Darragh O'Brien
Question:272. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated first and full year cost of increasing the housing adaptation grant funding to 2011 levels. [27312/18]
View answerHousing Adaptation Grant
Questions (272)
Written answers
I recently announced total funding of €66.25m for the Housing Adaptation Grants schemes for Older People and People with a Disability in 2018. This is made up of €53m exchequer funding, which is an increase of some 11% on the 2017 figure, with the balance of €13.25m coming from local authority resources. Increasing funding for next year to 2011 levels would cost an additional €13.21m, made up of €10.63m from the Exchequer, with a further €2.58m to be contributed by the local authorities.
I am conscious of the social benefit accruing from the schemes, particularly in terms of facilitating the continued independent living by older people and people with a disability in their own homes. This is recognised in the Programme for Government and as a consequence, funding has been increasing year on year since 2014. Further consideration will be given to increasing funding over the coming years in the context of the range of housing supports and provision being made under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
Question No. 273 answered with Question No. 252.
Question No. 274 answered with Question No. 251.
National Orchestras
Questions (275)
Joan Burton
Question:275. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans in relation to the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra in order to secure the future of the orchestras; and the discussions she has had with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in this regard. [26708/18]
View answerWritten answers
Both the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I have welcomed the recommendations of the recent report which was commissioned by RTE and completed by Helen Boaden and Mediatique-RTÉ Orchestras Ensuring a sustainable future - included the main recommendations that:
- the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should be a national cultural institution in its own right or within the National Concert Hall and
- the RTÉ Concert Orchestra should continue to be part of RTÉ, functioning as a classic 'radio' or Public Service Broadcasting orchestra, on the model of many such orchestras worldwide.
The report offers the opportunity now to plan a way forward for both orchestras and ensuring that they can contribute fully to Ireland’s rich cultural heritage.
Officials from my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, have maintained ongoing contact since the report's publication and a memorandum will be brought to Government shortly on the proposed next steps in relation to the report.
State Bodies Data
Questions (276)
Michael McGrath
Question:276. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of positions on the board in respect of the board of agencies and commercial State companies under her Department’s aegis in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting; the number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date; the length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27216/18]
View answerWritten answers
The maximum number of positions, the size of the quorum for board meetings, the number of vacant positions to be filled by ministerial nominees and the length of time such positions have been vacant are detailed in the following table in respect of the State boards under the aegis of my Department.
A process is currently ongoing with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to identify suitably qualified members of the public for appointment to the boards of the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Crawford Art Gallery, the Arts Council, and the Heritage Council.
|
Board |
Number of Positions (maximum) |
Quorum |
Number of current Vacancies (Ministerial nominees) |
Length of time vacancy has been present |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
17 |
5 |
0 |
N/a |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
16 |
6 |
2 |
5 months -
Preparations for the booklet to advertise the vacancies are being finalised and the vacancies will be advertised shortly on StateBoards.ie |
|
National Library of Ireland |
12 |
5 |
0 |
N/a |
|
National Concert Hall |
9 |
4 |
0 |
N/a |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
15 |
5 |
2 |
9 months - 6 months -
The vacancies have been advertised and the deadline for expressions of interest has passed. The Department is currently working with PAS to finalise a shortlisting process. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
12 |
4 |
1 |
1 year -
Preparations for the booklet to advertise the vacancies are being finalised and the vacancies will be advertised shortly on StateBoards.ie |
|
Screen Ireland |
7 |
3 |
0 |
N/a |
|
Arts Council |
13 |
5 |
3 |
8 months - 5 months - 3 months -
The vacancies have been advertised and the deadline for expressions of interest has passed. The Department is currently working with PAS to finalise a shortlisting process, |
|
Heritage Council |
17 |
7 |
1 |
8 months -
Preparations for the booklet to advertise the vacancies are being finalised and the vacancies will be advertised shortly on StateBoards.ie |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
21 |
5 |
0 |
N/a |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
12 |
7 |
0 |
N/a |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
16 |
5 |
0 |
N/a |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
8 |
5 |
0 |
N/a |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
12 |
No quorum |
0 |
N/a |
Heritage Sites
Questions (277)
Bernard Durkan
Question:277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which her Department has evaluated the economic potential of various local, historical and heritage sites throughout the country with a view to their further utilisation for educational purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27350/18]
View answerWritten answers
Market research clearly demonstrates that culture and heritage form an increasing share of the reasons why tourists come to Ireland. This is also true of domestic tourism and is reflected in the increasing visitor numbers at all our publicly accessible heritage sites and facilities.
