Written Answers Nos. 413-426
413. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way she proposes to oversee and monitor the implementation of actions to support the post office network, arising out of the report of the Post Office Renewal Board and the Post Office Hub Working Group, as outlined in point 20 of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11709/17]
View answerThe Post Office Renewal Implementation Group and the Post Office Hub Working Group were established last year to progress the recommendations in the earlier report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group which was published in January 2016.
The Network Renewal Group examined, on behalf of An Post, a number of issues relating to the post office network, including the number and spatial distribution of post offices, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, and postmaster contracts. Arising out of the Group’s work, a report was submitted to An Post for their consideration on 23 December 2016.
The role of the Post Office Hub Working Group, which I chaired, was to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. This Group has completed its work and I will report to Government shortly on its findings.
The implementation of any of the recommendations or proposals which have emerged from this process will require the agreement and input of An Post.
The actions will be monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department through its direct engagement in the delivery of the relevant measures, as well as through the processes which are being put in place to monitor the implementation of the Action Plan for Rural Development as a whole. A Monitoring Committee, which will be chaired by Minister Humphreys, will meet regularly to monitor the progress of each of the actions in the Plan. The Committee will include the key stakeholders from relevant public bodies as well as business and rural interests. Progress reports will be published every six months.
414. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the investment of €37.5 million as outlined in point 50 of the Action Plan for Rural Development to implement the social inclusion and community activation programme is in addition to the funds previously committed by the Department of Social Protection to the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11710/17]
View answerThe Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) falls under the remit of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and I have no function in relation to the matter. The relevant commitment in the Action Plan for Rural Development is assigned to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government for delivery.
415. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to increase the number of Irish speakers across the Civil Service. [11769/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in 2014 the Government approved the introduction of a new approach to support Irish language proficiency in the civil service. Arrangements were put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in the context of replacing the policy of awarding bonus marks for Irish language proficiency in civil service recruitment and promotion competitions which was not meeting the Government's objectives for Irish language proficiency in the civil service.
Under the current approach measures are in place to increase the cohort of functional bilinguals in the civil service in order to reflect a more competency-based approach to recruitment and, where appropriate, promotion competitions. In the context of Workforce Planning frameworks, Departments are requested to identify the posts/areas of work requiring functional bilinguals and to include these in their workforce action plans. Having regard to the implementation of the Gaeltacht Act 2012, Departments will be asked to pay particular attention to posts that are located in, or that are serving, Gaeltacht areas. This process will be central to ensuring that future recruitment and interdepartmental promotion competitions run by the Public Appointments Service make sufficient provision for appointments to posts requiring functional bilinguals. In the case of Departmental recruitment and promotion competitions, an assessment will be made of the requirement for functional bilinguals and, where necessary and appropriate, a sub-panel of functional bilinguals will be put in place.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Implementation Plan for the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 includes measures aimed at building capacity in the provision of Irish language services in the civil service. In this context, Foras na Gaeilge currently has a contract in place with Gaelchultúr Teo. for the provision of Irish language training to the public service. From 2011 to date, I understand that in the region of 1,200 public servants from over 80 state bodies have attended courses run by Gaelchultúr Teo. In addition to this, over 400 government employees from more than 20 public service bodies have undertaken Gaelchultúr’s Certificate in Professional Irish.
In October 2014, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an end to the Moratorium on recruitment in the public service, to be replaced with new delegated management arrangements to be phased in during 2015 and 2016. Open recruitment competitions have now recommenced and my Department is monitoring early outcomes regarding the bilingual element.
Given that it is the responsibility of each Department to identify and address its Irish language needs, I recently asked my officials to open a discussion with their counterparts in other Departments and in the main public bodies, including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in order to examine their requirements for functioning bilinguals. These discussions are currently underway.
416. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to reconvene the all-party consultation group for the decade of centenaries programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11771/17]
View answerThe Government will continue to mark significant events throughout the Decade of Centenaries based on the inclusive, open and consultative approach that has worked so well for last year’s 1916 Rising centenary commemorations. At all times, the Government has been supported in its plans by the guidance and advice of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations and the Oireachtas All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.
I am currently considering the steps necessary to re-establish the Oireachtas All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations and I am committed to ensuring that we will be able to reflect appropriately and respectfully on all of the major historical events to be commemorated over the remainder of the Decade.
417. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she is planning on publishing a national heritage plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11799/17]
View answerThe National Heritage Plan 2002-2007 was the first integrated plan that sought to conserve and protect all aspects of our national heritage. Over the course of more recent years, my Department’s responsibilities for the protection and promotion of our built and natural heritage have been met by a range of policy developments, that sought to respond to the challenges arising in different sectoral areas within my heritage remit.
