Written Answers Nos. 449-468
449. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to complaints made against staff of the Balseskin direct provision reception centre; if Garda investigations have been undertaken over incidents in the centre; if charges have been laid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34817/17]
View answerI am aware of an email containing such allegations and this was immediately referred to An Garda Síochána for their attention. Such allegations are of serious concern and must of course be investigated thoroughly. The outcome of any investigation is a matter for the Gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
450. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the existence of a one acre derelict site to the west of the Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin 7 bounded by Cavalry Row to the west and Palatine Square to the north; his plans to make it available for housing purposes to the local authority or the private sector; if the Irish Prison Service has plans to develop the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34833/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the location in question is part of the Arbour Hill Prison complex. It was acquired from the Defence forces a number of years ago. The Irish Prison Service retain the site in the prison estate portfolio for the development of prison-related facilities on the site, subject to the appropriate planning requirements, in the future.
451. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons caught driving while over the legal alcohol limit with blood alcohol limits between 80 to 100 mg; the number that were disqualified from driving; the number of persons with blood alcohol limit in excess of 100 mg in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [34887/17]
View answerI have requested the information the Deputy is seeking from An Garda Síochána and will contact the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.
452. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details on a renovation scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33589/17]
View answerThe Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23rd January, contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
From my own Department's perspective, I launched an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. Funding of €20 million has been made available under the scheme, which will support up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.
It is also intended to launch the scheme referred to by the Deputy on a pilot basis later this year, to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. The pilot will examine ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. The scheme will be aimed at owner-occupiers.
Details of the initiative are being developed in consultation with relevant Departments and full particulars will be announced when the pilot is launched.
453. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33598/17]
View answerArising from Ireland’s ratification of the European Landscape Convention I launched the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025 in May 2015. Copies are available on my Department’s website. The Strategy is to be implemented in two phases. The key action in Phase one, as set out in the Implementation Programme, will be the preparation of a National Landscape Character Assessment (NLCA). My Department is currently preparing tender documentation for the NLCA. The NLCA will be an important tool to provide data and objective information required to evaluate the current state of the landscape and to underpin effective spatial planning and landscape-centred decision making.
I would note that the primary role of planning authorities and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to landscape issues will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). One of the objectives of the National Landscape Strategy will be to assist in the achievement of greater consistency in decision making when dealing with issues of landscape via the landscape character assessment process, within City and County Development Plans, at local government level.
The second phase of the strategy under Action 3 is: “Following completion of the National Landscape Character Assessment, statutory guidelines on local Landscape Character Assessments, following best international practice, and incorporating Historic Landscape Characterisation, and other appropriate assessment methodologies, will be prepared for Planning Authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).” The preparation and issuing of these statutory guidelines will be a joint action of my Department and that of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
In relation to the specific Landscape Character Assessment referred to by the Deputy, and its planning zoning, this is a matter for the relevant Local Authority and I have no function in that regard.
454. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the timeframe for management plans to be published for Glenveagh, Burren, Connemara and Ballycroy national parks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34838/17]
View answerIn May 2017, I decided to broaden the scope of the Draft Burren National Park Visitor and Traffic Management Plan to include Nature Conservation. The Plan has now become the Burren National Park Management Plan and is in draft form for consideration by my officials. I intend also to produce a Management Plan for the Kerry Biosphere Reserve in the context of the recent UNESCO designation. The Department’s short term focus is on conservation objectives for Natura 2000 sites and as such there are no immediate plans to produce management plans for Ballycroy, Glenveagh, Connemara or Wicklow Mountains National Parks. My Department intends however to produce visitor and management plans for its National Parks on an on-going basis subject to the availability of resources.
In this context the Deputy will note that in February of this year the Taoiseach formally announced a Strategic Partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. One major output of this partnership will be a Tourism Interpretation Masterplan. Work has already commenced on this and the consultants are due to report in the last quarter of 2017. The partnership aims to achieve the shared goal of further developing quality visitor experiences at Ireland’s 6 National Parks and Nature Reserves.
455. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the further information which was required with an application for CLÁR funding for a group (details supplied); and if she will allow this information to be submitted at this stage and re-examine the application. [33630/17]
View answerThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last, with a closing date of 5 May. The programme provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. Funding for the 2017 CLÁR programme was available this year under four separate Measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
Applications under Measures 1, 2 and 3 were submitted through the Local Authorities, while applications under Measure 4 were submitted from voluntary organisations involved in community-based response to emergency situations. In total, more than 500 applications were received across the four Measures to the value of €15 million.