My Department fully supports the appropriate conservation of Ireland’s heritage sites, both as important assets in their own right and to optimise their contribution to economic development and tourism promotion. It is in regular and ongoing contact with the Office of Public Works and Fáilte Ireland to agree and devise shared priorities and policy approaches with respect to the management of these sites and their presentation to visitors.
My Department’s is also tasked with increasing public appreciation and understanding of our cultural heritage. The Department disseminates extensive information about heritage sites and activities through its publications and its online presence covering areas such as architectural inventory, archaeological monuments and historic shipwrecks. Specifically in the educational field, the Department’s National Monuments Service has collaborated with Limerick Education Centre to produce a series of lesson plans and resources that is available to primary and secondary school students to promote greater interest in and knowledge of our archaeological heritage.
The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, also plays an important role in education and community engagement with heritage through initiatives such as Heritage Week and the very popular Heritage in Schools Programme.
Finally, our national parks have been subject recently to a rigorous appraisal in the context of the potential to deliver enhanced amenity, tourism and conservation value. As indeed has our outdoor recreational infrastructure.
I am acutely conscious in particular of the educative, scientific and wellbeing vale of out entire heritage estate.
Heritage Sites
Questions (278)
Bernard Durkan
Question:278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department continues to liaise with the Office of Public Works to ensure that heritage sites and buildings continue to be protected and, if necessary, sealed to prevent water damage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27351/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department cooperates closely with the Office of Public Works to protect and manage national monuments in state care. There are around 1,000 national monuments at approximately 750 sites around the country and these are managed by the OPW on the basis of a Service Level Agreement with the Department. The National Monuments Service of my Department provides archaeological advice to the OPW on a routine basis and also with regard to the OPW Flood Relief Scheme, to ensure the appropriate protection of archaeology in the context of flood relief. All works at or in the vicinity of a national monument – to include any works to mitigate water damage - are required to be notified to the Department, which ensures that appropriate controls are put in place for the protection of the site.
Officials of my Department meet regularly with their OPW counterparts to devise and agree shared policy approaches to areas of mutual interest, to review operational priorities while also working closely together on a day-to-day basis in relation to individual projects. My Department is also providing €350,000 of funding to the OPW in 2018 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership.
Film Industry Promotion
Questions (279)
Bernard Durkan
Question:279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to encourage internationally the use of Ireland as a film location with obvious beneficial economic implications and particular difficulties encountered in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27353/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Irish film, television and animation industry is experiencing a period of sustained success and critical acclaim. Over the last number of years, Irish talent has been a consistent presence at the Academy Awards, with Nora Twomey’s debut animated feature, The Breadwinner, leading the Irish charge at the most recent ceremony alongside other nominations for Irish talent including Saoirse Ronan, Consolata Boyle, Martin McDonagh and Daniel Day-Lewis. The industry’s current flourishing is the result of years of investment in Irish creative filmmaking talent by Screen Ireland (formerly the Irish Film Board).
Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry. Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film industry in Ireland.
Screen Ireland promotes the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. In addition it highlights the Irish screen industry at major international markets and festivals and promotes inward investment. Screen Ireland liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland to maximise opportunities for the promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions as well as a tourism destination. In Budget 2018, I allocated an increase of €1.55 million or 9.3% to Screen Ireland to build on its vital work in supporting Irish film, television drama, documentary and animation. This increased Screen Ireland's its annual budget to €18 million. Last month, the Government’s capital investment plan Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 provides for funding of €200m to be invested in media production and audio visual industries through Screen Ireland over the next 10 years which will have a positive impact right across the country.
