Written Answers Nos. 91-117
91. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support the Briary Gap, Macroom to be re-opened after the 2016 fire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39838/18]
View answerMy Department approved capital funding in principle of €250,000 in respect of the Briary Gap Theatre in Macroom under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018. The amount was payable to Cork County Council towards the restoration and enhancement of the theatre, pending clarity on all reinstatement issues including the contribution from insurances, and subject to the acceptance of Council of the conditions attached to the funding.
My Department has had a request for significant additional funding above the original grant from Cork County Council and is in discussion with the Council in relation to the request.
92. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps being taken to address the difficulties artists are having in sustaining their livelihoods in large Irish cities due to mounting living costs. [39832/18]
View answerI am aware of the issues referred to in the questions and I am determined to deliver additional supports to the arts and culture sector in line with Government commitments. In this regard, primary support for the Arts is delivered through the Arts Council. Funding for the Arts Council has increased by 20% over the past 4 years and now stands at €68.2 million in 2018; representing 23% of the total allocation to of my Department and over 49% of all current expenditure by the Culture Division of my Department. My Department's Creative Ireland Programme is also delivering additional resources to the sector, for example, through the Creative Youth Programme, Cruinniú na Cásca and the Culture and Creativity Strategies delivered by local authorities.
My Department has also provided investment for artists studios under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme and has been in discussion with Dublin City Council in particular, and the Arts Council, in relation to the provision of facilities for artists in Dublin City.
93. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeframe for the sensitive restoration of 14-17 Moore Street, and her views on the urgency to progress and commence the restoration. [39709/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the project to conserve the national monument buildings and to open them as a Commemorative Centre to the leaders of the 1916 Rising was suspended in early 2016 on foot of proceedings in the High Court. The aim of the works was to restore the buildings in a way that would have ensured that they reflected as closely as possible what they would have been like when they were occupied by the insurgents in 1916. Each of the buildings has extensive original features, including plasterwork, partitions, staircases, doors, floors, fittings and fixtures. Most significantly, they also contain physical evidence of the presence of the insurgents themselves in the form of the openings broken through from house to house during the final phase of the Rising. The intention was, and remains, to retain all of this original material.
Working with The Moore Street Report – Securing History as its guide, the Moore Street Advisory Group, of which the Deputy is a member and whose support for the process I greatly appreciate, is currently engaged in discussions with the owner of the Dublin Central site about the implementation of these recommendations and the future of the site which surrounds the national monument. I was pleased to have recently been informed by the chair of the Advisory Group that the discussions are progressing very positively.
I am also aware that the previous plans for the wider site are being significantly modified in a way that is seen to be more sympathetic to the traditions and history of the area and that also brings the commemoration of the events of Easter 1916 to the fore. Design changes in relation to aspects such as architectural heritage, urban regeneration, community benefit and social amenity will determine how the wider regeneration work interacts with the national monument buildings and how both elements are appropriately and sensitively integrated. Until that discussion, in which I would see the Moore Street Advisory Group also having a role, is complete it would not be possible to put a precise timeframe on the resumption of work on the national monument project. The Government does, however, remain entirely committed to having the buildings conserved and open to the public as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the State owned buildings are being monitored and maintained by the Office of Public Works. Works to stabilise the structures and to protect them from the weather were carried out before the Commemorative Centre contractor vacated the site. The buildings are now regularly visited and inspected by OPW which I understand is currently arranging for repairs to a minor leak to the rear of one of the buildings. My officials and I are happy to accommodate the Deputy with briefing on this matter as progress is made.
94. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a roadmap has been prepared for the way in which the €200 million committed to investment in media production and the audiovisual industry by 2027 will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39813/18]
View answerIn April of this year, I was delighted to launch my Department's sectoral Plan – Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027. This Government’s capital investment plan 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.
This was followed in June when I launched the Audio-visual Action Plan. This is an industry-wide, long-term plan, under the Creative Ireland Programme to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of Film, TV drama and animation. The Audiovisual Action Plan seeks to implement recommendations over the next five years which could double employment in film, television and animation to over 24,000 full time equivalent jobs.
In terms of the allocation of the €200 million capital funding to Screen Ireland, allocations fall to be determined annually as part of the Budgetary and Estimates processes which are currently underway. In 2018, an amount of €14.2m was made available to Screen Ireland.
95. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the outcomes of the pilot of the peatlands community engagement scheme 2018; and the level of investment received by applicants from County Westmeath. [39450/18]
View answerUnder the peatlands community engagement scheme, which is operating as a pilot scheme this year, I have approved grant funding of just under €137,000 to twelve local community groups and organisations for a variety of projects focused on the conservation and revitalisation of raised bog special areas of conservation, natural heritage areas and other raised bog areas. This scheme recognises the investment and efforts made by communities in their local areas to conserve and protect the natural environment.
Projects being supported include the development of walking trails and looped walks around bogs, visitor facilitation in local community buildings, local area amenity improvements along with restoration works to raised bog areas.
A review of the pilot scheme will be undertaken later this year by my Department. Subject to the outcome of the review and the normal budgetary processes, it is anticipated that the scheme will operate in 2019.
Funding of €750 has been awarded under the scheme to a local group to support a photographic survey and photographic exhibition of flora and fauna at Cloncrow Bog (New Forest) Natural Heritage Area, County Westmeath. Details of all the projects supported under the scheme in 2018 are set out in the table below.
|
Organisation |
Location |
Description of Project |
Grant Awarded |
|
Looscaun Shannonside Rural Development Group. |
Cloonmoylan and Barroughter Bogs Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Co. Galway. |
Feasibility exercise in relation to the development of walking and cycling trails and local bog road improvement works |
€26,702.50 |
|
Galway Teleworking Group / Carrownagappul Bog SAC Committee. |
Carrownagappul Bog Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Co. Galway |
Education outlet for primary and post primary students and bog road improvement works. |
€15,000 |
|
Community Wetlands Forum (under the umbrella of Irish Rural Link). |
Members of the Forum include: Abbeyleix Bog Co. Laois, Cabragh Wetlands Co. Tipperary, Schohaboy Bog Natural Heritage Area (NHA) Co. Tipperary, Clara Bog SAC, Co. Offaly, Ounamoun Nature Reserve, Co. Longford, Drummin Bog Co. Carlow, Girley Bog NHA Co. Meath. Further details available at www.communitywetlandsforum.ie/ |
Engagement of a part-time development officer to implement the Community Wetlands Forum Strategic Plan 2017-2020. |
€25,000 |
|
Glenamaddy Tidy Towns. |
Lough Lurgeen and Glenamaddy Turlough SAC, Co. Galway. |
Feasibility study to design a series of looped walks and trails. |
€12,500 |
|
Gorthaganny Community Development Ltd. |
Carrowbehy/Caher Bog SAC, Co. Roscommon. |
Interpretive facilities at the Gorthaganny Community Hall and for signage and benches along with local bog road improvement works. |
€20,315 |
|
Kilteevan Tidy Towns. |
Cloonlarge Loop Walk, Co. Roscommon. |
Bog road improvement works, signage, barn owl boxes and the printing of greeting cards, postcards and calendars. |
€17,000 |
|
ETHOS – Everything Tyrrellspass Has on Show. |
Cloncrow Bog (New Forest) Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Co.Westmeath. |
Photographic survey and photographic exhibition of flora and fauna of local bogs |
€750 |
|
Irish Peatlands Conservation Council. |
Girley Bog NHA, Co. Meath. |
Community training and demonstration of Sphagnum transfer peatland habitat restoration technique. |
€3,900 |
|
Mount Allen Residents. |
Mount Allen raised bog, Co. Roscommon. |
An ecohydrological assessment of Mount Allen raised bog. |
€2,000 |
|
Clooncraff Residents. |
Clooncraff Bog (part of Lough Ree SAC), Co. Roscommon. |
Road improvement works and the installation of seating benches at the Clooncraff Bog. |
€4,952 |
|
Ballygar Tidy Towns. |
Ballygar Bog NHA, Co. Galway. |
Programme of talks and practical events (including anti-litter campaign, clean up and baseline surveys) along with a series of informative leaflets to be produced in relation to flora and fauna of the local bogs. |
€1,500 |
|
St. Killians Heritage Trust. |
Killyconny Bog SAC, Co. Cavan. |
Signage and the re-fit of the History Room at St Killian’s visitor centre to include wall wrap and information panels. |
€6,931 |
96. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 21 of 21 June 2018 and 2811 of 24 July 2018, if the performance delivery agreement regarding the contribution of €15 million to Galway 2020 has been finalised; the details of the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39816/18]
View answerThe Government has committed €15 million in funding to Galway 2020. A Performance Delivery Agreement to set out the mutual responsibilities of Galway 2020 and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and the terms of the drawdown of the funds under the Agreement, is being progressed by officials in my Department.
