Written Answers Nos. 244-262
245. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the impact of urban seagull colonies on communities will be reviewed; if so, if recommendations will be made; if the details including notes of the briefing to her predecessor in respect of reports (details supplied) by community representatives will be provided with regard to the consultative committee established. [14316/20]
View answerMy Department is aware of the impact of gull species especially in coastal urban areas.
The State Wide Declaration for the period up to 30 April 2021 allows the killing and capturing of certain wild bird species where they are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety. The Declaration is published on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at www.npws.ie/legislation/irish-law/eu-birds-directive-derogations. The Declaration includes methods to control seagull species in a specific area in North Dublin for public safety reasons. The control method involves the removal of eggs and nests only and the culling of seagulls is not permitted.
ANIAR Ecology were appointed by my Department to undertake a comprehensive review of the derogation process under Article 9 of the EU Birds Directive and published their report in October 2018. In line with the recommendations in the consultant’s report a Consultative Committee was established to undertake a review of the issues surrounding the impact of gulls in urban areas, with an independent chair, whose membership includes representatives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department, Fingal County Council, a local Community Committee and BirdWatch Ireland.
The remit of the Consultative Committee was not confined to one particular urban area given the widespread range of seagulls. The Committee was formed in June 2019 and has published its first interim report.
I will make arrangements to have the documentation referred to in the question provided to the Minister of State.
246. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are proposals in place to reduce the prevalence of the invasive grey squirrel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14475/20]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species. In addition to national legislation, the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014) also provides for a range of concerted EU wide measures to be taken with respect to listed species of Union concern (the 'Union list'). The grey squirrel, introduced to Ireland just over 100 years ago, is listed as an invasive alien species of national concern on the Third Schedule of the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations and is also included on the Union list.
NPWS is working in conjunction with a range of agencies, including local authorities as well as with colleagues in the EU, and the UK, to manage the risks associated with Invasive Alien Species. New legislation around invasive alien species, including provisions to fully implement aspects of the EU IAS Regulation, has been drafted by the NPWS and is currently being finalised by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. This legislation will update and strengthen existing legislation and provide appropriate powers to deal effectively with invasive alien species in the State.
The most effective control of the grey squirrel appears to have occurred through the spread of pine martens in recent years. The Grey Squirrel had become numerous in most of the eastern half of the island of Ireland. It competes with the Red Squirrel for resources, and carries a disease that is fatal to the native Red. The spread of Grey Squirrel was mirrored by a retraction in Red Squirrel range and a reduction in numbers.
In recent surveys of the two squirrel species it became apparent that the Grey Squirrel had disappeared from parts of the midlands. This disappearance was linked to the re-emergence of the Pine Marten, a native carnivore. It had previously almost disappeared but has made a considerable recovery after it was protected under Irish law. High densities of Pine Marten were found in the midlands of Ireland, in the areas where Grey Squirrel had disappeared. Meanwhile, Red Squirrel has made a recovery in some of these areas and seems capable of co-habiting woodlands with the Pine Marten. Similar findings have since been made in Scotland.
A full report on a recent survey of the three species was published by the NPWS as Irish Wildlife Manual no. 121 and can be found at www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM121.pdf.
I am advised that the policy of the Department of Agriculture and the Marine is that pest and mammal control is a matter for landowners. Grey squirrels are not a protected species under the Wildlife Acts and are considered a pest species as they cause serious damage to broadleaf trees. Teagasc outline a number of management options to reduce a woodland’s susceptibility to such damage in its Farm Forestry series of Information leaflets.
247. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of conservation rangers and wildlife inspectors recruited by her Department in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14539/20]
View answerThe following table outlines the number of conservation rangers and wildlife inspectors appointed in my Department in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020.
|
Grade |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
CONSERVATION RANGER |
16 |
2 |
18 |
|
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
WILDLIFE INSPECTOR GRADE 3 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
15 |
|
Total |
8 |
26 |
4 |
38 |
248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will agree to the requests of agencies (details supplied) to protect all local authority arts and entertainment arts related funding streams and budget for next year and not allow the impact of Covid-19 on this year's spending to reduce next year's budgets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14562/20]
View answerWhile the core funding of local authorities is a matter for my Cabinet colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the principal mechanism through which my Department directly supports arts and culture at local authority level is the Creative Ireland Programme. Creative Ireland is a culture-based 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.
