Written Answers Nos. 572-595
572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application pursuant to section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47108/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
573. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make contact with the management of An Garda Síochána to ensure that all future recruits are trained to drive Garda patrol vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47109/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying out and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that under the Modernisation and Reform Programme 2016 -2021 there is a specific recommendation in relation to Garda Drivers including in relation to training. In its Third Progress Report, which I published in September, the Policing Authority reported that work is underway in this area however they also noted that more needs to be done. An Garda Síochána is continuing to work towards fully implementing this recommendation and the Policing Authority will continue to monitor and report on progress in relation to this.
574. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if provisions from Operation Thor will be made available in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal over the winter months in 2017 to attempt to crack down on gangs operating in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47110/17]
View answerWhile the deployment of Garda resources is an operational matter for Garda management, I want to assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the impact of crime on rural communities, including the serious damage perpetrated by organised gangs in rural areas, particularly in terms of burglary and other property-related crime.
I am informed that Garda activities in relation to Operation Thor are conducted in each county, including Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. The operation involves a broad range of activities to tackle organised crime gangs and other prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. This comprehensive operation is supported by the enhanced Government investment in Garda resources, including an allocation of almost €100 million for Garda overtime in 2017. We have also invested heavily in the Garda fleet, with over 720 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015 and a provision of €46 million for continuing to purchase new Garda vehicles over the years 2016-2021.
These additional investments in policing make it possible to maintain and extend a range of intensive policing operations, including the continued targeting of burglaries and related crime via Operation Thor.
Under Operation Thor An Garda Síochána has undertaken 87,060 targeted checkpoints and 65,960 crime prevention patrols nationwide. This concentrated policing activity has produced in the region of 6,060 arrests and 6,700 charges covering a range of offences which, in addition to burglary, have included handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences.
The success of the Garda measures to tackle burglary being implemented through Operation Thor is borne out by latest available CSO crime figures which show a very significant decline in property related crime. It is encouraging to note that since the launch of Operation Thor in late 2015, the CSO burglary figures showed a significant 30% decrease in burglary for the twelve months of 2016 when compared to 2015. Indeed, burglary figures for Sligo/Leitrim and Donegal Divisions show decreases in burglary of 33%, which is just above the national average of 30%.
This Government has also made it a particular priority to strengthen our legislative provisions through the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015 which is targeted at repeat burglars who have previous convictions and who are charged with multiple offences of residential burglary. This new legislation is now available to support the work which is being carried out by An Garda Síochána under Operation Thor.
The Programme for Government underlines the need for close engagement between An Garda Síochána and local communities. This is an essential feature of the strong community policing ethos which has long been central to policing in this jurisdiction. The Deputy will be aware that, as part of the overall strategy to oppose criminality, the Garda authorities pursue a range of partnerships with community stakeholders, including the farming organisations.
There are a range of partnership initiatives which have been established between An Garda Síochána and important rural-based organisations such as the Irish Farmers Association, Muintir na Tíre and other rural community organisations. These include the very effective Community Alert Programme, which receives annual funding from my Department, as well as the work of the Metal Theft Forum, the Crimestoppers campaign highlighting the theft of Livestock, the Theftstop initiative in relation to farm equipment, and the highly successful Garda Text Alert Scheme.
Furthermore, I was pleased to recently announce that an additional €100,000 was being made available to Text Alert Groups, registered with An Garda Síochána, to provide modest financial assistance with the running costs they incur each year. This Text Alert Rebate Scheme will be administered by Muintir na Tíre and Groups wishing to participate in the Scheme can find more details at www.muintir.ie.
The Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 places a strong emphasis on developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation and enhancing the current delivery model so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. It will result in the introduction of multi-skilled Community Policing Teams in every District. Community Policing Teams will be made-up of Gardaí from a number of different units who will work with the local community to prevent and detect crime. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and will enhance the provision of effective Community Policing throughout the country.
The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. The substantial increase in Garda numbers is tangible progress on achieving this Government's vision of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
Budget 2018 will support the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College, an additional 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. In addition, there are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
575. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to utilise the site and property of the old Dingle hospital to develop an innovation hub for Dingle and west County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45790/17]
View answerI have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that the site/property referred to by the Deputy is owned by the HSE and comprises a building of over 2,500 square metres which is registered as a protected structure and which is situated on a 21.53 acre site.
In recent months a local development group, Mol Teic, has engaged with the HSE with a view to ensuring that this important part of the local community infrastructure can be redeveloped with the support of the relevant public authorities and development agencies. To this end, discussions are ongoing with the HSE and it has been agreed that an investment and development plan be prepared by the local development group.
