Written Answers Nos. 247-260
247. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to implement the recommendations outlined in the recently published Moore Street report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18396/17]
View answerI received the report of the Moore Street Consultative Group on 29 March 2017.
The Group, which includes political representatives, relatives and other stakeholders, was set up in a bid to bring together the range of views on Moore Street. I welcome the fact that the report is seeking a way forward based on consensus. I believe that its recommendations can help breathe new life into the Moore Street area, while at the same time retaining its sense of history and enhancing its traditional street market.
The report signals the potential of a negotiated outcome, balancing the perspectives of the key stakeholders. It recommends the establishment of a new Advisory Group to advance the process. I am fully supportive of this constructive approach and I want to see the work of the Group being built upon, so we can progress to the next stage.
248. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to revise the areas which are currently classified as CLÁR areas and in particular her plans to designate an area (details supplied) as having CLÁR status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18436/17]
View answerThe CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas.
The areas originally selected for inclusion in the CLÁR programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996, with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease. The average population loss in the original CLÁR regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.
In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) at Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002. The 2017 CLÁR programme, which I launched recently, is based on the same data and areas that applied in 2006. Parts of the area referred to by the Deputy are eligible for CLÁR funding.
My Department is considering a review of the areas covered by CLÁR, based on the detailed 2016 Census data.
County maps and details of current CLÁR areas are published on my Department's website at: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/rural/rural-development/clar-2016/.
249. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will fund the continuation of the SSRI scheme (details supplied). [18441/17]
View answerOn 6 April 2016, my Department sanctioned current funding of €15,000 in total under Scéim Seirbhísí Réamhscoile agus Iarscoile (SSRI) to the organisation in question for a 12 month period. This scheme was established in March 2014 with the objective of providing assistance to Gaeltacht-based Family Support Centres and certain Gaeltacht pre-school services which operate through Irish, in order to support the provision of language acquisition and enrichment activities aimed at young Gaeltacht households.
An application for further funding has been received from this organisation. This application is currently being evaluated by my officials and the organisation will be informed of the Department’s decision in due course.
250. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí scagadh ar an gcaiteachas €250,000 a gealladh d’Údarás na Gaeltachta sa bhuiséad reatha agus a bhí le cur ar fáil do na comharchumainn Ghaeltachta; cá ndeachaigh an t-airgead seo; cé hiad na heagraíochtaí a fuair an t-airgead; cén méid a fuair siad; agus an dtaispeánfaidh sí an t-eolas i bhfoirm tábla. [18508/17]
View answerTuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta gur íocadh €1,545,528 le 30 eagraíocht pobail i 2016 chun clár forbartha pobail a fheidhmiú ina gceantar feidhme. Ag éirí as an soláthar airgid de €3.25m atá ar fáil don Údarás faoi fho-mhír C7 de Vóta na Roinne do 2017, tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil soláthar de €1,824,418 á chur ar fáil acu i 2017 do na heagraíochtaí pobail bunaithe don chúram seo. Tá briseadh síos ar na sonraí sin léirithe san tábla thíos.
|
Contae |
Ainm |
Soláthar 2017 € |
Íoctha 2016 € |
Ardú € |
|
|
Dún na nGall |
Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo |
87,000 |
84,000 |
€3,000 |
|
|
Comhar Chumann Thoraí Teo |
87,000 |
84,000 |
3,000 |
||
|
Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair Teo* |
95,750 |
28,750 |
67,000 |
(1) |
|
|
Comharchumann na nOileáin Beag Teo** |
32,000 |
40,000 |
-€8,000 |
(2) |
|
|
Céim Aniar Teo |
57,000 |
54,000 |
€3,000 |
||
|
Pobal Eascarrach Teo |
36,000 |
33,000 |
€3,000 |
||
|
Lár Chomhairle Paróiste Gleann Cholm Cille Teo* |
73,865 |
23,865 |
€50,000 |
(3 ) |
|
|
Soláthar don Ghaeltacht Láir |
15,000 |
0 |
€15,000 |
(4 ) |
|
|
Maigh Eo |
Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla Teo |
71,000 |
69,000 |
€2,000 |
|
|
Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile Teo |
50,000 |
46,250 |
€3,750 |
||
|
Comhar Dún Caocháin Teo |
44,000 |
41,000 |
€3,000 |
||
|
Coiste Cultúr, Teanga agus Forbartha Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Teo |
35,000 |
31,350 |
€3,650 |
||
|
Gaillimh |
Comhar Caomhán Teo |
87,000 |
88,000 |
-€1,000 |
(5 ) |
|
Comhar Chumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo |
57,000 |
54,000 |
€3,000 |
||
|
Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Teo |
94,000 |
90,750 |
€3,250 |
||
|
Comhairle Ceantair na n-Oileán Teo |
51,000 |
48,000 |
€3,000 |
||
|
Forbairt Chonamara Láir Teo |
56,000 |
52,000 |
€4,000 |
||
|
Comharchumann Shailearna Teo |
60,000 |
57,775 |
€2,225 |
||
|
Comharchumann Forb artha Inis Meáin Teo. |
75,000 |
30,000 |
€45,000 |
(6 ) |
|
|
Comhar Chuigéal (Leitir Mealláin) Teo. |
35,000 |
30,000 |
€5,000 |
||
|
Forbairt Pobail Mhaigh Cuilinn Teo |
42,800 |
23,513 |
€19,287 |
(7 ) |
|
|
Comharchumann Mhic Dara Teo |
56,000 |
52,000 |
€4,000 |
||
|
Comhlacht Forbartha an Spidéil Teo |
35,000 |
31,350 |
€3,650 |
||
|
Soláthar d’eagraíocht nua |
15,000 |
0 |
€15,000 |
(8 ) |
Table ctg.
