Tuesday, 16 Jan 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1913-1934

Enterprise Ireland Properties

Questions (1915)

John Brady

Question:

1915. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the sale of studios (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54999/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The facility to which the Deputy refers is owned jointly by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with other private entities. My colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation has responsibility for Enterprise Ireland. 

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

Creative Ireland Programme

Questions (1916)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1916. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 13 December 2017, if no cost was incurred by her Department for the supplement on Creative Youth in a newspaper (details supplied) on 8 December 2017; and the way in which and by whom the design, content, layout and print costs of the supplement were covered. [55037/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

No cost was incurred by my Department in the production of the supplement on creative youth in the newspaper on 8 December 2017 as referred to in the Question.  The content, design, layout and print costs were all a matter for that publication.

Creative Ireland Programme

Questions (1917)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1917. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the fund from which the 28 page supplement on Creative Ireland in a newspaper (details supplied) on 13 December 2017 came; and the cost of same. [55046/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The cost of the supplement referred to in the question which issued on 13 December 2017 was €34,744. This funding came out of the Creative Ireland Programme budget under subhead A6 of my Department's Vote. 

Question No. 1918 answered with Question No. 1907.

Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (1919, 1924, 1943)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1919. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an mbord nua d’Údarás na Gaeltachta, an bhfuil na comhaltaí nua ainmnithe aici go fóill; má tá, cé hiad na comhaltaí nua; mura bhfuil, cén dáta a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir leis na comhaltaí nua; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [55053/17]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1924. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a ainmneofar Bord nua Údarás na Gaeltachta; cén chúis atá leis an moill ar an ainmniú, ag cur san áireamh an freagra a fuair mé ar Cheist Pharlaiminte le gairid; an dtuigeann sí an dochar atá á dhéanamh ag an moill seo do chruthú fostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1264/18]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1943. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad chuige nach bhfuil bord Údarás na Gaeltachta i bhfeidhm faoi láthair; an bhfuil aon dul chun cinn déanta aici chun bord úr a cheapadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1912/18]

Written answers

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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhir 1919, 1924 agus 1943 le chéile.

D’fhógair mé Bord nua an Údaráis ar 12 Eanáir. Seo a leanas comhdhéanamh an bhoird nua:

Cathaoirleach

Anna Ní Ghallachair : Stiúrthóir, Ionad na dTeangacha, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad.   

Comhaltaí ceaptha ar ainmniúchán Comhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall, Mhaigh Eo, na Gaillimhe agus Chiarraí faoi seach

John Shéamuis Ó Fearraigh: Bun an Leaca, Leitir Ceanainn, Co. Dhún na nGall. Comhairleoir Contae. Ainmnithe ag Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall.

Seán Mac Congamhna: Bóthar Bhéal Átha na Muice, Cill Cheallaigh, Co. Mhaigh Eo. Comhairleoir Contae. Ainmnithe ag Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo.

Séamus Walshe: Glann, Uachtar Ard, Co. na Gaillimhe. Comhairleoir Contae. Ainmnithe ag Comhairle Contae Chiarraí.

Séamus Cosaí Mac Gearailt: Na Gleannta, An Daingean, Co. Chiarraí. Comhairleoir Contae agus iarchomhalta ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Ainmnithe ag Comhairle Contae Chiarraí.

Comhaltaí eile ceaptha ar an mbord de thoradh próiseas poiblí a eagraíodh faoi stiúir an tSeirbhíse um Cheapacháin Poiblí ( PAS)

Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin: Bóthar Glinne, An Charraig Co. Dhún na nGall.

Ian Mac Aindriú: Bóthar Bhéal an Fheadha, Béal an Mhuirthead, Béal an Átha Co. Mhaigh Eo.

Seosamh Ó Laoi: Baile an tSagairt, an Spidéal Co. na Gaillimhe.

Mary Uí Chadhain: Gabhla, Caiseal, Conamara Co. na Gaillimhe.

Siobhán Seoighe: Doire Longáin, Átha Buí Co. na Mí.

Debra Ní Shúilleabháin: Ceapach na gCrann, Maistir Gaoithe, Cill Airne Co. Chiarraí.

