Written Answers Nos. 654-666
654. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeline for the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall; the moneys available to fund the proposed transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42002/19]
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 agreed in principle that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (RTÉ NSO) 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.
The overall aim of the Government decision in relation to the proposed transfer of the RTÉ NSO is to enable the orchestra to be established as a world class orchestra which would, with the NCH, provide a creative and imaginative programme strategy that would greatly enhance the offering of the combined organisation to the public.
As the Deputy may be aware, Budget 2020 included the provision of €1m to allow for the start of the process of transferring the National Symphony Orchestra to the remit of the National Concert Hall.
Work is continuing to identify and address the relevant issues to enable a successful transfer. Pending this work, it is considered that the process of transfer will commence in 2020.
655. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is allocation in the budgets of the capital projects funded by her Department for the commissioning of artwork and other peripheral additions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42062/19]
View answerIn July of this year, I announced the completion of a review of the Percent for Art scheme. The outcome of this review led to changes to the scheme’s bands and limits which will make significantly increased funding available to the creative community. The new limits and bands will apply from 1st January 2020 and details may be seen on my Department’s website at https://www.chg.gov.ie/minister-madigan-announces-measures-to-significantly-increase-funding-for-public-art/
I will shortly be re-establishing an inter-agency group to improve information gathering and collation and sharing of best practice on Percent for Art schemes. This group will also link in with the Arts Council and seek to enhance the Council’s existing advisory role in relation to the Scheme.
Current Guidelines on the Per Cent for Art Scheme are available on the Public Art website www.publicart.ie. The guidelines set out how project managers are to operate the scheme and provide a common national approach to its implementation. Under the terms of the Scheme, such works are factored into and funded from the overall budget of each capital project by the public body undertaking it.
656. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil an cúram maidir le maoiniú a chur ar fáil do Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann á aistriú nó aistrithe ón Roinn go dtí an Chomhairle Ealaíon, nó an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an cúram sin a aistriú chuici; agus más rud é go bhfuil, cén fáth a bhfuil sé seo á dhéanamh [42087/19]
View answerNíl aon phleananna ann faoi láthair na socruithe maoinithe i ndáil le Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann a athrú. Mar aitheantas ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le gach réimse de na healaíona traidisiúnta, leanfaidh mo Roinnse de na bealaí is fearr chun an earnáil seo a neartú, a chaomhnú agus a fhorbairt ar fud na hÉireann agus níos faide i gcéin a phlé leis na páirtithe leasmhara go léir.
657. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an raibh aon chomhráití aici nó ag a Roinn leis an Aire Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil, le hUisce Éireann agus le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta maidir le húsáid a bhaint as na córais séarachais, atá ar na heastáit thionsclaíocha ar fud na Gaeltachta, a chur ar fáil i gcomhar le hUisce Éireann, le freastal ar na pobail máguaird; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [42088/19]
View answerMar gur ceist í seo atá tábhachtach do phobal na Gaeltachta, tá sé ardaithe agam le hOifig an Aire Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil.
Tá tugtha le fios go poiblí ag Údarás na Gaeltachta roimhe seo go bhfuil an eagraíocht sásta comhoibriú le heagraíochtaí stáit eile atá ag iarraidh áiseanna cóireála fuíolluisce cónaitheach agus tráchtála a chur ar fáil do phobail Ghaeltachta a bheadh ar leas na bpobal sin.
Tuigim go bhfuil suas le scór córas fuíolluisce forbartha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i gceantair Ghaeltachta le blianta anuas. Tá na córais seo ag freastal ar ghnóanna go príomha ag páirceanna gnó ar fud na Gaeltachta.
Is córais bheaga singil atá i gceist le cuid de na háiseanna agus córais chóireála fuíolluisce níos mó le cuid eile acu. Cé nach bhfuil soláthar áiseanna cóireála fuíolluisce cónaitheach, tráchtála nó pobail mar shainchúram ar Údarás na Gaeltachta, d’fhorbair an tÚdarás ionaid chóireála fuíolluisce, go príomha, air nó gar d’eastáit thionsclaíochta nó páirceanna gnó a bhí i seilbh na heagraíochta chun cruthú fostaíochta i gcomhlachtaí lonnaithe ar na páirceanna seo a éascú.
