Written Answers Nos. 194-206
194. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a breakdown between current and capital expenditure allocated for all State agencies and bodies under her aegis in 2016 and 2017, including the Western Development Commission, Foras na Gaeilge, An Coimisinéir Teanga and Údarás na Gaeltachta, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31368/16]
View answerDetails of the 2016 and 2017 allocations for all state agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department are available on the Department's website at: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/about/finance-evaluation/financial-allocations/exchequer-funding/.
195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total number of additional staff to be taken on in her Department and in all individual State agencies and bodies under her aegis in 2017 in tabular form; the total cost of hiring additional staff in her Department and in each individual State agency and body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31369/16]
View answerTarget staffing levels for 2017 are not set either in respect of my Department or for the bodies operating under its aegis. Instead, staffing levels in my Department and in the agencies under my remit are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing, as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
196. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total amount of current and capital expenditure allocated to the town and village renewal scheme in 2015, 2016 and 2017, in tabular form; the total amount of funds expended to each year to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31370/16]
View answerIn September 2015, the then Government announced plans for a fund of €30 million over a six year period for a Town and Village Renewal scheme. While no expenditure was incurred on the scheme in 2015, the current Government has included a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to support the development of rural towns and villages as part of its drive to revitalise rural Ireland.
On 9th August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million in capital funding for this year - a significant increase on the €4 million baseline in my Department’s Vote for 2016. A sum of €380,000 has been made available to each of the 26 counties under this initial phase of the scheme. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.
A total of 172 applications were received under the scheme and my officials are currently assessing these applications. The assessments will be completed by the end of October and expenditure on the successful projects will commence shortly thereafter.
I have secured increased funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme as part of Budget 2017. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million. Under the 2017 scheme, I intend to run a pilot to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres. Details of this scheme are being prepared by my officials.
197. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total amount of current and capital expenditure allocated to initiatives under the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas in 2016 and 2017 in tabular form; the total amount of funds expended to each year to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31372/16]
View answerThe Report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was published in April 2014 and contained 34 recommendations to support the development of rural Ireland. Some of these recommendations had a direct associated programme cost, while others related to policy initiatives that could be taken to support rural economic development.
The priority recommendation made by CEDRA was the need for a co-ordinated approach to rural development across Government. The assignment of responsibility to my Department for regional and rural development addresses this key recommendation. The forthcoming Action Plan for Rural Development will provide an overarching structure for the implementation of initiatives across Government which will benefit rural Ireland.
Other policy measures across Government that support the recommendations in the CEDRA report include the creation of the Local Enterprise Office network as a “first-stop-shop” for micro-enterprises, the preparation for the roll-out of high speed broadband, and the provision of loans for small businesses through the Microfinance Loan Fund.
Programmes under my own Department’s remit that can be directly related to the recommendations in the CEDRA report include the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) pilot initiative in 2015, the 2016 REDZ programme, and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The allocations for these schemes is shown on Table 1 below. All funding for these schemes is by way of capital expenditure.
I launched the Town and Village Renewal scheme on the 9 August 2016, with a closing date of 30 September 2016 for applications. My Department has received 172 applications under this scheme and these are currently being assessed by my officials. Expenditure will commence once the assessments are completed at the end of October.
The 2016 REDZ programme was launched on 21 September 2016, with a closing date for applications of early November. All of the €3.8 million allocated to the 2015 REDZ programme was drawn-down. I will review funding for the REDZ scheme for 2017 following an evaluation of the current programme.
Table 1 – Funding for CEDRA programme initiatives in Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
|
Scheme |
2015 allocation (€,000) |
2016 allocation (€,000) |
2017 allocation (€,000) |
|
Town & Village Renewal Scheme |
-- |
€10,000 |
€12,000 |
|
REDZ |
€3,800 |
€5,000 |
TBD |
198. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress as provided under the programme for Government regarding an extra €300 million in capital funding between Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta; the total amount of expenditure allocated to this commitment in 2016 and 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31376/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that job creation in the Gaeltacht, through Údarás na Gaeltachta, is recognised as a key priority in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The Programme also includes a commitment to an additional €300m over the 5 year period 2017- 2021 for Enterprise Ireland (EI) and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
I should say that an additional €1m in once-off capital funding had been secured for Údarás na Gaeltachta as part of the 2016 Revised Estimates. This has been retained for next year, which means that €6.687m is the new capital baseline in Budget 2017 for Údarás na Gaeltachta – an increase of €1m on the baseline in Budget 2016. In addition, I have secured an additional allocation of €2.4m for Údarás for capital projects in 2016. I will continue to seek additional capital resources for Údarás over the coming period.