Under Pillar 2 of the Programme – 'Enabling Creativity in Every Community ' – each local authority has published a 5-year Culture and Creativity Strategy, as well as establishing a Culture Team led by a Creative Ireland Coordinator to oversee its implementation. My Department, together with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government have, over the course of 2018 and 2019, allocated total funding of €6.549 million to all 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual strategies through extensive programmes of activities, events and initiatives. The same level of core funding which was provided last year (€3 million) is also being made available to local authorities in 2020 to enable them to continue the implementation of their strategies.
Furthermore, since 2018 each local authority has also been provided with additional funding by my Department to support the delivery of Cruinniú na nÓg – the national day of free creative activities for children and young people under 18 years of age. The funding provided over the course of 2018 and 2019 to support Cruinniú na nÓg activities amounted to a total of €1.406 million, while for 2020, a sum of €15,000 has been allocated to each local authority with the four Dublin local authorities awarded €75,000 each. As the Deputy will be aware, in response to the public health restrictions in place, on June 13 last Cruinniú na nÓg 2020 was delivered online, and each local authority contributed to making it a huge success.
The matter of funding measures under the Creative Ireland Programme for 2021 and 2022 will be agreed in the context of Programme priorities for those years and, as the Deputy will appreciate, are subject to annual budgetary and estimates processes. However, in the recently agreed Programme for Government – Our Shared Future – the Government parties have committed to fostering further collaboration between local authorities and local arts organisations through the Creative Communities Pillar of the Creative Ireland Programme.
In recognition of their key role in supporting and funding the arts at local level, local authorities have long been key strategic partners of the Arts Council – evidenced by the publication of “A Framework for Collaboration ”, a 10-year strategy between the Arts Council and the County and City Management Association (CCMA), which reflects on the value of the partnership to date and sets out a vision and broad goals to be progressed for the period 2016 to 2025. The Arts Council also provides funding to local authorities, supporting the programmes of Arts Offices in each local authority, as well funding a range of other initiatives, events and festivals which are carried out in partnership with local authorities and artists in every local authority area.
The question of funding provided by the Arts Council to support local authority arts programmes will be the subject of the annual budgetary process, as well as the Council’s own internal procedures for the allocation of its annual budget.
Finally, recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of arts centres, many of which were initiated and funded by local authorities and supported through capital schemes largely operated by my Department. Support provided to these arts centres by local authorities is critical to ensuring that a stable and vibrant network can be maintained. Capital funding schemes operated by my Department continue to be focused on enhancing this existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country. Recent capital schemes are being informed by the strategic Review of Arts Centres and Venues commissioned by the Arts Council and CCMA, as well as the Arts Council's published Arts Centre Policy and Strategy 2019 which sets out its funding criteria for arts centres from 2020 onwards.
249. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the obligations of the NPWS on proposed natural heritage areas. [14574/20]
View answerSection 16(1) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 provides that where a Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is of the opinion that a site should be designated as a natural heritage area, he or she shall publish or cause to be published a notice of his or her intention to make an order designating the site as a natural heritage area. In doing so, the Minister shall have regard to whether, on the basis of the scientific advice available to him or her at a particular time, the site is worthy of conservation by virtue of its special scientific interest for one or more species, communities, habitats, landforms or geological or geomorphological features or for its diversity of natural attributes or in light of the requirements of the EU Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. Once a site has been proposed for designation in accordance with section 16(1) of the Act, it has legal protection under the natural heritage area provisions of that Act. These provisions are set out in Part III, Chapter II of the Act.