Tuigim, I gcásanna eisceachtúla, gur ceanglaíodh áiseanna pobail a bhí suite air nó gar d’eastáit thionsclaíochta do na hionaid chóireála fuíolluisce. I gcásanna eile, bhí an tÚdarás sásta comhoibriú (ar iarratas) le húdaráis áitiúla agus le hUisce Éireann chun áiseanna nó talamh a chur ar fáil lena bhforbairt agus a thógáil ar lámh ag na háisíneachtaí cuí. Faoi láthair, tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag comhoibriú le hiarratais éagsúla ó Uisce Éireann chun tacú leo seirbhísí cóireála fuíolluisce a chur ar fáil do phobail Ghaeltachta i nGaoth Dobhair i gCo. Dhún na nGall agus sa Spidéal i gCo. na Gaillimhe.
Sa bhreis air sin, tá comhráití ginearálta tar éis a bheith ag an Údarás le hUisce Éireann ar chásanna éagsúla, ceann ar cheann, áit a bhfuil forbairtí ar chórais fuíolluisce ar siúl faoi láthair. Tá toilteanas an Údaráis chun iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar thógáil ar lámh níos leithne curtha ar shúile Uisce Éireann chomh maith.
658. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is planned to appoint a new Moore Street advisory committee in line with the recommendations of the report, The Moore Street Report -Securing History 2, published on 31 July 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42089/19]
View answer659. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is planned to endorse and implement the recommendations in the report of the Moore Street advisory committee, The Moore Street Report- Securing History 2, published on 31 July 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42090/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 659 together.
I would like to thank all the members of the Moore Street Advisory Group (MSAG) for their invaluable commitment and contribution over the last two and a half years that has culminated in the production of their Securing History 2 report which I have read with great interest.
Some of the key recommendations in the report include:
- that there is an urgency to securing the fabric of the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and that the MSAG confirms its support for the OPW to carry out this process as soon as possible;
- that the MSAG recognises that the Hammerson plan is a significant and welcome advance on the previous plan for the area with the potential to develop a positive vision for the inter-related elements of the market, the national monument and the Hammerson site and that Hammerson are to be commended for their recognition of the importance of this area in Irish history, particularly in relation to the events of 1916;
- that an expert group should be appointed to lead the urgent regeneration of the Moore Street market; and
- that the MSAG be reconfigured to a smaller more-focussed group in order to move the process forward as soon as possible.
I would like to assure the Deputy that all of the recommendations in the report are being addressed.
For my part, I have written to Dublin City Council to ask it to act on the recommendation for the expert group to lead the regeneration of the street market and I understand that it is now in the process of being set up. I will shortly be appointing a chair to the reconfigured Advisory Group after which I will be asking all of the constituent bodies for their nominations. My Department is also advancing arrangements for the development of the scoping document I have referred to. Finally, officials in the Department are in contact with the Office of Public Works regarding the necessary works to the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17.
I regard the Securing History 2 report as a significant milestone in the revitalisation of this crucial part of our capital city. The proposals put forward by Hammerson are sympathetic to and embrace the history and heritage of O’Connell Street and the Moore Street area and can be aligned with the objectives of protecting the national monument at Nos. 14 -17, opening it to the public and resonating the mercantile, social and political heritage of the area as a 1916 commemorative quarter. I understand that a recent statement from the Moore Street Traders Association has expressed its members full backing for the proposals which it sees as providing an important opportunity for their businesses to become viable again.
I welcome the prospect there now is for reviving the Moore Street area and its market and to give Dublin a national main street and historic area to be proud of.
660. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there has been a change in the funding arrangements or funding application process for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42146/19]
View answerThere are currently no plans to change the funding arrangements with respect to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. In the recognition of the importance of all forms of the traditional arts, my Department will continue to explore with all stakeholders how best to strengthen, preserve and develop this sector across the island of Ireland and beyond.
661. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 8 October 2019, each specified activity in question; if the 2004 agreement provided for a payment for designation to reflect its effect on land values or a payment for the management of that land; if so, the payment provided per hectare; and the annual budget allocated for each year that the agreement operated. [42172/19]
View answerThe total list of Activities Requiring Consent (ARCs) is provided in the table. The ARCs listed for a Natura 2000 site are determined by the habitats/species that a site is selected for e.g. ARC 23 is only listed in SPA sites selected for the conservation of Corncrake. Therefore the numbers of ARCS for each site will vary considerably.
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ARC-01 |
Reclamation, including infilling. |
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ARC-02 |
Stocking or re-stocking with fish. |
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ARC-03 |
Blasting, drilling, dredging or otherwise removing or disturbing fossils, rock, minerals, mud, sand, gravel or other sediment. |
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ARC-04 |
All activities relating to turf cutting and/or peat extraction. |
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ARC-05 |
Cutting, uprooting or otherwise removing plants. [Consent is not required for harvesting of cultivated crops, or for grazing or mowing.] |
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ARC-06 |
Introduction, or re-introduction, of plants or animals not found in the area. [Consent is not required for the planting of crops on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land.] |
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ARC-07 |
All activities relating to turf cutting and/or peat extraction. [Consent is not required to continue domestic turf cutting from existing turf banks.] |
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ARC-08 |
Undertaking scientific research involving the collection and removal of biological material. |
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ARC-09 |
Construction or alteration of tracks, paths, roads, bridges, culverts or access routes. |
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ARC-10 |
Construction, removal or alteration of fences, stone walls, hedgerows, banks or any field boundary other than temporary electric fencing. [Consent is not required for normal maintenance.] |
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ARC-11 |
Digging, ploughing, harrowing or otherwise disturbing soil or substrate. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 50m from a river, stream, floodplain, wetland, lake, turlough or pond.] |
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ARC-12 |
Applying inorganic or organic fertiliser, including slurry and farmyard manure. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.] |
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ARC-13 |
Applying lime. [Consent is not required for this activity on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.] |
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ARC-14 |
Storage, burial, disposal or recovery of any materials. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.] |
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ARC-15 |
Burning, topping, clearing scrub or rough vegetation or reseeding. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.] |
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ARC-16 |
Modification of caves and/or their entrances. |
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ARC-17 |
Agricultural improvement of heath or bog. |
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ARC-18 |
Application of pesticides, including herbicides. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.] |
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ARC-19 |
Supplementary feeding of livestock. [Consent is not required for this activity on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.] |
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ARC-20 |
Significant changes in livestock density (including introduction of grazing), changes in livestock type or grazing season, other than on established reseeded grassland. [Consent is not required for changes of less than 20% in livestock density unless notice has been given that a lower percentage is applicable to a particular site.] |
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ARC-21 |
Grazing of livestock between 1st April and 31st October on traditional winterages. |
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ARC-22 |
Changing of agricultural use from hay meadow to any other use. |
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ARC-23 |
Mowing of grass crops. [Consent is not required unless notice has been given that mowing on specified lands is likely to interfere with the breeding and reproduction of corncrakes during the period specified in the said notice.] |
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ARC-24 |
Works on, or alterations to, the banks, bed or flow of a drain, watercourse or waterbody. |
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ARC-25 |
Drainage works including digging, deepening, widening or blocking a drain, watercourse or waterbody. |
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ARC-26 |
Entry of livestock or machinery into stretches of river containing, or upstream from, freshwater pearl mussel. |
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ARC-27 |
Water abstraction, sinking of boreholes and wells. |
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ARC-28 |
Felling of trees or removing timber, including dead wood. |
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ARC-29 |
Planting of trees or multi-annual bioenergy crops. |
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ARC-30 |
Any activity intended to disturb birds, including by mechanical, air, gas, wind powered or audible means. |
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ARC-31 |
Developing or consenting to the development or operation of commercial recreational/visitor facilities or organised recreational activities. |
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ARC-32 |
Recreational use of an off-road vehicle. |
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ARC-33 |
Using or permitting the use of land for car parking where it may damage the vegetation, soil or substrate. |
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ARC-34 |
Alteration, renovation or removal of buildings, ruins or other structures. |
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ARC-35 |
Undertaking active acoustic surveys in the marine environment. |
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ARC-36 |
Harvesting marine invertebrate species in intertidal areas. |
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ARC-37 |
Driving mechanically propelled vehicles in intertidal areas, except over prescribed access routes. |
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ARC-38 |
Lighting up caves, buildings or other places used by bats for roosts. |
The 2004 agreement states “that a fair and proper level of compensation shall be paid for any costs or losses of income or value which result from restrictions on farming or other existing activities” and that “standard rates of compensation will be agreed where possible, calculated to provide reasonable support for landowners in implementing measures required to conserve particular habitats and species, and having regard to all compliance costs”. Regulation 41 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 sets out, in section (1) (a) “Where the Minister refuses consent to an activity under Regulation 30, he or she shall, save for the reasons set out in paragraphs (5) and (6), pay to the owner or occupier or user as the case may be by way of compensation an amount equal to the loss suffered by the owner, occupier or user by the depreciation of an interest in the land to which he or she is entitled,” and that “Subject to subparagraph (b), the amount of compensation payable under paragraph (1) shall be determined by reference to the difference between the antecedent and subsequent value of the land or of an interest in the land consequent on the refusal, modification, variation, or revocation of consent”.
