Written Answers Nos. 143-163
143. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number and value all procurement contracts that took place by way of negotiated procedure without prior publication in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the date, value and purpose of each negotiated procedure contract in tabular form. [49735/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department’s procurement policy and processes are set out in accordance with the Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services, which aim to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers the best value for money.
I can confirm that no procurements took place by way of negotiated procedure without prior publication in 2020 or to date in 2021.
144. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the preparatory work that has been done to date for digitisation and uploading of the 1926 census in line with the Statistics Act 1993; and the funding allocation that has been allotted in respect of this important project. [49070/21]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the gathering of census data in Ireland. It has published data taken from the 1926 Census in 10 volumes as follows:-
- Volume 1 - Population, area and valuation of each DED and each larger Unit of Area
- Volume 2 - Occupations
- Volume 3 - Religion and birthplaces
- Volume 4 - Housing
- Volume 5 - Ages, orphanhood and conjugal conditions
- Volume 6 - Industrial status
- Volume 7 - Industries
- Volume 8 - Irish language
- Volume 9 - Dependency
- Volume 10 - General Report
These volumes can be viewed on the CSO website at the following link: Census 1926 Reports - CSO - Central Statistics Office.
Sections 33 and 35 of the Statistics Act 1993 allow for the release of information gathered by a Census that relates either directly or indirectly to an identifiable person 100 years after the date that the census was taken. As the 1926 Census was taken on 18 April 1926, this information can be made available from 18 April 2026.
Making the details of individuals and households from the 1926 Census available digitally will require a significant volume of work that will take several years to complete. Work will be required to collate, conserve, index and digitise the original census returns. Nevertheless, I anticipate that the information relating to individuals taken in the 1926 Census will be ready for public release at the end of the statutory period in 2026 and a capital allocation of €5m has been provided for that purpose. Officials from my Department, which includes the National Archives, have already carried out detailed preliminary examinations of the work required.
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which projects that fall within the aegis of her Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage at present or are in course thereof; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49263/21]
View answerUnder the recently announced National Development Plan, over 1 billion euro in capital expenditure has been allocated to my Department between 2021 and 2025.
The high-level, strategic capital investment priorities for my Department are set out in sectoral investment plans, including Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage; Linking People and Places; the National Sports Policy; the Audiovisual Action Plan; and Fáilte Ireland's Platforms for Growth, as well as being informed by cross-Government policies and strategies including the Climate Action Plan, Our Rural Future and the National Planning Framework.
My Department’s capital investment is centred on three high level objectives for the Department’s sectors:
- to promote Economic Recovery and Resilience
- to support Wellbeing and Social Cohesion
- to enhance Sustainability in its sectors and Guardianship of our unique cultural, linguistic and sporting heritage
My Department’s capital plan is also comprised of three strands of activity:
- Major capital projects;
- Capital investment and infrastructure programmes; and
- Capital grant schemes.
Major capital projects under my Department’s aegis are appraised, planned, implemented and evaluated in line with the Public Spending Code and best practice guidance outlined in the Capital Works Management Framework published by the Office of Government Procurement.
While the majority of these capital projects are moving through appraisal stages, a number of projects are at implementation stage or are nearing implementation stage. For some projects, my Department supports the early completion of on-site investigative works as part of the preparation of a Preliminary Business Case, in order reduce risk and provide greater cost certainty. In these cases some on-site works take place prior to project implementation.
The table below lists my Department’s major projects that are currently at appraisal stage, or for which preliminary work has taken place, or on-site works are in hand or proposed, and expected delivery timeframes where applicable.