I understand that additional capital has been provided for EI and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2017. In that context, I wish to advise the Deputy that Údarás na Gaeltachta and EI have agreed a protocol in relation to LEOs. The aim of this protocol is to ensure equal opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses with regard to Government supports. This protocol is being put in place to ensure that all client enterprises of Údarás na Gaeltachta and LEOs have equal access to services and funded programmes and will benefit from enhanced collaboration and information sharing between the organisations. Údarás na Gaeltachta and the LEOs have a good working relationship at local level. This protocol will build on that relationship and ensure that Údarás na Gaeltachta clients have access to the extensive expertise of the LEOs through their training and mentoring programmes.
199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress as provided under the programme for Government on the development of a new Atlantic economic corridor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31377/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government commits to delivering balanced national development, particularly in the west of Ireland. One way in which this might be achieved is through the development of an Atlantic Economic Corridor to match other areas of the country in attracting Irish and multinational investment and growing jobs. In order to progress this commitment in the Programme for Government, I recently convened a meeting of key Government Departments and Agencies to consider a proposal for the development of an Atlantic Economic Corridor, which was published earlier this year by the Chambers of Commerce of Limerick, Shannon, Ennis, Galway, Roscommon, Mayo, and Sligo and the American Chamber of Commerce.
There was broad support amongst the public bodies at this meeting for the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. The meeting included representatives from IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Western Development Commission, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, as well as several Government Departments.
It was agreed that the group would meet with the relevant Chambers to discuss their proposals in more detail. This meeting will take place next week and will also include other key stakeholders in the region, such as third-level institutions and other business representative bodies.
Further steps necessary to progress the proposal for an Atlantic Economic Corridor will be considered following that meeting.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she expects to generate interest and awareness of the arts throughout all regions in the country with particular reference to encouragement of local voluntary organisations involved in local productions; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to offer grant aid assistance, directly or through the Arts Council in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31404/16]
View answerMost of my Department's arts and culture budget is allocated to the agencies under its remit. Within these allocations, the Arts Council is the primary State agency for funding the arts. 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%. Details of the Council's funding decisions can be found on its website at the following link www.artscouncil.ie/Who_we_funded/.
Direct funding from my Department for arts primarily relates to capital funding for individual projects, as well as the promotion of Irish arts and culture abroad through Culture Ireland. A small number of summer schools and similar events receive funding from my Department. Details of these are on my Department’s website at www.ahg.gov.ie.
In addition, my Department’s support for commemorative events can cover many artistic and cultural responses to the Decade of Commemorations. This year in particular the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is providing a rich and inclusive diversity of events both nationally and internationally, to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
The Programme for a Partnership Government committed to the publication of Culture 2025 as a priority and the draft Framework Policy Culture 2025 /Éire Ildánach was forwarded to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July.
The Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach framework policy sets out:
- a series of high-level objectives under the heading 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 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.
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to address the issues of concern in respect of communities in urban or rural settings who might feel neglected or isolated; the provisions she expects to be able to put in place to address their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31405/16]
View answer202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she and her Department have identified the primary issues of concern among community groups in rural or urban settings whose quality of life has been diminished for one reason or another such as rural isolation and urban or rural anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31406/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 201 together.
I acknowledge that social isolation can be a very real problem in both urban and rural communities. That is why the Government is committed to building a strong economy and delivering a fair society so that communities can thrive throughout both urban and rural Ireland.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a suite of commitments for delivery across Government relating to the protection of rural communities and services in rural Ireland in particular. The commitments include the provision and enhancement of services in areas such as education, health, rural transport, policing and community support. These measures fall under the remit of a number of Government Departments and agencies.
