Written Answers Nos. 324-344
324. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil an Rialtas sásta tacú go hoifigiúil le Bliain na Gaeilge, 2018, ina ndéanfar comóradh agus ceiliúradh ar 125 bliana d’athbheochan na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29335/16]
View answerIs eol dom go bhfuil aitheantas oifigiúil á lorg ag Conradh na Gaeilge do Bhliain na Gaeilge 2018 chun comóradh agus ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar 125 bliana d’athbheochan na Gaeilge. Tá na féidearthachtaí ina leith sin á mbreithniú agam i láthair na huaire agus beidh an cheist le plé tuilleadh ag mo Roinnse le Foras na Gaeilge agus leis an gConradh.
325. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén uair a fhoilseofar an tuarascáil a rinne Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in 2015 ar dhul chun cinn na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29337/16]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, is í an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 bunchloch pholasaí an Rialtais maidir leis an nGaeilge. Bhí an Straitéis cúig bliana ar an bhfód ag deireadh na bliana seo caite. Sa chomhthéacs sin, eagraíodh díospóireacht oscailte ar pholasaí faoin Straitéis. Ag eascairt as an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin a reáchtáladh faoin díospóireacht sin, táthar ag súil na príomhthosaíochtaí straitéiseacha don tréimhse cúig bliana ó 2016 ar aghaidh a aithint agus a fhoilsiú. Chuige sin, tá an tuarascáil a rinne Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge faoin ábhar á scrúdú ag mo Roinnse faoi láthair. Táim ag súil leis an tuarascáil sin a fhoilsiú go luath.
326. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the measures being taken to control the spread of Japanese knotweed. [29458/16]
View answerI am very aware of the growing public concern about the impact of invasive species here, including Japanese knotweed. In this regard, I wish to advise that my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
In law, control of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed is a matter for landowners. While my Department carries out considerable work on controls in National Parks and Nature Reserves - for example on the rhododendron threat in Killarney National Park - it does not have the resources required to extend such work into urban areas or the wider countryside, and is not in a position to provide dedicated funds for such work to other bodies, including local authorities.
There is considerable work being carried out at present by a range of agencies in this area. While there is no national eradication plan, I will be considering options for improved national co-ordination of work on invasive species.
My Department does not collect data from local authorities on the incidence of Japanese knotweed in their areas or indeed their actions to deal with this species. However, information on the distribution of invasive species in Ireland, including Japanese knotweed, is available on the invasive species section of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) website at http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie .
My Department has worked closely over the years with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to fund and manage the Invasive Species Ireland Project and this initiative has resulted in Best Practice Management Guidelines for a number of invasive species, including Japanese knotweed, being published on the project website at www.invasivespeciesireland.com.
327. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will investigate the need to extend the time deadline for the burning of gorse on the Knockmealdown Mountains, County Tipperary, from the end of February to 15 April annually, which is the standard in the UK, to encourage and help the viability of five species of ground nesting birds (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29717/16]
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 in December 2015 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. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures was included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016 and subsequently completed Second Stage in Seanad Éireann.
Steps are in hand to reintroduce the Heritage Bill into Seanad Éireann at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts are still in operation.
328. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when a co-ordinating unit to work with communities to develop co-operative structures to keep vital local services in place and to retain and develop vibrant local enterprises will be established as promised in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29250/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government contains a suite of commitments for delivery across Government relating to the protection of local services in rural Ireland. The measures detailed in the Government Programme include the provision of next-generation broadband coverage, addressing the renewal of the post office network, supporting local jobseekers, and the provision of other services in areas such as education, health and security. These services fall under the remit of a number of Government Departments and agencies.
I have established a new co-ordination unit within my Department which is currently working on the development of an Action Plan for Rural Development that will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives across Government for the benefit of rural Ireland. The implementation of those initiatives will contribute significantly to the protection and enhancement of local services and help generate increased economic activity in rural areas. My Department has recently conducted an extensive consultation process around the country to seek the views of people in rural Ireland on potential measures for inclusion in the Action Plan for Rural Development. My objective is to publish the Action Plan before the end of the year.
My Department is also working directly on proposals for the renewal of the post office network, including through the Post Office Hub Working Group, which is chaired by Minister of State, Michael Ring. This Group is identifying potential models under which the post offices could act as hubs for economic and social activity in the community, especially in rural areas.
329. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí sásta glacadh leis an Phlean Infheistíochta a comhaontaíodh idir breis agus 80 grúpa Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta agus a cuireadh chuig an Aire roimh an toghchán chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta agus a chruthódh breis agus 1,200 post; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29258/16]
View answer330. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an gcinnteoidh sí go ndéanfar an €4.5 milliún atá de dhíth mar chuid den Phlean Infheistíochta, a comhaontaíodh idir breis agus 80 grúpa Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, a chur ar fáil mar chuid de Bhuiséad 2017 chun tacú le pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29259/16]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 329 agus 330 le chéile.