|
Project |
Status |
|
National Archives |
Final Business Case approved. Ready to commence implementation/construction phase. The project will deliver a bespoke environmentally controlled archival repository to international high standards, protecting and future proofing our national archives for generations to come. |
|
National Library of Ireland |
Phase 1 – the development of a new on-site book repository 4,000 linear metres of storage and removal of collection from the Victorian West Wing to facilitate future redevelopment– completed.Phase 2a recently completed and preparatory work for phases 2b and 3 underway. |
|
National Gallery of Ireland – Phase 4(a) |
Design and investigative work underway for Phase 4(a) – 88-90 Merrion Square. The project will create a new entrance to the Gallery, restore and enhance the Gallery’s library and create fit for purpose facilities for gallery administration, curation and research. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
Planning and design phase underway with the recent appointment of the design team. The project will create a flagship cultural institution in Cork city, protecting the collection, enhancing the visitor experience and contributing to the regeneration of the city centre. |
|
National Concert Hall |
Preliminary Business Case submitted, preparing for planning permission process. The project will redevelop the Earlsfort Terrace site including a refurbished and expanded main auditorium, addressing deficits in musicians and administrative facilities and a reorganisation of public facilities. |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
At Preliminary Business Case stage with investigative works being prepared. The project will deliver a reinvigorated museum experience enhancing the capacity of the institution to show and protect its unique collection on its historic Dublin Castle site. |
|
Abbey Theatre |
At Preliminary Business Case stage. This project will deliver a landmark building to house the National Theatre and address the longstanding shortcomings of the current building, while also contributing to the regeneration of the inner city/north quays. |
|
NMI-Natural History Museum |
Following the completion of significant investigative works, the preliminary Business Case has been submitted for a refurbishment project which will address major access, structural and other defects in the building, while preserving the unique Victorian museum experience and its collection. A parallel project in respect of the roof is also being progressed. Partial decant of the upper balcony has been completed and scaffold alterations and internal crash deck installation have commenced. |
|
National Gallery of Ireland – Phase 4 |
The preparation of a Strategic Assessment Report is underway for the completion of Phase 4 of the NGI Masterplan. |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
At Strategic Assessment stage. |
|
Royal Irish Academy of Music |
Work commenced in 2020 and due for completion in 2022. |
|
National Velodrome and Badminton Centre |
A key project in achieving the objective of the National Sports Policy to support high-performance athletes and critical infrastructure for the National Sports Campus. The project has completed all preliminary appraisals and is at Final Business Case stage. |
|
10 Harcourt St - Irish Language Centre |
Redevelopment this historic property on Harcourt Street to create a flagship Irish language and cultural centre to support the growing Irish language community in Dublin. The project is currently at Final Business Case Stage. |
My Department is also progressing a range of other initiatives under the other two strands of investment activity (grant schemes and investment programmes) which are delivering improved tourism, cultural, sporting and linguistic infrastructure and investment to communities across Ireland. Key programmes include the Cultural Capital Scheme, the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, and the Gaeltacht and Language Support Schemes.
In addition to this, my Department is working with bodies under its aegis like Screen Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland and local authorities on a broad range of projects, programmes and schemes to enhance our tourism, culture, art, Gaeltacht, sport and media infrastructure.
146. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that her Department proposes to promote the use of the Irish language through the development of a network of Irish language and cultural centres under the revised National Development Plan 2021-2030; and the timeframe for this proposal. [49271/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is no doubt already aware, a firm commitment was made in the Programme for Government that a network of Irish Language and Cultural Centres, promoting a community-based approach in the promotion of the Irish Language, would be developed in Dublin and on a nationwide basis.
This commitment builds on commitments made in the past in relation to Irish Language and Cultural Centres under the 5-Year Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022 and under the National Development Plan 2018-2027.
On a practical level, my Department gives specific supports for the development of Irish Language and Cultural Centres through its Irish Language Support Schemes, the budget allocation for which is €2m this year.
Community-based language organisations based outside the Gaeltacht may make an application under this funding programme. Funding can be provided to assist with the costs associated with refurbishing existing Irish language centres, for the development of new builds and for the purchase of equipment for such centres.
The purpose of the capital assistance that is provided under this fund is the strengthening of Irish as a community and family language in accordance with the objectives of The Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
Further information on the scheme can be found on my Department's website here.
147. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the method by which applications can be made for the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49272/21]
View answerThe National Sports Policy as published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The scheme is designed for projects where the grant being sought is greater than the maximum grant available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 different proposals. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and it was not possible to allocate grants to many worthy projects.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the successful projects, as it is now over 18 months since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department is engaging with all grantees in this regard.