My Department 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 which will benefit rural Ireland. The implementation of these initiatives will contribute significantly to the protection and enhancement of local services and social inclusion 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.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she and her Department continue to identify, protect and promote buildings and sites of a historical and architectural nature with a view to ensuring the maximisation of value for the national image and consequent economic benefit through tourism, education and community participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31408/16]
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. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage.
The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, administered by my Department, seeks to identify, record, and evaluate the post-1700 architectural heritage of Ireland, uniformly and consistently as an aid in the protection and conservation of the built heritage. As Minister, I recommend structures rated as being of regional importance or above to the planning authorities for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures. However, the making of an addition to, or a deletion from, a Record of Protected Structures is a reserved function of the relevant planning authorities.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, supports a wide range of programmes and initiatives which have a considerable impact in terms of heritage conservation, promotion and raising local community awareness. These includes schemes like the Heritage Management Grants scheme for the protection and preservation of the built heritage, support for heritage education through the Heritage in Schools Programme and the new heritage tourism trail on the Wild Atlantic Way. Further information on this work is available on their website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
There are a number of ways in which my Department acts in respect of possible heritage sites/buildings deemed to be at risk. Financial support has been provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the repair, conservation, preservation or safeguarding of protected structures, sites or monuments. Such schemes are administered through the local authorities.
The Structures at Risk Fund seeks to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures, in both private and public ownership, which might otherwise be lost.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) was developed to assist with the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). In certain cases, the scheme is also available for the conservation of structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) where, in the opinion of the local authority, a need for works to enhance the character and appearance of an ACA has arisen and has been demonstrated.
My Department also has measures at its disposal to facilitate the maintenance and restoration of major historical or cultural sites. Under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014, my Department has established and maintains the Record of Monuments and Places, which affords legal protection to over 120,000 recorded archaeological sites and monuments in the State.
As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the National Monuments Acts of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites and in such cases there is a statutory duty to maintain the national monument. Such maintenance is undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Local authorities are responsible under the National Monuments Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians.
My Department is also providing €350,000 of funding to the OPW in 2016 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her vision for the utilisation of postal services, counter services and the postal network generally through the amalgamation of suitable and complimentary services available through An Post in all areas throughout the country thereby maximising the benefit of the network and the continued delivery of services effectively and efficiently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31410/16]
View answerThe post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. However, the postal sector has been undergoing systemic change both nationally and internationally in recent years, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to the decline in core mail volumes year on year.
In recognition of this changing business environment, the Post Office Network Business Development Group, chaired by Mr. Bobby Kerr, was established in late 2014 to examine the potential for new and existing Government services to be transacted through the post office network and to identify new business opportunities for the network.
The final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices. These include recommendations in relation to the renewal of the post office network, the development of a basic payment account, the provision of motor tax services, and the creation of hubs around which local economic and social activity could revolve. The report also recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to acting on the recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A number of Working Groups have been established to progress the recommendations, including through the establishment of a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently chaired by Mr. Kerr. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of post offices, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees.
I have separately established the Post Office Hub Working Group to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. My officials are also examining the potential for the post offices to deliver services such as motor tax payments and a basic payment account.
The Government is, therefore, taking a range of measures to support the post office network to adapt to the changed business environment in which it operates. The network will, however, continue to operate within the context of An Post’s commercial mandate.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she continues to have discussions with stakeholders in the film industry with a view to maximisation of opportunities for film making here and the promotion of Irish scenery as a film location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31411/16]
View answerThe Irish Film Board is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry. The Board supports and promotes the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. The Film Board also liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland in terms of maximising joint opportunities for promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions. Examples of this could be seen during Ireland’s success at the Oscars this year and the promotional activity around the shooting of Star Wars in Ireland.
In terms of the film industry in general the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. The Deputy may wish to note that Budget 2017 will include an increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board. This will bring the Film Board’s annual funding to over €16.5 million, and represents a 14% increase in its annual budget. The increase in funding will allow the Board to invest in even more Irish talent in the year ahead, and it follows on from a very successful year for the Irish film sector in 2016.
My Department’s investment will also help to maximise the benefits brought about by the Government’s enhancement of the Section 481 film tax credit system, including the decision to increase the cap for eligible expenditure on film projects to €70 million, as announced as part of Budget 2016.