The other primary mechanism through which the Government supports the film industry is Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 - the film tax relief scheme - which provides tax relief of 32% on expenditure in Ireland by qualifying film projects.
Arts Funding
Questions (280)
Bernard Durkan
Question:280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which the sector continues to attract support from philanthropists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27354/18]
View answerWritten answers
Private support for the arts is an important funding source and the Government continues to support this through tax incentives and other initiatives. While my Department does not have a breakdown of the total flows of philanthropic funding to the sector, the Programme for a Partnership Government does contain a commitment to encourage strong, mutually beneficial links between the business community and the arts community to assist arts organisations to capitalise on sponsorship opportunities and to develop business partnerships and fundraising skills. In this regard, I recognise the important work carried out by Business to Arts for which my Department provides a small amount of assistance.
In addition, the Arts Council, which is funded by the Department, operates the RAISE programme, which seeks to enhance fund-raising skills in arts organisations with a view to diversifying the sector's sources of funding. It is designed to assist the sector in securing philanthropic contributions to the arts in Ireland.
In terms of other capital investment requiring co-funding, a €10 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres is in progress, focussed on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding, which is being made available as part of the Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021, is dependent on matching funding being secured by project promoters and therefore provides an opportunity for philanthropic support.
In addition, the Government capital investment plan Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage, which provides for investment of €460m in a significant number of capital projects in our National Cultural Institutions over the next 10 years states that individual cultural institutions will be raising their own contributions (typically around 10%-15% of project costs) through philanthropic effort.
Creative Ireland Programme
Questions (281)
Bernard Durkan
Question:281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she can assist various local musical and dramatic societies in respect of annual productions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27355/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department funds the Music Capital Scheme which provides grants to groups and individuals for the purchase of musical instruments. This year an increased allocation of €245,000 was allocated to the Music Capital Scheme with funding awarded to 31 performing groups and 17 individual musicians. Music Network manages the Scheme on behalf of my Department and the organisation referred to by the Deputy can apply for funding under the scheme. Further details are available at www.musicnetwork.ie
While my Department does not fund local dramatic societies, the Creative Ireland Programme does support the work of local authorities in enabling creativity in every community. The local authorities are currently preparing long-term Culture and Creativity Strategies which aim to ensure that people and communities across Ireland will have the opportunity to fully realise their creative potential.
As part of this process, each culture team is consulting widely in relation to how it will implement and deliver the Creative Ireland Programme vision at local level. These Strategies will be accompanied by a separate Activity Programme for 2018 and for every subsequent year of the Strategy. It is expected that both the Strategies and Activity Plans will be published later this year.
The implementation of these plans will be supported by a sum of €3m (€2m from my own Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government) with each local authority therefore receiving approximately €96,000 this year under the Creative Ireland Programme.
Arts Promotion
Questions (282)
Bernard Durkan
Question:282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to enhance the promotion and development of an awareness of the arts and culture with a view to maximising economic benefit in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27356/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Arts Council, the main Irish Government agency for developing the arts, works in partnership with and provides funding for arts, artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life. Festivals, and cultural events are important in this context and the Arts Council received €68m in funding from my Department in 2018.
In addition to the work of the Arts Council, the Creative Ireland Programme is a high level, high ambition, 5-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022 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) and relevant NGOs.
As part of the Creative Ireland Programme, each of the 31 local authorities has established a Culture Team and in 2017 published and implemented local Culture and Creativity Plans which were supported by an allocation of €2m (€1m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government). In total, these plans listed over 750 local cultural projects, events and initiatives taking place nationwide last year which gave us a snapshot of the rich cultural activity taking place in each country.
Each local authority is now in the process of drawing up more detailed five-year Strategic Creativity Plans which will be published later this year. These strategies will be accompanied by an Activity Plan outlining initiatives being supported by the local authorities in their respective areas. The implementation of these Activity plans will be supported by a sum of €3m (€2m from my own Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government). Each local authority will therefore receive approximately €96,000 this year under the Creative Ireland Programme.
The overall aim of these plans will be to mainstream and promote culture and creativity in the life of the nation so that individually and collectively, we can realise our full creative potential with commensurate economic benefits.
