Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Written Answers Nos. 382-405

Public Sector Pay

Questions (382)

Sean Fleming

Question:

382. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a group (details supplied) will be included in discussions in relation to an extension to the new agreements affecting pay and pensions of public servants; his views on whether it is correct to exclude it from discussions; if he will ensure it is represented in some part of the talks at which it will impact on the group before agreement is finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24313/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 23511/17 on 17 May 2017.

Pension Provisions

Questions (383)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

383. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to his reply to correspondence to him from this Deputy of 3 April 2017 concerning community employment schemes and the issue of a pension entitlement (details supplied), the progress made to resolve this dispute; if he will host talks with the stakeholders with the view to resolve this dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24448/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The High Level Working Group on the Community Sector was established to give consideration, inter alia, to the matters raised by the Deputy.  The Group last met on 7 April and was briefed on a comprehensive scoping exercise that will get underway over the coming months.

The position has always been that FÁS or the Department of Social Protection is not the employer and that it is not possible for the State to provide funding for such a scheme to employees of private companies even if those companies are, or were, reliant on State funding.  In considering the matter, I must have regard to costs and the precedent of such an arrangement were one to be created.

State Assets

Questions (384)

David Cullinane

Question:

384. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the standard approvals required for the intrastate transfer of State property assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24510/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Arising from actions under the Property Asset Management Delivery Plan, which was part of the Public Service Reform initiative, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issued two circulars:

(i) Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets issued in September 2015 (as DPER Circular 11/15) and

(ii) Policy for Property Acquisition and for the Disposal of Surplus Property issued in June 2016 (as DPER Circular 17/2016).

The Hierarchy of Disposals section of the Policy for Property Acquisition and for the Disposal of Surplus Property identifies transfer or share with another public body as the primary option to pursue when disposing of a property that is regarded as surplus.

Property transactions are governed by a range of legislative and other requirements which can vary for different state bodies. Required approvals will also depend on the value of the property being disposed of or acquired. The Corporate Governance Section of the Policy for Property Acquisition and for the Disposal of Surplus Property reflects the variety of governance requirements that can apply but prominence is given to compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and the Code of Practice on the Governance of State Bodies. The Code of Practice on the Governance of State Bodies has a specific section on Property Acquisition and Disposal which cross-references the Policy and Protocols referred to above. Each state body is aware of how the requirements apply to them. The requirements will vary to some degree depending on the type of organisation and the legislation underpinning it.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (385)

Dara Calleary

Question:

385. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood prevention plans for the River Deel; the timeframe for completion and planned construction schedule for these plans; if a budget is in place for these works; the work completed on the River Deel since December 2015 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Seán Canney)

A Public Information Day was held in April 2016 to inform the public and stakeholders of the current situation, and to seek views on whether the flood defences option or diversion channel option would be preferable locally. The majority were in favour of the diversion channel option. The Office of Public Works and the design team have taken the public’s preference into account and are currently completing a revised options assessment, which requires detailed surveys concerning the ground conditions along the most likely route for the diversion channel. It is expected this will be completed in Q3 2017. The hydrogeological assessment is nearing substantial completion and preliminary geotechnical investigations are complete. This will be followed by production of scheme documents and environmental reports, with Public Exhibition scheduled for January 2018. Assuming that the diversion channel proves to be the appropriate option, the cost of the scheme is expected to be approximately €10 million, and the OPW has included this figure in its budgetary estimates.

If the diversion channel option does not prove feasible, then it should be possible to advance the alternative scheme option of flood defence walls etc. quickly with possible commencement of construction in 2018. In the interim, the following initiatives are underway to help alleviate the flooding problems in the town pending the delivery of the flood relief scheme:

- The Office of Public Works (OPW) and Mayo County Council (MCC), in conjunction with the local Flood Action Group, are currently progressing an Individual Property Protection (IPP) project for Crossmolina. MCC carried out a survey of households in the town and received expressions of interest from over 68 property owners for the installation of flood gates. To date, flood gates have been installed in 47 properties, with the remaining 21 gates set to be installed by the end of June.