There are 630 proposed natural heritage areas in Ireland. Any review of some or all of these sites by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, would be based on an analysis of the special scientific interest of each site or its diversity of natural attributes or in light of the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. While such a review is foreseen, the current focus of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the Birds and Habitats Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas.
250. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to provide financial assistance to help dancing groups through the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13736/20]
View answerThe Arts Council is the main route through which the Government funds the arts and artists in Ireland. It operates under the Arts Act 2003 which includes dance as one of the arts disciplines covered by the Council. The 2020 allocation to the Council is €100 million and it includes an additional €20 million allocated last month. The Arts Council has indicated that it will allocate the additional funding to bursaries and commissions to artists and arts organisations. Further information is available at the Arts Council's website www.artscouncil.ie/funding/.
251. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an n-aontaíonn sí gur féidir léi buiséad Fhoras na Gaeilge a ardú den chéad uair le breis is 10 mbliana anuas, anois go bhfuil Rialtas ann ó Thuaidh arís; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13764/20]
View answerIs í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann, áfach, níorbh fhéidir cruinnithe CATT a eagrú ó lár 2016 i leith. Dá bhrí sin, cé nach bhfuil na buiséid i leith 2017 go 2020 ceadaithe go hoifigiúil go fóill, ó 2017 i leith, tá aontaithe ag na Ranna Airgeadais sa dá dhlínse go bhfeidhmeodh na Forais Trasteorann uile de réir na buiséid a cheadaigh an CATT ina leith don bhliain 2016.
I mbliana, íocfaidh mo Roinn €11,087,184 (75% den ollbhuiséad ceadaithe ag CATT) d'Fhoras na Gaeilge. Anuas air sin, cuirfidh mo Roinn maoiniú breise ar fáil d'Fhoras na Gaeilge i ndáil le nithe imfhálaithe mar a bhaineann le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (€1,061,165) agus Colmcille (€118,519). Is fiú a nótáil freisin go ligtear d'Fhoras na Gaeilge an t-ioncam breise a ghintear ó dhíol leabhar agus eile a choinneáil le caitheamh ar a chuid gníomhaíochtaí.
Tá i gceist go dtionólfar cruinnithe CATT arís go gairid, tráth go ndéanfar na buiséad 2017 - 2020 a cheadú agus go bpléifear gach gné de chúrsaí oibre an Fhoras Teanga, buiséd san áireamh. Tréaslaím leis an obair atá déanta ag Foras na Gaeilge agus ag na ceanneagraíochtaí le blianta beaga anuas, go háirithe le linn tréimhse na géirchéime seo. Táim ag súil go mór le bheith ag obair go dlúth leis an bhForas sna blianta amach romhainn chun an teanga a chur chun cinn ar bhonn uile-oileáin.
252. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dóigh léi go bhfuil sé sásúil nach raibh an dara rogha ag Comharchumainn Ghaeltachta, Scoileanna Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna ach faisnéis maidir leis an gcoróinvíreas a scaipeadh ar an bpobal trí Bhéarla, de bharr nár cuireadh an fhaisnéis chuí ó na húdaráis sláinte agus ón Rialtas féin ar fáil ach as Béarla dóibh; an n-aontaíonn sí go raibh sé de cheart an phoiblíocht ceannann céanna a cuireadh amach ó na húdaráis maidir le Covid-19 i mBéarla a chur amach i nGaeilge; an féidir léi a dheimhniú go gcuirfear faisnéis maidir le Covid-19 amach i nGaeilge ar gach ardán amach anseo an tráth céanna a chuirfear faisnéis amach i mBéarla; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13765/20]
View answer253. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an n-aontaíonn sí le dearcadh Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte nach raibh siad in ann íoc as fógraí maidir le héigeandáil Covid-19 ar Raidió na Gaeltachta agus nach raibh aon ní sa dlí á cheangal orthu íoc as na fógraí céanna ar na stáisiúin raidió Bhéarla agus, mar sin, nár chuir siad aon fhógra as Gaeilge ar aon stáisiún raidió i rith na héigeandála ar fad agus nár íoc siad astu; conas a bheartaíonn sí cothrom na Féinne a thabhairt do phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta agus dóibh siúd sa phobal a bhfuil spéis acu sa Ghaeilge maidir le fógraíocht as Gaeilge faoin éigeandáil ar na stáisiúin raidió; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13766/20]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 252 agus 253 le chéile
Ní mór dom a rá ar an gcéad dul síos gur ceisteanna iad seo don Aire Sláinte go príomhá.
