Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:28. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici maidir leis na greasáin Ghaeltachta a chur ar bun [19881/16]
View answerStraitéisí Ranna
Questions (28)
Written answers
Mar atá a fhios ag an Teachta, tá forfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge áirithe go sonrach mar sprioc i gClár an Rialtais Rannpháirtíochta nua. Aithnímid a thábhachtaí agus atá an Ghaeilge mar chuid shainiúil dár n-oidhreacht agus dár gcultúr. Chuige sin, tá an Rialtas tiomanta do chur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise chun go dtiocfaidh méadú ar líon na ndaoine a úsáideann an Ghaeilge ina saol laethúil agus go mbeidh áit níos feiceálaí ag an teanga i sochaí an lae inniu.
Bhí an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge cúig bliana ar an bhfód ag deireadh na bliana anuraidh. Tá cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis pleanála teanga faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 i gcroílár chur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise. Trí phleananna teanga a ullmhú agus a fheidhmiú ag leibhéal an phobail sa Ghaeltacht, tabharfar an deis faoin bpróiseas do gach pobal Gaeltachta chomh maith le Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltacht agus líonraí Gaeilge a bheith ag an roth stiúrtha mar a bhaineann sé le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ag leibhéal an phobail fud fad na Gaeltachta.
Tá dul chun cinn suntasach déanta maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis go dtí seo:
- Tá allúntas €400,000 curtha ar fáil agam i mbliana do Údarás na Gaeltachta chun cabhrú leis na heagraíochtaí atá roghnaithe sna Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta lena gcuid pleananna teanga a ullmhú; is ionann sin agus ardú 100% thar an allúntas a bhí curtha ar fáil anuraidh, nó in 2014 go deimhin.
- As an bhfiche sé Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta atá aitheanta faoin Acht, tá tús curtha le hullmhú pleananna teanga in ocht gcinn déag díobh agus é i gceist go ndéanfaidh an tÚdarás dul chun cinn suntasach maidir le tús a chur leis an bpróiseas san ocht limistéar pleanála eile idir seo agus deireadh na bliana.
- Tá eagrán uasdátaithe de na Treoirlínte Pleanála Teanga, a d’fhoilsigh mo Roinn i dtús báire in 2014, curtha ar fáil. San eagrán nua seo, tugtar cur síos ar an gCóras Faisnéise Geografaí (GIS) atá forbartha agus curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn le gairid mar áis bhreise tacaíochta do na heagraíochtaí atá agus a bheidh i mbun pleananna a ullmhú agus a chur i bhfeidhm faon bpróiseas.
- Ina theannta sin ar fad, beidh an tÚdarás agus Foras na Gaeilge, de réir mar a bhaineann sé leo, ag dul i mbun oibre ar an talamh ar bhonn céimneach maidir leis na Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta a bhunú. Cheana féin, tá allúntas €40,000 curtha ar fáil agam d’Fhoras na Gaeilge chun cabhrú le dhá ghrúpa (Leitir Ceanainn agus Cathair na Gaillimhe) pleananna teanga a ullmhú agus obair i dtreo aitheantas mar Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta a bhaint amach. Lena chois sin, tá tús curtha ag Foras na Gaeilge leis an bpróiseas mar a bhaineann sé le líonraí Gaeilge, is é sin, ceantair a bhfuil bunmhais chriticiúil bainte amach acu maidir le tacaíocht pobail agus Stáit don Ghaeilge. Tá allúntas €45,000 curtha ar fáil agam d’Fhoras na Gaeilge chun cabhrú le trí ghrúpa (Muintir Chrónáin Teo, An Clár as Gaeilge agus Gaeilge Locha Riach) pleananna teanga a ullmhú agus obair i dtreo aitheantas mar Líonra Gaeilge a bhaint amach.
Tuigim gur ag obair i gcomhar lena chéile is fearr a bhainfidh muid torthaí fónta amach chun an oidhreacht bheo seo a thabhairt ar aghaidh don chéad ghlúin eile. Sa tréimhse amach romhainn, beidh an Rialtas agus mo Roinn féin ag obair go dícheallach leis na páirtnéirí go léir, ag leibhéal an Stáit agus an phobail, chun na spriocanna atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge a chur i gcrích.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Expenditure
Questions (29, 51)
Thomas Byrne
Question:29. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the oversight she has of State assistance in respect of a factory (details supplied); and to inform Dáil Éireann of any concerns of the State agencies under her aegis relating to the operation of this business. [19888/16]
View answerThomas Byrne
Question:51. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the support which was made available to a factory (details supplied); if she reviewed State funding under the aegis of her Department in recent times; and if she is aware of difficulties in the operation of this business. [19887/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 51 together.