- OPW has approved funding of €201,477 under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection scheme from 2015 to date to Mayo County Council for projects on the River Deel. MCC is now working on the delivery of a number of localised, minor flood mitigation measures. The timeframe for implementation of these measures is a matter for Mayo County Council.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Questions (386)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

386. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding under the voluntary homeowner relocation scheme can be accessed by flood victims in areas other than the Shannon region; his views on the case (details supplied); if they meet the qualifying criteria; and if so, the application process for same . [24614/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

On April 11th 2017, the Government agreed the administrative arrangements for a Homeowners Voluntary Relocation Scheme for those primary residential properties that flooded during December 4th 2015 to January 13th 2016. This is a national scheme of humanitarian assistance, targeting aid at those worst affected properties, for which there are no alternative feasible measures.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) received an Expression of Interest from the family concerned on 18th May and they will be contacted directly by officials from the OPW following an assessment under Stage 1 of the administrative arrangements.

Further details regarding the Homeowners Voluntary Relocation Scheme, including the eligibility criteria, are available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.

Departmental Properties

Questions (387)

Willie Penrose

Question:

387. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to utilise the significant site purchased on the Lynn Road, Mullingar, for the purpose of a planned decentralisation programme which was subsequently suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24739/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Seán Canney)

A State body is considering the acquisition of the site on Lynn Road, Mullingar, which was purchased for the decentralisation programme.

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (388)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

388. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason it is outside of the statutory remit of the Public Appointments Service to manage the recruitment of a CEO for Údarás na Gaeltachta; the person or body that is responsible for the filling of this vacancy; the supporting legislation for this responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24580/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

I understand from the Public Appointments Service (PAS), that it has a statutory obligation under section 34 of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, to fill civil service posts and local government posts at certain levels in addition to a range of other public service posts where PAS is nominated in legislation as having a statutory responsibility to manage the recruitment process.

I have also been informed that PAS has previously, on occasion, made its recruitment and selection services available to other public bodies and state agencies. However, the demand for recruitment services from their ‘core clients’ has increased substantially since the lifting of the moratorium on recruitment to the civil and wider public service and the recommencement of large volume recruitment across the civil service, the local authorities, An Garda Síochána, Hospital consultants etc. As a result they do not currently have capacity to meet all demands and are obliged to concentrate on work within their statutory remit.

This has resulted in the PAS having to decline many requests for assistance from public bodies where these requests fall outside the ambit of their governing legislation. Examples would include the CEO of the National Gallery, the CEO of the Charities Regulator, the CEO of the Education Research Commission, the Director of the National Museum, and senior roles in the Health and Safety Authority, Grangegorman Development Agency, and the Road Safety Authority.

In relation to the appointment of the CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Section 9(2) of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1999 provides inter alia that “The Chief Executive shall be appointed by an tÚdarás” . In that regard, I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the recruitment process is ongoing.

Seirbhísí Dátheangacha

Questions (389, 390)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

389. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a chríochnófar an próiseas scrúdaithe atá á dhéanamh ar riachtanais Ranna Rialtais agus príomhfhoras poiblí i dtaca le daoine atá in ann feidhmiú go dátheangach; cathain a fhoilseofar torthaí an scrúdaithe seo; cathain a chuirfear córas nua i bhfeidhm ó thaobh scéimeanna teanga de; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23974/17]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

390. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta céard atá déanta aici ó thús na bliana chun córas earcaíochta na Státseirbhíse a leasú chun a chinntiú go mbeidh níos mó daoine inti ag a bhfuil Gaeilge fheidhmiúil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23975/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhreacha 389 agus 390 le chéile.

Tá an t-athbhreithniú a bhfuil tagairt déanta ag an Teachta dó críochnaithe ag oifigigh mo Roinne anois agus tá i gceist agam moltaí maidir le córas nua chun daoine le Gaeilge a earcú don seirbhís phoiblí agus córas chaighdeáin Ghaeilge a thabhairt isteach in áit chóras na scéimeanna a dhéanamh i gcomhthéacs an Bhille nua atá beartaithe chun leasú a dhéanamh ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003.

Tá i gceist Ceannteidil an Bhille seo a chur faoi bhráid an chéad chruinniú eile den Choiste Rialtais do na hEalaíona, don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin ar 25ú Bealtaine 2017. Ach na Ceannteidil a bheith faofa ag an gCoiste sin, cuirfear faoi bhráid an Rialtais iad go gairid ina dhiaidh le cead a fháil iad a fhoilsiú agus an Bille a dhréachtú.