In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals. Approximately 230 applications were approved for funding totalling €7 million in recent weeks.
With respect to the application referred to by the Deputy, insufficient documentary evidence was provided as required by the scheme criteria and the application was unsuccessful as a result. Applicants were specifically required to provide the following documentation as part of the application process:
- an application by a School/Community organisation
- clear evidence of need
- full estimated costings
- evidence that all necessary permissions were in place
- evidence, where applicable, that ownership/lease was in place
- evidence that match funding was in place where relevant, and
- relevance to the LECP/other plan.
The group referred to by the Deputy provided a basic application outlining the proposed works, a rationale as to why the works were needed, and an estimate of costings. Evidence in respect of the other requirements outlined above was not provided.
All funding available under the CLÁR programme in 2017 has now been allocated. There are no plans at present to allocate any further funding to CLÁR this year.
456. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when staff will be hired in national parks (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33634/17]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that, with the recovery of the economy, there has been significant recruitment in the National Park and Wildlife Service of my Department in recent months including a recent recruitment campaign to fill posts at Killarney House which officially opened to the public on 3rd July. Since January of this year 17 permanent posts have been filled across the National Parks and Nature Reserves. I am advised that my Department has also filled 61 seasonal posts nationwide to cover the busy tourist season.
In addition, my Department is currently engaged with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in recruiting Conservation Rangers. Two rangers have been appointed and I am advised that further appointments will be made in the coming weeks.
Staffing levels across the Department will continue to be kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and having regard to Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
457. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 776 of 17 January 2017, if the updated strategic rhododendron management plan has been finalised; her views on the fact that the spread of rhododendron is accelerating faster than current resources can combat and is seriously threatening the indigenous natural flora and fauna of Killarney National Park; if she will increase resources and funding to ensure that the national park is protected for the enjoyment of generations to come; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33690/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No 776 of 17 January last. My Department has invested heavily in tackling this invasive species, the control of which is difficult, costly, and labour intensive. The management of the dynamic and aggressive Rhododendron ponticum is a long-standing ongoing programme in the National Park. In the past, approximately 3,000 of the over 10,000 hectares in the Park were, to some extent, affected. My Department remains of the opinion that the existing management programme has made significant inroads into the problem with approx. 2,000 of the 3,000 hectares, involving some 40 different sites, under effective control.
The ongoing programme of works, at this time, is comprised of four primary elements:
i. the initial clearance and follow-up maintenance work by contractors;
ii. ongoing maintenance work by volunteers and students;
iii. a Rhododendron eradication management contract; and,
iv. ongoing work by NPWS staff including co-ordination, research, and monitoring.
Since 2011, the Department has invested over €700k to tackle rhododendron clearance in Killarney National Park and in 2016 the Department spent close to €210k on clearance. An updated Strategic Rhododendron Management Plan has been finalised and the Department has issued a Request for Tender (RFT) inviting suitably qualified vendors for the term of four years to be included on the Department’s Rhododendron Ponticum Eradication and/or Maintenance programme. €240,000 has already been budgeted for Rhododendron clearance in Killarney National Park this year.
In addition, in 2016 my Department spent over €2m in Killarney National Park (including Killarney House). This represents the largest apportionment of my Department’s overall budget for National Parks and Reserves and reflects the commitment and the value that my Department places on the Park.
458. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the next tranche of Leader programme funding will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33898/17]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a budget of €250 million over the period to 2020. €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas in Ireland and will be delivered through the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which manage the programme in each area. The remaining €30 million will be managed at a national level for targeted investment initiatives in areas such as co-operation projects between LAGs, and support for artisan food producers. Applications for project funding at sub-regional level are made directly to the LAGs. The LAGs are open to accepting proposals from project promoters on an ongoing basis or through targeted calls.
Contact details for the Local Actions Groups is available at the following link: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/01/contact-details-of-local-action-groups.pdf
459. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of money which was spent by her Department in 2016 on external consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33904/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 677 of 21st March last, which stated that my Department spent €1,833 on external consultants in 2016.
460. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the supports she provides for the indigenous film and television production sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33984/17]
View answerThe Irish Film Board is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry. Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film industry in Ireland. 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.
In Budget 2017, I secured an increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board, bringing the total allocation for 2017 to over €16m. This increase in funding will allow the Board to invest more in Irish talent and follows on from a very successful year for the Irish film sector, particularly the indigenous film sector, in 2016.
