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Thursday, 14 Dec 2017

Written Answers Nos. 759 - 771

Public Relations Contracts Expenditure

Questions (759, 766)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

759. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a breakdown of expenditure by her Department on external public relations in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54122/17]

View answer

Shane Cassells

Question:

766. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the use of external public relations firms employed by her Department in each year since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54240/17]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 759 and 766 together.

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the period from the establishment of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on  2nd June 2011, is set out in the table.

Value for money is a critical consideration in assessing whether external firms should be engaged to provide public relations services or any other services.

Year

2011

Zoetrope

Provision of press and publicity, online and social media services to Culture Ireland for the duration of the Imagine Ireland programme 2011

€84,000 

2012

Zoetrope

Provision of PR and Media services to Culture Ireland for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2012

  €7,000

2016

Q4PR

Publicity campaign for Irish Language employment opportunities in the European Institutions

€17,000

2017

Nicholas Quaife

Public Relations - Creative Ireland Programme

€2,988

Heritage Council

Questions (760)

Martin Heydon

Question:

760. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); the initiatives her Department can take to recognise the history and contribution of this industry in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54132/17]

View answer

Written answers

Any active practitioners of this practice in County Kildare who are carrying on this tradition and wish for it to be recognised as part of our national cultural heritage may wish to consider submitting an Expression of Interest to my Department's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. An open call is currently underway until 31 January 2018, and questions can be directed to nationalich@chg.gov.ie

If it is desired rather to have the contribution of this industry recognised in a historical and cultural context, interested parties may consult their local Heritage Officer, who would be best placed to advise them on local initiatives and supports which may be available.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the national 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 are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie

Arts and Culture Capital Scheme Administration

Questions (761)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

761. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to remove the cap in the percentage for the art scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54134/17]

View answer

Written answers

A Government Decision in 1997 approved the inclusion in budgets for all Exchequer-funded capital construction projects of up to 1% as funding for an art project, subject to an overall cap of €64,000. 

Under the terms of the Scheme, funds to commission a per cent for art piece are factored into and funded from the overall budget of each capital project by the public body undertaking it. This is a matter for each project promoter or commissioning body and I, as Minister, have no statutory function in this regard.

My Department has responsibility for the promotion of the Per Cent for Art Scheme and set out guidelines in 2004 to assist project managers to operate the scheme and to provide a common national approach to its implementation. Guidelines on the Per Cent for Art Scheme are available on the Public Art website www.publicart.ie. and on the department's website. 

The current cap was set by Government in 1997 and given the period which has elapsed since the cap was last adjusted in 1997, my predecessor asked the Department to conduct a review of the scheme. This review is ongoing. 

Departmental Functions

Questions (762)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

762. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has assessed or had contact with her EU colleagues in relation to the potential relocation of the European Union youth orchestra; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54135/17]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has had no contact on the potential relocation of the European Union youth Orchestra. I understand that the Orchestra has already made an announcement that it is establishing a legal and operational seat in Ferrara and Rome, Italy.

Ministerial Travel

Questions (763, 764)

Niall Collins

Question:

763. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the use her Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54192/17]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

764. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the use her Department has made of the Government jet in each of the years March 2011 to February 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54208/17]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 763 and 764 together.

The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent, flexible and effective air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. Details of use of the MATS by Ministers are published by the Department of Defence at www.defence.ie.  I have made no use of the Service since coming into office.

The MATS has been used by my Department on five occasions since its establishment in June  2011, details of which are set out in the table below.

Date

Destination

Event

27 November 2015

London

British-Irish Council Ministerial Summit (accompanying An Taoiseach)

3-4 August 2014

Glasgow & Belfast

World War 1 Commemoration events

15 November 2013

Jersey

British-Irish Council Summit  (accompanying An Taoiseach)

16-17 May 2013

Brussels

EYCS Council Meeting during Irish Presidency of the European Council (shared with two other Ministers)

27-28 February 2013

Brussels

EYCS Council Meeting during Irish Presidency of the European Council (shared with two other Ministers)

6 June 2017

Messines

Attending commemorations to mark the Centenary of the Battle of Messines. (Shared with An Taoiseach and two other Minsiters

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (765)

Shane Cassells

Question:

765. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the photography costs for her Department in each year since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used, in tabular form; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54224/17]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested is set out in the table below and covers the period from 2 June 2011 which was the establishment date for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

No costs were incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance.