Tá dualgais dhíreacha ar gach comhlacht poiblí faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a chlúdaíonn eolas atá á thabhairt don phobal i gcoitinne (nó d’aicme den phobal). Is iad sin:
- Alt 9(3) den Acht: I gcás ina ndéanfaidh comhlacht poiblí cumarsáid i scríbhinn nó leis an bpost leictreonach leis an bpobal i gcoitinne nó le haicme den phobal i gcoitinne chun faisnéis a thabhairt don phobal nó don aicme, cinnteoidh an comhlacht gur i nGaeilge, nó i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge, a bheidh an chumarsáid;
- Alt 10(a) den Acht: Na doiciméid seo a leanas a fhoilsiú go comhuaineach i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla:
- aon doiciméad ina leagtar amach tograí beartais phoiblí.
Tuigfidh an Teachta gur gnó é d’Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus nach bhfuil aon ról agamsa ann.
É sin ráite, áfach, i gcomhthéacs cheisteanna an Teachta, tuigtear dom go bhfuil an Roinn Sláinte tiomanta do chomhairle sláinte poiblí a sholáthar i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla agus gurb iad príomhfhócas a feachtais sláinte poiblí comhairle a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin an Rialtais agus póstaeir comhairle sláinte poiblí agus leabhráin faisnéise a chur amach.
I measc na mbearta atá idir lámha ag an Roinn sin le freastal ar riachtanais eagraíochtaí ar nós na gcomharchumann Gaeltachta, scoileanna Gaeltachta agus gaelscoileanna, tá:
- Suíomh gréasáin an Rialtais (www.gov.ie) ina fhoinse faisnéise don phobal le linn na géarchéime seo agus déantar é a nuashonrú agus a aistriú go Gaeilge go rialta. Cuireadh gach preasráiteas ón bhFoireann Náisiúnta Éigeandála um Shláinte Phoiblí (FNÉSP), in éineacht lena n-aistriúcháin Ghaeilge, suas ar line;
- An Leabhrán Faisnéise Poiblí COVID-19 a foilsíodh i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge agus póstaer dátheangach maidir le ‘Ní na Lámh’ a rinne An Post a sheachadadh chuig gach teaghlach sa tír; agus
- Ina theannta sin, cuireadh amach gach póstaer comhairle sláinte poiblí i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge agus roinneadh iad ar fud gach Roinn Stáit agus páirtithe leasmhara eile. Tá siad ar fáil freisin le híoslódáil ó shuíomh gréasáin an Rialtais (www.gov.ie) sa dá theanga le haghaidh úsáide príobháidí agus tráchtála.
Mar fhocal scoir agus mar is eol don Teachta, rinneadh Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) a fhoilsiú i mí na Nollag anuraidh (2019) agus is é aidhm an Bhille ná Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a láidriú. Tá i gceist agam an Bille seo a thabhairt ar ais ós comhair na dTithe sa bhfómhar.
254. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for increasing the level of infrastructure along the Grand Canal from Harold's Cross to Portobello to deal with the requirements of canal boats such as electricity supply to the boats and wastewater removal from the boats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13824/20]
View answerWaterways Ireland is the cross-border navigational authority responsible for the management, maintenance, development and promotion of over 1,000 km of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes.
The body's responsibilities include the issuing of permits / mooring locations and ensuring adherence to the Canals Bye Laws by vessel owners.