I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that, on 28 February 2014, the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta granted the company referred to by the Deputy the following supports to set up and develop its business:
- The provision of up to 4,127 square metres of space by way of standard lease at an annual rent of €16.14 per square metres. The terms of the lease were subject to standard review.
- Payment of a rent reduction grant of €66,609 or 50% of the annual cost, whichever is the lesser, for years 1 and 2 on 4,127 square metres of space.
- Payment of an employment grant of not more than €190,000 (€10,000 per job) in respect of 19 full-time qualifying jobs.
- Payment of a training grant of not more than €30,000 towards the cost of implementing an agreed training programme in accordance with the Training Aid Guidelines (TAGS) as laid down by the Commission of the European Union.
- Payment of a consultancy grant of not more than €10,000 or 50% of costs, whichever is the lesser, according to the grants scheme.
The company in question is currently leasing a building from an tÚdarás since October 2014.
To date, a total of €170,000 in employment grants and €41,631 in rent subsidy grants has been paid to the company by an tÚdarás. During 2015 the company had 23 full-time employees. However, during the period November 2015 to end of February 2016, that figure was gradually reduced to zero. I am advised that currently the company has no full-time employees.
Údarás na Gaeltachta have also informed me that they are aware that:
- the company is not trading;
- there is no electricity in the building; and
- the sorting machinery for its operations has been removed from the building.
I understand from an tÚdarás that the company is currently removing materials that were stored in the building. This is being carried out under the direction of the local authority in question and Údarás na Gaeltachta, having regard to the terms of the permit it has from the local authority and its lease agreement with an tÚdarás. I also understand that issues arising in regard to the grant agreement between the company and Údarás na Gaeltachta are being followed up by the legal department of an tÚdarás.
Public Sector Staff Data
Questions (30)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:30. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reduction in the number of persons employed directly and indirectly as a result of Government cuts to the funds channelled through her Department in the past five years. [19861/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that over the course of the period, June 2011 to end December 2014, my Department was required to reduce numbers under the Employment Control Framework limits for Civil Servant and Public Servant numbers set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. There was also a moratorium on staff recruitment over this period.
The number of staff employed by my Department, and the bodies under its aegis, from its establishment in June 2011 to 31 March 2016 are outlined in the following table.
|
Date |
Civil Servants employed in Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht |
Public Servants employed in the bodies under the aegis of the Department |
|
June 2011 |
645 |
1183 |
|
31/12/2011 |
635 |
1128 |
|
31/12/2012 |
606 |
1041 |
|
31/12/2013 |
597 |
985 |
|
31/12/2014 |
600 |
959 |
|
31/12/2015 |
582 |
964 |
|
31/03/2016 |
573 |
959 |
Arising from the additional Departmental responsibilities announced by An Taoiseach on 6 May 2016, my Department has recently increased in size. The number of staff currently employed in my Department is 607.
Film Industry Development
Questions (31)
Kate O'Connell
Question:31. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take to support the film sector; the benefits arising from the increase in the section 481 tax relief; her views on the success of a number of Irish films in recent times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19848/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Film Board has primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions. Its aim is to help filmmakers to make Irish films, and provide production and development loans for features, television programmes, animation projects, documentaries and short films. 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.
Film making in Ireland is also supported by the Section 481 film tax credit system, which incentivises film investment in Ireland. This incentive was enhanced in Budget 2016, when the cap for eligible expenditure on film projects was increased from €50 million to €70 million.
Clearly, funding across the public service was severely impacted by the economic crisis, including the funding that could be provided for investment in culture and the arts. 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 allocation to the Irish Film Board in 2016 at almost €14.5 million shows an increase of 3.6% from last year. 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 enhancement of the Section 481 film tax credit system to which I have referred.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains an ambitious agenda of priorities in relation to achieving a stable, sustainable and secure funding model for the arts in line with improvements in the economy and the public finances. The Programme also 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 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.