Cé gur bord de 12 comhalta atá i gceist, is 11 comhalta atá le ceapadh ar an údar go bhfuil rota i gceist i leith na gceantar is lú Gaeltachta eadhon: Comhairlí Contae na Mí, Phort Láirge agus Chorcaí. Faoin socrú seo, is tréimhse dhá bhliain a bhíonn ag na comhaltaí sin ar bhonn rota eatarthu san ord: An Mhí, Corcaigh agus Port Láirge. I gcomhréir leis an socrú seo, ceapadh Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach, ainmniúchán Chomhairle Contae Phort Láirge, ar bhord an Údaráis anuraidh don tréimhse 15 Feabhra 2017 go dtí 14 Feabhra 2019.

Departmental Properties

Questions (1920)

Seán Crowe

Question:

1920. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department plans to purchase a site (details supplied) in Athy. [55121/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 608 on 26 July 2017. The Department does not have plans to purchase the property in question.

Departmental Properties

Questions (1921)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1921. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the vacant properties and land not in use, owned, rented or leased by her Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of her Department by square footage for buildings and acres for land, in tabular form; the address and location of these properties; and the last date of occupancy or use of these properties. [55208/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As previously advised to the House, the management properties occupied by staff of my Department and the bodies under its aegis is primarily a matter for the Office of Public Works.  On occasion my Department may also be required to lease additional property for specific purposes.  I am advised that any such properties are fully occupied at present.

The Deputy will also be aware that the ownership of significant lands across the country, including national parks, national monuments sites, nature reserves and other property acquired for purposes of heritage protection and conservation is also vested in my Department for use in connection with its statutory remit.

Two of the bodies under the aegis of Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta, and Waterways Ireland also own and manage properties in connection with their functions. 

Údarás na Gaeltachta is the owner of a significant portfolio of commercial properties in Gaeltacht areas arising from its development role.  Details of currently available properties in each of the Gaeltacht counties are available directly from Údarás na Gaeltachta. 

Waterways Ireland manages and maintains land and property along the Barrow Navigation, the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal, the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Shannon Navigation in Ireland and the Erne System the Lower Bann in the north of Ireland.

Land and property owned by Waterways Ireland is associated with the operation of the inland waterways network and the maintenance of the amenity value of the waterways. The land consists primarily of the canal corridor, adjoining towpaths and banks and areas of bogland.

Waterways Ireland owns the following properties which are currently vacant but in various states of repair. Waterways Ireland has an active programme for redeveloping the canal networks built heritage into modern day uses. In the past year 3 navigation properties have been redeveloped for community, recreation and commercial activity alongside the development of the canals as long distance recreational corridors.

Property Name	Address	Condition	Square footage	Last Date of Occupation/Use
11th Lockhouse (Omer)	Dublin, Co. Dublin	Derelict	Not available	Not available
13th lockhouse	Blakestown, Co. Kildare	Poor	Not available	December 2010
15th Lockhouse	Sallins, Co. Kildare	Derelict	Not available	Not available
18th Lockhouse	Prosperous, Co. Kildare	Derelict	Not available	Not available
20th Lockhouse	Ballyteague, Co. Kildare	Undergoing refurbishment	Not available	July 2010
22nd Lockhouse	Glenaree, Co. Kildare	Poor	Not available	October 1995
27th Lockhouse	Athy, Co. Kildare	Fair	Not available	October 2010
32nd Lockhouse	Glyn, Ferbane, Co. Offaly	Derelict	Not available	Not available
Albert Lock Lockhouse	Drumsna, Co. Leitrim	Fair	Not available	March 2017
Clondara Lockhouse	Cloondara, Co. Longford	Derelict	Not available	Not available
Foygh Lockhouse	Ballymahon, Co. Longford	Derelict	Not available	Not available
Lockhouse	Upper Tinnahinch, Co. Carlow	Fair	Not available	January 2014
Lockhouse	Clashganny, Co. Carlow	Derelict	Not available	Not available
Lockhouse	Ballygowan, Co. Carlow	Derelict	Not available	Not available
Lockhouse	Fenniscourt, Co. Carlow	Derelict	Not available	Not available
Lockhouse	Slyguff, Co. Carlow	Derelict	Not available	Not available
Lough Owel Sluice House	Cullion, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath	Under refurbishment	Not available	Not available
Portumna Lockhouse	Hayes Island, Portumna, Co. Galway	Fair	Not available	December 2011
Victoria Lockhouse	Clonahenoge, Co. Offaly	Fair	Not available	August 2009
Young's Store	Tullamore, Co. Offaly	Derelict	Not available	Not available

Departmental Budgets

Questions (1922)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1922. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the area from which in her Department's budget, €245,000 will be taken to support the digitalisation of an archive (details supplied) at the National Library; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55275/17]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

In June 2017, my Department advertised a new scheme of funding support for the Digitisation of Collections by the National Cultural Institutions and collections of national significance.