Once that review is complete the scope for awarding new grants to projects which missed out under the first set of allocations and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered. It is expected that the review will be completed in the coming months.
148. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the agencies or organisations under the remit of her Department that have boards in which members have an obligation to appear before committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas in tabular form. [49368/21]
View answerThe table below sets out details of specific provisions concerning attendance of members of Boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department before Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
|
Body |
Relevant Provisions |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) |
S20 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 deals with the accountability of the Chair of the BAI or one of its statutory committees to Oireachtas Committees |
|
RTÉ |
S92 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 deals with the accountability of the Chairperson to Oireachtas Committees |
|
TG4 |
S92 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 deals with the accountability of the Chairperson to Oireachtas Committees |
|
An Foras Teanga |
British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 Schedule, Annex 2, Part 7, Common Arrangements, Accountability and Reporting - deals with appearance by a member of the Body or its staff before Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas amongst others. |
|
Tourism Ireland |
Article 58 of the Articles of Association deals with appearance by a Director of the Company or a member of its staff before Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas amongst others |
There are no specific legislative provisions relating to the members of boards of National Cultural Institutions, the Arts Council, Screen Ireland, Sports Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
This is without prejudice to any obligations that may arise under general legislation such as the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges, and Procedures) Act 2013 or related to Dáil Standing Orders.
Finally, as the Deputy may be aware, the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards provide that persons being proposed by Ministers for appointment as Chairpersons of State Bodies/Agencies are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee to discuss the approach which they will take to their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or Board in question.
149. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when restrictions on the use of sports grounds changing facilities will be reviewed to allow for whole teams to collectively use changing rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49387/21]
View answerIn line with the Government's plan, "COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting", a significant easing of the restrictions applicable to sport and organised activity occurred from the 20th of September. From this date, changing facilities can reopen with protective measures in place to mitigate risk in these settings, which may include collective or partial usage by whole teams if the facilities concerned enable the achievement of that desired outcome for the numbers involved. In this context, it is emphasised that the public health management of COVID-19 in Ireland is transitioning, in broad terms, from a focus on regulation and population wide restrictions to a focus on public health advice, personal judgement and personal protective behaviours.
In order to assist the sports sector in this transition stage, Sport Ireland has issued guidance that outlines a range of important considerations and factors that should guide the usage of facilities such as changing rooms. This guidance can be found at the link below:
https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2021-09/return-to-sport-guidance-september-2021-final.pdf
It is also indicated in the Government's plan that, subject to the stated vaccination criteria being met and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at the time, the Government will remove further statutory restrictions in respect of events and activities from the 22nd of October. The statutory regime in place to support the protection of public health will be wound down in line with the indicated removal of restrictions from that date.
150. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the proposed universal basic income pilot scheme for those working in the arts industry; when it will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49486/21]
View answerI am critically aware of the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on all areas of the arts and cultural sector. My priorities for the budget, beyond securing funding for a pilot Basic Income Guarantee Scheme for artists, is to secure funding to support the full recovery of the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors in 2022. The Government understands that the full return of live performance will not happen overnight. I am examining the supports in place for the sector to ensure that available resources are best deployed to meet the needs of the sector to ensure a full recovery is possible.
In relation to the Basic Income Guarantee pilot, the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living , was published in November 2020 and made ten recommendations for the sector. I believe the delivery of this pilot will be key to underpinning the recovery in the arts and culture sector and will provide much needed certainty to the artists and creatives who choose to avail of the pilot scheme.
I was delighted that as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, I secured a commitment from Government to prioritise the development of a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for the arts and cultural sector.
I established an Oversight Group to appraise the recommendations in the Life Worth Living report and asked that they prioritise the examination of the Recommendation on a basic income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. The Oversight Group has provided me with a preliminary report on the different options for a 3 year pilot scheme which I am currently considering.
I am delighted to inform the Deputy that funding of €25m for the pilot basic income guarantee scheme for artists was announced today in the context of Budget 2022. Now further stakeholder engagement will take place between my Department and those in the Sector to ensure that this pilot meets the needs of the sector alongside the objectives agreed by the Oversight Group.