The hiring of photographers for Ministerial or Departmental events is dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of the engagement, the expected level of media interest and the national/regional scope of the subject. Certain costs included relate to the photographic documentation of important heritage sites, a key function of my Department, rather than to specific occasions.   At all times, value for money is a critical consideration in the context of the booking of photographers.

2011 Total: €1,055

Occasion

Photographer

Cost

National Famine Commemoration, Clones 2011

Philip Fitzpatrick

€400

2011 Open House Dublin, Lir Theatre, in conjunction with the Irish Architecture Foundation

(Second of a package of two events for the price of one, the first of which took place in 2010)

Alice Clancy

€0.00

Launch of National Biodiversity Plan, Botantic Gardens Dublin (2011)

Mac Innes Photography

€284

2011 National Famine Conference, Dublin

Mac Innes

€371

2012 Total: €3,606

Edinburgh Festival Fringe event

Alastair Devine

€362

Launch of Introduction of Architectural Heritage of County Galway

Joe Travers

€100

Culture Night, Dublin

Maxwell Photography

€599

British-Irish Council Ministerial Meeting (Minority Languages Sector), Co Donegal

Tommy Curran

€80

Launch of Treaty Online Project, National Archives, Dublin

Mac Innes Photograhy

€342

Ballycroy National Park Whaling Exhibition

Eamonn O'Boyle

€320

Official Opening of Burren National Park Information Centre, Corofin

Nicholas Mac Innes

€550

Release of the white-tailed sea eagles, Killarney National Park

Valerie O'Sullivan

€120

Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference 2012 event

Erin Baiano

€348

CITES meeting March 2012

Mac Innes Photography

€284

Commemoration at Teampallín Bán Famine Graveyard 2012

Domnick Walsh Photography

€206

National Famine Commemoration, Drogheda 2012

Paul Connor Photography

€295

2013 Total: €3,944

Launch of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918 at National Museum

Lensmen

€209

Launch of Culture Connects initiative for Ireland's EU Presidency

Maxwell Photography

€397

Presentation of coin find to National Museum

Maxwell Photography

€466

Launch of Arts in Education initiative

Maxwell Photography

€277

Display of coin find in National Museum at Collins Barracks

Maxwell Photography

€413

Launch of Century Ireland website

Maxwell Photography

€363

Launch of Scéim Oiliúna Peile agus Iománaíochta,  An Cheathrú Rua

Pixsheáin

€148

Dublin launch of Venice Artist Biennale April 2013

Lensman & Associates

€308

International Famine Commemoration 2013

Maxwell Photography

€311

Presentation of European Diploma of Protected Areas (Burren, Co. Clare)

Eamon Ward

€332

Europeana Conference on Digitisation, Dublin Castle

Maxwell Photography

€357

Photocall for successful artists attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013

Maxwell Photography

€363

2014 Total: €4,016

Contract signing for works at Killarney House

Press 22

€426

Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme

Naoise Culhane

€535

National Gallery – commencement of refurbishment works

Naoise Culhane

€461

Launch of 1916 Rising Oral History Collection

Maxwell Photography

€486

Opening of Grantstown Wood and Nature Reserve, Co. Laois

Denis Byrne Photography

€220

National Famine Commemoration 2014

Farrell Photography

€720

Photocall with winner of Herald Archangel Award at Edinburgh Festival 2014

Maxwell Photography

€486

Launch of Ireland 2016 commemorative programme at G.P.O.