Rates for alterations to farming regimes to incentivise improved management of lands for biodiversity have been paid through the NPWS farm plan scheme since 2006. Some bespoke plans calculated the actual cost of compliance while other plan types, typically for species, operated on the basis of standard rates. These rates were not specified in the 2004 agreement.
Discussions are ongoing with the farming organisations with respect to reviewing the 2004 agreement.
The annual budgetary allocations to the NPWS farm plan scheme are provided in the following table, although some of the allocation figures from 10 years and more ago are not available. I am pleased to confirm that as a result of Budget 2020 , I am doubling the allocation to the Farm Plan Scheme in 2020 to €1m.
|
Year |
Budgetary allocation |
Actual expenditure |
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2006 |
- |
€1.12m |
|
2007 |
- |
€1.73m |
|
2008 |
- |
€2.01m |
|
2009 |
- |
€2.44m |
|
2010 |
€5.10m |
€3.75m |
|
2011 |
€5.38m |
€4.40m |
|
2012 |
€5.14m |
€3.96m |
|
2013 |
€4.44m |
€3.45m |
|
2014 |
€3.14m |
€2.67m |
|
2015 |
€1.58m |
€1.42m |
|
2016 |
€0.93m |
€0.55m |
|
2017 |
€0.69m |
€0.55m |
|
2018 |
€0.51m |
€0.48m |
|
2019 |
€0.55m |
|
662. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the creation of a national night-time culture steering committee in her Department; the membership of the committee; the expected frequency of meetings; the envisaged ongoing relationship with the pilot night-time culture groups in Dublin and Cork; the need for the inclusion of balanced input from rural and smaller urban centres; the terms of reference of the work of the committee; the expected policy and legislative remit of the committee; the need for public consultation; and the expected timeline of the committee’s work. [42193/19]
View answerOn April 17th, I held a symposium to investigate the possibility of creative nightlife and cultural activity after hours as an alternative and complementary option to Ireland's existing rich night time experience. The issues which have been surfaced through this process are primarily impacting on creative and cultural activity in larger urban centres. My Department has been working with key partners to develop an approach to support a sustainable and forward looking infrastructure to develop and sustain creativity and cultural events at night time. The composition of the pilot groups is being finalised and will comprise members with local interests in entertainment, culture, business, the arts, policing, creative workers and officials from the relevant local authority.
With respect to the National Committee, it is my intention this will allow issues which require a response at national level to be brought promptly to the attention of the relevant Government Department or agency, who will have responsibility for any policy or legislative response. The pilots will operate for a defined period before being subject to review.
663. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the planned national survey of venues for night-time cultural activity; the expected format of the survey; the methodology of the survey; if there is a need to include the views of venue users in the survey; the types of venues envisaged to be surveyed; and the expected timeline for completion of the survey [42194/19]
View answerOn April 17th, I held a symposium to investigate the possibility of creative nightlife and cultural activity after hours as an alternative and complementary option to Ireland's existing rich night time experience.
My Department has been working with key partners to develop an approach to support a sustainable and forward looking infrastructure to facilitate the development of after hours cultural events.