Plean Teanga

Questions (391)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

391. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta conas atá dul chun cinn ó thaobh pleanáil teanga de á thomhas ag an Roinn; cén mheicníocht atá á húsáid ag an Roinn; cé na spriocanna sonracha agus amscálaí atá leagtha amach ag an Roinn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23976/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Ó cuireadh tús leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga in 2014, seo a leanas léargas ar staid reatha an phróisis mar a bhaineann sé leis na limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta, na bailte seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus na líonraí Gaeilge mar a shainítear iad faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012:

Na Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta

Den 26 limistéar pleanála teanga Gaeltachta atá aitheanta faoin Acht, tá an próiseas tosaithe i 23 limistéar agus táthar ag súil leis go mbeidh sé tosaithe sa trí limistéar eile faoi dheireadh na bliana, eadhon: Bearna agus Cnoc na Cathrach; Oirthear Chathair na Gaillimhe; agus an tEachréidh. Maidir leis na limistéir ina bhfuil an próiseas tosaithe ann cheana féin, tá pleananna i leith na limistéar a leanas á mbreithniú ag mo Roinn faoi láthair:

- Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir

- Cois Fharraige

- Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach agus Machaire Rabhairtaigh.

Nuair atá na pleananna faofa chun sástacht mo Roinne, déanfar orduithe i leith na limistéar, faoi alt 7(2) den Acht – rud a chuirfidh tús le forfheidhmiú na bpleananna. Beidh tréimhse fhorfheidhmithe 7 mbliana i gceist le pleananna teanga agus déanfaidh mo Roinn athbhreithniú tréimhsiúil ar chur i bhfeidhm na bpleananna le linn an ama sin. Tá sé i gceist go ndéanfar athbhreithniú eatramhach ar gach plean teanga agus go ndéanfar é sin i mbliain 3 den chur i bhfeidhm de ghnáth. Tá sé i gceist freisin go ndéanfar athbhreithniú críochnúil ar gach plean teanga agus go ndéanfar é sin i mbliain 6 den chur i bhfeidhm de ghnáth. Tá sé de cheart ag mo Roinn athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ag tréimhsí éagsúla nó ar bhonn níos minice ná na tréimhsí atá sonraithe má fheictear go bhfuil gá lena leithéid.

Beifear ag súil leis go gcuirfear pleananna i leith na limistéar a leanas faoi bhráid mo Roinne chun críche faofa idir seo agus deireadh na bliana:

- Ciarraí Thiar

- Ciarraí Theas

- Na Déise

- Árainn Mhór

- Dún na nGall Theas

- An Cheathrú Rua

- Múscraí

- Dúiche Sheoigheach & Tuar Mhic Éadaigh

- Conamara Láir

Beidh obair ar bun chun ullmhúchán na bpleananna teanga i leith na limistéar a leanas a bhrú chun cinn sa bhliain reatha chomh maith i dtreo iad a bheith curtha faoi mo bhráid in 2018:

- Ceantar na nOileán

- Toraigh

- Tuaisceart Dhún na nGall

- Maigh Eo Thuaidh

- Oileán Árainn

- Ráth Chairn & Baile Ghib

- Cléire

- Maigh Eo Thiar

- Na Rosa

- Maigh Cuilinn

- An Ghaeltacht Láir

- Bearna & Cnoc na Cathrach

- Oirthear Chathair na Gaillimhe

- An tEachréidh

Na Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta

Maidir leis na bailte seirbhíse Gaeltachta, tá an próiseas tosaithe cheana chun plean teanga a ullmhú faoin Acht i leith na mbailte: Daingean Uí Chúis, Leitir Ceanainn, agus Cathair na Gaillimhe. Táthar ag súil leis go mbeidh ullmhúchán pleananna tosaithe sna bailte: Béal an Mhuirthead, An Clochán Liath; Cathair Chorcaí, Trá Lí agus Dún Garbhán i mbliana.

Na Líonraí Gaeilge

I deannta sin, tá obair idir lámha chun pleananna teanga a ullmhú i leith na líonraí Gaeilge: Baile Loch Riach, Co. na Gaillimhe; Inis, Co. an Chláir agus Cluain Dolcáin, Baile Átha Cliath.