Maxwell Photography

€482

Photographs of Minister and two Ministers of State for official Departmental use

Philip Fitzpatrick Photography

€200

2015 Total: €15,489

European Heritage Heads Forum 10th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Dublin Castle

Con Brogan

€200

Launch of the High Island, Monograph

Con Brogan

€150

Visit to Cartoon Saloon in Kilkenny

Dylan Vaughan Photography

€271

Event to commemorate the funeral

of O'Donovan Rossa,

Glasnevin Cemetery

Lensmen

€554

Launch of Culture Ireland

supported artists attending Edinburgh International Festivals

Lensmen

 

€258

Launch of Culture Ireland

I AM IRELAND 2016 programme

Maxwell Photography

€503

John Redmond commemoration

Maxwell Photography

€138

Launch of Ireland 2016

Commemorative Programme

Maxwell Photography

€861

10th Anniversary of Culture Ireland

Maxwell Photo

€103

Dublin launch of Venice

Artist Biennale 2015

Maxwell Photography

€637

Moore Street – meeting with

Lord Mayor and traders

Maxwell Photography

€362

Photography for WhoDoesWhat

Website

Maxwell Photography

€327

Annual Famine Commemoration

and related events

Paul Faith

€781

Spanish Armada Find Sligo

Picsell8 Ltd

€450

Teach an Phiarsaigh Cultural and

Exhibition centre, Rosmuc, Connemara /

Global and Diaspora Programme (2 separate events)

Reg Gordon

€960

Photography for WhoDoesWhat

Website

Tain Bo Media Teo

€148

Launch of the High Island

Monograph

Con Brogan

€150

Local Authorities CEOs and Ireland 2016 Coordinators meeting Royal College of Surgeons

Lensmen

€689

Launch of the High Island Centenary Programme, Collins Barracks

Big O

€300

2016 Children's Consultations

Maxwell Photography

€258

2016 Community Participation video

And Photography, Thurles

Big O

€615

Local Authorities Ireland 2016 County Plans

Big O

€1,920

2016 events:

- Announcement of Arts Council Bursaries, Áras an Úachtaráin,

- Delivery of first Flags for Schools,

- Launch of Youth Imagination Programme Strand, Schools Supplement launch,

- Local Authority Co-ordinators, Monaghan,

Photography for Ireland

- Launch of An Teanga Beo Programme

- Strand IMMA

Big O

€4,379

Additional funding support for 2016 by IPB

Big O

€475

2016 Total: €9,819

Launch of design phase for archives storage in National Archives

Conor McCabe

€431

Launch of website of compensation

claims for property

losses during 1916 Rising

Conor McCabe

€431

Commemorating Women of 1916

Conor McCabe

€431

2016 Post Primary Schools Flag Ceremony

Robbie Reynolds

€553

Launch of Action Plan for

Historic Houses

Lorraine Teevan

€310

EU Language Jobs Announcements, RHA Gallery

Maxwell Photography

€395

Centre of Excellence for EU

Irish Language Careers meeting

with Minister of State

Andrew Downes

€250

Moneen Cave Excavation

Thorsten Kahlert

€1,300

Ireland 2016 Peace Proms

Big O

€400

Wreath Laying at South Dublin Union, Easter Monday

Big O

€212

State Ceremonial for Women of 1916

Maxwell Photography

€775

2016 - Last Flag for School

Delivery, Tallaght Hospital

Maxwell Photography

€689

2016 - images for Participating

Children and Staff

Maxwell Photography

€499

2016 - Liberty Hall

(additional images)

Maxwell Photography

€138

Opening screening of 1916

Documentary, National

Concert Hall

Maxwell Photography

€590

LEADER Programme Launch

Lorraine Teevan

Photography

€564

Roger Casement Event

Maxwell Photography

€590

Thomas Kettle Memorial Service

Maxwell Photography

€486

Ionad an Phiarsaigh Offical Opening

Táin Bó Media Teo

€221

St Enda's Rathfarnham

Conor McCabe

€554

2017 Total: €11,476

Recording of interim conservation works at Moore Street

Con Brogan

€4,200

Culture Ireland - Launch of Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Maxwell Photography

€516

Dave Pollock book launch

Fota Foto

€123

Opening of Killarney House

Valerie O'Sullivan

€950

Opening of Shekina exhibition

Con Brogan

€325

Thomas Ashe commemoration

Maxwell Photography

€630

Biodiversity Week Burren National Park

Conns Cameras

€484

NBAP launch

Maxwell Photography

€621

Launch of 'Centenary' book at GPO, Dublin

Maxwell Photography

€695

Launch of Action Plan for Rural Development

GPhotos

€150

"The Moore Street Report – Securing History" presented to the Minister by the Moore Street Consultative Group

