Written Answers Nos. 688-695
688. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cá mhéad uair in aghaidh na bliana, le cúig bliana anuas, a chuaigh sise, nó an tAire Stáit, i dteagmháil le Foras na Gaeilge maidir le billí rialtais. [42156/18]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, tá ról reáchtúil ag Foras na Gaeilge faoin Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann 1999 chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar bhonn uile-oileáin. I measc na bhfeidhmeanna sin, tá dualgas ar Fhoras na Gaeilge comhairle a chur ar fáil don lucht riaracháin mar aon le tacú le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge
Sa chomhthéacs sin, bhí feidhmeannaigh mo Roinne i dteagmháil le Foras na Gaeilge maidir leis an mBille Oideachais (Iontráil Scoileanna) 2017 ar mhaithe le tuairimí tomhaiste a chur ar fáil don Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna ina leith.
Ar ndóigh, bíonn feidhmeannaigh mo Roinne i dteagmháil le Foras na Gaeilge i ndáil le ceisteanna ginearálta a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge ar bhonn leanúnach.
689. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an ngrúpa sinsearach d'oifigigh ardleibhéil ó Ranna cuí, a bhfuil cúraimí maoirseachta orthu i dtaobh an phlean gníomhaíochta don Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, ar tháinig sé le chéile go fóill agus, má tháinig, cá mhéad uair. [42158/18]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta leagtar amach sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022, a foilsíodh i mí Meitheamh 2018, an cur chuige úr a bheidh i bhfeidhm maidir le monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú an Phlean. Glacaim leis mar sin, go bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt don Choiste Stiúrtha a bhunófar mar chuid den cur chuige sin.
Maidir leis sin, tá áthas orm a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil bunú an choiste sin idir lámha cheana féin ag mo Roinn i dtreo an chéad chruinniú den choiste a thionól go luath.
690. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports available to young artists here to encourage their development and to encourage employment in arts and culture here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42219/18]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is the primary means through which the Government provides support for the arts sector including support for young artists. The Council's Strategy document entitled Making Great Art Work, which is being delivered through its Three-Year Plan 2017-2019, sets out its response to the changing nature of artistic practice and engagement with the arts including artists' support which is a defined category under its strategic investment plan. The Arts Council provides a range of schemes and initiatives for the development of young artists including the Next Generation artists award which aims to support promising artists across all disciplines at an early but pivotal stage in their career. Recipients can receive €20,000 and take part in a collective week-long residential programme in spring 2018. The Arts Council also funds bursary awards to artists. Bursaries support professional artists to develop their art practice and provide them with the time and resources to think, research, reflect and critically engage with their art.
In addition to this support my Department is leading the Creative Ireland Programme which is a cross-Government culture based programme designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Participation and citizen engagement in creative activity is at the heart of the Programme. My Department provides funding of €2m across 31 local authorities to drive the Creative Ireland Programme at local level. The Department of Housing Planning and Local Government also provide funding of €1m towards this element of the Programme. This has led to increased opportunities for artists in communities across Ireland. In addition to this over €2m has been provided by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills to implement the measures set out in Creative Youth – the plan to enable the creative potential of every child and young person. One of the flagship projects is Creative Schools which will see 50 creative associates working with 150 schools across the country to develop to explore the potential impact of the arts and creativity on school life.
I recently announced funding of €1.2m for the National Creativity Fund 2018/2019 which will see 30 new creative partnerships developed with a range of organisations covering various types of projects including film visual art, architecture, heritage and others.
All of these measures support engagement and participation in creative activities and also support the development of young creatives and artists across the country.
691. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is considerable concern over the alleged mismanagement of native red deer in Killarney National Park and their future conservation status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42364/18]
View answer692. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the management plan that is in place and the way in which many sika and red deer are to be culled in the coming months by her Department's staff in Killarney National Park; the qualified staff available as conservation rangers with specific responsibility for the management of the herd and thereby reducing the impact on the park's wider ecosystem; if she will ensure that they are culled in a gradual manner with regard to animal safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42365/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.
I can assure the Deputy that the deer population in Killarney National Park is carefully monitored and managed by qualified staff in my Department. Every year, as part of this on-going management of deer populations within the Park, deer numbers may need to be reduced. Culls in Killarney are undertaken following consideration of a number of reports, population surveys and scientific advice. The cull in Killarney is carried out by trained, experienced and dedicated NPWS staff in a professional manner and is based upon scientific research. As part of this managed process, some 120 deer have culled since January 2018. It is not possible to estimate how many more deer will be culled in 2018 due to weather and other factors. The following points should be noted:
- The 2018 cull was decided upon following consultation with NPWS professional staff, including scientific input as required.
- Shooting of deer in the Park is carried out only by NPWS professional staff members, who are fully trained, competent, expert and licenced in the use of firearms.
- The selection of deer shot is in accordance with normal deer management protocols. The deer are shot humanely by qualified NPWS marksmen.
- The remains are processed and disposed of in full compliance with the applicable Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine guidelines, and with the involvement, as appropriate, of officials from that Department.
There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner. Ultimately, however, where deer species are increasing in range and numbers, depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats (especially woodland), culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
693. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is considerable concern regarding unnecessary vilification of wild deer which is not based on factual scientific data and that some wildlife crimes against wild deer have been committed and reported to An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42366/18]
View answer694. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to make adjustments to the open season for wild deer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42367/18]
View answer695. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the issue in relation to deer management and conservation here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42368/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 693, 694 and 695 together.
Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer. I have no current plans to adjust this season.
My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as National Parks and I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls may be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
Control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners who may apply to my Department for a permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to cull deer where this is necessary outside the annual open seasons. These permissions offer a facility whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case by case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Permissions are only issued where there is evidence of such damage.
In relation to illegal deer hunting, officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department and an Garda Siochana have powers under the Wildlife Acts to bring prosecutions for illegal deer hunting. Some 19 prosecution cases have been taken by my Department for illegal deer hunting since 2010 to date which have included cases of hunting deer out of season, hunting at night and hunting on lands without landowner permission.
I have not received an invitation for a meeting from the organisation in question but I would consider any such invitation in the context of on my diary schedule. Finally, if the Deputy has evidence of suspected crimes against deer, my Department would be very grateful for that information.