Chun cabhrú le feidhmiú an phróisis pleanála teanga sa bhliain reatha, d’fhógair mé allúntas airgid ar fiú €850,000 ar 7 Bealtaine 2017. Dáilfear €735,000 den allúntas ar Údarás na Gaeltachta agus €115,000 ar Fhoras na Gaeilge chun cur ar a gcumas an próiseas pleanála teanga a bhrú chun cinn.

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Questions (392)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

392. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a fhoilseofar an plean gníomhaíochta don tréimhse 2017-2022 maidir le feidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain; cén staid ag a bhfuil an Straitéis faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23977/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Mar atá ráite agam i bhfreagraí ar Cheisteanna Dála eile faoin ábhar seo, eagraíodh Díospóireacht Oscailte ar Pholasaí faoin Straitéis 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, mar chuid de Phlean Athnuachana na Státseirbhíse, i mí na Nollag 2015 ar mhaithe le breathnú siar ar an méid a bhí déanta go dtí sin maidir lena cur i bhfeidhm, chomh maith le breathnú chun cinn ar na tosaíochtaí ina leith don chúig bliana amach romhainn. Mar thoradh ar an díospóireacht oscailte sin tá sé i gceist go mbeidh plean gníomhaíochta don tréimhse 2017-2022, ina mbeidh spriocanna sonracha agus amscálaí ina leith, á chur i dtoll a chéile ag mo Roinn agus á fhoilsiú faoi lár shamhradh na bliana seo.

Maidir le staid reatha na Straitéise is mian liom a threisiú uair amháin eile go bhfuil mé thar a bheith sásta leis an méid atá bainte amach cheana féin faoi na naoi réimse éagsúla den Straitéis, lena n-áirítear na nithe seo a leanas:

- Tá Polasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta foilsithe agus á chur i bhfeidhm;

- Tá Straitéis Náisiúnta Litearthachta agus Uimhearthachta á cur i bhfeidhm;

- Tá Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 achtaithe agus á chur i bhfeidhm. Faoin acht sin tá an Próiseas Pleanála Teanga – an comhrá is mó sa Ghaeltacht maidir leis an Ghaeilge ó aimsir Fheachtas na gCearta Sibhialta - faoi lán seoil. Go deimhin, tá €850,000 curtha ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge i mbliana chun cur ar a gcumas an próiseas pleanála teanga a bhrú chun cinn;

- Tá athbhreithniú déanta ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus Ceannteidil Bhille Leasaithe beagnach réidh le foilsiú;

- Tá cinneadh déanta deireadh á chur leis an maolú don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach i 2021; agus,

- Tá Plean Gaeilge agus Gníomh Digiteach RTÉ á gcur i bhfeidhm.

Is mian liom a threisiú freisin nach Straitéis seacht mbliana í, ach Straitéis 20-Bliain, agus beidh mise agus an fhoireann atá taobh thiar dom sa Roinn, le tacaíocht go príomha ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge agus, dár ndóigh, ceanneagraíochtaí an Fhorais, ag cur mo chuid fuinnimh uile isteach sa tasc atá romham leanúint leis an obair thábhachtach sin sna blianta atá amach romhainn.

Rural Resettlement Scheme

Questions (393)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

393. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent on the rural recreation scheme in 2016; the amount of funding allocated by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23985/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.

In 2016, funding of €7.4 million was approved for 117 projects in rural parts of Ireland and was distributed through Local Authorities, Local Development Companies and State Agencies. Table 1 provides details of the amounts approved under the scheme in 2016 on a county basis.

On 28th April this year, I announced details of €11 million in funding for the 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure scheme as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. Funding will be available for a range of initiatives, from small scale local projects to large-scale strategic projects. Successful applicants will be announced by the end of June and projects will be expected to commence shortly thereafter.

