Monday, 11 Sep 2017

Written Answers Nos. 706 - 727

Film Industry Development

Questions (706)

Pat Casey

Question:

706. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consultation has taken place with her Department regarding the proposed sale of a film studio (details supplied); if so, the dates of such consultations; the outcome of such consultations in view of the strategic importance of the studio in the future development of the film industry both nationally and for the mid-east region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37872/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The facility to which the Deputy refers is owned jointly by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with other private entities. My colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation has responsibility for Enterprise Ireland. However, I am aware of the issue and my Department has been in contact with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to the matter.

That Department has indicated that, at the appropriate time, any proposal requiring a decision on the sale of Enterprise Ireland’s shareholding would be reviewed by Enterprise Ireland from a commercial and legal perspective in consultation with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Innovation which, in turn, has confirmed that it will consult my Department on any decision regarding the ownership of the shareholding.

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Questions (707)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

707. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the pilot scheme which is planned to encourage persons to take up residential occupancy of premises in towns and villages as part of the action plan for rural development has commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37934/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The relevant functions in respect of rural and regional development and related matters transferred to my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development on 27 July last.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (708)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

708. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports, financial or otherwise, her Department has given to a local authority for a building (details supplied); the amount the local authority applied for; the amount it received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37982/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.

Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings, including the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.

In 2015, the local authority sought funding in the amount of €60,000 for conservation work to be carried out on a Gate Lodge located at the entrance of the building referred to by the Deputy. In this regard, my Department provided a contributory grant of €40,000 through the Structures at Risk Fund to the local authority for this specific project.

Architectural Heritage

Questions (709)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

709. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding has been sought from her Department to improve a building (details supplied); her plans regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37983/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My role, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. There are a number of ways in which my Department acts in respect of supporting possible heritage sites/buildings deemed to be at risk.

Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings, including the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund. Both these schemes are administered through the local authorities.

No application for funding has been received by my Department for works to the building in 2017. I am advised, that prior to my appointment as Minister, an application was received under the Structures at Risk Fund in 2012 however, due to resource constraints, it was not possible to fund the project at the time. Should an application be submitted in the future, my Department will consider it.

Brexit Staff

Questions (710, 711)

Joan Burton

Question:

710. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in her Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37988/17]

Joan Burton

Question:

711. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff deployed full-time in her Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38004/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together.

As I advised the House in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 316 of 4 July 2017, a Working Group, chaired at Assistant Secretary level and composed of officials from across the Department was established last year to deal with Brexit issues. This Working Group is supported by the Department's EU Coordination Unit which is also responsible for managing those issues relating to Brexit that fall within my Department’s remit.

The Department also has a full time dedicated attaché assigned to Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels. This officer is a member of the Department’s Working Group and is also fully involved in the preparations by Ireland’s diplomatic team in Brussels.

These arrangements are being kept under review and will be enhanced if required in the coming period.

Construction Costs

Questions (712)

Joan Burton

Question:

712. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by her Department in the 18 months to September 2017 in respect of construction projects; the way in which she monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms her Department employs to establish this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38020/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department's capital expenditure is largely concentrated on enterprise supports, refurbishment projects in the National Cultural Institutions, National Parks, Waterways network and various other capital grant schemes. Inflation measures are of more value in the management of multi-annual construction programmes.

My Department seeks at all times to ensure value for money in the delivery of its individual capital supports. Where appropriate, my Department is sanctioning authority for certain projects as set out under the Public Spending Code and ensures value for money through a range of measures including ensuring compliance with public procurement procedures in partnership with the relevant contracting authorities and the Office of Government Procurement. Capital supports are provided in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Circular 13/2014 on the Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds, which provides guidance to Government Departments on ensuring that all Exchequer funds, regardless of the method of distribution, are accounted for and properly managed.

Departmental Funding

Questions (713)

Michael McGrath

Question:

713. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has received a request for additional funding for a project (details supplied) in Cork city in addition to the €12 million already committed by the Government; the process in order to assess such funding requests; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38114/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The project referred to by the Deputy is being developed and managed by Cork City Council and the Council is responsible for the delivery of the project. My Department allocated €12 million to the City Council towards the cost of the project. 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.

Cork City Council have indicated that the overall project costs have risen from €65 million up to between €67 million and €73 million. However, the Council and contractor have not yet finalised the full cost due to design changes required to provide full multi-functionality for the centre. My Department is continuing to liaise with Cork City Council on a regular basis in relation to the project.

Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment

Questions (714)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

714. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has commenced the process to fill the position of director for Creative Ireland; and the process through which this vacancy will be filled. [38138/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I intend to fill the post of Director of Creative Ireland through an open competition, managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). I am advised that applications for the position will be sought shortly.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (715)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

715. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her Department's capital expenditure for 2016 and 2017, by subhead. [38139/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

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 Comptroller and Auditor 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 – I am advised that the 2016 Appropriation Accounts for my Department and all Government Departments are due to be published on this website shortly.

Details of expenditure, at Vote level, in respect of my Department and all Government Departments are published by the Department of Finance. Details of gross voted expenditure for 2016 are available at http://www.per.gov.ie/en/exchequer-statements/

Details of provisional capital expenditure figures in respect of my Department at Vote level as of 31 July 2017 are available at:

http://www.finance.gov.ie/updates/monthly-revenues-and-expenditures-of-all-subsectors-of-general-government-for-july-2017/

Public Services Card

Questions (716)

John Curran

Question:

716. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she or bodies and agencies under the remit of her Department plan to make services or payments dependent on the mandatory use and production of the public services card; if so, the services and payments which will now be dependent on the mandatory use of the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38144/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

A Public Services Card is not required for access to any of the services currently provided by my Department or any body under its aegis. I am also advised that there are currently no proposals to make services or payments dependant on the mandatory use and production of the public services card.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (717)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

717. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost her Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38219/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The cost to my department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees and the financial institutions to which the payments were made are detailed in the following table.

Financial Institution	2012 (€'s)	2013 (€'s)	2014 (€'s)	2015 (€'s)	2016 (€'s)	2017 YTD (€'s)
Visa	94.72	98.10	98.10	98.10	98.10	79.05
Elavon Financial Services	3,290.00	4,889.20	4,081.71	6,580.66	5,682.85	3,460.55
An Post	-	8.70	9.50	11.10	6.60	2.90
Bank of Ireland	89.87	322.69	344.99	196.53	129.91	127.30
Allied Irish Bank	-	-	12.68	-	-	-
Ulster Bank	-	-	13.30	19.71	-	-

It should be noted that the payments to Elavon Financial Services are to facilitate credit/debit card payments by visitors to National Parks and the National Archives of Ireland. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has a centralised Framework Agreement with Elavon Financial Services.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (718, 719)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

718. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of men and women, respectively, in her Department who hold posts (details supplied). [38220/17]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

719. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of women and men, respectively, employed in her Department, in tabular form. [38221/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 718 and 719 together.

I am advised that the following tables show the number of men and women in my Department who hold the posts identified, and the total number of men and women in my Department.

Post	Male	Female	Total
Secretary General	0	1	1
Second Secretary	0	0	0
Deputy Secretary	0	0	0
Assistant Secretary	4	0	4
Principal (PO) and equivalent	16	5	21
Assistant Principal (AP) and equivalent	48	42	90
Total	68	48	116

Department Staff	Male	Female	Total
Total	316	327	643

Departmental Funding

Questions (720)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

720. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of discussions with Cork City Council for further funding of the Cork event centre; the discussions which have taken place to date; the number of times she or her officials have met Cork City Council officials and the contractor on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38245/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Cork Event Centre is a project being developed and managed by Cork City Council and the Council is responsible for the delivery of the project. 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.

Cork City Council have indicated that the overall project costs have risen from €65 million up to between €67 million and €73 million. However, the Council and contractor have not yet finalised the full cost due to design changes required to provide full multi-functionality for the centre. My Department is continuing to liaise with Cork City Council on a regular basis in relation to the project.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (721, 722)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

721. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual percentage of non-commercial State sponsored bodies' staff under the remit of her Department who were women in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38359/17]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

722. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual percentage of public service staff under the remit of her Department who were women in each of the years 2010 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38382/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 721 and 722 together.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established in June 2011, this was reconfigured in 2016 to become the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and further reconfigured in July 2017 to become the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The information sought by the Deputy is provided in the following tables in respect of the period from 2011 onwards.

