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Tuesday, 14 Nov 2017

Written Answers Nos. 231-246

Garda Information and Communications Technology

Questions (231)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

231. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the policies in place for updating the PULSE system when amending road traffic legislation is introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48241/17]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the efficient use of Garda resources in the State, including arrangements for upgrading and maintenance of ICT systems. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 is intended to professionalise, modernise and renew An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organisation can meet present and future challenges. The Programme places an emphasis on technology projects with the aim improving the services delivered to communities by members of An Garda Síochána. I understand  from the Garda authorities that relevant arrangements are in place to ensure that the PULSE system is upgraded as appropriate to reflect relevant legislative changes.

The Government is highly supportive of enhanced technology systems being available to An Garda Síochána and this is underpinned by significant investment under the Capital Plan of some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT.

Garda Procedures

Questions (232)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

232. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to overhaul the system for issuing and processing fixed-charge notices by An Garda Síochána in view of the findings of a report (details supplied) to the Policing Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48242/17]

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Written answers

The Crowe Horwath report to the Policing Authority on matters relating to Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and road traffic summonses issued by An Garda Síochána was presented to my Department on 31 October and the Authority published the report on 1 November 2017.  

The overall theme of the report is that the solutions put in place to prevent recurrence of the Fixed Charge Processing System-related issues are effective but that there is a risk that the issues could reoccur in other areas. Crowe Horwath recommends that the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) requires “a complete overhaul, with a strategic approach to identify what should be delivered, and then building the systems and processes around this”.  

The multi-agency Criminal Justice (FCPS) Working Group, which oversees the implementation of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate's FCPS report, 'The Fixed Charge Processing System – A 21st Century Strategy' (February 2014), and which is jointly chaired by my Department, has engaged directly with the Policing Authority following the publication of the Crowe Horwath report. The Working Group held a workshop to look at the 'Future Vision' for the FCPS on 2 November and invited representatives from the Policing Authority to participate in the workshop. The Working Group agreed to organise the workshop at its previous meeting in September, prior to the finalisation of the report commissioned by the Authority.  

The Crowe Horwath report recommends that the Working Group should examine the recommendations relating to the FCPS made by Crowe Horwarth and the Working Group has agreed to do so in the context of its development of a future vision for the FCPS. The Working Group will consider the outcome of the FCPS Future Vision Workshop at its next meeting on 29 November, together with an assessment of how to implement the recommendations in the Crowe Horwath report relating to the FCPS.  

By way of next steps, Crowe Horwath recommends that An Garda Síochána should establish Project Teams, led by Assistant Commissioner or equivalent senior level, to examine all of the issues contained in its report with a view to producing detailed implementation plans within 8 weeks.  

I met with the Chair of the Policing Authority, Josephine Feehily, and Garda Commissioner Ó Cualáin on 1 November and asked that the Policing Authority work closely with An Garda Síochána to ensure the report's recommendations are implemented urgently.  The Policing Authority will seek an initial response from the Garda Commissioner on the recommendations contained and their implementation at the Authority's next public meeting on 23 November.

Garda Equipment

Questions (233)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

233. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount allocated to investment in technology for roadside breath tests from 2013 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48243/17]

View answer

Written answers

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 5 April 2017 wherein I indicated my understanding that the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) purchase breath testing equipment. The Deputy will be aware that the MBRS falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, T.D.

The position remains unchanged.

My reply to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 5 April 2017 was as follows:

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) purchase breath testing equipment. The MBRS falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, T.D. To be of assistance, my Department will make arrangements for the MBRS to respond to the Deputy's question directly.

Garda Operations

Questions (234)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

234. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the level of funding allocated by his Department to Operation Thor each year between 2013 and 2017, by Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48244/17]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources in the State and, as Minister, I have no role in relation to the matter.

The Deputy will be aware that Operation Thor commenced in November 2015 and 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 is supported by the enhanced Government investment in Garda resources, including an allocation of almost €90 million for Garda overtime in 2017 and almost €100 million for 2018.

This 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. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.

In addition, the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda Fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet and this is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In the period 2013 to end of 2017 almost €44 million will have been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.

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 we have seen over 92,040 targeted checkpoints and 71,700 crime prevention patrols nationwide. This concentrated policing activity has produced in the region of 6,130 arrests and 6,920 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 have shown a significant 30% decrease in burglary for the twelve months of 2016 when compared to 2015.