I envision that this pilot should launch in early 2022 and I believe it will bring new life and support to the Arts and Cultural Sector, after the difficult circumstances they have endured over the last year and a half.
151. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of State boards under the remit of her Department or its agencies in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [49569/21]
View answerAs Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I have responsibility for twenty-one varied and diverse State Agencies, including appointments to the Boards.
As outlined in the table below, the current overall gender balance ratio, in respect of the State Boards under my remit, is 50% female and 50% male representation.
*PAS campaigns in progress/pending to address existing and pending vacancies.
**Appointments to boards of North/South bodies are made by the North-South Ministerial Council arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis by each jurisdiction.
152. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a grant for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49670/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors. I have engaged with numerous stakeholders in the sector during the course of the pandemic to ensure that appropriate supports were put in place.
To support the industry through this difficult period I have to date allocated funding for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support live performance and employment opportunities in the sector, including the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS). The aim of this scheme is to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 have not been able to perform or stage performances and do not qualify for other business supports.
The initial phase of this scheme closed for applications on 30 September and I was pleased to launch a second phase of this scheme last week. MEBAS Phase 2 will see support offered by way of four levels of flat payments:
- €1,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €15,000 - €20,000 with minimum business costs of €1,600 incurred from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.
- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €50,000 with minimum business costs of €2,600 incurred from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.
- €4,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €50,000 - €100,000 with minimum business costs of €4,800 incurred from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.
- €5,000 for businesses with VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000 with minimum business costs of €6,000 incurred from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.
Under this scheme, self employed businesses including musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio equipment suppliers operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector are eligible to apply. Applications may be made via the MEBAS Phase 2 application portal on my Department’s website. This scheme will close for applications on 18 October.
Officials in my Department have engaged with the applicant the Deputy refers to and have provided assistance in relation to the application process.
153. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 5 October 2021, the amount of additional funding mentioned that is specifically being provided to clubs and organisations to ensure young persons return to sport post-Covid-19. [49697/21]
View answerOn 5th October, Minister Martin and I were delighted to announce that additional current funding of up to €65 million will be available to support the sport sector this year. Allied to the additional current expenditure of €26.3 million already provided to Sport Ireland, a total of €91.3 million will have been allocated in additional current funding to support the sport sector in 2021.
This package is intended to support National Governing Bodies of Sport and sports clubs arising from the significant impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the sports sector, by providing specific funding support for the following sectors:
- Field Sport funding to support the main field sports, i.e. the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU;
- A Resilience Fund to support the other National Governing Bodies of Sport;
- A Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs from all sports;
- A Swimming Pools/Facilities Fund;
- A Resumption of Sport & Physical Activity Fund.
The funding will be invested through new grant schemes developed by Sport Ireland.
Following the announcement, Sport Ireland has invited applications for funding from National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded bodies with the aim of distributing the funding this year.
This additional funding will support organisations and clubs in bringing people, including young people, back to sporting activity as quickly as possible.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for further information in relation to the amount of funding to be allocated to clubs and organisations. Please inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
154. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the source of the €65 million additional spending for sporting organisations as announced recently by her Department; if this additional funding represents a transfer of funding from other subheads within her Department which are underspent in 2021; if so, the sections of her Department that have been underspending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49715/21]
View answerOn 5th October, Minister Martin and I announced additional current funding of up to €65 million to support the sport sector this year. Allied to the additional current expenditure of €26.3 million already provided to Sport Ireland, a total of €91.3 million will have been allocated in additional current funding to support the sport sector in 2021.
This package is intended to support National Governing Bodies of Sport and sports clubs arising from the significant impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the sports sector, by providing specific funding support for the following sectors;
Field Sport funding to support the main field sports, i.e. the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU;
- A Resilience Fund to support the other National Governing Bodies of Sport;
- A Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs from all sports;
- A Swimming Pools/Facilities Fund;
- A Resumption of Sport & Physical Activity Fund.