The other primary mechanism through which the Government supports the film industry is Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 - the film tax relief scheme. My Department’s investment in the film sector will also help to maximise the benefits brought about by the Government’s enhancement of the Section 481 film tax credit system, including the decision to increase the cap for eligible expenditure on film projects to €70 million, as announced as part of Budget 2016.
The twin approach of direct funding and tax expenditure measures maximises the benefits of Government’s support to the audiovisual industry.
In addition to the supports outlined above, the Creative Ireland Programme 2017 – 2022 which was announced in December 2016 is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national well-being.
The objective of the fourth pillar of the Programme – establishing Ireland as a centre of excellence in media production – is to elevate the creative industries including media, architecture, design, digital technology, fashion, food and crafts together on an all of government basis. The initial focus of the Creative Ireland programme this year is to undertake to develop an industry-wide, long-term plan for Ireland as a global hub for the production of Film, TV Drama and Animation by the end of 2017. This objective is also reflected in the Action Plan for Rural Ireland given the importance of the film industry to rural Ireland.
In this regard, my Department has commissioned an economic analysis of our screen-based creative industries, in partnership with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. This study will examine the economic impact including employment and the potential of the Irish film, TV and animation sector. Following an open tender process, Olsberg SPI Ltd in association with Nordicity, was selected to conduct the study in November last year. The commissioning of the study was also a commitment in the Action Plan for Jobs 2016. The recommendations of the economic study will inform the development of the plan envisaged under the Creative Ireland Programme and Action Plan for Rural Ireland.
On 5 May last, I hosted a very successful Media Production Workshop at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham which attracted attendance by representatives of the film, broadcast, animation and gaming industries.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that the Film Board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have jointly commissioned a report on the skills needs of the audio-visual industry in Ireland. This report will be published shortly. My Department will consider recommendations contained in the report and, working with stakeholders, will address any identified skills needs.
The outcomes of the economic study, the workshop held in Kilmainham and the report on the skills need of the industry will all input into the proposed Government plan for the audio-visual industry in Ireland, which will be published in Autumn.
On a wider scale, the Government recognises the value of the film sector both nationally and regionally and as such, both the National and Regional Action Plans for Jobs has a number of Actions to further support the film sector. Further details can be accessed at this link.
https://www.djei.ie/en/Publications/Action-Plan-for-Jobs-2017.html
https://www.djei.ie/en/Publications
461. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her priorities for capital funding for the arts and cultural institutions over the next five years. [33985/17]
View answerHigh-quality infrastructure is critical for a vibrant arts and culture sector and investment in cultural infrastructure underpins social cohesion and supports strong and sustainable economic growth. For example, yesterday I unveiled the plans for the major €10m capital investment plan for the National Library of Ireland’s historic Kildare Street premises. The investment will be delivered as a phased programme of works in partnership with the Office of Public Works. Appropriately this investment programme is called "Reimagining the National Library", and will help transform the Library into a world class facility for the storage and display of our national collection, as well as enabling the Library to develop its capacity as a centre for research, culture, learning and tourism.
The redevelopment is another significant investment by this Government in our National Cultural Institutions, following the opening in June of the magnificently restored historic wings at the National Gallery. Substantial upgrades are also getting underway at the National Concert Hall and the National Archives.
This investment is also complemented by the €9m capital investment scheme in arts and cultural centres which I announced earlier this year.
The quality of our cultural facilities demonstrates in a very tangible way where our societal priorities lie and are crucial in terms of ensuring that Ireland is an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest and I am currently developing a capital investment programme for the culture and heritage sector as committed to under the Creative Ireland Programme.
This programme will set out an overall capital strategy for the cultural and heritage sectors for the years ahead.
462. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which her Department is improving services and increasing supports for persons with disabilities during 2017. [34026/17]
View answerWhile my Department is not directly responsible for the provision of services or supports for person with disabilities I am committed to ensuring access to arts, culture and heritage for all citizens. This commitment is reflected in the inclusive nature of the Creative Ireland Programme launched earlier this year. I would also advise the Deputy that my Department is represented on the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, and under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2020, is committed to ensuring that accessibility for all is supported through;
- the application of universal design principles in the development of buildings and facilities, and
- integrating disability inclusion into the design and operation of funding programmes and schemes.
463. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the investment by her Department since March 2016 in County Louth and parts of east County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34061/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of investment my Department in County Louth and County Meath during the period in question is set out in the following tables.