Officials from my Department are working closely with the Galway 2020 team to put in place the Performance Delivery Agreement, as well as support them in their work to deliver the a strong Culture Programme in 2020. In this regard, officials from my Department will be meeting with senior management from Galway 2020 this week.
It is expected that the Agreement will be signed before the end of the month.
97. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí faoin tacaíocht a thugann a Roinn d’earnáil na foilsitheoireachta Gaeilge agus do na cuideachtaí atá i mbaol a ndúnta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39834/18]
View answerTá ról reachtúil ag Foras na Gaeilge chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar bhonn uile-oileáin agus aithnítear an tábhacht leis an scríbhneoireacht agus leis an bhfoilsitheoireacht mar chuid lárnach den ról sin.
Is cuid dhílis d’Fhoras na Gaeilge é an Gúm ó bunaíodh Foras na Gaeilge i 1999 agus tá stair shaibhir ag an eagraíocht sin maidir le foilseacháin agus áiseanna a chur ar fáil a thacaíonn leis an oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le húsáid na Gaeilge i gcoitinne. Le linn 2017, chuir An Gúm 14 fhoilseachán ar fáil i réimse an oideachais, idir leabhair chlóite, phóstaeir, ábhar ar líne agus chlosábhar. Tá sé aontaithe idir Fhoras na Gaeilge agus An Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna tionscadal trí bliana eile a thionscnamh chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar an gclár teagaisc Ghaeilge do na bunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus lán-Ghaeilge (Séideán Sí ) agus beidh idir fhoilseacháin chlóite agus áiseanna ar líne mar chuid den tionscadal sin.
Tá saindualgas ar Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, a tháinig faoi chúram Foras na Gaeilge i 2007, chun tacú leis an bhfoilsitheoireacht i nGaeilge trí scéimeanna maoinithe ar nós, mar shampla, Scéim na Foilsitheoireachta, Scéim na gCoimisiúin, Scéim na dTionscadal Litríochta, Scéim Meantóireachta agus Scéim ‘Scríobh leabhar’. Bhí buiséid iomlán de c €850,000 ag baint leis na scéimeanna sin i 2017.
Cuireann ÁIS (Áisíneacht Dáileacháin Leabhar) – rannóg eile laistigh d’Fhoras na Gaeilge - seirbhís leanúnach ar fáil le soláthar cuí leabhar a chur ar fáil ar fud na tíre agus níos faide i gcéin. Tuigtear dom go raibh díolacháin de c.€900,000 ag ÁIS i 2017 chuig breis is 250 custaiméirí/siopaí leabhar. Tríd an obair sin, deimhnítear go scaiptear saothar na bhfoilsitheoirí ar thacaigh an Foras leo go forleathan.
Le poiblíocht agus margaíocht a dheimhniú do na leabhair a chuireann na foilsitheoirí amach, tá Foras na Gaeilge ag cur maoinithe nach mó ná €240,000 ar fáil do Chumann na bhFoilsitheoirí don tréimhse 2017 - 2019 chun tacaíocht mhargaíochta a sholáthar d'earnáil na foilsitheoireachta Ghaeilge.
Cuireann Foras na Gaeilge go leor tacaíochtaí eile ar fáil don earnáil fhoilsitheoireachta i nGaeilge, ina measc:
- Scéim na bhFéilte - féiltí litríochta éagsúla ar nós Seachtain na Scríbhneoirí Lios Tuathail;
- Focail Eile - clár comhpháirtíochta idir eagraíochtaí cultúrtha i réigiúin Eorpacha chun líonra de shocrúcháin chruthaitheacha a chur ar bun do scríbhneoirí Eorpacha i mionteangacha;
- IMRAM - féile litríochta náisiúnta na Gaeilge;
- Gradaim liteartha náisiúnta na foilsitheoireachta - Gradam Uí Shuilleabháin (leabhar do dhaoine fásta), Gradam Reics Carlo (leabhar do dhaoine óga) agus Comórtais Liteartha Oireachtas na Gaeilge;
- I 2017 craoladh an tsraith Léirmheas Leabhar ar TG4 a ndearna Foras na Gaeilge urraíocht uirthi.