The funding will be invested through new grant schemes developed by Sport Ireland.
I and my officials have had extensive engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the funding of this package. It has been agreed that the funding arrangements for this sectoral support package will be met. Any savings identified within my Department’s Vote could contribute towards this but it is too early to say with any degree of certainty in which specific subheads savings might arise. Details of profiled expenditure by my Department and all Government departments are published by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis and are available online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/295fe-fiscal-monitor-september-2021/
155. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and value all procurement contracts that took place by way of negotiated procedure without prior publication in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the date, value and purpose of each negotiated procedure contract in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49739/21]
View answerMy Department strives to ensure that there is an appropriate focus on best procurement practice and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines to the greatest extent possible. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of those procurement contracts entered into by my Department via negotiated procedure without prior publication during the period specified by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
The majority of these contracts were necessary to ensure the continued operational capability of the Department and provide supports to the artistic community during the COVID-19 Pandemic, an event unforeseeable by the Department.
|
Year |
Subject of Contract/Purchase |
Value (€) |
|
2020 |
Expert legal advice was required in the drafting of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill |
€35,000 |
|
2020 |
Laptops to support remote working capability during pandemic |
€81,180 |
|
2020 |
Laptops to support remote working capability during pandemic |
€56,924 |
|
2020 |
Security related licenses to support remote working capability during pandemic |
€9,954 |
|
2020 |
Security related licenses to support remote working capability during pandemic |
€3,668 |
|
2021 |
Amendment of existing grant system to provide for new COVID Support Scheme |
€12,000 |
|
2021 |
Enhanced use of the Pobal Index to assist in assessment of grant applications |
€7,550 |
|
2021 |
Additional online application portals to facilitate the rapid roll out of further COVID supports during pandemic. |
€23,062 |
|
2021 |
Extension to existing online application system to facilitate additional COVID supports |
€7,380 |
156. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress made in achieving Action 6 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027. [49869/21]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This remit includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations and other entities for the design and implementation of a range of targeted programmes and initiatives to promote increased sports participation amongst the various groups in society that participate less than the population average.
As this is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress made in achieving Action 9 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027. [49870/21]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This remit includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations for the implementation of a range of programmes and measures to address inequalities in sports participation.
As the issue raised is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action being taken to provide tourist facilities at Liscarton Castle, Navan, County Meath. [49233/21]
View answer159. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of castles around the country that do not currently have tourism interpretation facilities. [49234/21]
View answer167. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that action has not been taken to stop the collapse and depreciation of Liscarton Castle, Navan, County Meath. [49230/21]
View answer168. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of castles nationally that are depreciating without any care from the State. [49231/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159, 167 and 168 together.
‘Liscartan’ Castle is a Recorded Monument (RMP Ref- ME025-009), a Tower House protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014. The structure is not in the ownership or care of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is therefore not managed or maintained by the OPW. This is the case with much of our archaeological heritage, including castles of various classifications, most of which are in private ownership and we are grateful to all owners for their custodianship of Ireland’s heritage. Should a private owner of any monument wish to carry out work to conserve a monument or to provide on-site interpretation material, they would be advised to consult with Local Authority Heritage officials regarding funding possibilities under various heritage grant schemes, including the Community Monuments Fund. It should be noted that all owners are required to comply with the National Monuments Acts.
The Community Monuments Fund is an initiative of my Department, which since 2020 has provided over 5.3 million euro to owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of local communities and the visiting public. Over 200 monuments including castles have benefited from the scheme since late 2020. The core aims of the Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. Our archaeological heritage spans 8000 years of settlement on this island, with over 150,000 known sites and monuments. The condition of heritage sites vary significantly, and my Department’s grant schemes are aimed at supporting owners and communities in the care of the sites in their stewardship.
160. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the total funding currently committed to by Government for the Narrow Water Bridge for 2021, 2022 and each year thereafter as applicable in tabular form. [49896/21]
View answerThe Narrow Water Bridge is a cross-border project led by Louth County Council and supported by the Shared Island Fund, which as the Deputy will know is designed to fund strategic north-south projects that implement the commitments and objectives on Shared Island set out in the Programme for Government. The bridge will connect Cornamucklagh near Omeath, Co Louth with Narrow Water near Warrenpoint, Co Down.