Post Office Network
Questions (32)
Peter Burke
Question:32. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the sustainability of the post office network into the future; the actions she will take to secure this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19840/16]
View answerWritten answers
It 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.
Arts Promotion
Questions (33)
Catherine Murphy
Question:33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to request information from the chief executive of each local authority on whether it currently employs an arts officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19899/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Arts Council provides support to local authorities directly for arts programmes and in this regard details of all local authority arts officers are available on the Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.ie/Arts-in-Ireland/Local-Arts/Links/.
Arts Funding
Questions (34)
Mick Barry
Question:34. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will implement an increase in arts funding to 0.3% of gross domestic product as sought by the National Campaign for the Arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19891/16]
View answerWritten answers
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.
I understand that the figures quoted by the Deputy are from a Council of Europe project called Compendium - Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe. I understand that many European counties are not included in the figures, including ten EU member states. The data for the Compendium project are provided by independent researchers and it is not a standardised system for collection of statistics.
I further understand that Compendium itself warns that data provided by the researchers are not comparable across countries because each researcher includes different elements in the definition of culture and these elements are reflected in the figures for public expenditure. For example, local authority expenditure on the arts, artists, exemption tax relief, expenditure on public service broadcasting and the Irish language are all examples of elements not included in the Council of Europe figures for Ireland but included in the figures for some other countries.
Expenditure on the arts in Ireland comes from multiple sources, both public and private. I understand that the CSO does not produce national statistics that capture the totality of this expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
The issue of a definition of culture and of capturing public expenditure on culture is one that was discussed in the public consultation process held for the purpose of developing Ireland's first national Cultural Policy Framework, Culture 2025. As I have previously stated, I do consider that further research on this issue is warranted in the context of Culture 2025.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the publication of Culture 2025 as a priority. My Department is continuing to consider inputs on the draft document from the Steering and Expert Groups, which I established, and I expect to forward a draft for consideration to the relevant Oireachtas Committee shortly.
Arts Promotion
Questions (35)
Joan Burton
Question:35. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will urgently begin preparation of a global arts forum for Ireland, similar to the structure of the Global Irish Economic Forum, to highlight our indigenous talent and map a strong and healthy future for arts and culture at home and abroad. [19865/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department through Culture Ireland supports Irish artists to present their work worldwide. This serves to raise the global awareness of the strong reputation of the Irish arts sector, generate new career opportunities for Irish artists and develop new audiences abroad for Irish artists.
My Department continues to work with the Global Irish Network which has to date made many significant achievements in relation to highlighting Ireland's creativity on the world stage. I consider that this is the most appropriate vehicle in which to highlight the achievement of Irish creativity – as part of a wider cross sectoral partnership. Most notable in terms of this collaborative approach have been Irish Design 2015, with which my Department had a significant engagement in relation to the international programme, and the Imagine Ireland programme in 2011.
Imagine Ireland, launched following the strategic focus on culture at the first Global Forum in 2009, was a special year-long initiative by Culture Ireland, showcasing Irish arts and culture in the US throughout 2011. Its objectives to help rebuild Ireland’s reputation, renew the unique cultural relationship between Ireland and America, showcase a new generation of contemporary Irish creative talent, build long-term US market share and opportunities for the Irish cultural sector and creative industries, expand the reach of Irish culture to new US audiences and provide a strategic platform to promote Irish tourism, trade, investment and innovation were largely achieved.
This model of supporting major arts initiatives internationally continues this year with the I am Ireland programme – the international arts element of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme which includes over 550 separate performances and exhibitions with a special focus in key territories - United States, Great Britain, Canada and Australia. This programme reflects that interest in Irish artistic excellence continues to grow internationally and recognises that this centenary year offers a unique opportunity to build on Ireland's cultural connections and share the talents of Irish artists through many special and diverse events around the world.
I am satisfied that following the success of these initiatives that a global forum for the arts is best achieved through the broad based Global Irish Network.
National Countryside Recreation Strategy
Questions (36)
Joe Carey
Question:36. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on how the rural walks scheme can be used to attract visitors and boost tourism in rural counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19846/16]
View answerWritten answers
The permissive access model currently used as part of the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy for the development of greenways and walkways in Ireland has led to the successful delivery of over 880 walking, cycling, and equestrian trails, which are all listed on the Irish Trails Register maintained by the National Trails Office of Sport Ireland.