Any changes to the infrastructure on the Grand Canal would require extensive consultation and engagement with all stakeholders including Dublin City Council, detailed feasibility studies, impact assessments, planning applications, and identification of suitable capital budget and associated future current budget for sustainable management of a changed infrastructure.
Waterways Ireland is presently undertaking a 10-year strategic review. As part of this exercise, it will examine all opportunities to develop, over the next 10 years, initiatives for each of its navigations. These will include areas on and along the Grand Canal consistent with its remit, funding and the importance of consultation and engagement with the many diverse groups within the catchment areas.
Waterways Ireland expects the 10-year strategic review to be available for consultation in Q4 2020.
255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter regarding works at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13871/20]
View answerThis small body of fresh water at the location to which the Deputy refers periodically silts up. Approximately every seven to eight years the navigation channel needs to be dredged and deepened to original levels. This maintains access at low water levels. As with any proposed works that are within the National Park in question, they are also with a European site of nature conservation (SAC) and are subject to screening for appropriate assessment in relation to their potential impact on any of the qualifying interests of the site.
I understand that NPWS regional staff have completed the screening process as well as a tendering process to secure a suitably qualified contractor to carry out these works. They are currently considering all the requirements of the screening process prior to starting any works. A licence from the Irish Fisheries Board is also a requirement, and an application is pending.
It is likely that these works will be completed as planned in the coming weeks.
256. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a woodland (details supplied) will reopen; the steps the NPWS is taking in this regard; when work will commence on a new carpark and access route for the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13971/20]
View answerKillarney National Park has remained open to the public throughout the response to Covid-19. With regard to the works referenced in details supplied, NPWS has secured €500K under the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme in order to improve public access, including a new car park. The contract tendering process is nearing completion and it is intended to commence works in the coming weeks with a view to completion by the end of the year (weather permitting).
257. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the costings carried out on the programme for Government; and if she will provide documents on those costings. [14026/20]
View answerIn accordance with the response given to the House by Minister Madigan in reply to Parliamentary Question Number 945 of 23rd June, I understand that the Department of the Taoiseach has arranged for the publication of material provided in the context of Programme for Government negotiations and that these documents can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7b927-programme-for-government-documents/.
258. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the expenditure her Department incurred in respect of external legal fees in each of the years from 2016 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14068/20]
View answerI am advised that expenditure of €2,083 was incurred on external legal fees by my Department under its Administrative Budget in the period referenced by the Deputy as set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Company |
Amount |
|
2019 |
Byrne Wallace, Solicitors |
€2,083 |
For completeness, I would bring the Deputy's attention that, from time to time, my Department makes payments to the Chief State Solicitor's Office in respect of legal services provided to my Department by that Office. Expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of legal fees and compensation is shown in the annual Appropriation Accounts published by my Department.
259. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is considering measures to prohibit or reduce the practice of hare coursing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14140/20]
View answerThe control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare.
While the regulation of hare coursing is not under my statutory control, licences are required by the Irish Coursing Club under the terms of the Wildlife Acts on behalf of their affiliated clubs to facilitate the netting and tagging of hares for closed park meetings. The annual licence to capture and tag hares for the 2019/2020 coursing season was issued by my Department on 9 August last year. The licences granted by my Department in such instances include a range of conditions in relation to coursing hares which are designed to provide as much protection as possible to the conservation status of the hare.
Arising from the outbreak last summer of the RHD2 virus which affects both rabbits and hares the initial licence was suspended and a revised more restrictive license was subsequently issued to the Irish Coursing Club.
My Department has received an application from the Irish Coursing Club for licences to capture and tag hares for the forthcoming 2020/21 hare coursing season and a decision will be made on the application in due course.
260. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when those engaged in the live music industry will be able to return to work. [14150/20]
View answerThe third phase of lifting the public health restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus took effect from 29 June 2020. From that date museums, galleries, theatres, concert halls and other cultural outlets were allowed to reopen. Phase 4 of Ireland's Roadmap for reopening society and business is due to commence on 20 July, subject to government approval. The main changes that are planned then are the reopening of pubs, bars, hotel bars and casinos with gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors will be permissible.