|
Contae |
Ainm |
Soláthar 2017 € |
Íoctha 2016 € |
Ardú € |
|
|
An Mhí |
Comharchumann Ráth Cairn Teo |
57,000 |
54,000 |
€3,000 |
|
|
Ciarraí |
Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne Teo |
71,000 |
71,000 |
- |
(9 ) |
|
Comhar Chumann Forbartha Leith Triúigh Teo |
57,000 |
52,225 |
€4,775 |
||
|
Comhchoiste Ghaeltachtaí Chiarraí Theas Teo |
58,000 |
53,500 |
€4,500 |
||
|
Forbairt na Dromada Teo |
48,000 |
46,000 |
€2,000 |
||
|
Port Láirge |
Comhl a cht Forbartha na nDéise Teo |
52,000 |
50,000 |
€2,000 |
|
|
Corcaigh |
Comharchumann Chléire Teo |
87,000 |
84,000 |
€3,000 |
|
|
Comharchumann Forbartha Mhúscraí Teo |
47,000 |
42,200 |
€4,800 |
||
|
Iomlán |
1,824,418 |
1,545,528 |
€278,887 |
||
*sciar de dheontas 2016 le n-íoc leo
**sciar de dheontas 2015 san áireamh anseo.
Nótaí
(1) Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair Teo. Íocadh €28,750 leo i 2016. Tá soláthar de €28,750 a bhain le 2016 ach nár íocadh go dtí 2017 san áireamh sa soláthar de €95,750 do 2017.
(2) Comharchumann na nOileán Bheag Teo. San €40,000 a íocadh i 2016, bhain €8,000 d e le 2015.
(3) Lár Chomhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholm Cille. Tá soláthar de €23,865 a bhaineann le 2016 san áireamh san bhfigiúir de €73,865.
(4) An Ghaeltacht Láir. Soláthar déanta do €15,000 chun tacaíocht a chur ar fáil do struchtúr pobail nuair a bhunófar é.
(5) Comhar Caomhán Teo. Tá laghdú de €2,000 sa mbuiséad ó 2016 de bharr nach bhfuil costas pinsean i gceist a thuilleadh.
(6) Comharchumann Forbartha Inis Meáin Teo. Bunaíodh an comharchumann seo i 2016. Tá soláthar de €75,000 á chur ar fáil don bhliain reatha.
(7) Forbairt Pobail Mhaigh Cuilinn Teo. Tá soláthar de €7,800 san soláthar de €42,800 a bhain le 2016.
(8) Soláthar d’eagraíocht nua le tabhairt faoi fhorbairt pobail & teanga déanta do 2017.
(9) Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne Teo. Bhí athrú bainistíochta anseo agus tá an soláthar coinnithe ag an ráta céanna i 2017, dá bharr.
251. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the financial supports available for large organisations holding festivals that attract both national and international visitors such as one in County Kildare (details supplied); the body to which they should apply for such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18573/17]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council offers a wide range of financial supports across artforms and arts practices, including festivals covering both single artform festivals (e.g. theatre, dance, film) and a number of multidisciplinary arts festivals across different artforms including literature.