Funding is currently being sought from Údarás na Gaeltachta to support the planning and research phase of the project. The local development group will engage with the various public agencies and funding bodies during this planning phase to establish the overall strategy and vision for the facility, to examine the feasibility of different development options and to finalise a business plan which will secure the sustainability of the proposed development in the longer-term.
A working group has been established locally including Mol Teic and the relevant development agencies. It is hoped that the development and investment plan will be completed by mid-March, 2018.
At this juncture it is envisaged that the redevelopment will create a regional development centre of local and national significance and provide the requisite facilities, infrastructure and services to accommodate an integrated range of services.
576. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funds invested by Údarás na Gaeltachta in projects on Achill Island since 2011, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45770/17]
View answerThe information requested by the deputy in respect of years 2011 and onwards has been outlined in the tabular format.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 to date |
|
|
Capital Grants Paid |
€76,104 |
€11,633 |
€8,271 |
€17,684 |
€91,452 |
€181,457 |
€28,223 |
|
Capital Projects |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€141,576 |
€90,928 |
|
Administration Grant paid to Local Co-Op |
€77,500 |
€72,688 |
€70,000 |
€69,000 |
€70,000 |
€74,000 |
€71,000 |
|
Total |
€153,604 |
€84,321 |
€78,271 |
€86,684 |
€161,452 |
€397,033 |
€190,151 |
577. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the external company undertaking an audit of her departmental website; the cost of the audit; the timeframe for its completion. [45856/17]
View answerThere is currently no audit being undertaken of my Department's website.
578. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the monitoring that has been carried out in respect of the Irish hare in the past ten years since the survey of 2006-07; the reports her Department has made to the European Commission in the same period regarding the population status of the Irish hare; the summary conclusions these included regarding the species' health; if this report will be brought before Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45912/17]
View answerThe EU Habitats Directive requires Ireland to make a detailed report every six years on the conservation status of all listed species, including the hare. Ireland’s last report in 2013 included a comprehensive assessment of the range, population status, habitat and threats for the Irish hare. The report can be downloaded at https://www.npws.ie/article-17-reports-0/article-17-reports-2013. The next report is due in 2019.
The 2013 report stated that the Hare is found throughout the country from coastal habitats to upland heath and bog. Hares in Ireland are more abundant in lowland, farmland habitat, while upland areas support lower densities of the species. As a result, changes in agricultural practice can have a significant impact on hare populations.
The hare is widespread and common in Ireland with a broad habitat niche. None of the identified threats are considered likely to impact on its conservation status in the foreseeable future and the Overall Status is assessed as Favourable.
Data on the distribution of the hare is being collected continuously by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the recent Atlas of Mammals in Ireland 2010-2015 provided a summary of the species’ range, demonstrating that it remains widespread across the country.
My Department recently commissioned a new assessment of the status of hare’s population in Ireland. The survey work to inform this population assessment will extend over two years to provide for a comprehensive review of the national situation. The first round of surveys will begin in December 2017, with a second survey season to follow in winter 2018/19. The final report is due in July 2019.
579. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the meetings of the strategic communications unit she or her departmental officials have attended; the date and location of each such meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45988/17]
View answerOfficials of my Department and I received a presentation from the Strategic Communications Unit of the Department of the Taoiseach at my Department's offices in Kildare Street, Dublin 2, on 11 October last.
580. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the last time her Department's website was revamped or remodelled; the cost of same; if she or her departmental officials have been consulted regarding creating one stand-alone online Government portal website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46005/17]
View answerThe last major development of my Department's website was carried out in 2015 and the cost amounted to €35,178.00.
As part of the Government's eGovernment strategy 2017- 2020 the Office of the Chief Information Officer has been working on the development of a Digital Service Gateway - a single digital point where citizens can easily access information about the Government services that are available to them. This work, which began at beginning of this year is ongoing and will involve the rationalisation of existing Government websites and online services over time. This project will be managed and developed by existing resources within the civil service.
581. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the investment in her Department's website since 2011, including total associated costs incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46022/17]
View answerThe cost of development and maintenance of my Department's website from 2011 to date in 2017 has been €88,295.
582. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of departmental staff in her press office; the reporting relationship in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46039/17]
View answerThere are currently four staff assigned to the Department’s Press Office which is headed by a Press Officer at Assistant Principal Officer level. The Press Officer works closely with the offices of the Minister and Minister of State, while reporting to the Head of Corporate Governance and Services.
583. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the protocol for attendance by staff both civil servants and political non civil servants to continuing professional development programmes and courses; the number of staff both civil servants and political non civil servants in her department that participated in such programmes on an annual basis in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the costs incurred by her department for persons that participated in these courses; the providers of all such courses; the subject areas of all courses and programmes provided, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46056/17]
View answerI am advised that my Department supports the continuous professional development of all Departmental staff and does not distinguish between civil servants and non civil servants. Staff attendance on particular programmes or courses is based on an annual Learning and Development Plan which outlines my Department's key learning and development priorities, based on business needs.
As my Department was initially formed on 2 June 2011, the first year for which full year figures are available is 2012. The number of staff who attended continued professional development programmes and courses, the providers, and my Department's total annual expenditure on same, are set out in tabular form below for the period 2012 to date in 2017. It should be noted that, for the period 7th July 2016 to 31 July 2017, this includes details for staff who transferred, in 2016, into the newly configured Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and left in 2017, to join the newly formed Department of Rural and Community Development.
The subject areas of all courses and programmes provided from 2011 to 2017 are as follows
- Core skills: Leadership Development and People Management, Core Skills for Executive and Clerical Officers, Civil Service Disciplinary Code and Managing Underperformance, Presentation skills, Coaching, Chairing meetings, Minute Taking, Policy Development and Regulatory Impact Analysis, Legislative Process, Freedom of Information, Project Management, Social Media
- Health and Safety: Manual Handling, Fire Safety, Occupational First Aid, Firearms Safety, Safe Pass, Safety Representative, Rifle Users training, Pesticides Use, Chainsaw Use, Evacuation Chair, Driver CPC, Off Road Dumpers, Tractor Driving, Trailer Towing, Mountain Rescue Skills, Deep Sea Survival, Conflict Resolution, Defibrillator and Cardiac First Responder, Conservation Repair, Photography; Tree Survey & Inspection
- Irish Language Skills at various levels
- Corporate, HR and Financial: Records Management, Child Protection, Data Protection, Understanding Financial Reports of Public Bodies, Financial Management, Bookkeeping and Accounting, ICT courses, E-Tenders, Procurement, Public Spending Code, Audit Skills, Identifying fraud, Workplace Investigations, Employee Law, Human Resources, Interviewer Board training, Interviewee Preparation, Pensions administration
- Subject areas of academic programmes undertaken by staff and supported by the Department: Environmental Management/Conservation/Sustainability, Horticulture, Ecology, Biology, Irish language and literature, Linguistics, Language Planning, Architecture/Architectural conservation, Urban planning, Records Management and Information Rights, Archival Studies, Genealogy, Archaeology, Accounting, Finance and Information Systems, Audit Skills, Business Studies, Computer Studies, GIS, Museum Studies, Leadership and Strategy, Policy Analysis, Public Management, Human Resource Management, Governance, Civil Service and State Agency Studies, Project Management, Managing Change, Technical Writing, Data Protection Practice, Law, Marketing, Psychology.
For completeness, a list of conferences and seminars attended by staff in my Department between 2011 and 2017 is also attached as a separate file. The diversity of courses undertaken reflects the broad range of work undertaken by my Department. It should be noted that it is anticipated that the Department's core training needs will be increasingly met from a shared Learning and Development Service for the Civil Service in 2018 and beyond.
584. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the public relations companies or agencies the services of which her Department used for information campaigns since 1 January 2017; and the costs incurred to date in 2017. [46073/17]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of the public relations companies or agencies the services used for information campaigns since 1 January 2017 and associated costs is set out in a table.
|
Year |
Company |
Service Provided |
Cost |
|
2017 |
Nicholas Quaife |
Public Relations - Creative Ireland Programme |
€2,988 |
585. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she has taken to ensure that grant-aided organisations are spending their moneys appropriately in view of the revelations regarding a charity (details supplied) in 2016; if her attention has been drawn to concerns relating to organisations funded by her Department; if so, the action she has taken; if her Department has issued new procedures regarding the use of credit cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46090/17]
View answerAll grants allocated and paid by my Department are administered in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Public and Expenditure Reform's Circular 13/2014 on the Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. My Department also operates a strict oversight and liaison regime in respect of all bodies and organisations in receipt of regular/annual funding, which is subject to ongoing review. I have not been made aware of concerns in relation to any organisation funded by my Department.
586. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of all planning and research work under way on the impact of the result of Brexit negotiations in her Department or related State agencies; if this analysis is intended for publication; the expected completion and publication date respectively of this research, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46116/17]
View answerThe Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with his colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies.
Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental coordination structures. These represent a frequent and active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit, including its priorities for the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.
As the outcome of the negotiations is not yet known, an important focus of the planning and preparation being undertaken through these structures is on deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios. This represents an intensification of efforts to build on the Government's contingency planning.
