Written Answers Nos. 181-193
181. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has liaised with the Minister for Education and Skills on the development of contemporary art education at primary and secondary level in schools. [31297/16]
View answer203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she expects to be in a position to promote the arts through primary and second level schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31407/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 203 together.
While the provision for arts in the education system and the content of the school curriculum is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the ongoing partnership between the Department of Education and Skills, my own Department and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. Furthermore, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. Clearly, State-supported schools represent an important way to involve almost one million of our citizens in the arts.
The implementation of Ireland’s first national framework policy Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach and the associated Ireland 2016 Legacy Programme will also be relevant in terms of acknowledging the importance of supporting cultural engagement across wider policy areas. I will be making a further announcement in this regard in the coming weeks.
182. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to develop a national cultural strategy up to 2025. [31298/16]
View answerI published the draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éíre Ildánach in July this year, which was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. The Culture 2025 framework policy sets out:
a series of high-level objectives under the headings of Enrich, Engage, Participate to establish Government vision in relation to culture and society in Ireland;
a set of key values, including the intrinsic value of culture, the right to participate in the cultural life of the nation and the role of culture in fostering a more sustainable future in Ireland; and
a series of priority measures for implementation across Government and public bodies.
I understand that the Committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy, which I will consider when received.
In the meantime, I believe that it is important to continue momentum in terms of delivery of the priorities set out in the framework policy and to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.
My Department has, therefore, been developing a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national well-being. This will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the commemorative programme this year. It will also act as the main vehicle to take forward the priorities identified in Culture 2025.
I have secured funding of €5m in Budget 2017 to underpin this new initiative and I intend to announce further details in the coming weeks.
183. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to develop musical education and make instruments available to young persons and the general population through facilitating schools, youth groups and libraries in enhancing their music resources and the provision of access to musical training and instruments for the benefit of local communities. [31299/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts including music throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. In this regard, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation of €5 m, or 8%. The Arts Council’s ten-year strategy Making Great Art Work sets out how it will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Making Great Art Work places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the on-going partnership between my own Department, the Department of Education and Skills and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
My Department provides funding to Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann (CCE) for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. This year, funding of €1,448,000 will be provided to CCE by my Department. CCE provide weekly classes in a variety of traditional instruments, singing, and dance through its network of centres and branches all over the country as well as summer schools. CCE maintains a full schedule of educational events, such as lectures, exhibitions, workshops and concerts, sometimes in conjunction with the Fleadhanna Cheoil.
The Music Capital Scheme is funded by my Department and managed by Music Network. Under the scheme, grants are made available to groups and talented individuals to support the purchase of musical instruments. Further details are available on the website of Music network at www.musicnetwork.ie.
184. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has examined any proposals to facilitate on a national basis the use of vacant retail premises by exhibiting artists, based on successful schemes such as Space Invaders in Galway which uses empty retail units to support local artists. [31300/16]
View answerI am aware and supportive of the use of vacant premises by artists and arts organisation and I understand that a number of such buildings are currently being utilised by arts organisation across the country. In general, I would consider that local approaches driven by artists, local arts officers and the owners of vacant buildings are best suited to respond to the specific local circumstances involved and provide the most effective outcomes.
185. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department will examine a nationwide plan for the development of village design statements that would ensure all future planning and development takes full cognisance of historic character and protects the character and heritage of our villages. [31301/16]
View answerThe Heritage Council, in collaboration with my Department, has led the development of a best practice approach to the development of Community-Led Village Design Statements (VDS). It, in tandem with a number of local authorities and village communities, prepared a toolkit which was launched in October 2012 at the inaugural community-led VDS workshop. The toolkit sets out a step-by-step guide to undertaking a community-led VDS in Ireland, using a collaborative and participative process, and has been developed in accordance with the UNECE Aarhus Convention and the European Landscape Convention (ELC). The Heritage Council, in collaboration with a number of local authorities, has since been proactive in helping interested communities to develop VDS. In many ways, the approach followed is similar to the Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) framework, also developed by my Department in collaboration with the Heritage Council, Fáilte Ireland and relevant local authorities, although it is focussed on smaller communities. Given the limited scope for funding, my preference is for the continued fostering of a community-led approach rather than the development of a nationwide plan, while considering the possibility of a prioritised targeted approach to towns and villages with a view to not only protecting their character and heritage, but also contributing to regional development through encouraging economic growth and employment.
However, all approaches are still under consideration as I seek to further strengthen the protection of our built heritage, which I recognise cannot be achieved without the full engagement of the respective local authorities, local communities and interested organisations.
186. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the supports in place for development and protection of county archive services to preserve local cultural patrimony. [31302/16]
View answerThe county archive service is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
189. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will begin preparation of a global arts forum for Ireland, similar to the structure of the Global Irish Economic Forum, which would highlight our indigenous talent and map a strong and healthy future for arts and culture at home and abroad. [31306/16]
View answerMy 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- sectorial 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.
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 anticipate that my Department will be closely involved with the Second Global Irish Civic Forum, which the Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs and International Development, Joe McHugh, TD, has convened to meet in Dublin Castle on 2-3 February 2017. The Civic Forum seeks to bring together representatives of the multitude of organisations working with the Irish diaspora around the world to share ideas and to discuss issues of common concern. I understand that it is proposed that the Second Civic Forum will look at a number of issues of interest to Irish communities around the world, including culture and the role of cultural heritage in engaging with our Global Irish.
190. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta céard iad na huastáillí a d’fhéadfaí a ghearradh faoin gconradh atá beartaithe le haersheirbhís a chur ar fáil chuig Oileáin Árann; cé na huastáillí atá ann faoin gconradh reatha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31310/16]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, tá próiseas tairisceana maidir le haersheirbhís d’Oileáin Árann ar siúl faoi láthair. Mar chuid den phróiseas sin, foilsíodh Iarratas ar Thairiscint inar leagadh amach na huastáillí a d’fhéadfaí a ghearradh faoin gconradh atá beartaithe. Tá na huastáillí sin mar aon leis na huastáillí atá i bhfeidhm faoin gconradh reatha leagtha amach sa tábla thíos:
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CATAGÓIR |
UASTÁILLE FAOIN GCONRADH BEARTAITHE |
UASTÁILLE FAOIN GCONRADH REATHA |
|
Gnáth |
||
|
Oileánach |
€40.25 |
€35.00 |
|
Eile |
€60.50 |
€55.00 |
|
Mac Léinn (Faoi 26) |
||
|
Oileánach |
€27.60 |
€24.00 |
|
Eile |
€50.05 |
€45.50 |
|
Faoi 18 |
||
|
Oileánach |
€27.60 |
€24.00 |
|
Eile |
€34.10 |
€31.00 |
191. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cé na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aici lena chinntiú go gcuirfidh comhlachtaí poiblí cinntí an Choimisinéara Teanga i bhfeidhm maidir le sárú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla; an gcuireann sí liosta faoi bhráid an Fhochoiste Rialtais um an nGaeilge agus um an nGaeltacht de na comhlachtaí poiblí nach gcloíonn le rialú an Choimisinéara; an bhfuil sí sásta liosta den saghas seo a chur faoi bhráid Chomhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31312/16]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, is oifig neamhspleách reachtúil í Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga agus, dá réir sin, go bhfuil an Coimisinéir Teanga neamhspleách i bhfeidhmiú a chuid dualgas. Is cúram d'Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga féachaint chuige go bhfuil na gealltanais atá tugtha ag comhlachtaí poiblí i scéimeanna teanga á gcomhlíonadh acu. Tá sé de chumhacht ag an gCoimisinéir Teanga imscrúduithe a thionscnaimh má mheasann sé go bhféadfadh sárú a bheith á dhéanamh ar aon chuid d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla nó ar aon achtacháin eile a bhaineann le húsáid nó stádas teanga oifigiúil agus is don Choimisinéir Teanga atá sé socraithe a dhéanamh faoin mbealach a thugann sé faoi phróiseas imscrúdaithe. D’eisigh an Coimisinéir 9 dtuarascáil imscrúdaithe oifigiúil le linn na bliana 2015 agus dhéileáil sé le 755 gearán nó iarratas ar chomhairle ón bpobal.
Ar ndóigh, is féidir leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga, faoi réir na gcumhachtaí atá tugtha dó i bhfo-alt 26(5) den Acht, tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais má mheasann sé nach bhfuil aon chuid de na moltaí a rinneadh i dtuarascáil imscrúdaithe curtha i ngníomh. Go dáta, tá 7 dtuarascáil den chineál seo leagtha faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais agus tá liosta de na tuarascálacha sin le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin an Choimisinéara Teanga. Cé is moite den tuarascáil a heisíodh i dtaca leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, rinne an Comhchoiste um Fhormhaoirsiú ar an tSeirbhís Poiblí agus Achainíocha na tuarascálacha speisialta a bhreithniú le linn thréimhse na Dála deireanaí.
Níl aon phleananna agam faoi láthair aon athrú a dhéanamh ar an gcur chuige atá i bhfeidhm i gcomhréir leis an reachtaíocht.
192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the restoration of the Ulster Canal; the timeframe for the provision of a jetty by Waterways Ireland at Castle Saunderson, County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31330/16]
View answerThe reopening of the 2.5km stretch of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson continues to progress. The project, which comprises three work phases, is being undertaken by Waterways Ireland. Phase 1, the site investigation work, and Phase 2, the dredging of the River Finn and removal of the dredging material, have been completed.
Waterways Ireland has informed me that it is currently completing the tender documentation for the final stage of works to provide navigation to Castle Saunderson. Subject to a successful tender and award process, it is proposed that works would start on site in Spring 2017 with an anticipated 18 month contract period.
I am also advised by Waterways Ireland that it continues to engage with Cavan County Council, which owns the property at Castle Saunderson, regarding the provision of a jetty at that location.
193. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when Waterways Ireland will carry out improvement works on the embankments of the River Blackwater in Clonlara, County Clare, between Mount Catherine Bridge and the diversion point facilitating the Plassy-Errina Canal, to prevent a reoccurrence of the flooding experienced in this area in 2015. [31335/16]
View answerI am advised by Waterways Ireland that the area referred to by the Deputy is some 710 metres in length but that the organisation’s jurisdiction extends only to some 350 metres upstream of the Blackwater/Canal diversion point. Waterways Ireland undertook repair works to the embankments along that 350 metre stretch in 2013. I am informed that Waterways Ireland is currently working on a separate stretch downstream of the diversion point towards Gilloge Bridge. However, it is not in a position to carry out works outside of its jurisdictional area to Mount Catherine Bridge.
I am also advised that the jurisdictional area has been raised and clarified by Waterways Ireland with the local authority and the Office of Public Works, and that a meeting is taking place on site to further discuss the matter with the local authority this coming Friday (21 October 2016).
