Written Answers Nos. 952 to 980
952. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is aware of any plans to restore St. Felim's Workhouse in Cullies in Cavan Town, the former St. Felim's Hospital, which is a listed building; if not, if plans will be made to put it to use in the community as an important heritage building in County Cavan before it falls further into disrepair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24785/16]
View answerMy Department has not received an application for funding in respect of St. Felim’s Workhouse.
My role, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 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 Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, each planning authority is required to include a Record of Protected Structures (RPS) in its development plan. Inclusion on the RPS 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.
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. A number of State financial supports provide for the conservation and preservation of heritage structures in general. However, funding available for 2016 has now been fully allocated through two schemes run by my Department, as set out.
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 amounted to over €900,000 in 2016 and is fully allocated, 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.
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 also fully allocated.
While no decision has been made on schemes for 2017, announcements, if any, will be made towards the end of 2016 or early in 2017 and are again likely to operate via the Local Authorities. The Conservation or Heritage Officer in the local authority will be able to advise regarding funding available for conservation works to structures on the Record of Protected Structures, and it is advisable for interested parties to remain in contact with their local authority on an on-going basis.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. The Council recently awarded funding of over €880,000 to 171 heritage projects nationwide under its 2016 Heritage Management Grant Scheme. Further details of grant schemes available from the Heritage Council can be found at www.heritagecouncil.ie.
953. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the case of a person (details supplied) who wishes to purchase land; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24787/16]
View answerI have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that the person referred to by the Deputy has made several enquiries regarding lands owned by them with a view to acquiring a particular section of the lands. Údarás na Gaeltachta have also informed me that they have advised this person that the lands in question are not currently for sale and that the person's interest has been noted should this position change in the future.
954. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the National Monument at 14 to 17 Moore Street, Dublin 1. [24813/16]
View answerThe work referred to by the Deputy was undertaken by my Department in accordance with applicable procedures and in the context of proposals for extensive conservation works to the facades of the buildings, including any necessary repairs to long-damaged pointing, brickwork and capstones. The removal phase referred to was effected as part of an approved scheme of essential interim preservation and repair works. Those permitted works do not at this juncture extend to extensive and permanent conservation, repair and reinstatement. All works are being supervised by expert conservation architects and are also being overseen by my Department’s Chief Archaeologist and architectural personnel.
955. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be made available to carry out repairs to a bridge (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24861/16]
View answerOfficials from my Department are currently examining options regarding the repair of the structure referred to. The tendering process for the repairs is nearly complete, and a contract will be awarded pending compliance with all necessary statutory obligations.
956. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider creating a vision and learning structure at primary school level to ensure that every child is exposed to engagement with the built and natural heritage around them and that they graduate from primary school with a sense of cultural history and knowledge of key elements of natural heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24890/16]
View answerThe Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, is committed to promoting education, knowledge and pride in, and facilitating appreciation and employment of our heritage.
The Heritage in Schools scheme is one of many heritage programmes supported by the Heritage Council. Last year my Department provided €205,730 for the Heritage in Schools scheme to support the work of the Heritage Council in its role of improving heritage infrastructure, heritage awareness, and promoting best practice in conservation and sustainable heritage management. Funding in the sum of €255,000 has been allocated towards this scheme for 2016.
It is primarily the role of the Heritage Council to allocate funds to educational programmes such as the Heritage in Schools scheme in the manner in which it deems best. I understand that, in 2015, 736 schools were visited by heritage specialists with 1,922 visits in total. Of these, 713 visits were to disadvantaged schools. The total number of children involved was 91,184, of which 30,144 were children from disadvantaged schools.
As Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, I am committed to supporting, in a manner appropriate to these challenging times, educational programmes which further the protection and conservation of our built and natural heritage.
957. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will set benchmarks for investments in culture and heritage that put Ireland alongside our European counterparts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24891/16]
View answer958. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which she plans to create an environment where the cultural sector can be supported through multiannual budgeting to allow a more strategic and sustainable focus, particularly among the State's cultural institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24892/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 957 and 958 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a number of important commitments in relation to the cultural sector. These include a commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts and the cultural sector as the economy continues to improve and to prioritise the publication of Culture 2025, the first national cultural policy.
In relation to funding, 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.
Regarding long-term policy, I forwarded a draft of Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July.
This draft policy framework includes as priorities to -
- carry out a critical analysis of direct and indirect supports that are funding arts and cultural activity; and
- improve funding structures through multi-annual funding, investments in capital infrastructure, cross-streamed funding and investment in regional and local services.
