Written Answers Nos. 237-250
237. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she was consulted or if her attention was drawn to the decision by the OPW to dispose of a site (details supplied) by public auction; and if she will by order undertake its preservation as a monument of national importance in view of its uncertain future. [47463/18]
View answerMy functions as Minister with regard to the protection of our architectural heritage are set out in the Planning and Development Acts, as are the responsibilities of local authorities and owners.
In relation to the site mentioned by the Deputy, I am aware of the decision by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to dispose of the site. While the sale is a matter for the OPW, and I have no function as Minister, I do understand and appreciate the value such a building would have, particularly to those for whom it has a historic association.
The primary function of the National Monuments Acts is to record and protect ancient sites and features. The focus of the Acts on archaeological remains and traces does not extend to more modern buildings and structures. Accordingly, while the Model School is undoubtedly of local interest and importance, it would not, unfortunately, be an appropriate case for inclusion in the records of monuments compiled by the Department under those Acts.
The Planning and Development Acts give primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect our architectural heritage by including particular structures on their Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the building mentioned is not on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Ultimately, the final decision as to inclusion of a building or structure on the RPS remains a reserved function of the planning authority, in this case Dublin City Council.
239. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 3 October 2018, the number of appeals that were actually submitted regarding SAC designation on owners' lands rather than the number of appeals heard by the board in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47529/18]
View answerThe European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 provide that a landowner may appeal, on scientific grounds, against the inclusion of land with a special area of conservation, within three months from the date of notification of the proposed designation of the site.
There are 2 stages in the appeals process:
Stage 1: A Departmental review of the proposed inclusion of the land within the special area of conservation is conducted by the local office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department.
Stage 2: If an appeal is not successful at the Departmental review stage, the landowner may request that the appeal be heard formally by the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board. The Board is comprised of an independent chairperson and equal representation from a landowner/user/producer panel and from a conservation groups panel.
Details of the number of appeals against the inclusion of land within special area of conservation sites submitted to the Department from 2013 to 2018 (to date) are outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
No. of appeals against the inclusion of land within special area of conservation sites submitted to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
|
2013 |
1 (this appeal was deemed invalid as it was not submitted within 3 months from the date of notification ) |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017 |
0 |
|
2018 |
0 |
There were no appeals against the inclusion of land within special area of conservation sites submitted to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board during this period.
240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department is part of the public sector energy reporting programme; if so, the percentage of improvement in energy efficiency to date that has been achieved; the way in which this was achieved; if her Department noted a decrease in energy efficiency in view of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for energy efficiency targets; if targets will be met by the 2020 deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47587/18]
View answerI am advised that my Department is a participant of the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme and provides energy consumption data to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which manages the reporting process on behalf of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The management of properties occupied by staff of my Department and the bodies under its aegis is primarily a matter for the Office of Public Works. As a consequence, an energy management company has been engaged by OPW to liaise with officials in my Department for the purposes of identifying better building energy management systems. This also includes consideration of proposals for building and facility upgrades, disseminating information to effect behavioural changes and other measures which contribute to improvement in overall energy efficiently performance levels.
In the SEAI's latest annual report published in 2017, the Department and its agencies recorded 28% energy savings as against baseline levels recorded in 2009, which represents significant progress towards the 33% savings target for 2020.
241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she proposes to support cultural projects in the arts and culture sectors in the course of 2018, with particular reference to annual or special events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47627/18]
View answer242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she is likely to offer financial support to organisations involved in the promotion of various cultural events at local level with particular reference to the need to encourage interest in the arts and national heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47628/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my Department designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
Under Pillar 2 - 'Enabling Creativity in Every Community' of the Programme, in 2018, my Department allocated a sum €2m and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government allocated a sum of €1m to all 31 local authorities (€96,000 each approximately) to enable them support an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county. To date in 2018, over 500 different initiatives around Ireland have been funded under Pillar 2. These include arts projects, grant schemes, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, festivals, outreach projects, publications, research programmes, and workshops among other activities. They cover topics such as archaeology, architecture, biodiversity, crafts, heritage, dance, film, history, literature, music, photography, poetry, storytelling, theatre and the visual arts.
These activities form part of each local authority's five-year Culture & Creative Strategies which were launched by me, An Taoiseach and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government on the 12 September.
