Tuesday, 29 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 477 - 492

Arts Funding

Questions (478)

Mick Wallace

Question:

478. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of Ireland's growing jazz music scene, she has considered setting up a funding allocation which would be dedicated to this particular genre of music; if she will consider establishing a dedicated jazz venue in Dublin, along the lines of the Bimhuis in the Netherlands which is subsidised annually by the Dutch Government, in view of the lack of specialised venues here and an upcoming closure of a venue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37480/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. Under 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. I am pleased that I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council in Budget 2017 amounting to an increase of €5 million, or 8%. This increase will enable the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations around the country, including those involved in jazz music, in line with its strategy statement, Making Great Art Work, which prioritises support for the artist and public engagement.

In addition, my Department, through Culture Ireland, provides supports for Irish artists and musicians to travel abroad and develop their careers. I am pleased that I have increased the annual baseline funding for Culture Ireland from €2.5m in 2016 to €3.5m in 2017.

My Department also provides support for music through its funding of the Music Capital Scheme, which is delivered by Music Network .

In terms of infrastructure, earlier this year, I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural to run over the next three years, focused on securing and enhancing our arts and culture infrastructure. The scheme will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces.

The closing date for receipt of applications was in September and applications received are now undergoing evaluation. Awards will be announced in the near future. I further understand that the National Concert Hall has considered the development of enhanced facilities which would incorporate jazz music. I anticipate that this will be considered further in the context of the overall master plan for the redevelopment of the Earlsfort Terrace complex, including the National Concert Hall (NCH), which is currently being prepared by the OPW in consultation with the NCH and my Department.

Departmental Reports

Questions (479)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

479. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reports commissioned by her Department since 2006 which, while completed or in final draft form, have not been published; the reason they have not been published; the expected publication date; the cost to date of each such report; if tenders were invited; if it is not intended to publish any such report the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37542/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was established on 9th June 2016. It has responsibility for all the matters that previously came within the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which was itself established on 2nd June 2011, and in addition is also responsible for certain functions transferred from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Details of four reports, commissioned since 2 June 2011, which have not been published, are outlined in the table below. Contracts for the provision of services are not included. I would also point out that my Department also commissions engineering or environmental experts from time to time to provide technical reports on specific issues, as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.

Tenders Sought	Year	Company	Title of Report & Expected Publication Date	Cost €
Yes	2011	Avia Solutions	Review of financial submissions relating to the Public Service Obligation Air Service for the Aran Islands Not published due to reasons of commercial sensitivity	6,300
Yes	2012	Bonnar Keenlyside	Review of Dublin Contemporary 2011 To inform future consideration of any similar projects - not intended for publication.	10,959
Yes	2015	Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge	Coimriú ar an tSeirbhís Rapporteur don Díospóireacht Oscailte ar Pholasaí faoin Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge, 2010 – 2030 Expected to be published in near future.	5,994
Yes	2015	ILC Sports & Recreation	Review of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy. Expected to be published in the near future.	15,341

Commemorative Events

Questions (480)

Paul Murphy

Question:

480. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 965 of 16 September 2016, if she will confirm that the 2016 event was the ninth annual famine commemoration, in view of the fact that the initial launch in 2008 included both local input and a formal State ceremony; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37609/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

As indicated in previous replies to this House, the inception of the National Famine Commemoration was announced in 2008 by the then Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, John Curran T.D.

In his speech at the official reception held in the Custom House on 25th May 2008, the Minister of State referred to the intention of the Government to join in with local and regional initiatives towards commemorating the Great Famine with an annual memorial day and also acknowledged the work of those involved in community initiatives in Dublin and elsewhere to remember the victims of the Famine.

The inaugural meeting of the National Famine Commemoration Committee was subsequently held in July 2008. Its main tasks were to consider the most appropriate arrangements for future national commemorations of the Great Famine and to organise such commemorations in 2009 and following years. The official reception held in the Custom House on 25th May 2008 complemented a community event held in Dublin that day. However, the National Famine Commemoration held in Skibbereen in 2009 was the first to integrate both local input and formal State ceremonials, and was the first planned and organised by the National Famine Commemoration Committee in close co-operation with the local community.