The draft policy framework envisages a cross-sectoral plan being developed, which will be guided by the priorities set out in the document. These issues will be considered as part of that plan and taking into account the views of the Joint Oireachtas Committee as part of its consideration of Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025.
959. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider creating an enabling environment for digitisation of archives and records across all levels in the State, including cultural institutions, Government bodies, educational institutions and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24893/16]
View answerDigitisation is a powerful tool to create new ways for people to interact with their cultural heritage. In recognition of the importance of the digitisation, the draft Framework Policy document Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 has Responding to the Digital Age as one of its seven pillars. I forwarded the document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July.
The care and management of electronic records and the preservation of digital material is a challenge for the National Cultural Institutions, all of which have digitisation programmes in place. Developing approaches to digital records is particularly important for the National Archives. In this regard, the National Archives joined the Digital Preservation Coalition in 2015, an international advocate body for digital preservation, to better prepare itself for the development of a digital preservation strategy and to ensure it adopts the appropriate and relevant standards in this area.
As part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, my Department funded a number of specific digitisation projects in the National Cultural Institutions, including
-the National Library project to digitise the personal papers of the signatories of the Proclamation; and
- the National Archives projects to digitise the Chief Secretary's Office: Movement of Extremists collection and the Dublin Metropolitan Police records leading up to Easter 1916.
My Department has also supported archiving digitising of Irish film in the Irish Film Institute.
Furthermore, the Office of Government Chief Information Officer and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are working with the National Archives and my Department on a strategy and associated plan in relation to the electronic management and preservation of digital records across the public service. I provided the National Archives with a special allocation of €150,000 in 2016 to commence work on this project.
In addition, as part of the Decade of Commemorations programme, funding is being provided for the first phase in a capital development plan at the National Archives. €8m has been made available for the purposes of this capital development, which will shortly go to tender.
All of these initiatives are aimed at providing the enabling environment to which the Deputy refers in her Question.
960. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to deliver policies and incentives to engage the private and business sector in supporting culture, through philanthropic support of the traditional arts, strategic partnerships and shared synergies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24894/16]
View answerPrivate support for the arts is an important funding source and the Government continues to support this through tax incentives and other initiatives. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to encourage strong, mutually beneficial links between the business community and the arts community to assist arts organisations to capitalise on sponsorship opportunities and to develop business partnerships and fundraising skills. This is further reflected in the draft Framework Policy Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 which I forwarded to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July. Developing diverse income streams and examining ways to promote private investment are identified as priorities in Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025.
Further action in this area will build on existing initiatives. For example, the National Cultural Institutions have a track record in attracting private investment and I also recognise the important work carried out by Business to Arts for which my Department provides a small amount of assistance.
In addition, the Arts Council operates the RAISE programme, which seeks to enhance fund-raising skills in arts organisations with a view to diversifying the sector's sources of funding. It is designed to assist the sector in securing philanthropic contributions to the arts in Ireland.
My Department also operates small capital grant schemes, which requires co-funding from private or philanthropic sources.
In terms of other capital investment requiring co-funding, I have 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 such centres around the country. The funding, which is being made available as part of the Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021, will be dependent on matching funding being secured by project promoters and will therefore provide an opportunity for philanthropists to involve themselves in the arts.
961. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding allocated to Kilkenny County Council under the €30,000,000 fund announced in 2015 under the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24971/16]
View answer962. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding allocated to Carlow County Council under the €30,000,000 fund announced in 2015 under the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24972/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 961 and 962 together.
In 2015, the then Government announced plans for a fund of €30 million over a six year period for a Town and Village Renewal scheme. The current Government acknowledges the importance of town and village renewal as a way to revitalise rural Ireland and has included a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to support the revitalisation of towns and villages.
On 9th August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme as part of the Government’s programme to support rural development. I have allocated €10 million for the scheme this year. A sum of €380,000 has been made available to each of the 26 counties, including Kilkenny and Carlow, as part of this initial phase of this scheme. Local authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, have been invited to submit proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.
I look forward to developing the Town and Village Renewal Scheme further in future years, subject to budgetary provision.
963. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when it is proposed to bring a joint proposal to Government along with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to the issue of funding and remit for the elimination of aquatic invasive species, particularly, Lagarosiphon Major on Lough Corrib; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25038/16]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland have been working intensively for some years on the control of Lagarosiphon major in Lough Corrib with funding and other supports from the EU LIFE fund, my Department, the OPW and Galway County Council.
Like most invasive species, especially aquatic species, it would be extremely difficult to eradicate Lagarosiphon completely, and continuing effective control is likely to be necessary.