Table 1 – Rural Recreation Scheme approvals, 2016

County	A mount approved
Carlow	€67,500.00
Cavan	€125,771.90
Clare	€383,901.03
Cork	€992,587.05
Donegal	€178,322.90
Dublin	€33,666.94
Galway	€336,974.90
Kerry	€405,928.25
Kildare	€10,582.40
Kilkenny	€56,824.90
Laois	€437,988.40
Leitrim	€1,204,729.49
Limerick	€294,674.90
Longford	€256,724.90
Louth	€14,032.40
Mayo	€654,441.80
Meath	€63,424.90
Monaghan	€281,156.40
Offaly	€193,818.90
Roscommon	€196,302.25
Sligo	€143,004.90
Tipperary,	€209,330.01
Waterford	€233,319.40
Westmeath	€311,027.40
Wexford	€250,537.40
Wicklow	€104,284.90
Total	€7,440,858.62

CLÁR Programme

Questions (394)

Mary Butler

Question:

394. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the CLÁR scheme can be extended to cover an area (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24072/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The CLÁR programme 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% per county between 1926 and 2002. The CLÁR programmes which I launched in 2016 and 2017 were based on the same data and areas.

It is intended, however, that my Department will review the areas eligible for inclusion in the CLÁR Programme based on detailed 2016 Census Small Area Population Statistics data, which I understand will be published in July. The question of extending eligibility for the CLÁR programme to any particular area will be determined by this exercise.

Applications under the current CLÁR programme closed on 5th May. A total of 521 applications were received and my officials are currently assessing these proposals. I expect to be in a position to announce details of the successful applicants in the coming weeks.

Forestry Management

Questions (395)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

395. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps being taken to create a fire barrier to prevent a forest fire in Killarney National Park, County Kerry. [24092/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The primary responsibility in terms of fire fighting lies with the Fire Service and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.  The prosecution of those responsible is a matter for the Gardaí.

My Department is one of a number of agencies represented on the Inter-Agency Gorse Fire Group that explores issues surrounding such fires.  An Garda Síochána is also represented on the Group and leads any criminal investigation. My Department, of course, cooperates fully with Garda investigations and any other investigations that may be initiated by other statutory bodies.

With regard to specific actions in respect of Killarney National Park and adjacent areas, officials from my Department remain in close liaison with both the Gardaí and the Fire Service. Staff in Killarney National Park remain ever-vigilant when conditions exist that might result in fires in the Park. Fire management plans are in place and these have been provided to the Fire Service. There is an Inter-Agency group on wildfires in Kerry involving regional National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff of my Department, the Fire Service, Gardaí, Forestry Service, Coilte and others. This group meets on a regular basis. NPWS also meets and liaises with the Fire Officer directly as appropriate and necessary (e.g.to review arrangements and practical details e.g. re access point, codes, etc.). In the event of a fire, my staff have also worked closely with Fire Service responders on the ground. I would also note that in the event of a fire, Killarney National Park and the Fire Service have access to the Air Corps if deemed necessary, as was fortunately the case in 2015.

With regard to firebreaks, obviously there are ecological concerns. The Department explored how best to utilise natural features within the Park landscape – e.g. streams, rivers, tracks and trails – to act as “natural fire breaks” in helping to control the spread of wild fires within the Park.  Targeted and minimal on site work has taken place – including the cutting back of combustible material, (furze, heathers, over-grown grassland areas) – to create these “natural fire breaks” which should help to control the spread of wild fires, without impacting significantly of habitats (including “qualifying interests” in the Special Area of Conservation).  As the Deputy will appreciate, a balance has to be achieved between works necessary/desirable to assist in the control of wild fires within designated areas (SACs, SPAs, NHAs, etc.) on the one hand and the sustainable conservation and protection of the qualifying interests within such designated sites.

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (396, 397)

Bríd Smith

Question:

396. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department plans to issue authorisation for persons to enter onto private land in County Donegal or on islands off the coast of County Donegal to carry out the corncrake census; if her attention has been drawn to complaints that contractors to date in 2017 have broken the law in the construction of fences and so on without planning permission from Donegal County Council or permission from the NPWS and in contravention of the Wildlife Act which prohibits such work during the bird nesting season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24130/17]

Bríd Smith

Question:

397. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which grants for persons to provide protection for corncrakes was dispersed by county in 2016 and to date in 2017; the reason most of these grants were allocated to counties Mayo and Donegal, in which most of these birds nest without adequate funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24131/17]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.

The corncrake is confined to a few areas of Ireland, particularly in Donegal and Mayo. Once widespread, its range has greatly contracted, due mostly to changes in farming methods over the past 50 years, and in particular the switch from hay to silage.