Reopening is subject to the Phase 3 and Phase 4 restrictions on numbers for indoor public gatherings as well as other important public health advice including in relation to social distancing. As the country continues to reopen, every step will be guided by scientific evidence and public health advice, including in relation to any restrictions in place. Updates to the roadmap can be found at www.gov.ie.
Due to social distancing and public confidence issues, the reopening of live performance and entertainment venues will prove challenging. The Government operates two universal supports for all sectors including the live music industry. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme allows employers to retain staff and it is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and it has been extended to 31 August 2020.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is available to those who are unemployed as result of the pandemic and it is operated by the Department of Social Protection and Rural Development and the Islands. The PUP has been extended to 10 August 2020.
The continuation of these income supports and other issues will be considered as part of the Government’s July stimulus package to boost the economy following the crisis.
261. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Thomas Pringle den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí uasdátú ar na pleananna chun bád farantóireachta saintógtha úr a chur ar fáil do Thoraigh i gContae Dhún na nGall agus cé na pleananna atá ann chun tonnchosc a chur ar fáil ag Cé Mhachaire Rabhartaigh i gContae Dhún na nGall (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [14311/20]
View answerTá forbairt Ché Mhachaire Rabhartaigh agus soithigh saincheaptha do Thoraigh i measc na dtograí atá le forbairt mar chuid de Thionscadail Éire 2040. Anuas air sin, tá an coiste buan – Comhchoiste Rochtana Oileán Thoraí - bunaithe chun na tograí seo agus eile a bhrú chun cinn.
Maidir leis an tsoitheach úr, ach an cead cuí bheith faighte, táthar chun dul i mbun próiseas tairisceana chun comhairleoirí le saineolas san earnáil muirí a fhostú le tabhairt faoi mholtaí a ullmhú do na féidearthachtaí maidir le soitheach úr a thógáil. Agus na moltaí seo á n-ullmhú, tógfar san áireamh an t-oileán ar a mbeidh an bád nua ag freastail agus na dúshláin atá i gceist ó thaobh aimsir, foscadh, luas etc.
Maidir le forbairt Ché Mhachaire Rabhartiagh, tá Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall tar éis próiseas tairisceana a reáchtáil d’fhonn suirbhé bataiméadrach agus geo-fisiceach a chur i gcríoch. Tabharfaidh an suirbhé léargas don Comhairle Contae ar dhoimhneacht na farraige agus ar an saghas ábhar atá ar ghrinneall na farraige in aice leis an gcé. Beidh an Comhairle Contae ábalta an tionchar a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ag na roghanna éagsúla forbartha a mheas nuair a bheidh an t-eolas seo acu. Beidh impleachtaí ag an fhorbairt ar an gcé seo, dár ndóigh, ar dhearadh aon bháid a bheidh le tógáil le freastal ar Thoraigh.
Ní mór dom a chur in iúl don Teachta go mbeidh forbairt an dá thogra seo le breithniú ag an am cuí faoi théarmaí an Chóid Chaiteachais Phoiblí, ag cur san áireamh an soláthar airgid atá ar fáil le caitheamh ar thograí oileánda agus na n-éileamh éagsúla ar an soláthar sin.
262. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if vital services in the arts and entertainment sector, such as wedding entertainment providers and so on, will be entitled to some form of financial assistance following the loss of work from the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14350/20]
View answerThe Government has a number of universal supports in place to provide financial assistance for people who have lost their jobs as a result of the restrictions put in place to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
These include the Pandemic Unemployment Payment operated by the Department of Social Protection. In addition to these there are Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Assistance schemes as well as Jobseeker's Assistance for Self-Employed Artists.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme is available to employers who retain their employees and this is operated by the Revenue Commissioners.
Further detail of these schemes can be accessed at the following link
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/4cf0e2-covid-19-coronavirus-information-for-employers-and-employees-test/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0b6a34-advice-for-employers-and-employees/