These strategies highlight the critical role our Local Authorities play as providers and enablers of cultural and creative experiences in communities across Ireland, with all of the vitally important social, and indeed economic, consequences that follow. The strategies recognise that the arts and creative endeavours are crucial to society and community growth. With collaboration and shared purpose at the heart of the Creative Ireland Programme, each strategy provides meaningful opportunities for people and their communities, together with each Local Authority, to build and nurture a creative society. All the strategies and the activities supported under the strategies are available online at https://creative.ireland.ie/en/creative-communities.
As part of the Creative Ireland Programme, this year I launched Cruinniú na nÓg - a national day of creativity for children and young people which took place on 23rd June. Hundreds of free events and activities took place right across the country and specific funding was allocated to each local authority to roll-out this programme in their communities.
Culture Night took place on 21st September and saw venues and public spaces across the island of Ireland open their doors to host a programme of free entertainment, as part of an all-island celebration of arts, heritage and culture.
In addition to funding directly from my Department, the Arts Council also provides significant supports for the Arts at local level.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which her Department remains actively engaged in historical site and building restoration works at various sites; the extent to which she can play an expanded role in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47629/18]
View answer244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of historical and-or heritage buildings under review with the objective of restoration with particular reference to the need to promote local items of historical interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47630/18]
View answer247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the maximisation of interest in historical sites and buildings with a view to the promotion of local and historical interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47633/18]
View answer248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of derelict or semi-derelict and-or abandoned castles and houses of historical interest with a view to possible restoration or use as museums or community centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47634/18]
View answer249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she can offer grant assistance towards historical buildings that may benefit from basic restoration works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47635/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 243, 244 and 247 to 249, inclusive, together.
My functions as Minister with regard to the protection of our architectural heritage are set out in the Planning and Development Acts, as are the responsibilities of local authorities and owners.
The Planning and Development Acts give primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect our architectural heritage by including structures on the relevant local authority’s Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
The decision as to whether a building is placed on, or removed from the Record of Protected Structures is a reserved function of the relevant local authority. My Department does not keep a record of derelict or semi-derelict sites across the country, nor does it keep heritage sites under review generally, except where these sites are national monuments in State care or otherwise part of the historic national heritage estate which is managed by the Office of Public Works.
As Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am the owner or guardian of almost 1,000 national monuments in State care right across the country, ranging from prehistoric burial monuments to medieval fortifications and religious sites. Sites in my ownership or guardianship are maintained by the Office of Public Works. Conservation matters in relation to these sites are managed through regular liaison between the OPW and my Department, identifying condition issues and proposing appropriate conservation actions, carried out under consent where relevant.
My Department is 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. My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, archaeological excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.
Financial support for owners and occupiers of historic buildings is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes. €2m has been provided for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2018 and 370 projects have been approved for funding. €1,324,000 has been provided for the Structures at Risk Fund 2018 and 76 projects across the country have been approved for funding.
The Structures at Risk Fund will be revamped for 2019 and will become the Historic Structures Fund. The Fund will open for applications shortly, as will the Built Heritage Investment Scheme for 2019.
Details of the projects approved under both funding schemes are published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites. Projects approved include a wide variety of types of structures with many different uses, both private and public.
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.
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 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 public consultation for Heritage Ireland 2030, which I launched on 1 November and which is open until the end of February 2019, gives everyone the opportunity to have their say on the future of our heritage and to help identify the priorities for €285 million identified in Project Ireland 2040 for investment in our built and natural heritage.
There are four ways that people can engage with this consultation and have their say: by logging on to my Department’s website and completing the short survey at www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/heritageireland2030; by email to heritageireland2030@chg.gov.ie; by participating in local events and workshops that will be rolled out over the coming weeks; or by post to Heritage Ireland 2030, The Custom House, Dublin 1, D01 W6XO.
245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which ongoing evaluation is taking place in respect of heritage sites with a view to archaeological exploration and excavation in circumstances in which it is suitable in the context of the promotion of such sites for educational and tourism purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47631/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 40087/18 on 2 October 2018. The situation remains as outlined in that reply. I want to thank the Deputy for his continuing interest in these matters and my officials are happy to brief him directly if that is helpful.