Maxwell Photography

€121

Launch of online genealogy toolkit for schools

Maxwell Photography

€499

Cruinniú na Cásca

Maxwell Photography

€689

Launch of County Creativity Culture Plans 

Enda Rowan

€336

Children’s Workshop/Draíocht

Laura Hutton

€500

Announcement that Jesse Jones to represent Ireland at 57th International Art Exhibition in Venice

Maxwell Photography

€465

Launch of the EU LIFE Raised Bog Restoration Project 2016- 2020

AXP Photography

€200

Sean Cassidy "Buttons and Bows" artwork

Maxwell Photography

€172

Question No. 766 answered with Question No. 759.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (767)

Shane Cassells

Question:

767. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the external consultant reports commissioned by her Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date, in tabular form. [54256/17]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the period from the establishment of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on  2nd June 2011, is set out in the table.

I would also point out that my Department also commissions engineering or environmental experts from time to time to provide technical reports on specific issues, as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.

Commissioned

Company

Title of Report

Cost €

2011

Avia Solutions

Review of financial submissions relating to the Public Service Obligation

Air Service for the Aran Islands

Not published due to reasons of commercial sensitivity

6,300

2012

Bonnar Keenlyside

Review of Dublin Contemporary 2011

Commissioned to inform future consideration of any similar projects – not intended for publication

10,959

2013

Dorgan Associates

Cost Benefit Analysis of National Archives Development Plan

Published on Department's website

12,669

2013

Dorgan Associates

Cost Benefit Analysis of National Gallery Redevelopment Project

Published on Department's website

12,731

2013/2014

Dorgan Associates

Examination of capital incentives to promote investment in film studio infrastructure

Commissioned to inform future consideration of projects in that sector – not intended for publication

6,765

2014

EY

Review of PSO Air Service for the Aran Islands

Published in May 2014

41,795

2014

Fitzpatrick Assocs                          

Updated Business Case Restoring the

Ulster Canal from Lough Erne to Clones

Published on Department's website

15,191

2014

The VAT Practice

Advisory service on UK VAT

Commissioned to inform administrative decisions in relation to compliance with tax obligations – not intended for publication

2, 963

2015

Public Affairs Ireland (PAI)

Review of Management Structure and

Ireland (PAI) Grading of Senior Management Posts within Údarás na Gaeltachta

 

Published on Department's website

17,617

2015

Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaelige

Coimriú ar an tSeirbhís Rapporteur don Díospóireacht Oscailte ar Pholasaí faoin Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge, 2010 – 2030

 

Published on Department's website

5,994

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Questions (768)

Niall Collins

Question:

768. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of expenditure by her Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on advertising of Government information campaigns published specifically in national and regional newspapers in addition to all online advertising for all such Government information campaigns; the name for each such information campaign to which this expenditure related; the cost of each, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54272/17]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by my Department that no expenditure was incurred on advertising in 2017 relating to government information campaigns. 

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (769)

Niall Collins

Question:

769. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of expenditure by her Department or organisations under the aegis of her Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54288/17]

View answer

Written answers

In light of the large volume of information requested by the Deputy, arrangements are being made for this information to be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy, in accordance with the timelines set out in Standing Orders. 

Defence Forces Medical Services

Questions (770)

Clare Daly

Question:

770. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if director medical branch instruction number 52 amendment number 1 of 24 August 2016 is still relied upon by the Defence Forces for vaccinations and other preparations for overseas deployments. [53529/17]

View answer

Written answers

The Military Authorities have advised me that Director Medical Branch (DMB) Instruction No. 52 ‘Vaccinations And Other Preparations For Overseas Deployments’ Amendment No. 1 dated 24 August 2016 is still current and used for reference for overseas deployments.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (771)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

771. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the Acts, or parts of Acts, awaiting commencement within his area of statutory responsibility; the reason for the delay in the commencement of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53565/17]

View answer

Written answers

There are no Acts, or parts of Acts, coming under the responsibility of the Department of Defence awaiting commencement.

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