The Programme for a Partnership Government envisages the development and publication of an updated National Heritage Plan. I am currently considering how best to approach its development in the context of on-going policy priorities across the heritage sector, both built and natural. I intend to deploy a framework similar to the one used successfully in the context of Culture 2025 and my officials are currently working on developing that approach.
Work has been initiated by my Department regarding the scope and terms of reference for the process. As the Deputy will be aware, the heritage sector is composed of many different sub-sectors with differing needs. It is intended that a formal engagement with key stakeholders and implementation partners will play a central role to the development of such a policy given the many strands of our national heritage.
Finally and in the context of the above, my Department is currently drafting Ireland’s 3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021. The Plan is being developed in cooperation with an interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group, and the Biodiversity Forum which represents various interested sectors of Irish society. I invited views of the public on the draft Plan on 21 December 2016. The consultation window was closed on 9 February 2017. Some 90 submissions were received, and these will be published on the Department’s website, with a summary of the views provided and with comment on the main strands of the submissions made.
418. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has announced the breakdown of funding that will be given to support the various initiatives outlined in the Creative Ireland plan. [11800/17]
View answerIn Budget 2017, I secured funding of €5m to commence the implementation of the Creative Ireland programme which includes delivering ten major initiatives by the end of this year. To date €1m has been allocated to the local authorities towards the implementation of initiatives under Pillar Two of the Creative Ireland Programme including setting up a culture team in each authority, the publication of a Culture and Creativity Plan for each county. A significant allocation will also be made towards the delivery of Cruinniú na Cásca, a programme of arts activities and events on Easter Monday. I will make further announcements on the breakdown in due course. It should be noted that the substantial increases which I obtained for the arts and cultural sector in Budget 2017 will also contribute to the implementation of the Creative Ireland Programme across Government, local authorities and cultural agencies and institutions.
419. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding that will be delivered under pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland plan; and her views on whether this is sufficient. [11801/17]
View answerThe Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme/Clár Éire Ildánach 2017 – 2022 on the 8 December 2016 as the Government Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach, the draft cultural policy which I published in July 2016.
This is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing.
The second pillar of the Programme – Enabling creativity in every community – will be implemented primarily through our local authorities as they are the primary instruments of local community engagement.
Each local authority has now established a Culture Team bringing together arts officers, librarians, heritage officers, museum curators, archivists and other relevant personnel led by a Director of Services, with a nominated person as 'Creative Ireland Co-ordinator'.
A dedicated budget of €1m from the overall Creative Ireland Programme budget of €5m has been allocated to the local authorities towards the implementation of initiatives under Pillar Two including the aforementioned culture teams, the publication of a Culture and Creativity Plan for each county - reflecting at local level the overall structure and aims of the national programme - and the implementation of Cruinniú na Cásca, a programme of arts activities and events on Easter Monday.
I understand that additional support will also be made available to the local authorities for these initiatives by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
This funding is in addition to the other significant additional resources that I secured under Budget 2017 for the arts and culture sector including €5m extra funding for the Arts Council and an additional €1 million to the Heritage Council. I also recently announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for existing dedicated arts and culture centres across the country.
All of this represents real and substantial funding increases across the arts and cultural area and has been welcomed across the sector. It re-affirms the commitment of this Government to progressively increase funding for the arts as the economy improves, as set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
420. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has implemented any of the recommendations outlined in the Irish Museums Survey Report 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11802/17]
View answerThe Irish Museum Survey, which I launched in November 2016, provides very useful research on the spread of museums across the country, and underlines the important role which museums play in interpreting, educating and providing enjoyment to all citizens. The recommendations contained therein will require careful and coordinated consideration by my Department, the Irish Museums Association , the Heritage Council, Local Authorities and other key stakeholders across the sector. That process is now underway.
421. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been considerable controversy and concern by deer hunters in County Wicklow, an organisation (detail supplied) and deer management experts over misleading claims that a deer cull of 50,000 or any increase in the existing cull is required in County Wicklow; her views on the recommendation of her advisory group, the Irish Deer Management Forum, and that such claims of deer culls are contrary to conservation of wild deer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11813/17]
View answerMy Department is aware of recent media reports of suggestions that it is necessary to cull up to 50,000 wild deer in Co. Wicklow. I am neither aware of the source of this figure nor of any sound basis for such a figure.
422. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a survey of deer hunters and those involved in deer management carried out by an organisation (details supplied) shows that the overwhelming majority view the current open hunting season for wild deer as adequate or should be reduced due to declining deer numbers and on 8 December 2016 her advisory group, the Irish Deer Management Forum, also reached a consensus that the current open hunting seasons for wild deer are adequate in all counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11840/17]
View answerThere is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to 28 February, depending on the species and gender of deer. I have no plans to adjust this season.
423. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a report (details supplied) supported by her Department confirmed only ten deer were culled by 15 hunters over an area of 69,283 hectares during the period of 6 January 2016 to 31 July 2016 in County Wicklow and during the same period just two minor road traffic accidents involving deer were recorded in the same area, her views on whether the findings of this report suggest recent claims of out of control deer numbers and calls for additional deer culls are misleading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11846/17]
View answerMy Department is aware of a recent report referred to by the Deputy which I understand is an interim report.
There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to 28 February, depending on the species and gender of deer. The period referred to by the Deputy is largely outside the open season.
My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as Wicklow National Park. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls may be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
Control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners, who may apply to my Department for a permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to cull deer where this is necessary outside the annual open seasons. These permissions offer a facility whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case by case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Permissions are only issued where there is evidence of such damage.
My Department is aware that there are cases around the country of road accidents involving deer. In relation to preventing such road accidents my Department is of the view that improving sight lines for motorists as well as improved (and possibly larger) signage is likely to be the most effective measure to assist motorists to be vigilant when driving through areas where populations of deer can be expected.
In 2015 my Department, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action , which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas, including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are widespread. An Irish Deer Management Forum has been established to implement the various actions listed in the Report. The Forum itself comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations, as well as representatives from both Departments. It is my understanding that the situation relating to the wild deer in Co Wicklow has been discussed at various meetings of the Forum.
424. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her advisory group, the Irish Deer Management Forum, stated on 30 January 2017, there is presently no conclusive evidence of a link between the strain of bovine TB in cattle and the strain in the wild deer herd and that the testing methodology used in County Wicklow for testing TB levels in wild deer was far more detailed than that used for livestock so levels cannot be compared directly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11848/17]
View answerThis is an animal health issue and a matter in the first instance, for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
425. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of female, male and juvenile red deer and sika deer respectively that will be culled during the current cull in Killarney National Park up to March 2017; the details of the deer management qualifications those undertaking the cull in Killarney National Park hold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11849/17]
View answerThere is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner. With regard to deer in Killarney National Park (KNP) , as part of its regular on-going management operations, my Department carries out localised annual deer culls on State lands, if required. My Department commissioned a comprehensive survey and report in the winter of 2016 on the distribution, population density and population structure of red deer and sika deer in KNP. The study found that the total estimated red deer density over the entire study area of 13.64km2 was some 708 deer. On foot of the recent report, personnel from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department are currently undertaking a cull of deer in the National Park, which will be concluded by the end of March. The proposed cull is at a similar level to that which was undertaken in previous years. It is anticipated that up to 80 deer will be culled as part of this exercise, which will be completed by the end of March 2017. The aim is to cull approximately 20% males and 80% females. By the end of February 18 red hinds and 5 red yearlings had been culled.
As has been the case previously, this work is undertaken by experienced, relevantly qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel of my Department. The remains will be processed and disposed of in full compliance with the applicable Department of Agriculture , Food and the Marine guidelines, and with the involvement, as appropriate, of officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
426. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to put a preservation order in place to prevent the extraction of peat from the Moyne Bog, Coole, County Westmeath, at which an ancient road structure has been discovered. [11854/17]
View answerI am advised that my Department’s National Monuments Service considers that the prospect of preservation in situ of toghers (ancient trackways) that traverse an open working bog and that have been dissected along their length by approximately 45 open drains is severely limited. These ancient features only come to light during peat extraction. Once a bog has been drained to facilitate such extraction, the conditions that ensured the preservation of the wooden toghers are no longer present with the result that they will inevitably decay slowly over time.
Considering the nature of the toghers, the circumstances of their discovery, their already compromised condition, as well as the co-operation of the landowner, it is not evident that the conditions that would normally be considered appropriate to the making of a Preservation Order are present in this case. My Department will instead continue to focus its efforts on seeking detailed information on the toghers through appropriate methods of recording.
It is also the case that the toghers extend beyond the area currently being worked into an area of ‘high bog’ where significant elements may still be preserved. This area of ‘high bog’ is currently being examined as a more meaningful opportunity to attain preservation in situ.
