Written Answers Nos. 432-451
432. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a group (details supplied) can receive assistance under the compensation scheme for artists and shows affected by the omicron variant of Covid-19 in December 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1581/22]
View answerI am fully aware of the severe difficulties being faced by live performers and all artists as a result of the pandemic and my Department and I have engaged extensively with stakeholders to understand these challenges and put in place supports for the sector.
In December I was pleased to announce details of a €50 million suite of measures to support the live performance sector in 2022. As part of this suite of supports and, building on the success and exceptional demand for the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 (LPSS 2021), a further strand of this scheme called the LPSS 3 opened for applications on December 20th.
This scheme is to support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and have been curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity at live performances at 50% and a closing time of 8pm. The grants offered will cover up to 100% of eligible production costs incurred in December 2021 and January 2022, net of any box office or other revenue, up to a maximum grant of €500,000. Further information on LPSS 3 can be accessed on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/e3843-live-performance-support-scheme-phase-3-guidelines/. An online application system has been provided for ease of access.
In addition to LPSS 3, further supports will also be provided for the sector in 2022, including;
- Another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 4), to support performances being staged from February 2022 to June 2022. Further information, including guidelines for this scheme will be made available in the coming weeks.
- Another round of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme due to be announced shortly;
- €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme).
- €5m to continue the capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues, including for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations
- €1m for the Saint Patrick's Festival 2022
In relation to the project referred to by the Deputy I would advise that they contact their local arts officer to determine if funding can be provided under the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme) for which I have provided €5m in funding for 2022 to the local authorities.
I am committed to supporting the live performance and nightclub sector as they journey through a difficult and unprecedented phase of business operations. I will continue to review the supports for the sector on an ongoing basis.
433. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent on social media by her Department and agencies under her remit in 2021; and the platforms the monies were spent on in tabular form. [1709/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will issue directly to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
434. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent on consultancy services by her Department in 2021; the reason for each consultancy; and the name of the consultancy in tabular form. [1727/22]
View answerI am advised that no expenditure was incurred on external consultancy from my Department's Administrative Budget during 2021.
As has been previously advised to the House, my Department commissions experts from time to time to provide technical reports or advice on specific issues. This work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
435. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an appeals process was put in place for decisions relating to the outdoor dining grant administered by local councils. [1754/22]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
436. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of all client and or customer facing and or orientated services that her Department provide via a contracted service provider; the contractor that provides the service; and the cost of same for the past five years to date in 2022. [1809/22]
View answerI am advised that my Department does not currently use, and has not previously during the period specified by the deputy used, contracted service providers for the provision of customer facing or oriented services.
438. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will respond to correspondence received (details supplied) in relation to the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2021 recruitment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2272/22]
View answerThe establishment of the Media Commission is a priority for my Department, with €5.5 million in funding allocated in Budget 2022 for its establishment on an administrative basis.
Preparatory work for the Media Commission recruitment process has now commenced in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service and positions, as they arise, will be advertised in due course.
Recruitment for the Media Commission will be run on an open, competitive basis.
440. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of public sector workers under her remit by sectors (details supplied) in each of the local electoral areas in County Clare in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2355/22]
View answerOf the five electoral areas listed below, I am informed that my Department had the following public sector workers in the tourism sector (other than civil servants) in County Clare between 2016 and 2021:
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Co. Clare Local Electoral Area’s |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
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Ennis |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
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Ennistymon |
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Killaloe |
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Kilrush |
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Shannon |
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Note: Tourism and Sport transferred from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020.
I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) will respond separately on the Civil Service numbers requested.
441. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of public sector workers under her remit in each of the local electoral areas in County Clare in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form under headings (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2380/22]
View answerOf the five electoral areas listed below, I am informed that my Department had the following public sector workers in the tourism sector (other than civil servants) in County Clare between 2016 and 2021:
|
Co. Clare Local Electoral Area’s |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Ennis |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
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Ennistymon |
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Killaloe |
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Kilrush |
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Shannon |
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Note: Tourism and Sport transferred from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020.
