportion of my Department’s Vote at 49% (€188m) of the total allocation. This reflects the fact that the arts are essential to the well-being of our society and that a thriving arts and cultural sector makes a hugely positive contribution to the Irish nation in general.