Figures produced by Fáilte Ireland demonstrate that, in 2014, close to 1.2 million overseas visitors coming to Ireland engaged in hiking/walking. This is an increase of 451,000 visitors on the 2013 figures. The total spent in the Irish economy by those visitors in 2014 was in the region of €915 million, an increase of some €265 million on the 2013 expenditure. These figures do not include visitors or related spend in the economy by domestic visitors engaging in hiking or walking.
These statistics demonstrate that hiking and walking on all trails, not just those covered by the Walks Scheme, are contributing to the Irish economy in attracting overseas visitors. The statistics also show how important the Walks Scheme is as its aim is to maintain and develop all of its walks to ensure a positive visitor experience for those using the walks, citizens and visitors alike.
The Walks Scheme is a maintenance-based payment scheme for landholders who maintain sections of trails that traverse their lands. The scheme is administered by 16 Local Development Companies on behalf my Department. There are currently 39 National Way Marked Ways and other Priority Loops covered by the scheme.
There is a commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government to expand the Walks Scheme and 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. I am convinced that such an expansion would boost the number of high quality walks available to citizens and visitors alike, thereby increasing the attractiveness of the walking experiences available throughout Ireland.
Rural Development Policy
Questions (37)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:37. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her proposed and current plans to resolve the regional, economic and demographic imbalance in the State. [19859/16]
View answerWritten answers
As announced by An Taoiseach at the launch of the Programme for a Partnership Government in April 2016, I have been charged with the development of an Action Plan for Rural Ireland, which will utilise a similar framework to the very successful Action Plan for Jobs.
It is intended that the Action Plan will draw on the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the recommendations in the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) and the Charter for Rural Ireland, as well as other Government programmes and policies that have influence on the sustainable development of rural areas. The aim of the Action Plan will be to identify a series of time-bound actions with specific and measureable outputs and coordinate the implementation of those actions with a view to ensuring that all areas of Ireland are supported equally and facilitated in their development into the future.
Work has already begun on formulating the Action Plan and it is intended that it will be published in a format similar to the Action Plan for Jobs. A regular and structured reporting mechanism will be put in place and progress reports will be delivered to the Cabinet Committee on Regional and Rural Affairs, chaired by An Taoiseach.
I hope to be in a position to launch the Action Plan before the end of 2016.
Heritage Sites
Questions (38)
Joan Burton
Question:38. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plan to pursue more applications for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage status for more national landmarks (details supplied). [19863/16]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s current World Heritage Tentative List has come about from a very comprehensive, thorough and inclusive process undertaken by a panel of Irish and international heritage experts specifically appointed for that purpose. The process included full public consultation and an in-depth review of all proposed candidate sites.
In the meantime, my Department has engaged with local authorities and local groups from the areas with proposals on the Tentative List to gauge the extent of the support available to advance the proposals and to clarify the work and resources required for that purpose. The fundamental requirement is that each site must be capable of demonstrating Outstanding Universal Value to UNESCO.
Technical evaluations have been produced for each of the six sites forming part of the Royal Sites serial nomination which are currently being reviewed by experts. My Department is examining a draft of the Burren evaluation document which will be completed as quickly as possible to allow the evaluation itself to proceed. In the case of the Historic City of Dublin proposal, this is being advanced by Dublin City Council and my Department is represented on the Steering Committee
The next steps will involve developing Management Plans for each site (a UNESCO requirement) and the designation of core and buffer zones in each case. At each stage local consultation is required. This process will also have to take into account the fact that some sites will be managed by the Office of Public Works, others by local authorities and that two monuments on the Royal Sites list are privately owned. Another - Eamhain Macha in Armagh - is in Northern Ireland. The culmination of these steps will be the creation of the full nomination documents for each site for submission to UNESCO.
I am committed to supporting the current proposals in every way that I can but the process is a lengthy one and all of the work at every stage must be supported and developed from the local level up with stakeholder buy-in and commitment at each and every stage. While this adds to the timescale, it is infinitely preferable than a top down approach that fails to engage with local communities. It also ensures a far better chance of best care and support for the protection and preservation of these sites into the future.