I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) will respond separately on the Civil Service numbers requested.
442. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of public sector workers under her remit in each of the local electoral areas in County Clare in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form under headings (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2393/22]
View answerOf the five electoral areas listed below, I am informed that my Department had the following public sector workers in the tourism area (other than civil servants) in County Clare between 2016 and 2021:
|
Co. Clare Local Electoral Area’s |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Ennis |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
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Ennistymon |
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Killaloe |
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Kilrush |
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Shannon |
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Note: Tourism and Sport transferred from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020.
I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) will respond separately on the Civil Service numbers requested.
443. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí cóip, mar a bhí geallta, de na dréacht-Chaighdeáin Teanga a ullmhaíodh i gcomhair Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, agus den ghrinnscrúdú réamhreachtach a bhí déanta ar an mBille sin sular achtaíodh é, a chur faoi mo bhráid, agus cén dáta faoina mbeidh Caighdeáin Teanga forordaithe aici chun an tAcht a chur i bhfeidhm. [2659/22]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, tá próiseas leagtha síos faoi Alt 19 d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 maidir le foilsiú na gcaighdeán teanga a bheifear ag tabhairt isteach faoin Acht. Leagtar síos san alt sin go gcaithfidh an tAire dul i gcomhairle le grúpaí éagsúla, an Choiste Chomhairleach atá le bunú san áireamh, maidir le comhairle a fháil uathu ar na dréacht caighdeáin. Beidh an Choiste Chomhairleach á bhunú ag an Aire tráth nach déanaí ná 6 mhí tar éis Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 a rith. Tá tús curtha ag m'oifigigh leis an obair chun an Coiste a bhunú a bhfuil próiseas earcaíochta a bheidh á reáchtáil ag an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí ina leith.
Anuas air sin, leagtar amach go ndéanfaidh an tAire dréacht de na caighdeáin a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne agus go dtabharfar 3 mhí, ón dáta foilsithe, don phobal chun tuairimí a sholáthar don Aire ar na dréachtchaighdeáin sin.
Maidir leis an ghrinnscrúdú réamhreachtach a rinneadh ar an mBille, tuigtear dom go bhfuil cóip le fáil ó Thithe an Oireachtas. Mar áis don Teachta, tá an díospóireacht ar an ábhar ar fáil ag an nasc seo:
www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/comhchoiste_na_gaeilge_na_gaeltachta_agus_na_noilean/2018-04-17/3/
444. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an aontaíonn sí go mbeidh sé níos deacra an sprioc seirbhís a sholáthar i nGaeilge don phobal sa Ghaeltacht, mar atá leagtha síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, agus geallta ag an Aire, a bhaint amach anois agus an cinneadh déanta ag an rialtas deireadh a chur le caighdeán ar leith Gaeilge a bheith riachtanach chun post mar sháirsint a bhaint amach sa Gharda Síochána, agus an bhfuil aon iarracht déanta aici an dochar sin a chur in iúl dá comhghleacaí sa chomh-aireacht, an tAire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais. [2660/22]
View answerMar is eol don teachta, neartaíonn an reachtaíocht nua a bhfuil tagairt déanta ag an Teachta dó Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Go deimhin, cuirfidh sé go mór le caighdeán na seirbhísí i nGaeilge a bheidh ar fáil don phobal.
Tá curtha in iúl agam cheana go bhfuil arduithe céime do ghrád Sáirsint agus Cigire sa Gharda Síochána faoi réir ag Rialacháin an Gharda Síochána 2021 atá faoi choimirce na Roinne Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannas.
Trí mhéadú agus feabhsú a dhéanamh ar na seirbhísí a sholáthraítear trí Ghaeilge ag eascairt as achtú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, cinnteofar go dtabharfar aghaidh ar shaincheisteanna a bhaineann le soláthar seirbhísí Stáit trí Ghaeilge do chainteoirí Gaeilge agus do phobail Ghaeltachta. Beidh an Teachta ar an eolas gurb iad príomh spriocanna an Achta seo 20% d’earcaithe nua don seirbhís phoiblí a bheith inniúil sa Ghaeilge roimh dheireadh 2030 agus go gcuirfear na seirbhísí poiblí uile sa Ghaeltacht ar fáil i nGaeilge.