1. Public service employees under the remit of the Department

Year	% Female
2011	43
2012	44
2013	44
2014	45
2015	46
2016	47
2017 (September)	46

2. Employees of non-commercial bodies under the aegis of the Department

Year	% Female
2011	43
2012	43
2013	43
2014	44
2015	45
2016	45
2017	44

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (723)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

723. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to Údarás na Gaeltachta in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form, distinguishing between capital and current allocation. [38438/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in tabular format as follows:

Year	Capital €m	Current (Admin) €m	Current (Programmes) €m	Total €m
2011	6.0	10.3	3.3	19.6
2012	5.938	9.871	3.273	19.082
2013	6.0	9.009	3.4	18.409
2014	5.687	8.798	3.0	17.485
2015	6.687	8.798	3.0	18.485
2016	9.087*	8.823	3.0	20.910
2017	8.187**	8.958	3.250	20.395

* An additional capital allocation of €2.4m, arising from savings elsewhere in the Department’s Vote, was secured for an tÚdarás in 2016 and is included in the figure provided.

** An additional capital allocation of €1.5m, arising from savings elsewhere in the Department’s Vote, has been secured for an tÚdarás to date in 2017 and is included in the figure provided.

Culture Ireland

Questions (724)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

724. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to Culture Ireland in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form, distinguishing between capital and current allocations. [38439/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The allocations to the Culture Ireland Division of my Department from 2011 to 2017, all of which are current, are outlined in the following table.

2011	€6.997m	€3.997m core, plus €3m once-off provision for Imagine Ireland initiative
2012	€4.31m	Including EU Presidency funds of €0.77m
2013	€3.997m	Including EU Presidency funds of €0.811m
2014	€2.5m
2015	€2.5m
2016	€5m	Including €2.5m for I Am Ireland Centenary Programme
2017	€3.5m

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (725, 726, 727)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

725. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the national cultural institutions in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form, distinguishing between capital and current allocations (details supplied). [38440/17]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

726. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the Arts Council in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form, distinguishing between capital and current allocations. [38441/17]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

727. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the Irish Film Board in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form, distinguishing between capital and current allocations. [38442/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 725 to 727, inclusive, together.

The allocations for the National Cultural Institutions, referred to by the Deputy, together with the Irish Film Board and the Arts Council for the years 2011 to 2017, and that spent to date in 2017 are as set out in the following tables.

Year	National Museum of Ireland
	Current	Capital	Total
2011	€12,240,000	€2,000,000	€14,240,000
2012	€11,585,000	€1,000,000	€12,585,000
2013	€10,769,000	€905,000	€11,674,000
2014	€10,960,000	€958,000	€11,918,000
2015	€11,346,000	€958,000	€12,304,000
2016	€11,162,000	€958,000	€12,120,000
2017	€11,743,000	€1,108,000	€12,851,000
2017 paid to date	€7,557,951	€648,000	€8,205,951
Year	Chester Beatty Library
	Current	Capital	Total
2011	€2,475,000	€104,000	€2,579,000
2012	€2,378,000	€220,000	€2,598,000
2013	€2,229,000	€182,000	€2,411,000
2014	€2,125,000	€175,000	€2,300,000
2015	€2,225,000	€175,000	€2,400,000
2016	€2,229,000	€175,000	€2,404,000
2017	€2,346,000	€175,000	€2,521,000
2017 paid to date	€1,142,000	€87,000	€1,229,000
Year	Crawford Art Gallery
	Current	Capital	Total
2011	€1,075,000	€275,000	€1,350,000
2012	€1,033,000	€220,000	€1,253,000
2013	€1,032,000	€165,000	€1,197,000
2014	€968,000	€162,000	€1,130,000
2015	€1,089,000	€162,000	€1,251,000
2016	€1,072,000	€162,000	€1,234,000
2017	€1,176,000	€162,000	€1,338,000
2017 paid to date	€881,640	€121,500	€1,003,140
Year	Irish Museum of Modern Art
	Current	Capital	Total
2011	€5,216,000	€877,000	€6,093,000
2012	€5,112,000	€280,000	€5,392,000
2013	€4,617,000	€331,000	€4,948,000
2014	€4,387,000	€320,000	€4,707,000
2015	€4,487,000	€320,000	€4,807,000
2016	€4,493,000	€320,000	€4,813,000
2017	€4,748,000	€320,000	€5,068,000
2017 paid to date	€3,651,000	€240,000	€3,891,000

It should be noted that the figures for the National Gallery do not include the funding provided in respect of the recent restoration of the historic wings of the Gallery.