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 well-established 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

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, and I will contact him directly when this information is to hand.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision

Questions (235, 236)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

235. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the roll-out of CCTV surveillance cameras on the motorway network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48245/17]

View answer

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

236. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications lodged and the number and amount of allocations awarded under the community-based CCTV grant aid scheme, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48246/17]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems and, in this context, my Department launched the Community-based CCTV Grant-aid Scheme in April 2017 to assist community groups in the establishment of CCTV systems in their local areas.

Under the Scheme, eligible community groups can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000. Upon approval of the grant, the applicant will receive an up-front payment of 50% of the grant with the balance to be paid when the system is fully operational. Some €1 million was secured in Budget 2017 for the purposes of the Scheme and it is envisaged that a similar amount will be made available in 2018 and 2019.

Full details of the Scheme, including guidelines, application forms, code of practice and other relevant documentation are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie.

I would draw attention, in particular, to some of the key requirements of the Scheme which require that the proposal must:

- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,

- have the prior support of the relevant Local Authority, which must also act as Data Controller – this is a long-standing statutory requirement, set out in the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 289 of 2006), for the establishment of community CCTV systems generally, and

- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner in accordance with Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

This Scheme is based extensively on the previous grant-aid Scheme operated by Pobal on behalf of my Department between 2005 and 2013 under which some 45 Community-based CCTV systems were established operating in a mix of urban and rural environments.

Unfortunately, the number of applications received to date is well below expectations. To date, 6 applications have been received, in addition to a significant number of enquiries about the Scheme. As these applications were incomplete, they were returned to the applicants concerned to enable them to provide the information necessary to qualify for grant-aid. 

Guidance is available to help local groups in both rural and urban areas to apply for this important funding and I am keen to ensure that groups take full advantage of the availability of this funding.

Garda Strength

Questions (237)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

237. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspectors, sergeants, gardaí and civilians in An Garda Síochána each year between 2013 and 2017, by division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48247/17]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

This 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. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.

I am informed by the Commissioner that on the 30 September 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,412. There are also 607 Garda Reserves and more than 2,000 civilians attached to An Garda Síochána.

I am further informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide.  In addition, another 200 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest later this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.

I am pleased to say that 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, and 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. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána.  We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, in the coming years. 

The number of Inspectors, Sergeants, Gardaí and civilians in An Garda Síochána each year between 2013 and 2017, by Division as of 30 September 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available from the Commissioner, is being collated by my Department and I will send this directly to the Deputy once it is to hand.

Fisheries Protection

Questions (238)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

238. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans regarding an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47971/17]

View answer

Written answers

There are two species of seal in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal. Both are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is obliged to monitor their populations and report to the European Commission on their conservation status. A standardised monitoring programme has been in place for both species since 2009. The most recent report on their conservation status was submitted to the European Commission in June 2013 and is available on the website www.npws.ie.

As part of my Department's established seal monitoring programme, Grey Seal and Harbour Seal numbers have continued to be recorded around the country. The most recent survey data from County Donegal, including the western shores of Lough Foyle, was collected in August of this year and is currently undergoing analysis. This process and the resulting report are expected to be complete in 2018.

Seals have a broad diet which varies depending on the species of seal, the geographic region and also the availability of fish and other prey. Studies of the interaction between seals and various commercial fisheries in Ireland are ongoing. This work by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Marine Institute and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, towards which my Department provides technical and licensing input under relevant conservation legislation, includes the recording of seal depredation (damage to fish or removal of fish by seals during fishery operations) as part of the National At Sea Catch Sampling Programme. It also involves targeted regionally based studies concerning seal bycatch for example and the ongoing development of acoustic deterrence to mitigate seal fisheries interactions.

In relation to seal predation on salmonids, a study published in 2014 by Inland Fisheries Ireland, focusing on two estuaries of significance for native salmon, found considerable differences in the amount of salmonids in the diet of locally occurring seals and concluded that the removal of salmonids by seals and other predators must be placed in the context of the amount removed by fisheries

(https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/documents/412-a-pilot-study-of-seal-predation-on-salmon-stocks-in-selected-irish-rivers-and-estuaries-1/file.html).

All of these studies will continue to inform policy in relation to seal protection and meeting our obligations under the EU Habitats Directive.