Ar ndóigh, tacaíonn Foras na Gaeilge le foilsiú 3 mórfhoilseachán náisiúnta a bhaineann le réimsí éagsúla an tsaoil, eadhon, Tuairisc.ie (Scéim Nuachta Ar Líne), NÓS.ie (Scéim Iris Stílmhaireachtála) agus Comhar.ie (Scéim Iris Ghaeilge). Bhí buiséid iomlán de c.€500,000 ag baint leis na scéimeanna sin i 2017 agus tá na foilseacháin ar fáil ar líne saor in aisce do phobal na Gaeilge in Éirinn agus thar lear.
Maidir leis an gcuid sin den cheist a bhaineann le comhlachtaí ata faoi chontúirt dúnta, tá ráite ag Foras na Gaeilge liom go n-aithníonn siad go bhfuil tiomantas ar leith agus sainscileanna san earnáil ach go bhfuil idir na buanna agus na dúshláin a bhaineann le gnóluchtaí beaga ag roinnt leo freisin. Cé go bhféachann Foras na Gaeilge ar aon eolas faoi inmharthanacht comhlachtaí ar leith mar eolas íogair tráchtála, ar ndóigh, agus go gcaitear leis leis an discréid chuí, is féidir liom a dheimhniú go mbíonn cruinnithe rialta ag Foras na Gaeilge le hionadaithe ó Chumann na bhFoilsitheoirí agus gur pléadh na dúshláin atá ann dóibh siúd atá ag gníomhú san earnáil. Tá cinneadh déanta, dá réir, leanúint leis an phlé sin chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar chuid de na dúshláin sin a réiteach.
99. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le aersheirbhís d'Oileáin Árann; cad é stádas an phróisis tairisceana nua; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39817/18]
View answerI mí Meitheamh na bliana seo thug Galway Aviation Services Limited fógra do mo Roinn go mbeadh an comhlacht ag tarraingt siar, le héifeacht ó 6 Nollaig 2018, óna chonradh chun seirbhís aeir a chur ar fáil do na hOileáin Árann agus óna chonradh faoina gcuirtear Aerfort Chonamara ar fáil don tseirbhís sin.
Cé gur tháinig na fógraí seo ón gcuideachta aniar aduaidh ar mo Roinn agus gur cúis díomá dúinn é, ghníomhaíomar go pras chun a dhearbhú do phobal na n-oileán gur tosaíocht don Roinn é go mbeadh seirbhís aeir ar fáil do na hoileáin.
Chas mé féin agus mo chuid oifigigh le hionadaithe ó na hoileáin ar roinnt ócáidí chun an t-ábhar a phlé agus tá sé pléite agam le hionadaithe phoiblí an cheantair faoi dhó chomh maith. Chas mo chuid oifigigh le comhleacaithe sa Roinn Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt, le hOifig an Phríomh-Aturnae Stáit agus le hoifig an Ard-Aighne ina thaobh. Tá an t-ábhar pléite le seachtain anuas chomh maith le oifigigh ó Choimisiún an Aontais Eorpaigh sa Bhruiséil.
Taobh leis an méid thuas, tá mo Roinn ag tógáil céimeanna chun próiseas tairisceana a chur ar bun d’fhonn conradh úr a aontú. Níl amscála dó seo leagtha síos faoi láthair ach caithfear a chinntiú mar réamh-chéim den phróiseas sin go mbeidh fáil ar aerfort ar an mórthír a bheidh in ann freastal ar an tseirbhís.
100. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the initiatives provided for archiving historic collections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39452/18]
View answerIn 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. A total of €2.3m was allocated to 14 projects in ten organisations including the National Cultural Institutions.
Examples of the projects funded include the digitisation of the Church of Ireland registers of Baptism, Marriage and Burial, some of which are up to 400 years old. Other projects include the digitisation of the Band Aid archive that was donated to the National Library of Ireland by Sir Bob Geldof.
Under the Project Ireland 2040 plan: Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage, I am committed to investing up to €10 million from now until 2027 on the digitisation of collections by the National Cultural Institutions and collections of national significance. I hope to be in a position to announce details of the next stage of this funding scheme in the near future.
101. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the working group to undertake the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall; when it will report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39705/18]
View answerFollowing the publication of the report by RTÉ that it commissioned from independent consultants Helen Boaden and Mediatique on the RTÉ Orchestras entitled RTÉ Orchestras Ensuring a Sustainable Future, the Government has agreed in principle that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall (NCH). The Government also authorised the initiation of discussions on the implementation of the recommendations of the report.