Non-Disclosure Agreements

Questions (481)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

481. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department, or the agencies that report to her Department, entered into any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with any organisation due to court action or a threatened court action; and if so, the persons or groups with which these agreements exist. [37622/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Since the establishment of my Department, no non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements have been entered into with any organisation due to court action or a threatened court action. However, I am advised that there is a confidential legal agreement in place with Meath Partnership relating to the delivery of the LEADER Programme 2007-2013, which was entered into by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in 2015. Responsibility for the LEADER programme was transferred to my Department earlier this year.

Departmental Legal Cases

Questions (482)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

482. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the elements of the High Court ruling in a case (details supplied) which she is in agreement with, in view of her claim that she had no alternative but to appeal that judgment in its entirety. [37640/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

As the judgments referred to by the Deputy give rise to concerns for my own Department about the administration of the National Monuments Acts and for other Departments and official bodies in relation to public and social infrastructure provision, the orders of the High Court in all three sets of proceedings have been appealed. As the matter is currently before the courts, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this juncture.

Arts Funding

Questions (483, 487)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

483. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which, directly or through the statutory agencies under her control, applications for funding have been made by groups or bodies promoting the arts or involved in musical or dramatic productions in the past twelve months from County Kildare; if she has been or expects to be in a position to respond favourably to such requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37727/16]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

487. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which her Department continues to provide funding for the arts at local and community level, directly or indirectly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37731/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 487 together.

Most 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. I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council in Budget 2017 of €5 million, 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.

Budget 2016 included over €48 million for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, including almost €31 million for major capital works. There was also additional funding for an inclusive and wide-ranging national and international commemorative programme, including State events, local community initiatives, and a wide range of arts and cultural projects, as well as €3 million for Culture Ireland’s 2016 international programme and the Abbey Theatre. Investing in our cultural infrastructure is hugely important. Arts and cultural centres not only enrich local communities - they also help to drive economic growth.

I believe that it is important to continue the momentum 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 wellbeing. 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.

Film Industry Promotion

Questions (484)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

484. 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 encourage internationally the use of Ireland as a film location with obvious beneficial economic implications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37728/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

2016 was a great year for the Irish film industry and there were many reminders of how successful we have been in encouraging the use of Ireland as a film location. This success was particularly evident during Ireland’s success at the 2016 Oscars with Room, Brooklyn and other films. This was followed later in the year with Star Wars returning to film here and the attendant promotional activity around the shooting.

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 Irish Film Board is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry. The Board promotes the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, supports inward investment, promotes 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.

In Budget 2017, I secured an increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board, representing a 14% increase in its annual budget. This increase in funding will allow the Board to invest more in Irish film talent in the year ahead, and follows on from a very successful year for the Irish film sector, particularly the indigenous film sector.

Heritage Sites

Questions (485)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which various at risk heritage sites and buildings continue to be protected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37729/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

My role, as Minister, 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.

Under section 54 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may add to or delete from its Record of Protected Structures, a structure, a specified part of a structure or a specified feature of the attendant grounds of a structure. Such a structure, specified part of a structure, or specified feature remains on the Record of Protected Structures until such time as the planning authority deletes it. Provision is made in the Act for the carrying out of works to protected structures either by way of planning permission or on the foot of a declaration received from a planning authority that certain works that would not materially affect the character of a structure are exempted development. There is a duty on owners and occupiers to protect structures from endangerment. Where structures become endangered or unauthorised development has been or is being carried out, the planning authority has the powers to take appropriate action.

There is a number of ways in which my Department acts in respect of possible heritage sites/buildings deemed to be at risk. One of these is the receipt of applications for funding for the repair, conservation, preservation or safeguarding of protected structures, sites or monuments. Financial support is being provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings.  My Department itself 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.  The 2016 Structures at Risk Scheme, with an allocation of over €900,000, has funded over 50 projects. Since 2011, over 180 structures have been safeguarded for the future as a result of the Structures at Risk Fund.

In 2015 I launched a new €2 million scheme - the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) - for the repair and conservation of protected structures.  The 2016 BHIS scheme has operated via the local authorities, on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme, which ran in 2014. In 2016, BHIS has supported over 270 projects across the country, creating over 17,000 days of employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas. The scheme has also leveraged just under €5.5 million, more than double the scheme’s allocation of €2 million. Both schemes will run again in 2017.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage.  For 2016, the Council is administering a community-based heritage grants scheme available for projects that contributed to particular heritage themes.  Further details can be found at www.heritagecouncil.ie.