In relation to the work undertaken by my Department with regard to Brexit, I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions No 923 of 20 June, No 257 of 12 July and No 741 of 11 September.
The arrangements described in these replies are kept under constant review and will be enhanced as required in light of the ongoing preparations for Brexit.
587. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a chuirfear na sonraí chugam a gealladh i bhfreagra ar cheist pharlaiminteach (sonraí tugtha) a cuireadh an 10/10/2017; cén fáth go bhfuil moill ar an eolas; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [46130/17]
View answerTuigim ó mo chuid oifigigh go bhfuil an fhaisnéis seo, a sheol me chuig an Teachta an tseachtain seo caite, faighte aige anois. Is oth liom go raibh moill le soláthar na faisnéise seo.
588. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the pension entitlements for employees of the former Bord Na Leabhar Gaeilge (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46141/17]
View answerI am advised that the North South Ministerial Council in its meeting of 26 October 2007 approved the proposal to transfer the functions of Board na Leabhar Gaeilge to Foras na Gaeilge, from 1 January 2008. On becoming staff of Foras na Gaeilge the former Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge staff were admitted into the North South Pension Scheme.
At the time of transfer there was no superannuation scheme for Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge and staff were not in a pension scheme.
Foras Na Gaeilge wrote to my Department in May 2017 requesting that service with Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge be made pensionable in respect of those staff who transferred. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform advised that in order to transfer service, staff would need to have been members of a pension scheme that is part of the Public Service Transfer Network. The former staff of Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge were not members of a public service pension scheme prior to their transfer in to Foras na Gaeilge and, therefore, they were ineligible to transfer service.
Foras na Gaeilge has recently written seeking to review the matter and I am advised that my Department is seeking further advice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in that regard.
589. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí sonraí a sholáthar maidir leis an bpleanáil do thonnchosc i Machaire Rabhartaigh i gContae Dhún na nGall, an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí breise i dtaobh cén maoiniú atá ar fáil don staid phleanála den togra, cén uair a cheadaigh a roinn an maoiniú seo agus cén clár ama beacht atá ann maidir le dul chun cinn an togra seo, mar a comhaontaíodh le comhairle contae Dhún na nGall, ós rud é go bhfuil cead tugtha anois ag an roinn an togra a bhogadh ar aghaidh go dtí an staid phleanála; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [46161/17]
View answerTuairim is deich mbliana ó shin, ghlac oifigigh mo Roinne páirt i togra INTERREG, i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an Roinn Forbartha Réigiúnda ó thuaidh agus Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries Ltd agus Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. in Alban, ar mhaithe le báid farantóireachta agus céanna a dhearadh d'oileáin beaga sna trí dlínse. Dearadh bád farantóireachta do Thoraí agus oibreacha feabhsúcháin do Ché Mhachaire Rabhartaigh le freastal ar an mbád sin mar chuid den togra sin. Tá obair ar bun laistigh de mo Roinn faoi láthair chun an gné áirithe sin den togra a thabhairt chun cinn arís. Ach an obair sin a bheith curtha gcríoch, beidh mo Roinn i dteagmháil le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall gan mhoill ag lorg cruinnithe chun an t-ábhar a phlé agus an chéad céim eile sa phróiseas pleanála don togra a aontú. San áireamh anseo, beidh athnuachan le déanamh ar na costais a measadh don togra deich mbliain ó shin agus miondearadh le déanamh ar an mbád agus ar an gcé. Bunófar coiste chomh maith le hionadaíocht ó phobal Thoraigh, ó Chomhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall agus ó mo Roinn fhéin chun an togra a bhrú chun cinn.
Mar is gnáth le tograí móra caipitil a bhíonn á maoiniú ag mo Roinn, ceadófar maoiniú ina leith ag céimeanna éagsúla de na forbairtí, de réir mar is gá.
590. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a request regarding a land designation (details supplied) will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46201/17]
View answerIreland, like all Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Nature Directives. The Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation within special areas of conservation and special protection areas. The Directives have been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, the Planning Acts and the Wildlife Acts.
In advance of the designation of a site, my Department writes to all identified land owners with a legal interest in the site, outlining the intention to designate the site, the appeals process and how to get further information. Public notices in relation to the proposed designation are placed in the media. Government Departments, public authorities, State and semi-State agencies and bodies representing environmental, farming and business interests are also notified directly.
In 2012, the special protection area, referred to in the Deputy's Question, was formally designated by Statutory Instrument.
