Written Answers Nos. 398-422
398. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status a report examining coastal protection works at North Beach, Arklow, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20809/20]
View answer399. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be allocated to allow for coastal protection works to be carried out at North Beach, Arklow, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20810/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.
I am advised that Irish Rail, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, has commissioned consultants to undertake the East Coast Erosion Study, including an assessment at the North Beach in Arklow. While the OPW has been consulted on the technical assessment methodology in respect of this work, I am advised that no application has been submitted to the OPW for funding of any works at North Beach, Arklow.
My Office is not yet in receipt of the most current study report from Irish Rail, but the Deputy may wish to contact Wicklow County Council and Irish Rail on the status of this report.
400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he continues to waive pay increases and restorations available to him under various public sector pay agreements; and his starting point on the salary scale. [20949/20]
View answerThe Government has decided that Members of the Government and Ministers of State will gift 10% of their salary to the Exchequer and not benefit from future pay restorations (2% in October).
There is a one point salary scale applicable to all Ministers. This rate is €79,510 as of 1 September 2019 and is in addition to their TD salary.
401. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Ministers that have sought approval to commence their staff on a pay scale higher than the natural entry point; and if a schedule of the Departments and the job roles that have sought same will be provided. [20954/20]
View answerNo Ministers have sought approval from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to commencement of Ministerial staff on higher points of scale.
402. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make provision for the payment of a weekly allowance to all public servants working from home as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in respect of costs being incurred for phone and broadband usage; and if it will be acknowledged that costs for public servants relating to lighting and heating will need to be paid if working from home continues into autumn and winter 2020. [20956/20]
View answerMy Department has published central guidance on working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 for the Civil and Public Service.
These guidelines were necessitated by an exceptional time, whereby a significant number of public servants were required to work from home, in line with public health advice. In line with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and the Return to Work Protocol, a large number of public servants will also continue to work from home for the foreseeable future.
In the context of COVID-19 and the exceptional measures taken, the current position on the payment of allowances to public servants who are working from home is as follows:
“Public service employers should not pay a daily allowance (e.g. €3.20 per day) to their employees in respect of working from home. It is open to employees to make claims directly to Revenue in respect of actual costs incurred in working from home at the end of the relevant tax year, in accordance with the relevant tax laws. Any claim in this regard is solely a matter for the individual concerned.”
The Programme for Government commits to mandating public sector employers, colleges, and other public bodies to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021. Any future policy on Remote Working, in line with this Programme for Government commitment, will need to explore how best to achieve this on a more long term basis.
403. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if he will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/20]
View answerThe advertising costs for policy and programmes implemented by my Department for the period specified by the Deputy are set out in the table below.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Year |
Advertising Campaign |
Advertising Cost |
|
2018 |
MyGovID Media Campaign (Creative) |
€22,720.56 |
|
|
MyGovID Media Campaign (Media Buying) |
€76,948.91 |
Office of Government Procurement
|
Year |
Advertising Campaign |
Advertising Cost |
|
2018 |
eInvoicing Ireland Programme: European Directive of eInvoicing in Public Procurement (Eolas Advertorial: December 2018) |
€2,706 |
|
2019 |
eInvoicing Ireland Programme: European Directive of eInvoicing in Public Procurement (Eolas Advertorial: June 2019) |
€2,706 |
|
2020 (to date) |
eInvoicing Ireland Programme: European Directive of eInvoicing in Public Procurement (Eolas Advertorial: May 2020) |
€2,706 |
404. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has approved and or has been notified of requests by a Minister and or Minster of State regarding waiving restoration and or a pay increase to salary; and if a Minister has sought commencement on a pay scale higher than the natural entry point. [21087/20]
View answerThe Minister has not been notified of any requests by any Minister or Minster of State, in relation to waiving of, restoration of or increase in salary. The Government has decided that Members of the Government and Ministers of State will gift 10% of their salary to the Exchequer and not benefit from future pay restorations (2% in October).
There is a one point salary scale applicable to all Ministers. This is in addition to their TD salary which is also a one point salary scale. Therefore, there is no option to place Ministers on a remuneration rate higher than the applicable rates. The Minister has not received requests related to this matter.
405. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a claim for the turf cutters compensation scheme by a person (details supplied) will be re-examined. [19849/20]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 36 raised bog natural heritage area sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut turf)) in one of these sites on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;
- The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period up to 14 January 2014;
- The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
The applicant was informed by my Department that she did not fulfil all of the qualifying criteria of the scheme as it would appear that turf cutting by the applicant had not taken place on the bog plot in question during the five year qualifying period. The applicant was advised that she could request a Departmental review of this decision, which she has not yet requested. Such a review would be undertaken by an official at a higher level that the officer who made the initial decision.
Under the scheme, if a decision of my Department is upheld at the Departmental review stage, the applicant has the opportunity to appeal against the decision to the Peatlands Council.
406. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her priorities regarding her responsibilities in relation to the islands; her plans to visit the islands as part of her new role when safe to do so; the engagements she had undertaken as part of this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20086/20]
View answerFollowing the Taoiseach's announcement on 27 June, arrangements are currently being made to formally transfer the functions of my Department's Islands Division to my colleague in the Department of Rural and Community Development. In advance of the signing of the required Transfer of Functions Order, responsibility for the islands remains with my Department.
Travel to the islands had been restricted as part of the Government's response to COVID 19, whereby only those resident on the islands or those needing access to perform essential services were permitted to travel to the islands. With the easing of restrictions as part of the Roadmap to Recovery, I am glad to confirm that travel to the islands is once more permitted. As with all public transport, guidelines in relation to social distancing and wearing of masks while on ferries are being enforced.
While the Department is in regular contact with the island communities and transport operators with a view to ensuring continuity of passenger and cargo services to the islands, work is also underway to develop a new Cross-Government Islands Policy.
As the Deputy will be aware, the previous Government established an Interdepartmental Committee for Island Development in July last year and, following meetings of this committee, a work plan was agreed for the preparation of an islands policy and subsequent action plan. A consultation paper was subsequently published late in 2019 with the objective of informing the development of this policy.
In January 2020, my officials scheduled a series of consultation meetings to provide island communities the opportunity to offer their views and opinions on future islands policy and to discuss island requirements.
To date, meetings have taken place on eleven islands as follows:
|
Sherkin |
9 January 2020 |
|
Whiddy |
10 January 2020 |
|
Dursey |
10 January 2020 |
|
Bere Island |
17 January 2020 |
|
Inis Oírr |
22 January 2020 |
|
Inis Mór |
29 January 2020 |
|
Inis Meáin |
30 January 2020 |
|
Heir |
7 February 2020 |
|
Long |
7 February 2020 |
|
Cléire |
7 February 2020 |
|
Árainn Mhór |
13 February 2020 |
The public consultation element of the process has had to be temporarily postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The next step in the process will be to arrange meetings on the remaining islands and with relevant stakeholders, including state bodies providing services to the islands. Once this aspect of the work has been completed, it is intended that the new Islands Policy will be submitted to Government for approval and published, following on from which an action plan based on the policy will be developed.
The Deputy will be pleased to learn that this work has been identified as a priority in the recently agreed Programme for Government and that, as an indicator of the new Government's commitment to the development of the islands, additional funding of €2m for 2020 was announced in the recent July Stimulus Package to accelerate the completion of an enhanced programme of small capital works such as roads and public amenities on the islands this year.
407. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the implications for farm land arising from the European Union biodiversity strategy; the additional farmland that she expects to be designated arising from this strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20250/20]
View answerThe EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 was launched by the European Commission on 20 May 2020. It proposes ambitious EU actions and commitments to halt the biodiversity loss that is taking place at an alarming rate in Europe and worldwide.
The new Strategy tackles the key drivers of biodiversity loss: unsustainable use of land and sea, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and invasive alien species. It also recognises the intrinsic links between the crisis facing biodiversity and that of climate change (the 5th main driver of biodiversity loss).
The European Commission has asked for the European Council and the European Parliament to approve the Strategy. Discussions at Council level are ongoing and my Department is participating in these, in consultation with other Departments.
On foot of initial discussions among Member States, the Commission has undertaken to put forward criteria and guidance for additional designations in 2020 and aims to reach an agreement with the Member States on these by the end of 2021. The targets set out in the Strategy are Union wide and the issue of burden sharing across the EU will also be discussed in this context.
Until such criteria and guidance are published in relation to designations, it is not possible to determine the implications for farmland or the additional farmland that might be designated in Ireland. My Department has a structure for discussing designation issues with the farming organisations and will meet them when there is more clarity around this issue.
408. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the European Union Commission Regulation amending Annex 17 to EC Regulation No. 1907/2006 to ban the use of lead gunshot over and within 100 m of Ramsar defined wetlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20826/20]
View answer409. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the persons or body that will fulfil the duty of enforcement officers as per the European Union Commission Regulation amending Annex 17 to EC Regulation No 1907/2006 to ban the use lead gunshot over and within 100 m of Ramsar defined wetlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20827/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.
I refer the Deputy to the recent Topical Issues debate on this matter.
The position is unchanged in the matter of days since that issue was discussed in the House.
The Deputy will recall that the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) was developed under the UN Convention on Migratory Species. Ireland signed up to the Agreement in 2003. The agreement includes a commitment that “Parties shall endeavour to phase out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands as soon as possible in accordance with self-imposed and published timetables." This is because there is slow accumulation of lead from shot in wetlands where hunting occurs. The lead is generally harmful in the environment and can also be consumed by wildfowl.
Since the Agreement was signed, the European Commission has published a draft Regulation for consideration by Member States on the use of lead shot in and around wetlands following a report on the matter by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). It is my understanding that the proposal, should it ultimately progress into law, would make provision for a lead-in time to facilitate the making of arrangements to source alternatives to lead shot.
My Department is aware that any change to the regulations around the use of lead in gunshot could provide a range of difficulties to transition to new guns/gunshot for many gun owners in Ireland, including farmers and hunters, as many gun owners could have to make alternative arrangements, in many cases to purchase new guns.
My Department and the other relevant Government Departments, are fully committed to ensuring that this matter is addressed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including farmer and hunters, and that all potential impacts are fully considered. This process of consultation is continuing. All proposals will be comprehensively evaluated, including an extended lead-in time.
My Department supports the underlying thrust of the Regulations and is committed to phasing out lead shot in and around wetlands, However, it clear that Ireland will have transitional challenges with regard to the suggested short lead-in time. My Department has submitted a document which has been circulated to the REACH Committee of the European Union, the forum where the Regulation is under discussion, suggesting an extended lead-in time to enable hunters and farmers and other stakeholders in the country to make the necessary arrangements.
410. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of unauthorised developments inspected by Waterways Ireland in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, by county in tabular form. [20856/20]
View answer411. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of inspections by Waterways Ireland of unauthorised developments carried out along the River Shannon and Lough Ree in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020. [20857/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.
Waterways Ireland have provided the following information:
|
County |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
1 |
|
|
Kildare |
1 |
||
|
Meath |
1 |
These relate to developments on Waterways Ireland property.
Waterways Ireland have informed me that no inspections of unauthorised developments have been carried out by Waterways Ireland along the River Shannon and Lough Ree from 2018 to date.
412. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take to collect and preserve a document (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19605/20]
View answerOur National Cultural Institutions have very significant expertise and experience in the matter collection and preservation of important historical artefacts and documents. The Directors of those institutions are best placed to decide on their acquisition when such opportunities arise.
I am informed by the National Library of Ireland that it already has a contemporary copy of the document referred to by the Deputy.
413. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she, her Ministers of State and or advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; and if so, if she will publish all such emails and corresponding documents immediately. [19633/20]
View answerOfficial email business in my role as Minister is conducted via Department and Oireachtas email accounts. On a few occasions, I have use of a private e-mail account to forward information of a non-sensitive nature to my private office, generally relating to diary appointments or constituency matters.
Minister of State Jack Chambers has also confirmed that only Oireachtas and Department e-mail addresses are used for official business and that no personal e-mail accounts are used for business purposes.
For completeness, I would advise the Deputy that, while my Department operates an Acceptable Usage Policy in relation to the use of ICT equipment, this policy does not specifically preclude the use of personal email accounts for official purposes. I have not as yet appointed any advisors.
414. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the meetings she and her Ministers of State have had since the formation of the Government by date in tabular form (details supplied). [19650/20]
View answerSince taking office in June of this year I have engaged in a number of meetings with bodies under the aegis of my Department and sectoral representatives as set out in the table below. These are in addition to Government meetings and relevant Cabinet Committee meetings.