Heritage Sites

Questions (486)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

486. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which her Department is engaged in restoration of major historical or cultural sites throughout the country at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37730/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

My Department has a number of measures at its disposal to facilitate the restoration of major historical or cultural sites. 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 national monuments of which they are owners or guardians. A wide range of other monuments (in the order of 130,000) are currently subject to protection under other provisions of the National Monuments Acts but my Department and the OPW do not have a direct role in their maintenance except where, as already noted, a monument is a national monument of which I, as Minister, am owner or guardian.

My Department is 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. My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care. While my Department is responsible for legislation, policy and management of the archaeological heritage, works on the conservation and restoration of individual monuments in State care is undertaken by the OPW.

Question No. 487 answered with Question No. 483.

Arts Funding

Questions (488)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total number of applications received from various amateur societies involved in the promotion of the arts throughout County Kildare in the past twelve months; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to respond positively to such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37732/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

My Department does not have a scheme targeted at this sector and I am not aware of any applications in this regard received by my Department.

Arts in Education Charter

Questions (489)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she has had discussions with other Departments or interest groups with a view to creating greater awareness of national heritage and culture throughout primary and second level schools; if she continues to have discussions with the Minister for Education and Skills in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37733/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

While the provision for arts in the education system in our schools at primary and secondary level is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the ongoing partnership between that Department, my own Department and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, I am pleased that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The development of Ireland’s first national culture policy – Eire Ildánach/Culture 2025 - will also be relevant in terms of acknowledging the importance of supporting cultural engagement in education at all levels.

The work of the two Departments and the Arts Council in implementing the Charter is achieved largely through existing structures, such as education centres and Education and Training Boards. My Department provides some funding to assist with implementation of initiatives of the Charter which has included the development of the Arts in Education Portal which now serves as an effective key communications and information channel for both education and arts sectors.

This year, the Ireland 2016 Project Office of my Department worked with the Department of Education and Skills to develop a rich programme for the primary and post primary sectors, and to ensure that the programme reached every school in the country. Every National School in the country was visited by members of the Defence Forces and were presented with the National Flag, copies of the Proclamation and the National Anthem. These were accompanied by a booklet which explained the history, heritage and significance of the national flag. In consultation with the Thomas Meagher Foundation, the National Flag was also provided to each secondary school around the country.

Schools were also invited to write a new proclamation for 2016, to reflect the values, hopes and aspirations of the generation of 2016, starting with an analysis of the ideals, principles and aspirations of the 1916 Proclamation. This project culminated on 15 March 2016, "Proclamation Day", which included the raising of the National Flag, followed by a reading of the Proclamation. I am satisfied that these additional initiatives have created a much increased awareness of our national heritage and culture in both primary and second level school.

Rural Development Plan

Questions (490)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

490. 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 amongst 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. [37734/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

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 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. Work on the Action Plan is now being finalised and I will be publishing the Plan in the coming weeks.

Cultural Policy

Questions (491)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

491. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to continue to utilise events of a cultural and heritage nature to promote the national image at home and abroad, with particular reference to the need to generate increased interest in such matters amongst young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37735/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme this year facilitated a heightened sense of shared identity and pride of country. Building on this, my Department has focused in recent months on the Reimagine phase of the Centenary Programme. This aims to create an enduring impact and long-term legacy of 2016, using the momentum and very positive public responses to the Remember and Reflect phases of the Programme.

In parallel, I have also published a draft framework culture policy Culture 2025/Éíre Ildánach in July. This was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input.

It is now my intention to implement a cross-Government initiative as a legacy project arising from the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach.

This will include, among other things, measures both to promote our image at home and abroad and to foster interest in cultural matters, including our cultural heritage, in young people.

Ministerial Advisers Appointments

Questions (492)

Gerry Adams

Question:

492. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the appointment of additional special advisers by her and Ministers of State in her department. [37883/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

I have appointed two special advisers, which is fully in line with normal practice as provided for by section 11(1) of the Public Service Management Act 1997 (No. 27 of 1997). I can confirm that there have been no additional special advisers appointed by either myself or the Ministers of State in my Department.