Written Answers Nos. 231-233
231. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of sites in County Cork being considered for special area of conservation, SAC, status; the level of protection these sites will have while they are under consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7211/19]
View answerFrom 1997, the intention to designate 439 special areas of conservation has been publicly advertised. Legal protection has applied to these sites from the time they were initially proposed for designation.
30 sites selected for designation as special areas of conservation lie within the Cork county boundary. Of these, 12 sites have been formally designated as special areas of conservation by the adoption of a Statutory Instrument for each site. The remaining sites are scheduled for formal designation within the special area of conservation designation programme, which is currently underway within my Department.
The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022 includes proposals to designate two new special areas of conservation, in order to compensate for permanent losses of active raised bog from the special area of conservation network. These sites are more than 50 per cent in State ownership.
Given the comprehensive network of protected sites already in place in Ireland in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive and a number of reviews of the sufficiency of the network of sites, I currently have no further plans to propose sites for designation as special areas of conservation.
232. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the managing and administration of permits for farmers to carry out works in designated special area of conservation, SAC, areas; the authority managing same; if it has been devolved to the local authorities, when this transfer was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7272/19]
View answerIreland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the Habitats Directive. This Directive aims to ensure the protection of a range of rare, threatened or endemic animal and plant species. The Habitats Directive has been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Sites, known as special areas of conservation, are selected for the conservation of particular habitats and species listed in the Directive.
In order to avoid both accidental and deliberate damage to special area of conservation sites, it is necessary to have a system by which potentially damaging activities require consent before they can be carried out. Associated with each special area of conservation site is a list of activities that require consent. This consent is required from me, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, or as appropriate, from another licensing or permitting authority, for example, when planning permission is required in order to undertake an activity.
This consent system has been in place since the commencement of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. These regulations have been revoked and replaced by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.
233. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the potential funding streams that assist young students of music to travel to the United States of America to engage in workshops and programmes in order to develop their talents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7303/19]
View answerCulture Ireland offers support to Irish professional artists, arts organisations and international presenters to present and promote their work at key international venues and festivals, to develop new and diverse international audiences and markets, and to participate in international networking events. Culture Ireland also supports international showcases by presenting a range of artform showcases at key international arts markets, developing new platforms and building influence and opportunities for Irish artists at important arts industry events, and working with artists and presenting partners to co-ordinate and promote Irish participation in key international cultural events.
The Arts Council provides funding for a number of bursaries including a music bursary award to support artists to develop their art practice. Applicants are eligible to apply for such funding on reaching 18. For younger musicians, the National Concert Hall also has a number of competitive bursaries among which the Young Musician Award for String Players is open to young players between the ages of 13 -17. Details of this award may be obtained from the National Concert Hall.
My colleague the Minister for Education and Skills also operates a number of scholarships and bursaries for students studying abroad and may be aware of supports from which assistance could be provided.