With regard to the Minister of State, Minister of State Jack Chambers also attended the meeting with the FAI on 27th July. No meetings were held with Minister of State Dara Calleary.
|
Date |
Meeting |
|
01/07/2020 |
Tourism Recovery Taskforce |
|
10/07/2020 |
Arts Council |
|
14/07/2020 |
Fáilte Ireland |
|
14/07/2020 |
Tourism Ireland |
|
15/07/2020 |
Sport Ireland |
|
15/07/2020 |
RTÉ |
|
16/07/2020 |
Irish Hotels Federation |
|
17/07/2020 |
Troy Studios |
|
22/07/2020 |
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
|
22/07/2020 |
National Library of Ireland |
|
22/07/2020 |
National Concert Hall |
|
27/07/2020 |
Football Association of Ireland |
|
28/07/2020 |
Tourism Recovery Taskforce |
|
29/07/2020 |
Restaurants Association of Ireland |
|
30/07/2020 |
Screen Ireland |
415. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details of her advisers and those of the Ministers of State; the remuneration packages of same; and the date of commencement in their role. [19667/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers: these rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
416. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir le ceist uimhir 106 ar an 22 Iúil 2020, agus an costais €799,895 luaite aici i dtaobh pleananna a chur i dtoll a chéile le Páirc na Mara, an pháirc nuálaíochta mhuirí chomhaimseartha, a fhorbairt i gContae na Gaillimhe, cén foinse maoinithe a chur an costas €799,895 ar fáil; miondealú a thabhairt ar na costais atá san áireamh san fhigiúr seo i bhfoirm tháblach; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19686/20]
View answerLe dhá bhliain go leith anuas, i gcomhairle le páirtithe straitéiseacha, tá obair agus infheistíocht shuntasach déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun pleananna a chur i dtoll a chéile chun Páirc na Mara, páirc nuálaíochta muirí íseal charbóin ar chaighdeán domhanda a fhorbairt. Tá tábhacht nach beag ag baint leis an togra seo d’inmharanacht cheantar Iorras Aithneach ó tharla gur togra é atá dírithe ar fhorbairt acmhainní nádúrtha an cheantair agus leas a bhaint as saineolas stairiúil an phobail ansin ar bhealach comhaimseartha. Beidh an togra seo riachtanach chomh maith mar sholáthraí leanúnach fostaíochta amach anseo.
Is é cuspóir togra Pháirc na Mara ná go mbeadh pobal inmharthanach, eacnamaíocht bhríomhar agus comhshaoil caomhnaithe fite fuaite lena chéile i bpobal ársa teanga sa bhforbairt inbhuanaitheach seo.
Tríd infreastruchtúr agus deiseanna fostaíochta riachtanacha a chur ar fáil don bpobal seo, beidh ar chumas an Stáit fás san earnáil ríthábhachtach seo a chur chun cinn agus, dá bhrí sin, fás eacnamaíoch a chuirfidh fostaíocht inbhuanaitheach ar fáil do ghlúnta amach anseo sa gceantar tuaithe Gaeltachta seo.
Tá na costais a bhain le réiteach iarratas pleanála don dtogra leagtha amach sa tábla thíos.
|
Measúnuithe tionchair timpeallachta EIAR, NIS, Iarratas ar Cheadúnas Dobharshaothraithe & Ceadúnas urthrá |
216,311 |
|
Dearadh Bonneagair & Máistirplean |
128,321 |
|
Comhairleoireacht agus Iarratas Pleanála a réiteach |
147,125 |
|
Taighdí Éiceolaíochta Trastíre & Loch & Éiceolaíocht Mhuirí |
157,656 |
|
Costais Suirbhéireachta eile |
37,769 |
|
Táille pleanála |
38,000 |
|
Dlíodóirí |
66,240 |
|
Costas saineolaí soláthair |
8,473 |
|
Iomlán |
799,895 |
Tabharfar faoi réimse leathan gníomhaíochtaí trasna earnáil na mara ar láthair Pháirc na Mara, agus beidh fiontair inbhuanaitheacha de chuid na hearnála táirgiúla, comhlachtaí poiblí, gníomhaireachta forbartha stáit agus an pobail taighde ag comhoibriú lena chéile agus é mar sprioc luach breise a chur lena dtáirgí agus lena seirbhísí, chomh maith le huasmhéadú a dhéanamh ar chumas forbraíochta na hearnála muirí sa réigiún.
417. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which commitment to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025 of her Department; her plans to monitor and report annually on the progress towards achieving the goals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19700/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Government has, under the Programme for Government, committed to developing a range of national responses to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the coming years.
These efforts will be lead and overseen by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment who has lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing national implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As I advised the House in my response to Parliamentary Questions Number 36 and 47 of 22nd July my officials are already engaged in the work of developing the appropriate structures and strategies to deliver on the challenging agenda facing the Department under the Programme for Government and this will be reflected in the Department's Statement of Strategy to be published later in the year.
418. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the names and salaries of her special advisers; the salaries paid to each Minister and Minister of State in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19717/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
As Chief Whip, Minister of State Jack Chambers' salary is paid by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
My salary as a T.D. is also paid by the Houses of the Oireachtas. As Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am paid a Ministerial allowance of €79,510 by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
419. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details of the performance support scheme announced in the July stimulus package; the persons that are eligible to apply for same; and the way in which persons can apply for the scheme. [19817/20]
View answerAs part of the Government's July Stimulus Package, I was delighted to announce a new €5 million "Performance Support Scheme" to assist live performances. Under this funding package, a new scheme will be put in place to assist venues and promoters of live performances in music and theatre, by helping to de-risk the costs of preparing for new productions which may subsequently have to be postponed or cancelled. This pilot scheme will be designed in consultation with the sector, and aim to build confidence in recommencing live performance productions, rehearsals and event planning now for the months ahead. Details of the scheme including eligibility will be announced in the coming weeks.
420. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta na pleananna chun oifig na Roinne i gCiarraí a athoscailt agus foireann a bheith ann chun freastal ar phobal na Gaeltachta chun comhairle agus treoir a thabhairt maidir le scéimeanna agus seirbhísí na Roinne; cá mbeadh an oifig lonnaithe; cén uair a bheidh sé ag feidhmiú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19900/20]
View answerI dtús báire, ba mhaith liom a mheabhrú don Teachta de réir na dtreoracha atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair, is gá d'fhoireann mo Roinne coinneáil ag obair ó chian chomh fada agus is féidir go dtí go gcloistear a mhalairt. Áirítear sa Phrótacal um Fhilleadh ar an Obair go Sábháilte ón Údarás Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta (ÚSS), Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (FSS) agus an Roinn Sláinte comhairle reatha faoi bhearta chun laghdú a dhéanamh ar scaipeadh COVID-19 sa phobal. Ina thaobh sin, táthar ag ullmhú plean maidir le hathoscailt oifigí na Roinne ar fad mar a thosóidh an geilleagar ag oscailt suas de réir a chéile
É sin ráite, thóg mo Roinn cinneadh go mbeadh oifigeach dá cuid lonnaithe ina hoifig gCill Áirne le héifeacht ó Eanáir 2020 ar mhaithe le feabhas a chur ar a cuid seirbhíse sna ceantair Ghaeltachta agus ar na hoileáin i réigiún na Mumhan. De bharr na paindéime, áfach, ní raibh deis ag an Roinn éifeacht iomlán a thabhairt don chinneadh sin, nó an cur chuige nua a fhógairt, go fóill. Idir an da linn, toisc go bhfuil gá le turais ghnó agus idirghníomhaíochtaí aghaidh ar aghaidh a laghdú go dtí an íosmhéid, tá an cúram á dhéanamh chomh fada agus is féidir trí na roghanna éagsúla teicneolaíochta (e.g., glaonna comhdhála nó físchomhdháil) atá ann.
Déanfar athbhreithniú ar na socraithe reatha chun an tseirbhís seo a sholáthair de réir mar a chuirfear an plean maidir le hathoscailt oifigí na Roinne i bhfeidhm.
421. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20040/20]
View answerThe project referenced in details supplied is being managed and delivered by Kerry County Council. Any queries in relation to it are a matter for the local authority.
422. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Toon Wood, Macroom, County Cork, will be designated as a natural heritage area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20140/20]
View answerThe role for the my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service in this matter is to continue to provide expert support to the EPA and the Forest Service in delivering their statutory functions in relation to woodlands, and to consider the designation of Toon Wood as an NHA to protect the remaining woodland and woodland areas on the site that can be recovered in the future.
it is intended to review the adequacy of the coverage of the woodland pNHA network, and takes steps as necessary to ensure that ecologically important woodlands are legally protected.
