Robert Troy
Question:322. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will provide funding for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23299/17]
View answerMinor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme Applications
Questions (322)
Written answers
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that funding of €18,800 was approved under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in September 2016 for a project at Killen Bridge, Granard, Co Longford. The progression of the works is the responsibility of Longford County Council. There is no further application for funding on hand in the OPW in relation to this location.
Deer Hunting
Questions (323)
Pat Deering
Question:323. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs how a wildlife licence to shoot wild deer can be obtained. [22681/17]
View answerWritten answers
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. Individuals can now apply to my Department for an annual deer hunting licence for the 2017/18 season. Application forms can be accessed through the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at www.npws.ie or by contacting the Wildlife Licensing Unit of my Department.
Gorse Burning
Questions (324)
Brendan Griffin
Question:324. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding hill burning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22726/17]
View answerWritten answers
Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts currently prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.
Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures is included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016.
The Bill recently completed its passage through Seanad Éireann and will now go to Dail Éireann. In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts remain in force.
The question relating to restrictions on farming in areas where burning has occurred is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. That Department operates the Basic Payment Scheme and other schemes including GLAS.
My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, to investigate the causes of wild fires and, where evidence is forthcoming, to pursue appropriate enforcement under the Wildlife Acts or other legislation.
The main source of wild gorse fires is thought to be the deliberate starting of fires without concern for the consequences. Aside from such malicious activities, one of the main challenges is to encourage members of the public, (including landowners, farmers and recreational users of publicly accessible land), to act responsibly at all times, to be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, to be mindful of the need to protect property, both publicly owned and privately owned and to appreciate the value of our natural heritage, particularly in our National Parks, Nature Reserves and Designated (Natura 2000) Sites.
CLÁR Programme
Questions (325)
Jackie Cahill
Question:325. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will expedite the application under the CLÁR programme by Tipperary County Council for a community centre (details supplied) to facilitate the infrastructural development of the centre to allow for its use as a day care facility for the elderly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22878/17]
View answerWritten answers
The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The allocation for CLÁR for 2017 is €5 million and funding is available under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure Needs
Measure 4: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for applications under the programme was Friday, 5 May 2017. In total, 521 applications were received under the Measures outlined above and I can confirm that the Department has received an application in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy.
The applications received are now being assessed by my Department and I expect to be in a position to announce details of the successful applicants by the end of May. Details of the successful applicants will be published on my Department’s website.
Film Industry Development
Questions (326)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:326. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grants available from her Department for film and documentary production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22879/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish Film Board is the national development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The Film Board is independent of my Department in its day-to-day operations and funding decisions are the sole responsibly of the Board. My Department has no role in the operation of its programmes and schemes.
The Film Board supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.
The Film Board also supports 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 Board liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland to maximise opportunities for the promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions as well as a tourism destination. Information on its funding scheme is available on the Irish Film Board website at www.irishfilmboard.ie.
Departmental Funding
Questions (327)
Seán Sherlock
Question:327. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is in receipt of a costing from Cork City Council in regard to a further funding request for an event centre in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22916/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Cork Events Centre is a project being developed and managed by Cork City Council. My Department allocated €12 million to the City Council towards the cost of the Centre. This allocation is subject to a Service Level Agreement with the City Council to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements in relation to major capital projects.
My Department recently received correspondence from Cork City Council stating that the developer has informed the Council that the overall project costs has risen to €65 million which is an increase of approximately €12m. My Department has not yet been supplied with full details of the increased costs at this stage. Cork City Council has been asked to provide additional information on the cost increases and once furnished my Department will consider the matter further.
Seirbhísí Oileán
Questions (328)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:328. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí sásta bualadh le Comharchumann Inis Mór chun conradh Aer Árann a phlé leo, i bhfianaise na titime atá tar éis teacht ar an méid daoine atá ag úsáid na seirbhíse de bharr an chonartha nua, rud a fhágann nach bhfuil an tseirbhís ag freastal ar an éileamh níos mó, agus go gcosnaíonn an tseirbhís an iomarca airgid ar gach paisinéir taobh amuigh den Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí (PSO); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22983/17]
View answerWritten answers
Tá conradh do sheirbhís aeir do na hOileáin Árann aontaithe ag mo Roinn le Galway Aviation Services Limited (ag trádáil mar Aer Arann) don tréimhse 1 Eanáir 2017 go dtí 31 Nollaig 2020. Faoin gconradh sin, tá sceideal cuimsitheach eitiltí á gcur ar fáil ó cheann ceann na bliana. Mar aon le haon seirbhís sceidealta, tá amchlár leagtha síos don tseirbhís seo – amchlár faoina bhfuil socraithe go gcuirfear níos mó eitiltí ar fáil ná mar a bhí á ndéanamh le blianta beaga anuas faoin gconradh a bhí i bhfeidhm roimhe seo.
Bím sásta bualadh le Comharchumann Inis Mór am ar bith.
Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge
Questions (329)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:329. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth a bhfuil teorainn íseal leis an méid scoláirí ón mórthír a fhreastalaíonn ar mheánscoileanna ar na hoileáin Ghaeltachta, ós rud é go bhfuil éileamh mór ar an scéim seo, go gcuireann sí go mór le hoideachas na scoláirí, go dtreisíonn sí le hoideachas meánleibhéil ar na hoileáin, agus ós rud é nach dtógfadh sé ach €150,000 sa bhliain chun an scéim a oscailt suas go mór; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23052/17]
View answerWritten answers
Faoin mbeartas speisialta atá i gceist ag an Teachta íoctar deontas in aghaidh an lae faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge le teaghlaigh cáilithe ar oileáin i leith daltaí ó lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a bhíonn ar iostas leo fad a bhíonn siad ag freastal ar mheánscoileanna go lánaimseartha ar na hoileáin sin. Cuireadh an socrú seo i bhfeidhm chun cabhrú le hinmharthanacht na meánscoileanna ar oileáin Ghaeltachta agus ar mhaithe le hinmharthanacht saol na n-oileán go ginearálta a threisiú. Tugann sé deis do na scoláirí chomh maith teacht isteach ar bhlas agus líofacht nádúrtha na Gaeilge trína gcaidreamh le cainteoirí dúchais fad agus a bhíonn said ar na hoileáin. Rinneadh an socrú seo go príomha le cuidiú le scoileanna a bhí i mbaol mar gheall ar thitim sna huimhreacha clárúcháin.
Íoctar an deontas faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge cé go mbíonn na scoláirí ag freastal ar ghnáth scoil agus ní ar Choláiste Gaeilge agus go gcaitheann siad tréimhse níos faide sa Ghaeltacht. Bhí teorainn de thríocha curtha leis an méid scoláirí gur féidir a aithint faoin scéim seo le go mbeidh cóimheas folláin agus torthúil idir na scoláirí ón taobh amuigh agus scoláirí ón oileán.
Déantar athbhreithniú ar an scéim go rialta. Cuirtear nithe éagsúla san áireamh mar chuid de na hathbhreithnithe sin, lena n-áirítear an t-éileamh ó na meánscoileanna ar na hoileáin agus an tionchar a d’fheadfadh líon mór daltaí ó cheantair taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht a imirt ar iompar teanga phobail na meánscoileanna agus phobal na n-oileán féin. Ar mhaithe le múinteoir a choinneáil sa scoil, tá áthas orm go raibh ar mo chumas cúig scoláire breise a cheadú do Choláiste Éinne, Árainn faoin scéim don bhliain 2017/2018. Is ar bhonn eisceachtúil a cheadaíodh na scoláirí breise don scoilbhliain seo amháin.
Deontais faoi Údarás na Gaeltachta
Questions (330)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:330. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth a bhfuil Comharchumainn na n-oileán Gaeltachta ag fáil níos lú deontas ón Stát ná Comharchumainn na n-oileán Galltachta, ós rud é go mbíonn níos mó cúraimí orthu, go háirithe ó thaobh an Ghaeilge a chothú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23053/17]
View answerWritten answers
Cuireann Údarás na Gaeltachta deonta is reáchtála ar fáil do na comharchumainn ar sé oileán Gaeltachta chun Clár Forbartha na gComharchumann a chur i bhfeidhm ar na hoileáin sin. Cuirtear na deontais seo ar fáil chun cabhrú leo a gcuid costais bhainistíochta agus barrchostas a chlúdach. Is as an soláthar airgid a chuirtear ar fáil go bliantúil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta faoi fhómhír C7 de Vóta mo Roinne a chuirtear na deontais reáchtála sin ar fáil. Ár ndóigh, ós rud é gur eagraíocht neamhspleách reachtúil í Údarás na Gaeltachta, tuigfidh an Teachta gur faoin eagraíocht féin atá sé breithniú a dhéanamh ar chonas an chistíocht a chur chun fónaimh i gcomhthéacs na gcúramaí atá sainithe di, lena n-áirítear na cúramaí a bhaineann leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga agus fhorbairt phobail araon. Beag beann air sin, ní mór dom a mheabhrú don Teachta gur éirigh liom allúntas reatha breise de €250,000 a fháil don Údarás le dáileadh ar na comharchumainn agus na heagraíochtaí phobalbhunaithe Gaeltachta i mbliana.
Maidir leis an bpleanáil teanga, ní miste a shoiléiriú go bhfuil maoiniú ar leith á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn tríd Údarás na Gaeltachta do na ceann eagraíochtaí atá i mbun pleananna teanga a réiteach do na hoileáin Ghaeltachta. Nuair a bheidh na pleananna sin réitithe agus iad faofa agamsa mar Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Gaeltachta, cuirfear maoiniú ar leith ar fáil chun cabhrú leis na ceann eagraíochtaí na pleananna sin a chur i bhfeidhm.
Ní miste a rá go mbíonn foinsí eile ioncaim ag na comharchumainn oileánacha ó thograí tráchtála eile a bhíonn idir lámha acu.
Maidir leis na hoileáin taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, glactar leis gurb é maoiniú atá á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn do na struchtúir bhainistíochta ar na hoileáin úd atá faoi chaibidil. Faoin maoiniú sin atá ar mhéid circa €0.5m in aghaidh na bliana, maoinítear struchtúir bhainistíochta ar naoi oileán amach ón gcósta. Tá difríocht bunúsach idir an struchtúr maoinithe sin agus an ról atá ag na Comharchumainn Ghaeltachta.