EU Regulation No 1143/2014, on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, adopted in January 2015, makes it illegal to move or release Lagarosiphon into the environment, or to offer it for sale, and this will assist in limiting its spread between water bodies.
Officials in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and my own Department continue to work together on proposals to address the issue.
964. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for road works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25088/16]
View answerI have allocated over €750,000 of capital investment during 2016 for the location referred to in the details supplied. This figure is in addition to a discrete stream of funding already allocated towards the completion and opening of an important heritage site at the location referred to.
The funding, which is part of my Department's Capital Programme for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is aimed at priority capital projects identified within the country's 6 National Parks and 80 statutory Nature Reserves.
Over a third of the funding for the location referred to is allocated for the repair of internal roadways.
965. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos 873 and 874 of 14 April 2016, if she will confirm that the inaugural official National Famine Commemoration Day took place in 2008 as indicated by a press statement (details supplied) which announces this year's commemoration as the 9th consecutive year in which the National Famine Commemoration has taken place, as opposed to this event being an informal one. [25113/16]
View answerAs indicated in previous replies to the House, the inception of the National Famine Commemoration was announced by the then Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at an event held in the Custom House in Dublin in 2008. However, the first National Famine Commemoration to include both local input and formal State ceremonials was held in Skibbereen in 2009. Since then, the event has been held annually in a similar dual format in Murrisk (2010), Clones (2011), Drogheda (2012), Kilrush (2013), Strokestown (2014), Newry (2015) and Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin (2016).
While this is the 9th consecutive year, therefore, in which the Great Famine has been marked following the decision made by the Government in 2008 to hold an annual National Famine Commemoration, there have been eight commemorations that included both local input and formal State ceremonials in the period 2009 to 2016, inclusive. The issue, therefore, of whether the current year’s event was the 8th or the 9th annual Famine Commemoration is dependent on whether the initial launch held in 2008 is included in the calculation.
966. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will respond to the serious concerns raised by a number of organisations (details supplied) with respect to proposed changes to section 40 of the Wildlife Act that would permit the setting of gorse fires in March and the cutting of hedgerows in August; if she is satisfied that this proposal will not adversely affect the protection and preservation of indigenous flora; her views on the fact that many birds, such as the yellowhammer, nest chicks until well into September; if she is satisfied that these proposed changes do not conflict with the 2007 European Court of Justice ruling in case C-418/04: Commission v. Ireland, which found that the State failed to adequately protect indigenous bird habitats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25185/16]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.
Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals last year to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. These proposals were included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January this year.
I am keenly aware that we must ensure that these changes should not impact upon our populations of wild birds, including yellowhammers and many other species. For that reason, any such burning and cutting will be subject to conditions and restrictions which will be specified in regulations in relation to hedgerow husbandry, management or maintenance to protect fauna or flora.
In addition, my Department will monitor activity under the proposed new provision and an assessment of the impacts will be carried out before any decision is taken on continuing this measure beyond the pilot phase. In that context, my Department will work towards gathering the data required to underpin such a decision. This will include data in regard to bird nesting, and the level and impact of cutting. I do not believe that these changes conflict with the ECJ ruling on bird species.
The existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts are still in operation and any changes to the closed period are dependent on the passage of the Heritage Bill 2016 through the Oireachtas.
967. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when Pobal will invite applications for the social enterprise measure under the Dormant Accounts Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25291/16]
View answerLegislation governing the Dormant Accounts Fund provides for the disbursement of monies from the Fund for programmes or projects to assist:
- the personal and social development of persons who are economically disadvantaged,
- the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged, and
- people with disabilities.
The 2016 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan includes a range of measures to be delivered across a number of Government Departments that meet these objectives. The Plan includes a provision for the allocation of up to €1.75 million to support Social Enterprise measures.
My Department is currently working with Pobal in finalising the Social Enterprise measure under Dormant Accounts Fund, with a view to inviting applications under the scheme in the coming weeks.
968. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the National Park in Killarney, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25376/16]
View answerGiven the reduction in expenditure allocations to my Department in recent years and the consequential need to make savings, the number of seasonal Guides and Education Officers available at the facility referred to in the details supplied have necessarily been reduced.
Over the same time, the number of visitors to Muckross House has increased. Accordingly, Guides and Education Officers have been deployed to ensure the on-going provision of guided tours at Muckross House.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department and Fáilte Ireland have invested €6.1 million to date in the development of Killarney House & Gardens, which will operate as the visitor centre for the National Park when opened. My Department expects the total investment in this facility to be in the region of €8 million when completed.