I understand that the land referred to in the Deputy's Question and now proposed for inclusion in the special protected area, as substitute land, lacks the habitat suitable for the inclusion of this land in the site.
Therefore, it is not open to me to designate this land.
591. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the various locations and the years in which the national Famine commemoration has been held in since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46360/17]
View answerThe National Famine Commemoration was announced by the then Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2008 at an official reception to complement a community event held in Dublin that day. The inaugural meeting of the National Famine Commemoration Committee was subsequently held in July of that year. Its main tasks were to consider the most appropriate arrangements for future national commemorations of the Great Famine and to organise such commemorations in 2009 and following years.
The first National Famine Commemoration to integrate both local input and formal State ceremonials was held in Skibbereen in 2009. Since then, the event has been held annually in a similar dual format in Murrisk (2010), Clones (2011), Drogheda (2012), Kilrush (2013), Strokestown (2014), Newry (2015), Glasnevin Cemetery (2016) and this year in Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary.
As I announced recently, the 2018 National Famine Commemoration will take place next May in University College Cork.
592. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contracts her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department have with a company (details supplied) or its subsidiaries; the value of the contracts; the year in which the contracts were concluded; when the contracts will be up for renewal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46369/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of contracts held by my Department and those bodies under its aegis with the company specified by the deputy, or subsidiaries of that company, is set out in the following tables:.
|
Body/Agency |
National Gallery of Ireland |
|
Purpose of Contract |
INTEGRA 2-Financial Management System |
|
Value of Contract |
€144,927 exclusive VAT |
|
Year Contract Concluded |
2016 |
|
Renewal Date of Contracts |
2021 |
|
Body/ Agency |
Waterways Ireland |
|
Purpose of Contract |
Financial Management System |
|
Value of Contract |
€232,022 |
|
Year Contract Concluded |
3 years to 30/11/2017 |
|
Renewal Date of Contracts |
01/12/2017 |
593. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the communications and meetings she and her Department have had in 2017 with the owners of a site (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46425/17]
View answerWith interests in adjoining properties, my Department and the owners of the site referred are in contact from time to time, as necessary, to deal with related matters. One meeting that was mainly concerned with electrical services, and which was also attended by the Office of Public Works, has taken place during the period in question. I personally have not met the owners in question.
594. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the names of the special advisers employed in her Department; the names of special advisers to Ministers of State in her Department; the annual salary of each adviser; if these persons were special advisers immediately prior to taking up their current roles or immediately prior to the June 2017 Cabinet reshuffle; if so, the Minister to whom they were appointed; the date each special adviser was appointed with effect as stated in the Government order; the date of the Government order; if they received a salary for the period before the appointment order was signed in the case of special advisers whose appointment order date has an effect date earlier than the order date; if so, by whom they were paid; if a special adviser during a period later backdated by appointment order had access to confidential material and-or Cabinet papers; if they were subject to the Official Secrets Act 1963 during this period; if persons currently employed as special advisers have not yet been appointed by order since the Cabinet reshuffle of 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46464/17]
View answerThere are two Special Advisers employed by my Department. Mr. Pauric McPhillips was initially appointed on the 19th July 2016, and signed all appropriate documents including the Official Secrets Act. Mr. McPhillips remained on the Department's payroll as Special Adviser following the June 2017 reconfiguration of Departments and was officially re-appointed by Government Order made on 26 July 2017 with effect from 14 June 2017. This is in line with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines. Mr. Mc Phillips is on the 2nd point of the Principal Officer salary scale. Ms. Lucy Moylan was appointed as Special Adviser on the 18th September 2017 on the first point of the Principal Officer salary scale. The Government Order appointing Ms. Moylan was made on the 19th September 2017 with effect from 18 September 2017.
Joe McHugh TD is Minister of State at my Department with responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands. He does not have Special Advisers appointed in his capacity as Minister of State.
595. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing difficulties in the animation industry with the recruitment and visa authorisation of international talent; and the steps she is taking to address this issue. [46557/17]
View answerIssues around recruitment of skills and talent in the Irish film, television and animation industry training through Screen Training Ireland are examined in the recently published National Strategy for Training and Education for the Audio-visual Industry which was commissioned by The Irish Film Board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
The report has now been published and is available at https://www.irishfilmboard.ie/news/bai-and-ifb-report-calls-for-government-policy-on-training-for-the-film-tel.
The recommendations of this study, along with an economic analysis of our screen based creative industries which my Department has commissioned in partnership with the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Business, Enterprise and Innovation, are providing inputs for the development of an industry-wide long term plan for Ireland as a global hub for the production of Film, TV Drama and Animation under Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland Programme.
The issue of employment visas is a matter for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