Creative Ireland Programme

Questions (239)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

239. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which she envisages delivering a cross-governmental promise in view of the recent budget 2018 announcements, further to Creative Ireland's launch commitment to put culture and creativity at the heart of public policy; and if a more detailed plan will be outlined in relation to the delivery of the five existing pillars of the programme. [47676/17]

View answer

Written answers

On 8 December 2016, the Creative Ireland Programme was launched as the Government's Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach.

The Creative Ireland Programme is a high level, high ambition, 5-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022 (building up to the centenary of the foundation of the State) which aims to place creativity at the centre of public policy. The programme is being led by my Department in partnership with other Government Departments and Agencies, local authorities, the third level sector, arts and culture organisations (including the National Cultural Institutions), media organisations and relevant NGOs. The launch document for the programme outlines five specific pillars:

1. Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child

2. Enabling Creativity in Every Community

3. Investing in our Creative and Cultural Infrastructure

4. Ireland as a centre of Excellence in Media Production

5. Unifying our Global reputation

There has been significant progress in relation to the delivery of the actions under each pillar, all of which involved considerable inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration, in particular with the Departments of Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and Social Protection, the Arts Council, all the local authorities and the National Cultural Institutions.

My Department, together with its other partners, is now in the process of drawing up plans to further the implementation of the Creative Ireland Programme for 2018 and beyond in respect of the five pillars of the programme, working collaboratively with colleagues across Government and in the sector.

Creative Ireland Programme

Questions (240)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

240. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern in the arts community regarding the process by which Creative Ireland funding is allocated and the perceived lack of transparency in relation to this issue; and if a clearer process will be communicated to the arts community and wider public. [47677/17]

View answer

Written answers

The Creative Ireland Programme is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. It aims to put creativity at the centre of public policy. 

The Programme embraces the whole cultural sector, bringing together all those involved in the arts, film, broadcasting, visual arts, cultural heritage, the Irish language and Gaeltacht, with Government Departments and State agencies.

In Budget 2017, I secured €5 m to commence the implementation of the Creative Ireland programme, further details of which are available on http://creative.ireland.ie. Implementation of the Programme is underpinned by three essential operating principles -  collaboration and communication, community empowerment and internationalisation. 

The Programme is not a funding body and as such does not administer any grant or funding schemes. However, my Department, in order to communicate the vision and values that underpin the Creative Ireland Programme, has taken the opportunity in this, its initial year, to collaborate with several key cultural partners at various important events and festivals nationwide. This partnership approach has encouraged deeper understanding and appreciation of both the Programme itself and the role of the creative arts in our society. 

In addition, in order to enable community empowerment, my Department allocated a sum of €1 m to the local authorities to enable them to develop Culture and Creativity Action Plans and an associated programme of events and initiatives in each county. This was bolstered by an additional €1 m from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. 

Furthermore, considerable resources were devoted to promoting the Programme and its vision to an international audience both online and through specifically commissioned media content, which has allowed us to articulate our values and our unique culture on the world stage. 

It is important to note that the delivery of the Programme, while under the aegis of my Department, will primarily be through, and in collaboration with existing agencies, the Arts Council, Irish Film Board, Government Departments, local authorities, cultural institutions, and other cultural partners, and does not seek to supplant any existing funding mechanisms or schemes or influence art funding decisions. 

Departmental Policy Reviews

Questions (241)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

241. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the policy document Culture 2025 will be published; and if another period of consultation for artists and other interested parties will take place. [47678/17]

View answer

Written answers

In July 2016 I published the draft framework policy document Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025. This underwent a round of consultations, with submissions received from Government Departments, local authorities, and cultural bodies and stakeholders in the cultural sector. The draft framework policy was also submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who published its 'Report on Culture 2025 – Éire Ildánach, Framework Policy to 2025' in July 2017.

My Department is now in the process of finalising the framework policy, following receipt of the Oireachtas report, and I will then bring it to Government for approval. As the policy document has now been through 2 rounds of consultation I do not intend to prolong the completion of the policy further. In the meantime of course, the Government has published the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 which is the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach published in 2016.

Arts Funding

Questions (242)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

242. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the commitment to double arts funding over seven years and the budget 2018 settlement, if her Department will be releasing a plan or map of projected increases to meet this pledge; and when such a map will be produced in view of the specific budgetary target set out by her. [47679/17]

View answer

Written answers

The Taoiseach has said that he will double the overall budget of arts, culture and sport over the next seven years. I believe that we can meet this target by implementing sustainable increases on an incremental basis between now and 2025 – a process I initiated in Budget 2018, in spite of it being a tight year across the board.