My Department carries out annual surveys of calling corncrakes in the key areas. Insofar as possible, surveyors work from public roads and tracks, and permission is sought from landowners in advance of any surveys carried out by or on behalf of the Department.

Regulation 5 (1)(f) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011) allows authorised officers of my Department to enter and inspect any land or premises for the purposes of performing functions under these Regulations or of obtaining any information which is required for such purposes.

I am not aware that any contractors were engaged in construction of fencing on islands. Staff of my Department have been in discussions with a land owner in regard to erecting a small amount of fencing for the purpose of meeting the conservation objective of providing vegetation cover for corncrakes. This work is necessary to meet the conservation objectives of the designated site and will only be done in a manner consistent with the Wildlife Acts and planning legislation.

With regard to grants, a calling corncrake is a very good indicator of a nest nearby. If corncrakes are located in farmed meadows, landowners who are likely to have a nesting corncrake are offered the corncrake grant scheme that pays them to mow the meadows later than they might otherwise, so the young may be reared in safety, and in a specified manner, to give the nesting birds and offspring an opportunity to avoid the harvesting machinery.

In 2016, the corncrake grant scheme paid out €33,840.00 in Co. Donegal, €91,694.99 in Co. Mayo and €7,724.41 in Co. Galway. This reflects the farming practices on lands occupied by corncrakes and the numbers of birds present.

My Department also has a small number of 5-year contracts with farmers in Special Protection Areas in these counties, which provide a longer-term arrangement for both landowners and this threatened species.

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (398)

Bríd Smith

Question:

398. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the pending fines or possible prosecutions against the State for breaches of EU wildlife protection law and destruction of protected habitats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/17]

Written answers

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

No such fines are pending and while there are some infringement cases open against Ireland (“Birds Case” C-418/04 and Reasoned Opinions from the European Commission on Bogs/Turf Cutting and on SAC Designations) there are no cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (399)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

399. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a breakdown of the capital underspend in her Department; the capital underspend per Department scheme and per local authority, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24173/17]

Written answers

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

Provisional expenditure figures in respect of my Department at Vote level as of 30 April 2017 indicate that there is a capital underspend of approximately €7 million. This underspend represents 6% of my Department's gross capital allocation for 2017 (excluding capital carryover).

The underspend has primarily occurred because of timing issues in relation to the quarterly drawdown of funding by bodies and institutions under the aegis of my Department and also some delays in the drawdown of funding in relation to a number of schemes and projects across my Department's programme areas including Built Heritage, the Islands, LEADER and Rural Development Schemes. Expenditure on capital projects and schemes should intensify over the coming months as planning and preparatory works are completed and projects begin to mature.

All expenditure within my Department's Vote is subject to an ongoing internal verification and monitoring process to ensure the best use of available financial resources. Adjustments may fall to be made between subheads as part of this process and all figures are subject to audit by the Office of the Auditor and Comptroller General. Outturn figures on a subhead by subhead basis are therefore only made available in the Annual Appropriation Accounts which are published and made available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Wildlife Control

Questions (400)

Seán Haughey

Question:

400. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the measures introduced in Balbriggan, County Dublin, to curtail the seagull population; the reason these measures were introduced; if similar measures can be considered for other areas such as Howth, which is experiencing a similar problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24183/17]

Written answers

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

The EU Birds Directive allows Member States to make derogations from its protective measures in respect of certain wild bird species in certain circumstances – for example, where they are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety or to air safety.  The Declarations to implement these derogations are renewed annually and an annual review of the Declarations is undertaken prior to their expiry.  The review process includes consideration of the views of stakeholders, such as hunting and conservation bodies, and airport authorities on the operation of the declarations.

This year’s review took into account the issue of seagulls in the North Dublin area especially in Balbriggan which has been the subject of correspondence to my Department from some community groups and other residents which proposed the inclusion of seagull species in the Declaration.

Following consideration of the matter, the new Declaration, which is effective from 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018, includes methods to control seagull species in the Balbriggan area for public safety reasons. The control method can involve the removal of eggs and nests only; the culling of seagulls is not permitted.

These changes are being introduced on a one year pilot basis and will be subject to review as part of a wider comprehensive review of the operation of the derogations next year.  This comprehensive review will take account of all relevant factors, including perceived threats, distribution and population data available in respect of all the bird species in the declaration.