The new cultural Digitisation Scheme will fund a number of digitisation projects planned by National Cultural Institutions and cultural heritage organisations including the project to which the Deputy refers.  A total of €2.3m was allocated to 14 projects.

Funding for this scheme will come from my Department's capital subhead A.7 - Cultural Infrastructure and Development.

Question No. 1923 answered with Question No. 1861.

Question No. 1924 answered with Question No. 1919.

Road Network

Questions (1925)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1925. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are outstanding requests for information or opinion from the national parks section of her Department from Transport Infrastructure Ireland or Galway County Council in relation to the proposed M6-N6 extension around Galway city; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the lack of a response is delaying the submission of the proposed road design to An Bord Pleanála; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1269/18]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

While my Department will not be the decision maker in relation to any aspect of the project, it has been proactive in trying to assist the project's progression where possible.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has reviewed and provided observations and comments on drafts of Natura Impact and Environmental Impact statements and has met Galway County Council’s consultants to discuss and clarify issues.

NPWS has been engaging and assisting throughout the pre-application process and has attended six meetings with the project team. In the course of these meetings, minutes of which are available, details of the habitat and species surveys carried out, including the methodologies used and the findings, were reported, updated and discussed. Draft data, maps and reports have also been provided. Other associated environmental data and survey findings (e.g. hydrology, hydrogeology, soils, etc.) were reported on and discussed.

Notwithstanding the fact that decisions in relation to Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment will fall to an Bord Pleanala, my Department is now dedicating significant resources in assisting the local authority by carrying out a full review of the most up-to-date draft of EIS/NIS; such work would not normally be undertaken by my Department at this stage but has agreed to do so in the case of this important project. There is no question whatsoever of the NPWS delaying this project.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (1926)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1926. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of the capital carryover from 2016 of €13 million that was not spent by 31 December 2017; the subheads under which the underspend occurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1277/18]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Public Financial Procedures provide that a maximum of up to 10% of the capital envelope of a Vote may be carried over by way of ‘deferred surrender’ to the following year for spending in that year on priority capital programmes. The total amount carried over by my Department from 2016 into 2017 was €13,548,000.

Work is continuing on finalising the 2017 expenditure figures for my Department and adjustments continue to be made in relation to individual financial transactions to ensure that expenditure is accounted for in accordance with Government accounting policies, principles and procedures. As in previous years, this annual process will take a number of weeks to complete.

However, I can advise that the provisional outturn on expenditure from capital carryover is estimated at €13,099,000 or 97% of the total allocation – this expenditure is itemised below on a subhead by subhead basis.

Subhead	Amount   carried over €000	Expenditure   to date €000
A.7 Cultural Infrastructure and Development	6,548	6,548
A.15 Decade of Centenaries 1912-1922	5,000	4,551
B.5 Natural Heritage (National Parks and Wildlife Service)	2,000	2,000
Total	13,548	13,099

Departmental Properties

Questions (1927)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1927. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when consideration of the submissions received as part of the public consultation conducted by her Department in relation to the airstrips at a location (details supplied) with a closing date of the 9 May 2017 will be completed; the timeframe for a decision by her Department as to their future use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1279/18]

Written answers

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

As the Deputy is aware, in 2017 my Department undertook a public consultation process whereby it sought submissions from interested parties in relation to the future use of airstrips and surrounding sites in the ownership of the Department on Inishbofin and in Cleggan, County Galway.  A large number of submissions were received and these are currently being reviewed by my Department.  I expect that my officials will conclude its deliberations in a timely manner upon which a decision will be made as to the future use of the airstrips and surrounding sites.

Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (1928, 1929, 1930)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1928. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta mioneolas a thabhairt faoin teagmháil a bhí aici agus ag an Aire Stáit le SLM Éire Teo, sular fhógair an comhlacht go raibh sé le deireadh a chur lena ghnó ar Pháirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair, agus 32 post caillte dá bharr; an ndeimhneoidh sí cén uair ar cuireadh a Roinn ar an eolas faoi fhógra an chomhlachta agus cad iad na hiarrachtaí a rinne a cuid feidhmeannach agus a Roinn chun nach ndéanfaí an cinneadh; cén teagmháil a bhí ag a Roinn nó ag áisíneachtaí ábharacha fostaíochta eile sna ceantair Ghaeltachta le SLM ó d’fhógair siad an cinneadh; an dtabharfaidh sí eolas faoi na hiarrachtaí atá ar bun chun na deontais a íocadh leis an chomhlacht a aisíoc; an soláthróidh sí tuairisc chuimsitheach maidir leis an leibhéal teagmhála atá ann leis an chomhlacht seo faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1443/18]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1929. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta eolas a thabhairt faoin straitéis atá ag a Roinn agus/nó ag áisíneachtaí ábharacha stáit eile atá freagrach do na ceantair Ghaeltachta, le malairt fostaíochta a aimsiú i gceantar Ghaoth Dobhair agus ceantar iarthar Chontae Dhún na nGall ó cailleadh 32 post roimh an Nollaig i gcomhlacht SLM Éire Teo i nGaoth Dobhair; an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí faoi cad é an straitéis atá ag a Roinn maidir le cruthú fostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht le béim faoi leith ar Ghaeltacht Dhún na nGall, áit a bhfuil ráta ard dífhostaíochta faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1444/18]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1930. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na moltaí nó na pleananna atá ag a Roinn d’lar-oibrithe SLM Éire Teo maidir le hoiliúint agus scileanna úra a aimsiú i ndiaidh dhúnadh an chomhlachta i nGaoth Dobhair agus 32 post a bheith caillte dá bharr; an dtabharfaidh sí eolas breise faoin leibhéal comhoibrithe idir-Rannaigh a bhí aici leis an Roinn Gnóthaí Fostaíochta agus Coimirce Sóisialaí agus leis an Roinn Gnó, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta maidir le tacaíocht a chur ar fáil do na hoibrithe a chaill a bpostanna agus maidir le híocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1445/18]

Written answers

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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhir 1928 chun 1930, san áireamh, le chéile.

Tuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta gur thug an comhlacht SLM Ceangal Éire Teo. fógra scoir dá n-oibrithe trathnóna an 21 Nollaig 2017. Tuigtear dom chomh maith go raibh bainistíocht na comhlachta i dteagmháil go leanúnach leis an Údarás, fiú chomh déanach leis an tráthnóna roimhe sin ach nach raibh aon fhógra tugtha don Údarás go raibh an comhlacht le dúnadh.

Mar a mbeifí ag súil leis, rinne an tÚdarás tréan iarrachtaí teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an gcomhlacht ar an lá, gan toradh, ach tuigim go raibh plé idir an comhlacht agus feidhmeannas an Údaráis ar an lá dar gcionn, an 22 Nollaig 2017. Tá tugtha le tuiscint dom gur luaigh oifigigh an chomhlachta go mbeadh infheistíocht shuntasach ag teastáil ón máthar-chomhlacht le go mbeifí in ann an gnó i nGaoth Dobhair a fhorbairt agus a fhás agus gur cuireadh ar shúile an Údaráis ag an tráth sin go raibh leachtaitheoir le ceapadh ar an gcomhlacht.

Ní miste dom a mheabhrú don Teachta, nuair a cheaptar leachtaitheoir ar chomhlacht go bhfuil córas faoi leith nach foláir cloí leis maidir le haisghairm deontas agus, de réir an chórais sin, is leis an leachtaitheoir is gá aon teagmháil atá bainteach leis an ábhar a dhéanamh. Sa chás seo, ceapadh leachtaitheoir ar SLM Ceangal Éire Teo ar an 8ú Eanáir 2018. 

Tuigim go bhfuil teagmháil déanta ag an Údarás leis an leachtaitheoir agus go bhfuil an próiseas idir lámha chun an aisghairm chuí a dhéanamh ar na deontais a íocadh leis an gcomhlacht ar fiú €171,476 in iomlán iad agus a bhain go príomha le deontais fhostaíochta, oiliúna agus fóirdheontais cíosa.