Mar is eol don Teachta, is tríd an phróiseas meastacháin agus cáinaisnéise a dhéantar leithdháileadh ar an soláthar airgid a chuirtear ar fáil ar bhonn bliantúil do mo Roinnse agus, go deimhin, do na Ranna Rialtais go léir. Déanfar an soláthar airgid ón Státchiste d’Údarás na Gaeltachta agus d’Fhoras na Gaeilge don bhliain 2017 a mheas i gcomhthéacs an phróisis sin agus, mar is eol don Teachta, tá an próiseas sin ar bun i láthair na huaire. Anuas ar phróiseas na Meastachán sa dlínse seo, ar ndóigh, is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas a cheadaíonn an buiséad d’Fhoras na Gaeilge mar áisíneacht den bhforas trasteorann, An Foras Teanga.
Cé nach miste a admháil gur plean uaillmhianach atá curtha le chéile ag na grúpaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta - atá ag lorg ollmhaoiniú breise de thart ar €5m i 2017 agus €30m thar an tréimhse 2018-2019 - tig leis an Teachta glacadh leis go leanfaidh mé, feadh mo chumais, ag lorg acmhainní breise don earnáil Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, laistigh den oll-sholáthar airgeadais atá ar fáil don Rialtas.
331. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nach bhfuil sí sásta bualadh le heagraíochtaí Gaeilge, go háirithe Conradh na Gaeilge atá roghnaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge, foras trasteorann a bhaineann leis an Stát, chun ionadaíocht a dhéanamh ar son na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29260/16]
View answerIs mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go raibh cruinniú agam féin agus ag an Aire Humphreys le Conradh na Gaeilge ar 5 Deireadh Fomháir 2016.
Ar ndóigh, mar Aire Stáit a bhfuil cúram na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta air, casaim le hionadaithe na heagraíochta ar ócáidí éagsúla ó thráth go chéile. Tá mé ag súil le cruinniú eile a shocrú leis an gConradh go luath.
332. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Roinn na Gaeltachta has considered funding the provision of a footbridge on the R257 at Bunbeg, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29518/16]
View answerThe facility to which the Deputy refers is the responsibility of Donegal County Council. My Department does not have available to it a fund or scheme which could be used to assist with provision of a footbridge of this nature.
333. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the health and safety framework of each commercial and non-commercial State agency; when the health and safety policy of each was last reviewed; when the safety statement of each was last reviewed; if each body has a health and safety committee and when this was last elected; if each has a health and safety representative and when this person was last elected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29572/16]
View answerThe issues raised by the Deputy are day-to-day matters for the agencies concerned. Arising from the work of the Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform, my Department is currently engaged in a review of the arrangements currently in place in the State bodies under its aegis for the provision of information to members of the Oireachtas in relation to such matters.
Pending completion of this review, my Department is making arrangements for the information requested to be collated and forwarded to the Deputy in line with the timelines set out in Standing Orders.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
334. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the gifts or hospitality given to employees to attend overseas sporting or musical events during 2015 in relation to all commercial and non-commercial agencies; the locations of such visits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29573/16]
View answerThe issues raised by the Deputy are day-to-day matters for the agencies concerned. Arising from the work of the Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform, my Department is currently engaged in a review of the arrangements currently in place in the State bodies under its aegis for the provision of information to members of the Oireachtas in relation to such matters.
Pending completion of this review, my Department is making arrangements for the information requested to be collated and forwarded to the Deputy in line with the timelines set out in Standing Orders.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
335. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made on implementing the programme for Government commitment to thoroughly investigate the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well defined regions. [29594/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government envisages that An Post, the League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders will be asked to investigate and propose a new model of “community banking” which could be delivered through the Post Office network. In this regard, the Government Programme includes a commitment to investigate, amongst other options, the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well-defined regions.
The role of my Department will be to work with other Departments and stakeholders to examine the feasibility of this model and identify what part, if any, An Post could play in rolling out such a model in defined regions of Ireland.
I understand that the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Eoghan Murphy, T.D., along with his officials, met recently with Sparkassenstiftung für Internationale Kooperation and Irish Rural Link in relation to the Sparkassen model. My officials have also been provided with details of the proposal by Irish Rural Link.
Following on from these initial contacts, my Department will work closely with the Department of Finance and other stakeholders, as required, over the coming months in progressing the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to investigate the potential of the Sparkassen model.
336. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth a bhfuil breis agus €41,000 bainte de dheontas Mhuintearais (An Iarthar/An Iarthuaisceart agus Contae na Mí) i leith Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga don scoilbhliain 2016-17 d'ainneoin go bhfuil molta aici 13 scoil bhreise a chur leis an scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29596/16]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, tá deontas gur fiú €508,989 in iomlán ceadaithe agam do Mhuintearas Teo don scoilbhliain 2016/17 le cumasú dóibh beartais Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga a chur i bhfeidhm thar ceann mo Roinne i nDún na nGall, i gceantar an Iarthair agus i gCo na Mí. Ní raibh aon ghearradh siar déanta san allúntas sin ar an mhaoiniú don obair a dhéanann na cúntóirí féin ach ní raibh costais riaracháin clúdaithe ann.
Tuigtear anois ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil sé i gceist iniúchadh a dhéanamh láithreach ar struchtúr, maoiniú agus feidhmeanna Mhuintearas Teo, fochuideachta de chuid an Údaráis. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá cinneadh déanta agam airgead riaracháin a íoc faoi Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga don scoilbhliain 2016-17 agus beidh socraithe cuí chuige sin á chur i bhfeidhm láithreach.
Maidir le ceist na scoileanna breise atá luaite ag an Teachta, tá iarrtha agam ar oifigigh mo Roinne moltaí ina thaobh sin a chur faoi mo bhráid go luath.
337. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to a query (details supplied) to acknowledge that my office is fully aware of the application for Leader funding and the details of same; if she will address the original question put forward to her Department in August 2016 inquiring about any avenue of funding available to supplement this project in line with commitments made by previous Ministers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29802/16]
View answerI am informed that an application for funding for the project referred to by the Deputy was submitted to the relevant Local Action Group under the previous LEADER programme 2007-2013. I am also informed that the board of the Local Action Group decided not to fund the project in question. In line with the bottom-up approach to LEADER, the responsibility to approve funding, or otherwise, rests solely with the Local Action Group concerned.
As a first step to ascertaining the availability of alternative sources of funding, and given that the area to which the project relates, it might be useful for the project promoter to raise the matter of possible funding streams with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
338. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cé na socruithe atá déanta maidir le baill foirne a earcú chun an t-ionad nua oidhreachta atá á thógáil i Ros Muc a reáchtáil, an mbeidh na fostaithe atá ann cheana fostaithe san ionad nua, cá mhéad ball foirne a bheidh ann, an mbeidh an t-ionad ar oscailt i rith na bliana ar fad; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29820/16]
View answerI dtús báire, tá áthas orm a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuilim ag súil go mbeidh an obair ar an ionad nua críochnaithe faoi dheireadh na míosa seo. Tá na ceisteanna atá ardaithe ag an Teachta á gcíoradh ag na páirtithe leasmhara faoi láthair.
339. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when it is intended to publish, in either an academic form or a popular form, details of all works carried out on Sceilig Mhichíl; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29821/16]
View answer340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if changes were made to the doorway of St. Michael's Church on Skellig Michael; if these changes were approved by the academic advisory committee and UNESCO prior to their being carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29822/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together.
All works carried out on the Skellig Michael World Heritage site are subject to my consent under the National Monuments Act. Details of such works are set out in the annual reports of the Skellig Michael Implementation Group which is responsible for oversight of all operations on the site.
Works to St. Michael's Church are referred in the Implementation Group’s reports for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the latter recording them as complete. My Department furnished copies of the reports to UNESCO which, in common with the Academic Advisory Committee, does not have any prior approval function in relation to such matters.
341. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) does not have occupational therapy despite being assessed as needing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29226/16]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
342. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) does not have psychological therapies despite being assessed as needing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29227/16]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
343. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his Department is taking the lead, on behalf of the Government, in responding to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in respect of its decision on a case (details supplied); the progress that has been made in offering remedies as instructed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in respect of the case; if he has advanced contacts with the legal representatives of a person (details supplied), including any correspondence with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29410/16]
View answer344. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has any role in responding to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in respect of its decision on a person (details supplied); if so, the role he has played in advancing a response to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29413/16]
View answer386. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to clarify his role in responding to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in respect of its decision on a case (details supplied); if he has advanced engagement with the Attorney General and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of the decision since last reporting to Dáil Éireann in July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29411/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 344 and 386 together.
The Department of Health in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of the Attorney General is considering the views of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and will inform the Committee and the named individual's representatives of the State's response within the required timeframe.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade acts as the Agent for the Government in relation to complaints made to the United Nations Human Rights Committee under the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Department of Health is the lead department in relation to this case.