In addition to local pilot projects and a national forum to consider the matter of night time culture in a comprehensive way, I am finalising plans to engage with local authorities and arts groups with regard to a mapping exercise of existing venues and civic spaces which may be suitable for night time cultural events to identify both gaps and opportunities. The exact methodology and approach to this mapping exercise is also being finalised within my Department.
664. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a substantive reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) which was followed by several reminders; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42215/19]
View answerMy Department's officials have been on site with the landowner and are actively considering the request set out in the correspondence to which the Deputy refers. This involves a full assessment of the circumstances on which the request is founded and would also require compliance with formal statutory procedures, including engagement with prescribed consultees.
I am advised that the matter is being dealt with as speedily as possible and that the Department will be in contact with the landowner as soon as there are any further developments. I understand that this is likely to happen over the next few weeks.
665. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nár chaith An Foras Teanga, de réir thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste, ach €13.325m den €14.028m a chuir an Roinn ar fail dóibh do 2018; cá mhéad den airgead nár caitheadh a bhain le Foras na Gaeilge agus cá mhéad a bhain leis an mBord Ultaise; cé na tograí ar bhain an tearc-chaitheamh €700,000 leo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [42227/19]
View answerIs í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Treasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. In éagmais CATT, tá an Foras Teanga ag feidhmiú faoi réir socraithe eatramhaigh ag leibhéal buiséid a ceadaíodh i 2016.
I 2018, de bharr luaineachta sna rátaí malartaithe airgeadais, bhí róchaiteachas de €11,926 ag Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise ar bhunsoláthar na heagraíochta. Sa bhliain chéanna, chaith Foras na Gaeilge beagnach an leithdháileadh iomlán a bhí ceadaithe dóibh faoi ré an CATT, le suim de €175,650 fagtha gan a bheith tarraingthe anuas ag deireadh na bliana.
I 2018, bhí maoiniú teagmhasach breise ar fáil i bhfomhír D de Vóta na Roinne, faoina gcuirtear maoiniú ar fáil don Fhoras Teanga, le freastal ar thionscadail aonuaire, lena n-áirítear taispeántas a fhorbairt ag oifigí Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise i Ráth Bhoth, reáchtáil Bhliain na Gaeilge 2018 agus do chnapshuimeanna pinsin sa dá eagraíocht. Is sa bhreis ar an leithdháileadh faoi réir an CATT a bhí an maoiniú seo ar fáil.
Maidir le híocaíochtaí pinsin, is íocaíochtaí reachtúla iad seo agus is deacair caiteachas ar chnapshuimeanna pinsin a thuar go cruinn ag tús na bliana. Níor tháinig an riachtanas le haghaidh cnapshuimeanna chun cinn ag an méid a bhíothas ag tuar le linn 2018. Anuas air sin, bhí fochaiteachas ag an gClár Cholmcille agus ar fhorbairt taispeántas Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise i Ráth Bhoth.
Ag eascairt as seo uile, bhí farasbarr de €702,897 fágtha sa bhfómhír ag deireadh na bliana. Aistríodh €500,000 de sin go dtí fomhír C9 de Vóta na Roinne le caitheamh ar sheirbhísí iompair oileáin agus chuaigh an fuílleach de €202,897 ar ais go dtí an státchiste.
666. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cá mhéad a caitheadh gach bliain ar an scéim do mhúineadh na Gaeilge in ollscoileanna thar sáile ó bunaíodh an scéim; cén líon institiúidí a bhí páirteach gach bliain go dtí seo; an bhfuil sé i gceist athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an scéim chun na hathruithe atá tagtha ar theicneolaíocht chianfhoghlama ó shin agus athruithe eile a chur i gcuntas; cén líon mac léinn a tháinig go hÉirinn gach bliain le trí bliana anuas de thoradh na scéime; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [42229/19]
View answerMar go bhfuil réimse leathan faisnéise iarrtha ag an Teachta, tuigfidh sé nach féidir í a chur le chéile laistigh den amscála atá ar fáil. Cuirfear freagra cuimsitheach díreach chuig an Teachta chomh luath agus is féidir agus i gcomhréir leis na Buan-Orduithe Dála.