Co. Louth
|
Investment Project |
Amount |
|
Louth County Council to fund implementation of the Council's 2016 Plan. |
€30,000 |
|
Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland for 'Peace Proms 2016' |
€42,737 |
|
County Museum Dundalk - Local & Regional Museum Scheme 2016 |
€3,900 |
|
Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland - Cooperation with Northern Ireland funding scheme 2016 |
€86,000 |
|
Ablevision Ireland Drogheda Cooperation with Northern Ireland funding scheme 2016 |
€3,500 |
|
Louth County Council - Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) 2016 |
€30,000 |
|
Louth County Council - Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2016 |
€39,868 |
|
Louth County Council - Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) 2017 |
€59,000 |
|
Louth County Council - Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2017 |
€145,397 |
|
Louth County Council to part-fund the assignment of a Broadband Officer |
€35,000 |
|
Droichead Arts Centre – Small Capital Grant Scheme 2017 |
€3,466 |
|
Louth County Council to implement their Culture and Creativity Plans for 2017 |
€32,258 |
|
County Museum Dundalk - Local & Regional Museum Scheme 2017 (Allocation) |
€8,500 |
|
Drogheda Museum Millmount - Local & Regional Museum Scheme 2017 (Allocation) |
€700 |
|
Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland for 2017 - Support for Cooperation with Northern Ireland (Allocation) |
€100,000 |
|
Louth County Council - Town and Village Renewal Scheme |
€380,000 |
|
Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) Scheme |
€100,000 |
|
CLÁR |
€173,520 |
|
Walks Scheme |
€40,527 |
|
LEADER* |
€301,460 |
Co. Meath
|
Investment Project |
Amount |
|
Solstice Arts Centre (Navan) – Small Capital Grant Scheme 2016 |
€10,000 |
|
Meath County Council to fund implementation of the Council's 2016 Plan. |
€30,000 |
|
Fencing at Girley Bog 2016 |
€4,500 |
|
Meath County Council - Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) 2016 |
€37,750 |
|
Meath County Council - Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2016 |
€54,977 |
|
Meath County Council re Culture and Creativity Plans for 2017 |
€32,258 |
|
Pathworks at Girley Bog 2017 |
€2,700 |
|
Meath County Council - Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) 2017 |
€29,000 |
|
Meath County Council - Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2017 |
€104,140 |
|
Meath County Council to part-fund the assignment of a Broadband Officer |
€35,000 |
|
Meath County Council / Solstice Arts Centre (Navan) - Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 (2017 allocation) |
€300,000 |
|
Ráth Chairn and Baile Ghib Gaeltacht areas |
€42,263 |
|
Town and Village Renewal Scheme |
€380,000 |
|
Payments under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme and the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme |
€341,669 |
|
Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) Scheme |
€200,000 |
|
CLÁR |
€127,600 |
|
Rural Recreation |
€50,000 |
|
LEADER * |
€334,488 |
*LEADER
Under the LEADER 2014 - 2020 Programme €6,903,124 has been allocated to the County Meath sub-regional area and €6,101,862 has been allocated to the County Louth sub-regional area. Figure in tables above includes all funding paid from March 2016 to 30 June 2017 relating to the delivery of the LEADER 2007 - 2013 Programme and the LEADER 2014 – 2020 Programme. These payments included Animation and Administration funding for the LEADER 2014 - 2020 Programme, Preparatory Support for developing the Local Development Strategies in the sub-regional area for the LEADER 2014 - 2020 LEADER Programme, Transitional Administration funding paid to facilitate their transition from the LEADER 2007 - 2013 Programme to the LEADER 2014 - 2020 LEADER Programme and project payments made relating to the LEADER 2007 –-2013 Programme.
464. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to examine rolling out a scheme whereby community groups can apply for grant assistance to provide community defibrillators. [34118/17]
View answerMy Department does not currently administer a specific grant aid scheme to support the purchase of community defibrillators. However under the Emergency First Response Support measure of the CLÁR programme this year, community groups could apply for funding to support the purchase of defibrillators in the context of an emergency first response effort. Applicants were required to provide evidence that they were a recognised part of an overall emergency response effort supported by the HSE or An Garda Síochána. A total of €1.21 million was approved to a range of organisations under the Emergency First Response measure of the CLÁR programme and the approvals included funding for defibrillators in some cases. Full details of the organisations funded under this measure can be found on my Department's website at http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/02/clar_measure_4_approvals.pdf.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government also launched a new Community Facilities Scheme last March as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development. This is a small-scale capital grants scheme aimed at disadvantaged rural and urban areas. While the scheme does not specifically support the purchase of community defibrillators, applications for funding such projects may be deemed eligible, subject to various criteria and on a case-by-case basis. The closing date for receipt of applications under the scheme for this year was 30 June 2017. Further information on the Community Facilities Scheme can be found at http://www.housing.gov.ie/community/local-and-community-development/communities-facilities-scheme.