A first meeting of an oversight group to begin discussions on the implementation of the Boaden Report's recommendations met in July to discuss terms of reference. These are now being finalised and the Group will meet again shortly. The purpose of the group is to identify and address the relevant issues to enable the successful transfer of the NSO from the remit of RTÉ to the remit of the NCH.
A Working Group will also be set up which will look at the detailed issues involved in the proposed transfer of the orchestra. I expect that this group will be established shortly.
102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to deal with reports of precarious working terms and conditions, lack of proper training structures and pensions across the film industry; her views on whether public funding and tax relief support of the industry should be strictly conditional on real improvements in these areas for the workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39843/18]
View answerFirstly, I would like to thank the members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for the work undertaken to produce the Report which was published last July just a few weeks after the Government launched its Audiovisual Action Plan. The Committee's Report and the Audiovisual Action Plan have significant overlap and share the objectives of developing the Irish Audiovisual Industry and improving employment within it.
A steering group has been established to implement the Audiovisual Action Plan and has already met twice since the Action Plan was published. The Group includes representatives of all Government Departments and State Agencies that have an interest or involvement with the audiovisual industry. As I said the Report of the Oireachtas Committee was discussed at the recent meeting of the Steering Group on 27 September. This included discussions regarding the importance of Section 481, compliance of the industry with aspects of tax and employment law, the holding of specific conferences and workshops to consider the development of the industry including the need for an appropriate forum to consider employment issues. Further work is being carried out on all these initiatives and announcements in relation to them will be made in due course. The Steering Group will report to me at regular intervals.
In relation to the specific details supplied by the Deputy, it is important to note that employees in every industry and sector are entitled to all existing legal protections. Furthermore, I would like to draw attention to legislation being brought forward by my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 will improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts and those working variable hours. This legislation responds specifically to the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to address the problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious work. I am happy to report that the Bill completed Report and Final Stage in the Dáil on 12th July 2018 and it is anticipated that it will be introduced in the Seanad this autumn.
103. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the schemes available to support historic buildings that require repair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39727/18]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities.
The Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) supports conservation works to heritage structures in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. I have allocated €1.3m this year and 76 projects across the country have been approved for funding under the scheme.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures, designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I have allocated funding of €2m nationally for this Scheme in 2018 and 355 projects have been approved for funding.
Details of all of the projects awarded funding under both of these schemes in 2018 are published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites.
The closing date for the 2018 schemes has now passed. My Department remains in contact with local authorities throughout the year, however, to ensure the best use of all funds under the schemes, including the reallocation of funds where, for example, projects do not proceed.
I have also provided funding of €1m in 2018 for the Historic Towns Initiative, which is a joint initiative of my Department and the Heritage Council. This initiative is supporting six historic towns in 2018 who are carrying out significant heritage regeneration projects.
The best advice for owners in relation to individual historic structures is to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer in their local authority who is well placed to provide expert advice and assistance.
In terms of future funding, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment scheme of €1.2 billion in funding over the next 10 years, as part of Project Ireland 2040. This plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.
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. Grant schemes are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
104. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that Brexit will not affect pension entitlements to staff of Waterways Ireland; and the actions she has taken to mitigate against the negative potential impacts of Brexit on her Department. [39840/18]
View answerMy Department co-sponsors two of the six North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga/the Language Body.
I am advised that, as the North-South Implementation Bodies were established under an Agreement reached between the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom which was not dependent on European Community membership, there are unlikely to be implications directly stemming from Brexit for occupational pension entitlements for existing pensioners or future retirees. The implications for State Pension entitlements are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Detailed contingency planning is being carried out, involving all Government Departments for all possible scenarios and outcomes to the Brexit negotiations, coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. My Department continues to gather information on the implications and potential responses to the relevant issues with regard to a disorderly Brexit scenario from each area and participates in inter-Departmental preparations for Brexit through the IGEUB, the Island of Ireland Group, High Level Communications Group on Brexit Preparedness and Contingency Planning and the Brexit Co-ordinators Group.
A Working Group, chaired at Assistant Secretary level and composed of officials from across the Department has also been established to deal with Brexit issues. This Working Group is supported by the Department's Corporate Governance and Coordination Unit which is also responsible for coordinating the response to Brexit related issues within the remit of my Department.
105. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for commemorating the War of Independence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39407/18]
View answerI will shortly bring proposals to Government setting out the proposed approach to the programme of commemorations over the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries. The Government's approach to the remembrance of all of those who lost their lives during the Independence Struggle and the significant events and themes associated with this period, will be informed by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations and the core principles set out in its Second Statement, published in October 2017. In this regard, it will follow the approach adopted in the first half of the Decade of Centenaries of being respectful, meaningful, proportionate and authentic.
106. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the creative schools programme 2018 including the pilot projects that are underway. [39820/18]
View answerThe Creative School Programme is one of the key initiatives of the Creative Youth Plan, an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme. It is led by the Arts Council in collaboration with and funded by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills.
Following an open application process, 150 schools were selected for the pilot in the school year 2018/19. These schools have approximately 38,000 pupils. There are a diverse range of school types involved, in different parts of the country, rural and urban, primary and post primary, DEIS schools, special schools, and Youthreach centres.
Schools who participate in the pilot will work with artists, creative practitioners and educators to develop their own unique programme of arts and creative work, connecting them to the full range of local and regional cultural resources and opportunities. In addition, all schools will also receive a further range of supports including a once-off grant of €2,000.
The Programme is well underway and training for the Creative Associates has already taken place earlier this month.
Through this pilot programme the creativity of children and young people across the country will be enabled. Students will be directly connected to artists and to the arts within their own communities and nationally. A direct, long term connection will be created between these students and the creative, cultural and artistic resources of the state, now and into their future.
This is a pilot initiative and it will therefore be reviewed before rolling it out to all schools.
107. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the petition and campaign calling for the State to buy an estate (details supplied) as a public recreational amenity; if her attention has been further drawn to the serious concerns regarding the potential to restrict rights of way for hill walkers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39704/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my answer in this House earlier today. I am aware that this site, comprising a historic house and estate of some 5,000 acres, has been offered for sale, with a reported asking price in the region of €28 million. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has no direct role in this sales process as it is a commercial matter between the owners of the property in question and the parties interested in the purchase.
Through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht manages a property portfolio in respect of national parks and reserves of approximately 87,000 hectares. These important biodiversity areas are located all around the country. Given the limited resources available for capital investment within the National Parks and Nature Reserves, I recognise the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves' lands.
While the lands in question would represent a significant addition to the stock of publicly owned heritage properties and lands, my Department could only consider acquiring this property if the price fell to within a certain range, or in the context of a donation or bequest. This is known to the Vendors. In this context, I would also remind the House that in late 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016 at a cost of just €800,000.
Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough are amongst our most beloved and popular heritage jewels. The Estate referred to in the details supplied has allowed a permissive access to a hugely popular walking route for many decades and I would hope that this would continue under any new ownership arrangements. While my Department has conveyed this desire directly to the vendors and their agent, I have no statutory function regarding the provision of access to private lands. Furthermore, the Estate has been an excellent neighbour to the National Park, working closely with it on habitat management and the promotion of our stunning Wicklow Mountains for tourism, film-making and amenity. It is my wish that this close co-operation would continue too in future.
108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the activities for the remainder of the decade of centenaries; if she will report the work of the all-party group on commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39505/18]
View answerI will shortly bring proposals to Government on the development of an appropriate programme to commemorate the significant historical events and themes over the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries (1919 - 1923). The Government's approach in relation to this will be guided by the guiding principles of the Second Statement of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations which was published in October last year.
I have now re-established the All-Party Consultation Committee on Commemorations and the first meeting will take place on 4 October. I will chair the committee which is made up of members of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly. I look forward to engaged and constructive meetings of the Committee to explore and address appropriate commemoration of the events and milestones in the period covered by the next phase of the Decade of Centenaries - 2019 to 2023.
My Department will also continue to consult and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the local authority network, in developing the State commemorative programme out to 2023.
109. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on reports that leading cultural institutions including the National Gallery, National Museum and Irish Museum of Modern Art that are funded by the State are engaged in the widespread use of hiring unpaid interns; the effect this will have on the art and cultural sector; if this practice has been approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39809/18]
View answerCultural Institutions under the remit of my Department operate both paid and unpaid internships. Paid internships are funded from a number of sources such as fellowship grants from private sponsors.