Finally, my Department does not have a role in undertaking the activities permitting under the Declaration.

State Bodies Accounts

Questions (401)

David Cullinane

Question:

401. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the accounting officers for the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery and the National Library of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24227/17]

Written answers

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

Public Financial Procedures specify that Dáil Éireann votes funds every year for Government Departments and Offices to spend on the provision of public services.  Departments and Offices in receipt of Votes are required to prepare an account of expenditure and receipts, called the Appropriation Account which must be signed by an Accounting Officer.  While the bodies in question do not receive a Vote directly from the Exchequer and do not therefore have Accounting Officers, under sections 35 and 61 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, the annual accounts of the National Museum of Ireland, National Library of Ireland and the National Gallery of Ireland are submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit and laid before the Oireachtas which allows for accountability to the Public Accounts Committee.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (402)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

402. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of money which has been spent by her Department in respect of auditing the Leader programme between 2006 and 2013 inclusive, in tabular form. [24285/17]

Written answers

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

Responsibility for the LEADER programme transferred to my Department in the middle of 2016, having come under the remit of the former Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government prior to that point.

I understand that, in the main, audits of the LEADER programme during the period 2006-2013 were undertaken by bodies such the Comptroller and Auditor General, the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, the Internal Audit Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and certifying bodies contracted to oversee expenditure under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. In addition, each Government Department responsible for LEADER during the period 2006 to 2013 had an internal audit function that would have periodically engaged with the LEADER Programme.

My Department does not have information regarding the cost of such audits carried out on the LEADER programme during the period in question.

Leader Programmes Administration

Questions (403)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

403. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to simplify the Leader application form; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of community groups which have expressed frustration at the complex nature of the questions asked and the length of time it takes to complete same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24517/17]

Written answers

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

With a budget of €250 million up to 2020, the LEADER programme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and has the capacity to deliver significant outcomes for rural areas.

I am committed to implementing the LEADER 2014-2020 programme as efficiently and as effectively as possible. However, I am also aware that concerns have been expressed regarding some of the administrative processes related to the programme, and I want to see these issues resolved to the greatest extent possible. In this regard, last Wednesday, 17th May 2017, I hosted a forum with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER, to explore the issues of concern to them and to identify potential solutions to streamlining the current administrative and application procedures.

The forum, which was attended by more than 70 people, was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined and where the burden on project applicants could be reduced.

Following on from very constructive feedback at the forum, I gave a commitment to the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies present that I would implement a number of the suggestions put forward, while being mindful of the regulatory requirements associated with this EU co-financed programme.

My officials are currently reviewing and prioritising all of the contributions made at the forum and will introduce improvements to the LEADER administrative procedures as soon as possible. I am confident that these improvements will assist in the delivery of the LEADER programme to the benefit of rural communities throughout the country.

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Questions (404, 405)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

404. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad uair a bhuail an tAire sinsearach le heagraíochtaí Gaeltachta go hoifigiúil fad is atá sí ina hAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta. [24539/17]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

405. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad uair a bhuail an tAire sinsearach le eagraíochtaí Gaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht go hoifigiúil fad is atá sí ina hAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta. [24542/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhir 404 agus 405 le chéile.

Toisc go bhfuil na freagrachtaí reachtúla maidir leis an teanga tarmligthe domsa mar Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Gaeltachta, is ormsa go príomha a thiteann an cúram casadh le heagrais Ghaeilge agus Ghaeltachta, de réir mar is gá. Beag beann air sin, dár ndóigh, casann an tAire Humphreys le heagrais Ghaeilge agus Ghaeltachta ó am go chéile chomh maith. Ó ceapadh í mar Aire, mar shampla, thug an tAire Humphreys cuairteanna ar oifigí Fhoras na Gaeilge agus Údarás na Gaeltachta chun obair na n-eagras sin a phlé agus thug sí cuireadh do na heagrais Ghaeilge, Conradh na Gaeilge san áireamh, chuig Seisiún Faisnéise maidir leis an mBreatimeacht a tionóladh i mBaile an Chabháin ar 6ú Feabhra 2017.

Anuas air sin, tá an tAire Humphreys ina ball gníomhach den Choiste Rialtais do na hEalaíona, don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin a thagann le chéile, faoi Chathaoirleacht an Taoisigh, ar bhonn rialta.