We will continue to work across Government in 2018, to further enhance Ireland's cultural and artistic reputation, particularly in the context of the recently launched ten-year plan "Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027" which sets out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage.
This level of investment will transform our cultural and heritage infrastructure right across the country and will support the development of employment opportunities across these sectors.
Details of the funding being made available under this programme and the text of the plan itself are available on my Department's website at https://www.chg.gov.ie/investing-in-our-culture-language-and-heritage-2018-2027/.
Arts Funding
Questions (283)
Bernard Durkan
Question:283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her support for the arts sector continues to result in continued activity and employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27357/18]
View answerWritten answers
My reply to Parliamentary Question Number 700 of 23rd January last, in which I set out the real and substantial funding increases across the cultural, heritage and Gaeltacht areas of my Department provided for under budget 2018, refers.
In addition to these measures, on 10th April last I was pleased to launch Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 - a ten year plan setting out the Government’s commitment for capital investment of almost €1.2 billion in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage.
This level of investment will transform our cultural and heritage infrastructure right across the country and will support the development of employment opportunities across these sectors.
Details of the funding being made available under this programme and the text of the plan itself are available on my Department's website at https://www.chg.gov.ie/investing-in-our-culture-language-and-heritage-2018-2027/.
Turf Cutting
Questions (284)
Bernard Durkan
Question:284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she remains satisfied that all issues of concern to traditional turf cutters throughout the country in respect of the various bogs affected have been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27358/18]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. These Directives aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation within special areas of conservation and special protection areas.
Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation within the framework of the Habitats Directive. This has included intense and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission, as well as the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme, including relocation where feasible, for affected turf cutters.
The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, published in December 2017, sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed, including exploring the options in terms of certain provisions of article 6 of the Habitats Directive.
The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. Arising from this review, the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 has been presented to Dáil Éireann and is proceeding through the necessary stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Its purpose is to provide for the implementation of a reconfiguration of the natural heritage area network arising from the 2014 Review.
15,594 annual payments and 994 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of applications received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas. In addition, 1870 once-off incentive payments of €500 have been made.
Relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs is a complex process. Notwithstanding this, progress in relocation has been achieved in a number of cases. In addition, my Department is moving forward in the relocation process for a number of sites.
Final resolution of all issues in relation to the protection of Ireland’s protected raised bogs will only be brought about by everyone working together, within the law, with my Department and with the Peatlands Council, which was established for the purpose of ensuring the input from all stakeholders.
Creative Ireland Programme
Questions (285)
Bernard Durkan
Question:285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to liaise with local voluntary groups throughout County Kildare and countrywide in respect of various grant aid available for local productions involved in the promotion of the arts through community effort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27359/18]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling creativity in every community is a key strand of the Creative Ireland Programme. To facilitate community engagement with creative activities, each of the 31 local authorities has established a Culture Team and has a designated Creative Ireland co-ordinator.
In 2017, each local authority published and implemented local Culture and Creativity Plans which were supported by an allocation of €2m (€1m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government). In total, these plans listed over 750 local cultural projects, events and initiatives taking place nationwide last year which gave us a snapshot of the rich cultural activity taking place in each country. The 2017 plan for Kildare can be accessed through this link: https://creative.ireland.ie/en/library/kildare. The Department does not manage the application processes for these funding applications and is not prescriptive as to which creative activity should be prioritised.
Each local authority is now in the process of drawing up more detailed five-year Strategic Creativity Plans which will be published later this year. These strategies will be accompanied by an Activity Plan outlining initiatives being supported by the local authorities in their respective areas. The implementation of these Activity plans will be supported by a sum of €3m (€2m from my own Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government). Each local authority including Kildare County Council will therefore receive approximately €96,000 this year under the Creative Ireland Programme.
In addition, each local authority has been allocated additional funding to host Cruinniú na nÓg, a day of youthful creativity that will be held this weekend coming (23 June 2018) and which is specifically targeted at children and young people. Over 500 free events are happening for Cruinniú na nÓg nationwide. Further details including those events happening in Kildare can be found at https://creative.ireland.ie/cruinniu/