The Arts Council's festival and events scheme is now open for applications including both the multi-disciplinary festivals and single artform festivals. Details of the scheme may be accessed on the Arts Council's website at the following link http://www.artscouncil.ie/Funds/festivals-and-events-scheme/.
The Arts Council also works in partnership with local authorities in developing the arts at local level. The Council also has a similar long-term partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta under its Ealaín na Gaeltachta programme in Gaeltacht areas.
Modest funding for literature festivals may be available under the A6 Scheme being administered by my Department, which is intended for projects that meet a specific cultural need and support the high level goal of the Department in relation to enhancing access to the arts, culture and film sectors and recognising the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland. Category F of that Scheme provides for small-scale local festivals, summer schools and other such similar events that support these goals. Details of this scheme are on my Department’s website at http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/arts/culture/grants-and-funding/cultural-projects-funding/.
Fáilte Ireland, which comes under the remit of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, also offers support for festivals. The Fáilte Ireland Regional Festivals and Participative Events Programme supports festivals and events which drive local tourism and help to improve the experience on the ground by bringing Ireland to life for the visitor. Further details of the 2017 scheme may be accessed at the following link
http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/2_Develop_Your_Business/6_Funding/Application-Guidelines-Regional-Festivals-2017.pdf.
252. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding is available for renovations of a bogland walkway in County Westmeath. [18587/17]
View answerThe National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2017-2022, due to be published in the coming period subject to Government approval, will set out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored. One of the core objectives of the plan is to raise awareness and understanding of the benefits and value of raised bogs and to encourage community involvement to inform future decisions. During the implementation of the programme of restoration measures on designated raised bogs, my Department intends to explore with local stakeholders the opportunities for the provision of recreational amenities within the designated raised bog network.
In addition, there is a limited provision for the funding by my Department in 2017 of small scale conservation and community education and awareness projects in areas affected by the cessation of domestic turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas.
There are also a number of schemes highlighted in the Action Plan for Rural Development and administered by my Department through which funding may be able to be provided for a project such as that referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
253. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the eligibility criteria for clubs and societies applying under the new Leader programme; the variances to this scheme by county; and if she will provide a detailed list of this criteria and the timeframes for applications. [18628/17]
View answerLEADER funding is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. The LEADER programme funds projects under three policy themes:
- Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation
- Social Inclusion, and
- Rural Environment.
Applications are considered by the relevant LAG throughout the lifetime of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme on foot of rolling or targeted calls for Expressions of Interest from interested groups and in line with the objectives outlined in the Local Development Strategies of the LAGs.
There are no particular criteria at a national level regarding the clubs and societies that may apply for LEADER funding. The LEADER programme requires that all applicants meet certain eligibility criteria, including that they are financially solvent, they are not excluded from the programme as a result of a previous non-compliance, and the applicant is actively repaying any debt associated with this or previous Rural Development Programmes. In order for a project from any club or society to be eligible for LEADER funding, the project must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
As a first step, clubs and societies wishing to apply for project funding under LEADER should submit an Expression of Interest outlining their proposals to the LAG delivering LEADER in their area. The LAG will then be able to advise of the specific criteria that may apply for projects of a particular nature and the application timeframes involved.
Contact details for the organisations implementing LEADER are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/01/contact-details-of-local-action-groups.pdf.
254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason for the delay in publishing the census of 1926; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18634/17]
View answerThe Statistics Act 1993 requires that census data must be withheld for 100 years. Accordingly, it is not possible to release 1926 Census returns before the statutory period has elapsed in 2026. If the records were to be released before the expiry of 100 years, a major change in legislation and policy would be required to allow for such an early release. This is not currently being proposed.
255. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of a case (details supplied); and when the person can expect an appointment with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in County Offaly. [18371/17]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
256. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the provision of a comprehensive nursing and home support package to enable a person (details supplied) in County Cork be discharged from hospital and return home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/17]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
257. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress in the provision of the Translarna drug for those persons diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/17]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
258. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will approve funds for the use of Translarna for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in view of its approval in 28 EU member states including the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18381/17]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
259. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the drug translarna for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the reason it is not approved here; the history of its applicatory process through the NCPE process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18382/17]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
260. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will assist in providing a document to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [18388/17]
View answerThe Civil Registration Service is operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on behalf of the General Registrar's Office under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection.
While this is a matter for the Local Registrar, I have been informed that staff from the Office of the Registrar General will contact the individual directly with a view to regularising their issue.