Sa chomhthéacs sin ar fad, chas mé féin, feidhmeannaigh de chuid an Údaráis agus ionadaithe ón Roinn Coimire Sóisialaí agus Bord Oideachais agus Oideachais Dhún na nGall le hiar-fhostaithe SLM Éire Ceangal Teo. ar 22 Nollaig 2017 chun plé a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi a  bhféadfaí tacú leo.  Rinneadh plé ag an gcruinniú sin chomh maith faoi na deiseanna eile fostaíochta atá ar fáil ar an bpáirc ghnó.

Tá plé leanúnach ar bun idir an tÚdarás agus eagraíochtaí oiliúna stáit chun clár oiliúna agus traenála cuí a chur ar fáil a bheidh dírithe ar riachtanais agus scileanna iar-oibrithe SLM Teo. agus ní gá a rá go mbeidh teagmháil mar is cuí á dhéanamh ag an Údarás leis na hiar-oibrithe chun tacú leo pé bealach is féidir.

Ní miste dom a mheabhrú don Teachta go bhfuil infheistíocht shuntasach déanta ar Pháirc Gnó Ghaoth Dobhair le roinnt blianta anuas agus tuar dóchais é go bhfuil folúntais ag comhlachtaí éagsúla ann faoi láthair. Go deimhin, bhí laethanta oscailte ag dhá chliantchomhlacht de chuid an Údaráis  le gairid chun folúntais atá acu a phoibliú.

National Monuments

Questions (1931)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1931. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to deal with the growing numbers of visitors who are making their way to the Hill of Tara (details supplied); and when her Department will publish the final conservation and management plan on the national monument. [1495/18]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Visitor numbers are among a range of factors that need to be taken account of in considering the conservation requirements of all our key heritage sites, including the complex of national monuments located on the Hill of Tara. An initial draft conservation management plan has been prepared for the State-owned lands at Tara and my Department is leading a working group of relevant stakeholders, including the Office of Public Works (OPW), Meath County Council, The Heritage Council and the Discovery Programme, with the objective of progressing, completing and publishing the updated plan as soon as possible.

The new plan will focus on conservation issues and will inform a list of priority conservation and site management actions to be implemented over its lifetime. The OPW conducts ongoing monitoring of visitor numbers to the site which has open access all year round and which is used in large numbers by the local community as well as by many other visitors. This data will assist with the development of dedicated actions and appropriate management structures to deal with visitors while also ensuring the conservation of the site. The plan will be finalised once all necessary information has been collated and relevant stakeholders’ input has been taken into account. I understand that visits to the site last year were under 200,000.

Arts Funding

Questions (1932)

Joe Carey

Question:

1932. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding provided by her Department to the Irish amateur dramatic movement partaking in the All-Ireland festival circuit, both one act and three act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1498/18]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department does not have a funding scheme focused on the amateur drama circuit.

Waterways Ireland Funding

Questions (1933)

Joan Burton

Question:

1933. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to constant cuts to Waterways Ireland's budget, there are no funds available to maintain the Royal Canal (details supplied); if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that that if funding is not provided for these works, that all the work undertaken by a group since 1974 will have been in vain; if she will review the question of funding urgently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1530/18]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of 1,000 km of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes, including the Lower Bann Navigation, the Erne System, the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Shannon Navigation, the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal and the Barrow Navigation.

Despite the many challenges of reduced resources which have been felt right across all publicly funded bodies, Waterways Ireland has continued to ensure the inland waterways, including the Royal Canal have continued to be developed and maintained.

Waterways Ireland started a programme to make lock gates for the canal restoration in 2015. Seven pairs of lock gates have been completed in 2017 and five sets of gates installed. In 2016 a programme to refurbish jetties commenced using a specially created in-house team and external contractors.

Waterways Ireland is exploring ways too in which its maintenance work can be made more effective and efficient. Additional capital support provided by my Department to Waterways Ireland over the past two years, has facilitated the purchase of four new weed cutting boats and a weed harvester and this has assisted hugely in the maintenance of navigation.

The amount of funding allocated to Waterways Ireland from my Department's Vote in 2018 is €24.106m, an increase of over 5% on the starting allocation in 2017.

Inland Waterways Development

Questions (1934)

Joan Burton

Question:

1934. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has received an invitation to attend the World Canal Conference in Athlone in October 2018; if she will attend same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1531/18]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The 2018 World Canals' Conference in Athlone is being jointly hosted by Waterways Ireland and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI).  It will run from 10 September to 12 September.

I can confirm that I have been issued with an invitation to jointly open the World Canals' Conference in Athlone on 10 September 2018, which I intend to accept.