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga
Questions (39)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:39. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad a cheapann an tAire faoi thuarascáil bhliantúil an Choimisinéara Teanga agus faoi na fadhbanna atá léirithe inti. [19857/16]
View answerWritten answers
I gcomhréir le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 faoinar bunaíodh Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, tá an Coimisinéir Teanga neamhspleách i gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna. Cuireann an Coimisinéir Teanga tuarascáil maidir le gníomhaíochtaí a Oifige faoi bhráid an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta gach bliain le leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Leagadh Tuarascáil Bhliantúil an Choimisinéara Teanga don bhliain 2015 faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais ar an 24 Meitheamh 2016 agus tá cur síos inti ar ghníomhaíochtaí éagsúla na hOifige le linn 2015, lena n-áirítear líon na ngearán agus na n-imscrúduithe ar déileáladh leo, obair faireacháin ar scéimeanna teanga, cúrsaí cumarsáide, cúrsaí airgeadais agus riaracháin agus nithe gaolmhara eile.
Díríonn an Coimisinéir Teanga aird ina thuarascáil ar nithe eile freisin, ina measc an gá a fheiceann sé le forálacha áirithe d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a leasú agus le córas struchtúrtha chun poist le riachtanais Ghaeilge sa tseirbhís phoiblí a aithint agus a líonadh.
Go luath tar éis mo cheapacháin mar Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Gaeltachta, thapaigh mé an deis labhairt leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga maidir leis na féidearthachtaí éagsúla a chuideodh le bonn níos láidre a chur faoi sholáthar seirbhísí Stáit i nGaeilge do shaoránaigh an Stáit. Beidh mé ag scrúdú na bhféidearthachtaí seo sna míonna amach romhainn d’fhonn moltaí sonracha a thabhairt chuig an gCoiste Rialtais ar na hEalaíona, an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht, atá bunaithe faoi chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh.
Departmental Budgets
Questions (40)
Kate O'Connell
Question:40. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the percentage of her budget in 2016 that is allocated to the arts and culture sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19847/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 relates to the new configuration of my Department, including rural and regional affairs.
Hare Coursing Regulation
Questions (41)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:41. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the National Parks and Wildlife Service's reports of the injuries to and deaths of hares at live coursing meetings; and how she will address the illegal taking of hares for the hare trade. [19871/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of the Wildlife Acts, licences are required by the Irish Coursing Club, covering their affiliated coursing clubs, if they wish to capture or tag hares for use at regulated hare coursing meetings.
It is a licence condition that a qualified veterinary surgeon should be in attendance during all coursing meetings and that a signed report on the general health of the hares, and on any injuries or deaths of hares that occur during the meeting, should be submitted to my Department. In the event of a hare dying while in the care of the coursing club, the veterinary surgeon will examine the hare, determine the cause of death and consider if a post mortem is necessary.
A very high proportion of the hares captured for hare coursing are, in fact, returned to the wild each year - an average of 99% of the hares used at hare coursing meetings have been returned to the wild over the past four hare coursing seasons.
There is an Open Season for the hare species, which extends from 26 September to 28 February of the following year and which allows for the hunting of hares. My Department is aware of the prevalence of illegal hare hunting around the country and successful prosecutions have been taken in recent years by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department relating to such illegal hunting. All incidents of illegal hare hunting should be reported to An Garda Síochána or to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department.
Rural Development Plan
Questions (42)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:42. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for rural and regional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19879/16]
View answerWritten answers
As announced by An Taoiseach at the launch of the Programme for a Partnership Government in April 2016, I have been charged with the development of an Action Plan for Rural Ireland, which will utilise a similar framework to the very successful Action Plan for Jobs.
It is intended that the Action Plan will draw on the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the recommendations in the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) and the Charter for Rural Ireland, as well as other Government programmes and policies that have influence on the sustainable development of rural areas. The aim of the Action Plan will be to identify a series of time-bound actions with specific and measureable outputs and coordinate the implementation of those actions with a view to ensuring that all areas of Ireland are supported equally and facilitated in their development into the future.
Work has already begun on formulating the Action Plan and it is intended that it will be published in a format similar to the Action Plan for Jobs. A regular and structured reporting mechanism will be put in place and progress reports will be delivered to the Cabinet Committee on Regional and Rural Affairs, chaired by An Taoiseach.
I hope to be in a position to launch the Action Plan before the end of 2016.