Following a Government decision in June 2021, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin announced the approval of an initial €3m in funding from the Shared Island Fund to take the project forward to tender stage. Work is underway in this regard, led by Louth County Council and overseen by my Department in this jurisdiction, and the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Government is committed in its support for this important project, with funding for future years to be determined once firm costings are available and the tender development process has been completed.
161. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 21 September 2021 and responses to recommendations 1 and 2 in the table, the dates on which the actions and decisions taken on the way the Government has as per recommendation 2, prioritized the introduction of separate and complementary legislation to complete the designation, regulation and management of marine protected areas and subsequently that marine protected areas are included in the National Marine Planning Framework and Marine Spatial Plan in tabular form; the status of the drafting of the heads of legislation for marine protected areas; when they will be published; and when pre-legislative scrutiny will be requested. [50037/21]
View answer169. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 21 September 2021, the dates on which the actions and decisions taken on the way the Government has as per recommendation 2, prioritised the introduction of separate and complementary legislation to complete the designation, regulation and management of marine protected areas and subsequently that marine protected areas are included in the National Marine Planning Framework and Marine Spatial Plan in tabular form; the status of the drafting of the heads of the maritime area planning Bill; when they will be published; when pre-legislative scrutiny is envisaged; the legislation that is considered to be a priority by the Government for scrutiny and to be enacted by the Houses of the Oireachtas over the legislation for marine protected areas; when the Bill will come before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and the way in which Government has prioritised same. [49245/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 169 together.
The Programme for Government, published in June 2020, commits to developing comprehensive legislation for the identification, designation, and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This legislation is a priority for my Department. Work to draw up a General Scheme of this legislation is commencing this quarter. When drawing up the General Scheme, account will be taken of the findings of the report of the expert advisory group on Marine Protected Areas that was published in January 2021 as well as the outcome of the recent public consultation on the wider MPA process which ran from mid-February to the end of July. My Department received circa. 2,400 submissions from members of the public and other stakeholders during this consultation process. An independent review and analysis of these responses is being carried out in the autumn-winter 2021. The findings and conclusions from this study will be published in a detailed report that will also inform the development of the proposed legislation to support Ireland's network of MPAs into the future. Once this work is complete my Department will be better placed to give a time frame for finalising the General Scheme.
162. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review constituency boundaries considering the recent population estimates (details supplied). [49152/21]
View answerArticle 16 of the Constitution sets out clearly and distinctly the overarching requirements that apply to the membership of Dáil Éireann. In addition, and complementary to the constitutional provisions of Article 16.2 in particular, Part II of the Electoral Act 1997 (as amended) provides for a constituency review following each Census of Population and establishes, among other things, the terms of reference of a Constituency Commission.
In very broad terms, the publication of preliminary census results triggers the establishment of a Constituency Commission under section 5(1) of the Electoral Act 1997 with the Commission required, under section 9(1) of that Act, to present its report on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies to the chairman of the Dáil within three months of publication of final census results. The timing for the publication of both preliminary census results and final census results are matters for the Central Statistics Office (which is responsible for organising each census) but typically have taken place within approximately 3 months and 12 months respectively of the holding of the census.
In September 2020, the Government, on the advice of the Central Statistics Office, decided to postpone the 2021 Census due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The next census is now due to take place on 3 April 2022. The next review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies will commence following the publication of preliminary census results, will be undertaken in compliance with our constitutional requirements and will be completed in accordance with the statutory timeframe.
163. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding information received in respect of a complaint made in respect of agencies in his Department to the Petitions Commission in the EU (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49209/21]
View answerGalway County Council, as the planning authority for the area concerned, is responsible for regulating the activities mentioned in the complaint as having an adverse impact on the freshwater pearl mussel.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has conveyed its concerns around the issues raised in the complaint to the Council and is monitoring the situation, particularly in relation to the freshwater pearl mussel population in the river.