The persons referred to in the details supplied are employed by my Department.
970. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of an application for funding by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25396/16]
View answerMy Department has sanctioned a grant of €18,160 to the committee in respect of improvement works on the college for which details have been supplied by the Deputy.
971. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the landlords that her Department or bodies under her aegis paid rent to in each of the past three years; and the sums paid in each case. [25411/16]
View answerIn general, matters relating to the acquisition and leasing of property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. However, I am advised that my Department is itself currently renting one property. This is the Burren Information Point in Corofin, owned by Clare Heritage Centre. The annual rent payable in each of the past three years is €8,370.
In addition, my Department rented storage premises located at Shanacloon, Ballymakeera Co. Cork, owned by RM Diving Services, up to December 2015. The annual rent payable in that case was €22,140.
For completeness, I wish to advise that my Department also uses part of a storage premises in Swords, Co. Dublin, leased by the OPW on behalf of the National Museum of Ireland. The annual cost to my Department is €140,000.
The management of properties owned by bodies under the aegis of my Department are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies concerned. The various bodies have been asked to respond direct to the Deputy, within the timelines set down in Standing Orders, providing the details information requested in respect of rents paid.
972. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to increase the total arts budget of 0.11% of national GDP to the EU average of 0.6%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25427/16]
View answer973. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the total monetary support provided to the arts sector is 0.11% of national GDP compared to the EU average of 0.6% (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25428/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 972 and 973 together.
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 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 arise from a Council of Europe research project called Compendium - Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe which includes figures on expenditure on culture across Europe. I understand that many European countries 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 the 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, Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025. As I have previously stated, I do consider that further research on this issue is warranted in the context of Culture 2025.
In this regard, I forwarded a draft of Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July.
974. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the condition of the roads and walkways in Killarney National Park (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25458/16]
View answerI have allocated over €750,000 of capital investment during 2016 for the location referred to in the details supplied. This figure is in addition to a discrete stream of funding already allocated towards the completion and opening of an important heritage site at the location referred to.
The funding, which is part of my Department's Capital Programme for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is aimed at priority capital projects identified within the country's 6 National Parks and 80 statutory Nature Reserves.
Over a third of the funding for the location referred to is allocated for the repair of internal roadways.
975. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will ensure that the works that are required in rural County Kildare on the canal at Rathangan will be completed as soon as possible, as currently the damage to the canal prevents navigation from the Barrow to the Shannon. [25582/16]
View answerI am informed by Waterways Ireland that a brick culvert under the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal collapsed suddenly early in the morning of July 11th last. A survey of the culvert determined that it would have to be replaced as it was not possible to repair it due to the extent of the damage and the poor condition of the remaining brickwork. Following consultations with the Office of Public Works, Waterways Ireland completed a re-design of the culvert.
The work to replace the culvert began during the second week in August. This work involves extensive earthworks and includes the diversion of the stream, removal of the old culvert, installation of a new pipe culvert and wing-walls and re-building the canal and the towpaths.
It is expected that the work will be completed before the end of October 2016, subject to ground conditions, and that all boats will be able to return to their normal berths before the end of the season.
976. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if grant aid is available to renovate a listed building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25597/16]
View answerMy role, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 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.
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.
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. Under the Structures at Risk Fund 2015, the building in question was granted, and received, funding in the sum of €35,000.
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 is operating 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 building mentioned has also been approved for funding under this scheme, in the sum of €10,000.
While no decision has been made on schemes for 2017, announcements, if any, will be made towards the end of 2016 or early in 2017 and are again likely to operate via the Local Authorities. The Conservation or Heritage Officer in the relevant local authority will be able to advise regarding funding available for conservation works to structures on the Record of Protected Structures, and it is advisable for interested parties to remain in contact with their local authority on an on-going basis.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. In 2016 the Council awarded funding of over €880,000 to 171 heritage projects nationwide under its 2016 Heritage Management Grant Scheme. Further details of grant schemes available from the Heritage Council can be found at www.heritagecouncil.ie.
977. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding funding for an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25644/16]
View answerMy Department has provided financial support in the recent past for the development of various initiatives related to the area referred to by the Deputy.
Funding of €10,824 was provided in 2013/2014 towards the completion of a Development Assessment for the area. In the context of this assessment, my Department also provided funding of €50,000 in 2014 towards the setting up and administration of a new Forum which was intended to become self-sustaining over time and act as a model which could be replicated in other areas. This Forum subsequently applied to my Department for funding through the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) initiative in 2015, and was successful in securing funding of €143,600 towards path repair works in the area in question. The funding provided has resulted in the formation of a sustainable dynamic model for the maintenance and development of access to one of Ireland’s greatest natural resources for recreational users.
978. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the assessment process used to judge the grant applications by Culture Ireland for the Supporting Irish Culture on the World Stage Scheme announced in July 2016; the scoring mechanism; the total number of applications versus those that were awarded a grant; of those awarded a grant, the number that were previously funded by Culture Ireland and the number that were funded for the first time; if an appeals mechanism exists for unsuccessful applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25722/16]
View answerMy Department’s Culture Ireland grant funding scheme is designed to support the presentation and promotion of Irish arts internationally. The scheme is currently operated on the basis of three grant rounds per year. Applications are considered in relation to all forms of the arts as defined in the Arts Act 2003. The following basic eligibility requirements apply:
1. Applicant must be in respect of an Irish (or based in Ireland) professional artist or arts organisation;
2. The application must relate to the international presentation of non-commercial work;
4. The work to be presented must be an art form defined, under the Arts Act 2003; and
5. The event must be accessible to an open public audience.
All applications are initially examined by the staff of my Department with responsibility for operating the Culture Ireland Programme to determine whether they meet the above eligibility criteria. The applications which meet the eligibility requirements are then commented upon by independent external experts in various artforms, drawn from a panel established on the basis of a recommendation by the Culture Ireland Expert Advisory Group (EAC) in 2014. The panellists act as an aid to the EAC, which is comprised of arts interests and representatives of relevant State bodies (see www.cultureireland.ie/about for details of the membership). The panellists’ input ensures that there is specialist expertise in different artforms available as applications are being evaluated in line with the relevant criteria, which are set out below:
1. Artistic quality of work and track record of artist/company;
2. Profile of international venue/festival;
3. Financial and operational viability of the event (including artists' fees and level of support from presenter/venue/other partners);
4. Proven capacity of applicant to present work internationally; and
5. Wider promotional and media impact.
The Embassy network is also invited to give their views in relation to the local venue and promoter and whether there might be wider benefits for Ireland arising from a proposed event.
Taking account of Embassy and expert panel views, geographic priorities and strategic impact, recommendations on funding are submitted for consideration by the EAC, who in turn submit its own recommendations for Ministerial sanction.
In the 2016 summer round, 124 applications were received seeking funding in the amount of €1.4m. A total award of €626,000 was made to support 86 applicants, of which 45 had previously been awarded funding. The projects, which include artists and companies presenting circus, dance, film, literature, music, theatre and the visual arts, will enable Irish artists to showcase and export their work to over 28 different countries around the globe. Through this support, increasing numbers of worldwide audiences will experience the strength and diversity of Ireland's artistic excellence and Irish artists will develop relationships with their international counterparts and grow their career both at home and abroad.
On average, Culture Ireland receives 450 applications annually, of which approximately 55% are successful. Unsuccessful applicants are provided with advice and feedback on their applications on request and officials are available to meet should an applicant wish to discuss an application. It is, of course, open to applicants who are unsuccessful to make subsequent applications under another grant round.
979. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding farmers who are being issued letters from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25726/16]
View answerIreland is required, under the EU Habitats Directive, to formally designate its special areas of conservation and a project is in place within my Department to oversee this process. This involves the adoption of a Statutory Instrument for each site. These are not new sites – most have been legally protected for 15 years or more. The making of Statutory Instruments is the final step in the designation of the existing special areas of conservation and does not place any new or additional conditions on landowners/users than already applied from the time the sites were first identified as candidate special areas of conservation.
My Department is currently engaged in a public information campaign in relation to the final element of designation of these special areas of conservation, which has included advertisements in national and local newspapers.
Affected landowners/users will also receive a notice by post to advise them that the final, formal element in the designation of the site has been completed by the publication of the Statutory Instrument for the special area of conservation in question. This notice will include a map of the site and other relevant information. My Department will also be taking out advertisements in newspapers alongside the notification letters. As these are not new designations, landowners/users will be aware already of the status of the lands in question.
980. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the efforts her Department and agencies under its remit have made to use Eircode when communicating with households via An Post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25865/16]
View answerMy Department has carried out a review of its name and address databases to identify the amendments required in those computer systems to accommodate the use of Eircodes. Arising from this review, work is ongoing in implementing measures to integrate the use of Eircodes into the work of my Department.
The efforts employed by bodies under the aegis of my Department to use Eircode are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies concerned. The various bodies have been asked to respond direct to the Deputy within the timelines set out in Standing Orders.