In Budget 2018, I announced a funding package of over €300 million in 2018 towards the development of our cultural and creative heritage, an increase in funding to my Department of €13 million, comprising €9 million in current expenditure and €4 million in capital expenditure. This includes an €8.5 million boost in funding for arts and culture. I also secured an additional €90 million in capital funding between 2018 and 2021 for my Department which will accelerate investment across the culture, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors.

As part of €8.5 m in additional funding, the Arts Council will receive an additional €3 million to enhance its support to artists and arts organisations of all sizes throughout the country. The total Arts Council allocation of €68.2 million in 2018 represents 23% of total allocation to all areas of my Department and is over 49% of all current expenditure by the Culture Division of my Department. I also allocated an additional €1.55 m to the Irish Film Board equivalent to a 9.3% increase.

As the economy continues to improve over the coming years the Government's ambition is to allocate more resources to arts and culture and to continue to build on the foundations that I have put in place in Budget 2018.

Hedge Cutting Season

Questions (243)

Joe Carey

Question:

243. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the proposed extension of the dates for hedge cutting; when she expects these new measures to come into force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47889/17]

View answer

Written answers

Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.

Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis.  The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures is included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016.  

The Bill has completed its passage through Seanad Éireann and has recently completed Second Stage in Dail Éireann.  In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts remain in force.

Gaeltacht Policy

Questions (244)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

244. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the promotional activity which is used to promote funding available to Gaeltacht groups; if she will review the format of promoting the funding available to Gaeltacht groups to ensure wider awareness of the availability of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47894/17]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that my Department, together with Údarás na Gaeltachta, administers a wide range of schemes, programmes and initiatives under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, targeting language and economic development in Gaeltacht areas. Details in respect of these schemes are available/promoted on the websites of both the Department www.chg.gov.ie and Údarás na Gaeltachta www.udaras.ie.

Both organisations also distribute both informational and promotional material at various national events during the year including Oireachtas na Samhna and The National Ploughing Championships. My Department and An tÚdarás also create awareness of the various schemes through regular use of social media and through the media announcements of grants under these various schemes which have been approved by me.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme Funding

Questions (245)

Joe Carey

Question:

245. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams that will be available from her Department in 2018 to support the repair of historical buildings in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47893/17]

View answer

Written answers

My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our 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. 

Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage.  The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures.  Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.

Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the repair, conservation, preservation or safeguarding of protected structures, sites or monuments.  These schemes are administered through the local authorities. 

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) was developed to assist with the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). In 2017 I approved funding of €3.5 million for approximately five hundred projects in every local authority area across the country.  

The Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) seeks to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures, in both private and public ownership, which might otherwise be lost. In 2017 I approved funding of €1.324 million for 67 projects countrywide.  

While the funding for these schemes in 2018 is still to be confirmed pending the final budgetary estimates process, given their success to date, I do intend that both schemes will operate again in 2018 as administered via the local authorities. Details of the schemes and application dates for 2018 will be published on my Department's website and all local authority websites in the coming weeks.  

My Department also provides funding to the OPW to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. In 2017, funding of €350,000 was provided.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage.  It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.  Grant schemes for 2018 will be advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.

Weather Events Response

Questions (246)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

246. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which her Department responded to the declaration of the status red alert weather warning in relation to its own employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47924/17]

View answer

Written answers

In common with everyone else in the country my sympathies go out to the three families of who were bereaved as a result of incidents during Storm Ophelia.

My Department participated in meetings of the National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather throughout the period of Storm Ophelia.

In line with the advice provided by the National Emergency Coordination Group on Sunday 15th October my Department advised all non-essential staff not to attend work on Monday 16th October. My Department also closed all National Parks and Nature Reserves on Monday 16th October and these did not reopen to the public on Tuesday the 17th until an assessment of damage and any remaining risk factors had been completed in each case.

I am advised that as is its practice in the aftermath of all major weather events, the lead Department responsible for chairing the National Emergency Coordination Group, the Department of Housing, Planning and local Government, has invited all Government Departments to participate in a review of the response to the event. My Department has provided observations to this review and will continue to participate in this exercise.

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