Unpaid internships are generally of short duration in specialised areas such as conservation and exhibitions. These internships are mainly availed of by students and recent graduates and in many instances form part of the students course requirements. I understand that three national cultural institutions under the aegis of my Department - the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Ireland - are currently operating such internships.
The National Cultural Institutions are independent bodies under the aegis of the Department, it is a matter for these bodies to decide if they are able to facilitate requests for short term internships from students and other interested in developing a career in the sector.
The Workplace Relations Committee has indicated that it hopes to devise an information campaign on internships in the coming months. My Department will ensure that the National Cultural Institutions will have full regard to all guidance received on these matters.
110. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the roadmap to deliver on the promise to double arts funding by 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39815/18]
View answerAs Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I greatly welcome the commitment given by an Taoiseach to increase Government spending in the arts and culture sector on a trajectory that will see funding doubled by 2025. My Department and I continue to work with an Taoiseach and all of my Government colleagues towards delivering on this commitment.
A first and very significant step in the delivery process has been Project Ireland 2040 which gave recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage to our sustainable development over the next decade and beyond. This recognition is underpinned by the commitment by Government to invest €1.2 billion in our culture, our language and our heritage over the 10-year implementation of the NDP.
In April of this year, I was delighted to launch my Department's sectoral Plan - Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027. The plan sets out significant investment on a phased basis over the next 10 years prioritised across 3 areas - €785m for Culture; €295m for Heritage and €178m for our Language.
This level of investment will transform our cultural and heritage infrastructure right across the country and goes a long way towards honouring the commitment to double government spending on arts, culture and heritage.
In terms of current funding, allocations fall to be determined annually as part of the Estimates process. In 2018, total current funding for my Department increased by €11.5m or just under 5% to €248.659m, including an additional €2.8m for the Arts Council; an additional €1.7m across all of the National Cultural Institutions; just under €1m in additional funding for the Heritage programme and an extra €1.4m for the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language.
Budget Estimates 2019 are due to be presented on 9 October next and I can assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment to achieving the best possible result for the arts and cultural sector within the parameters set out in the Summer Economic Statement and Mid Year Expenditure Report published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
111. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the decade of centenaries commemorative events she has attended in the past two years. [29287/18]
View answerI have attended a number of events related to the Decade of Centenaries Commemorative Programme, since my appointment as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on 30th November 2017.
On 6th February 2018, I launched the State programme to mark the centenary of the introduction of voting rights for women in 1918 and their right to stand in parliamentary elections. This programme also celebrates 100 years of participation of Irish women in political life, beginning with the election of Countess Markievicz in the General Election of 14th December 1918. Later this year, I look forward to opening an exciting and innovative pop-up museum exhibition, entitled, Women in Politics and Public Life, 1918 - 2018, curated by the historian, Sinéad McCoole, which will be showcased at The Coach House in Dublin Castle until early 2019.
On Easter Sunday, 1st April, I represented the Government at a commemoration in Glasnevin Cemetery, in remembrance of all of those who died during the 1916 Easter Rising. This commemoration included wreath-laying ceremonies at the Sigerson Monument and the graves of Edward Hollywood and Peadar Kearney.
On 9th May, I attended the annual State Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising at Arbour Hill.
On 7th July, I represented the Government at the annual ceremony, hosted by the Royal British Legion Republic of Ireland Branch, in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, to commemorate the Irish born men and women who gave their lives in World War I and World War II.
On 4th September, I launched a new exhibition to commemorate the work of thousands of men and women volunteers from the St John Ambulance brigade, who cared for the military personnel on their return from World War I. This exhibition also explores the significant humanitarian response to the sinking of the RMS Leinster on 10th October 1918. I will be honoured to represent the Government at an official commemoration in Dún Laoghaire on 10th October to mark the centenary of this tragedy - in which at least 564 people perished.
112. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of support provided to an organisation (details supplied); the benefits from same for County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39807/18]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy 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. As part of its remit, it Ireland supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects as well as supporting the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals and the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. It also 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 June 2018 I launched the Audio-visual Action Plan. The industry-wide, long-term plan, under the Creative Ireland Programme, will support the Government’s ambition to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of Film, TV drama and animation.
This Audiovisual Action Plan sets out an agenda to further develop the Irish Audiovisual Industry and in that context my Department will work with all sectors of the industry to address any barriers to continued success.
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 over the next 10 years, which will have a positive impact right across the country including in County Kildare.
113. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of vacancies on State boards under the remit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39706/18]
View answerThe following are the vacancies on State Board under the remit of my Department:
There are three vacancies on the Board of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI). Following a recent call for expressions of interest from the public through the Public Appointments Service, I anticipate that I will shortly receive a shortlist of suitably qualified candidates from which I will be able to fill two of these vacancies on the Board of the NMI. The third vacancy on the Board of the NMI is for a staff representative. A process is underway in the NMI, under Section 19 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, to identify a staff representative to fill this vacancy.
There are two vacancies on the Board of the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork. I intend that a process will be initiated shortly with the Public Appointments Service to identify a shortlist of suitably qualified candidates to fill these vacancies.
There are three vacancies on the Board of Foras na Gaeilge, an Agency of the North/South Language Body, An Foras Teanga. Appointments to boards of North/South bodies are made by the North South Ministerial Council, on the basis of 50:50 nominations from each jurisdiction. Current vacancies on the Board of Foras na Gaeilge are in respect of Northern nominations.
114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to undertake studies on the feasibility of extending navigation on the River Erne from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra, County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39798/18]
View answerWaterways Ireland manages and maintains the navigation on the River Erne in County Cavan as part of the Shannon – Erne Waterway. Waterways Ireland public jetties are provided in both Belturbet and Kilconny and the navigation channel is provided with navigation markers and signage as and where required. The upper limit of the managed navigation on the River Erne is currently just below Erne Bridge between Belturbet and Kilconny.
I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that a number of studies have been undertaken since the late 1980’s to examine the feasibility of extending the navigation upstream from Belturbet to Lough Oughter. The results of these studies have not been taken forward due to budgetary constraints, extent of assessments required, anticipated impacts on the designated habitat, constraints on works due to environmental legislation, and the remit of Waterways.
There may however be potential in the waters of the Lough Oughter area being promoted as a distinct Blueway. While I understand from Waterways Ireland that they have no plans to develop a Blueway in Lough Oughter, Blueways Ireland - a group that includes the National Trails Office, Canoeing Ireland and a range of other state bodies involved in, or with an interest in the development of Blueways - is currently considering the establishment of Blueways beyond the Waterways Ireland network of inland waterways.
To this end, Waterways Ireland has met with the Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Council officials and elected representatives concerning Blueways developed successfully on the Waterways Ireland network and to advise on possible ways forward.
Waterways Ireland is happy to support Cavan County Council with professional and expert advice should it decide to develop a Blueway on the River Erne from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra.
115. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funds will be provided to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for the maintenance and development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour in line with her Department's priorities to support the heritage and cultural infrastructure of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39841/18]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures (i.e. structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures). It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I have allocated funding of €2m in total for this Scheme in 2018. In addition the Structures at Risk Fund, with funding of €1.3m in 2018, enables conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration.
The closing date for the 2018 schemes has now passed and I am informed that no application has been submitted in respect of structures at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Details of the projects approved under both funding schemes are published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites. The development of the harbour generally is not the type of investment contemplated by the initiatives referred to earlier and such large utility and transport projects are best addressed by Departments resourced to respond strategically.
In terms of future funding, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment scheme of €1.2 billion in funding over the next 10 years, as part of Project Ireland 2040. This plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.
117. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici Scéim na mBóithre Áise a athoscailt; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39837/18]
View answerFaoi Scéim na mBóithre Áise de chuid na Roinne, chuirtí airgead ar fáil do na húdaráis áitiúla ar mhaithe le obair dheisiúcháin a dhéanamh ar bhóithre beaga faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht.
Le go mbeadh bóthar cáilithe chun críche na scéime, ba ghá roinnt coinníollacha faoi leith a bheith comhlíonta, ina measc; gur bóthar é nach raibh faoi chúram an údaráis áitiúil ábhartha agus gur bóthar é a bhí ag freastal ar theach amháin ar a laghad móide gabháltas talún nach le húinéir an tí é. Bhí sé mar choinníoll faoi leith chomh maith nach raibh aon gheata transna an bhóthair a thabharfadh le tuiscint don saol fodhlach go raibh cosc orthu an bóthar a úsáid. Mar is eol don Teachta tá an scéim ar fionraí le tamall de bhlianta anois.
Tuigtear go gcuimsítear feabhas ar bhóithre den chineál atá luaite anois faoi Scéim Feabhsúcháin Áitiúil atá faoi stiúir na Roinne Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail.