I anticipate that both the CLÁR programme and the Community Facilities Scheme will transfer shortly to the new Department of Rural and Community Development under the remit of Minister Michael Ring.
465. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the functions, schemes and responsibilities it is proposed to be transferred to the Department of Community and Rural Affairs from her Department; the proposed budget allocation transferring with each; the amount in this regard spent to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34151/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 4th July last.
In his speech to Dáil Éireann on 14th June 2017, An Taoiseach announced the establishment of a new Department of State for Community and Rural Development, to be led by Minister Michael Ring T.D.
The functions to transfer from my Department to the new Department will be outlined in a Transfer of Functions Order which is being prepared at present. Functions will also transfer to the new Department from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. The financial allocations transferring to the new Department will be determined when the transfer of functions order is finalised, and will be published in due course.
466. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of the capital funding brought forward to 2017 that has been spent to date in 2017, by subhead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34152/17]
View answerPublic Financial Procedures provide that a maximum of up to 10% of the capital envelope of a Vote may be carried over by way of ‘deferred surrender’ to the following year for spending in that year on priority capital programmes. Provision is made in the Revised Estimates Volume for the capital carryover amount by subhead and in a Ministerial Order to be made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform before 31 March in the year of carryover. The total amount carried over by my Department from 2016 into 2017 is €13,548,000. Since the making of the relevant Order by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the 6th of March 2017, expenditure totalling €3,600,000 has been incurred against the total carryover as follows:
|
Subhead |
Subhead Detail |
Amount carried over €000 |
Expenditure to date €000 |
|
A.7 |
Cultural Infrastructure and Development |
6,548 |
521 |
|
A.15 |
Decade of Centenaries 1912-1922 |
5,000 |
1,079 |
|
B.5 |
Natural Heritage (National Parks and Wildlife Service) |
2,000 |
2,000 |
|
Total |
13,548 |
3,600 |
467. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí maoiniú éigeandála a sholáthar le cóiriú a dhéanamh ar bhóithre portaigh sna bailte fearainn seo a leanas, Srath na Bruaí, Slíothán, Mám an tSean Tí agus Loch na nGrianán i nGaoth Dobhair, a ndearna tuilte damáiste dóibh le gairid, á chur i gcuntas go bhfuil corradh le 100 teaghlach nach bhfuil ar a gcumas móin a thabhairt abhaile de bharr staid na mbóithre; cad iad na pleananna atá aici le feabhas a chur ar na bóithre i mBaile na Finne a ndearnadh damáiste dóibh sna tuilte le gairid; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34296/17]
View answerTá Scéim na mBóithre Portaigh faoina mbíodh cúnamh airgid ar fáil chun athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar bhóithre portaigh ar fionraí le tamall de bhlianta anuas. Mar a tugadh le fios sna freagraí ar Cheisteanna Dála (Uimhir 382 & 383) ar 30 Bealtaine 2017 agus ar Cheist Dála (Uimhir 993) ar 20 Meitheamh 2017, i s i gcomhthéacs fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, atá luaite mar sprioc faoi leith i gClár an Rialtais Rannpháirtíochta, a dhéanfaí aon chinneadh maidir le hathmhúscailt na scéime.
468. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the results from the 2011 census were not included in the methodology employed for the 2016 and 2017 CLÁR application programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34428/17]
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 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 Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) in Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% per county between 1926 and 2002. Parts of five counties were added (Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow), increasing the total number of counties covered by the programme at that stage from 18 to 23.
The CLÁR programme was effectively closed to new applicants from 2010. However, the Government re-launched the programme in the second half of 2016.
The analysis which is required to assess, and potentially amend, the designation of CLÁR areas is time-consuming and significant. Given that the 2016 Census had taken place in April of last year, and the fact that detailed information in respect of that Census was expected to be available by mid-2017, it would not have been an effective or efficient use of resources to commence an analysis of the 2011 data for CLÁR purposes towards the end of 2016. To do so would also have delayed the roll-out of the programme and would have prevented over 800 projects benefitting from funding in the last 12 months.
However, it is my intention to review the CLÁR areas later this year, based on detailed 2016 Census small area data which is expected to be available shortly.