246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to liaise with local community organisations involved in the presentation of music and drama; the degree to which financial support will be offered directly or through the Arts Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47632/18]
View answerThe Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based whole-of-Government programme led by my Department and designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
In 2018, under Creative Ireland Pillar II - 'Enabling Creativity in Every Community', my Department allocated a sum €2m while the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government allocated a sum of €1m to the 31 local authorities (€96,000 each approximately) to enable them support an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county. To date in 2018, over 500 different initiatives around Ireland have been funded under Pillar II. These include arts projects, grant schemes, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, festivals, outreach projects, publications, research programmes, and workshops among other activities. They cover topics such as archaeology, architecture, biodiversity, crafts, heritage, dance, film, history, literature, music, photography, poetry, storytelling, theatre and the visual arts.
These activities form part of each local authority's five-year Culture & Creative Strategies which were launched by me, An Taoiseach and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government on the 12 September.
Additional funding of approximately €650k was allocated to the local authorities in 2018 to enable them deliver Cruinniú na nÓg on 23 June 2018 which celebrated and encouraged children and young people’s participation in culture and creativity through performance, coding, theatre, art and music workshops, readings, screenings, special events and much more. A sum of €350k was allocated to Dublin City to deliver Cruinniú na nÓg and a sum of €300k divided among the remaining 30 local authorities or €10k each. It is estimated that over 300 specific separate events took place for Cruinniú na nÓg across the country. It is my intention to establish Cruinniú na nÓg as a yearly celebration of creativity among children and young people.
In addition to the above, the following initiatives are supported by my Department:
- My Department also supports Culture Night with venues and public spaces across the island of Ireland hosting a programme of free entertainment, as part of an all-island celebration of arts, heritage and culture. Culture Night took place on 21 September 2018.
- Annual funding of €1.6m is provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) in 2018 for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. CCÉ provides weekly classes at community level in all traditional instruments, singing, and dance through its network of centres and branches all over the country.
- My Department provides funding for the purchase of equipment under the Music Capital Scheme to performing groups and individual talented musicians nationwide. Support of €224,000 was recently under Scheme for 2017/18. The Scheme is managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department.
- Culture Ireland, provides supports for Irish artists and musicians to travel abroad and develop their careers.
- The Cultural Schemes Unit of my Department arranges a number of schemes including the Cooperation with Northern Ireland Scheme, the Mobility of Collections Scheme, the Regional Exhibition Schemes and the Small Local Festivals and Summer Schools Schemes. Details for the 2018 Schemes may be found at https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/culture/grants-and-funding/. It is anticipated that these schemes will re-open for applications in Q1 2019.
- The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016 - 2018 is focused on the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities throughout the country. To date, funding of €10.214m has been allocated to 134 projects under three complementary grant streams. This is the most significant investment in cultural infrastructure in a decade with funding provided to a range of facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces. The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme is making a huge difference to many individual organisations and my Department is already seeing good outcomes and receiving positive feedback. My Department is currently giving consideration to new round of grant funding for Arts and Cultural Capital to be announced in the near future.
- The Arts Council also has a number of schemes and initiatives around the support of music and drama. Details of these can be accessed on its website at the following link: www.artscouncil.ie
- Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme to enable the creative potential of every child. Creative Schools is led by the Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Creative Schools draws on the commitments set out in the Arts in Education Charter. Creative Schools will give expression to this goal as part of an integrated implementation plan for arts in education. Creative Schools aims to understand, develop and celebrate the arts, as a core aspect of school life, and to foster children and young people’s creativity and participation in the arts as an integral part of their education in Ireland. It will establish a range of collaborative opportunities for schools and will develop and strengthen the relationships between schools and the broader cultural and community infrastructure within which they operate. The long-term aim is for every school to be supported to fully embrace the arts and creativity, ensuring a positive experience and strong outcomes for children and young people.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she anticipates the film industry here and abroad to utilise the scenery here for filming on location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47636/18]
View answerThe Irish audio-visual industry utilises Ireland's wonderful scenery to great effect. This trend has been particularly pronounced in recent years with some excellent examples. In particular, I would highlight the film Brooklyn, the TV drama series Vikings, The Young Offenders which is both a film and TV drama series and of course Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
Fís Éireann 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. Fís Éireann 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. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that €20.04m is to be allocated to Fís Éireann under Budget 2019. This is an increase of €2 million on the 2018 figure.
Fís Éireann also supports the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, 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.
Fís Éireann also offers practical support and information for film makers in accessing skilled crew and studio and technical infrastructure. The Inward Production team provides ground logistical support and advice on filming in Ireland. A detailed guide together with a toolkit to filming in Ireland can be accessed on the website at the following link https://www.screenireland.ie/filming/why-film-in-ireland.