Aithním go bhfuil dúshlán ann maidir le hearcú cainteoirí Gaeilge. Níl aon amhras ach go neartóidh na leasuithe sa reachtaíocht stádas na Gaeilge san earnáil Stáit, á chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhísí ar ardchaighdeán i nGaeilge á soláthar ag an tseirbhís phoiblí don phobal Gaeilge agus i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Bí cinnte go mbeidh mise ag obair go dícheallach le hoifigigh mo Roinne chun éifeacht a thabhairt d'fhorálacha an Achta leasaithe agus chun oibriú i dtreo Plean Náisiúnta do Sholáthar Seirbhísí Poiblí i nGaeilge a fhorbairt.
445. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the location of all built social housing provided in County Mayo in 2021; the location of the targeted 90 social homes by built in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62935/21]
View answerA detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published each quarter by my Department, which provides scheme level detail on new build social housing activity. The CSR provides details of the individual social housing new build projects, that make up the new build programme for each local authority, including Mayo. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Quarter 3 2021, and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/feea9-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q3-2021/.
In Mayo, the CSR for Q3 2021 shows there are 11 schemes consisting of 88 units onsite and there are a further 15 schemes of 225 units at various stages of design and procurement.
An excel version of this file can be downloaded at the following link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q3-2021?package_type=dataset .
446. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the legislation was introduced for the appointment of chief executives in county councils throughout Ireland; if it was binding on all counties; if there was subsequent legislation for the same purpose which was only applicable to separate county councils such as Tipperary, Limerick and Waterford; if a special case was made for any or all three counties; and if so, the details of same. [62986/21]
View answerThe Local Government Reform Act 2014 (2014 Establishment Day) Order 2014 provides that 1 June 2014 is the establishment day for the purposes of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. Section 54 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 which makes provision for the position of chief executive in relation to each local authority has applied since 1 June 2014.
The provisions relating to an office of chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, Tipperary County Council and Waterford City and County Council are made under sections 16(2), 16(3) and 16(4) of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 respectively.
447. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will remove hares from the open season order and stop all shooting, hunting and coursing of hares given the threatened nature of the Irish hare species and the pressure it is under (details supplied). [62995/21]
View answerThe Irish hare is protected under the Irish Wildlife Acts and can only be captured under licence; hunting of hares is limited to the Open Season. The Irish hare is also listed on Annex V of EU Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) and this listing requires member states to manage the species’ sustainably. The Habitats Directive also requires Ireland to make a detailed report every six years on the conservation status of all listed species, including the Irish hare. Ireland’s most recent report in 2019 included a comprehensive assessment of the range, population status, habitat and threats for the Irish hare. The report can be downloaded at www.npws.ie/publications/article-17-reports/article-17-reports-2019
The 2019 report notes that the Hare is widespread and common in Ireland with a broad habitat niche; it is found throughout the country from coastal habitats to upland heath and bog. The report does highlight some concerns about the loss of habitat quality due to agricultural intensification and afforestation, but overall the species is considered to be in favourable conservation status. In addition, the most recent Red Data List for Mammals in Ireland (2019) confirmed that the species is not threatened; it assessed the Irish hare as “Least concern”: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Red%20List%20No.%2012%20Mammals.pdf
The 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, as mentioned, 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 2021/2022 coursing season was issued by my Department on 23 July 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.
There are no plans at this time to remove the hare from the Open Season Order.
448. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria for a national heritage area, Natura 2000, a statutory nature reserve and refuge for fauna; the protections that each includes; the process for designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63004/21]
View answerIreland’s natural heritage is an integral part of our national identity, providing a treasure trove of great social, educational, recreational and aesthetic value. Conserving nature requires a range of strategies to succeed, with designation of conservation areas required under both European (Birds and Habitats Directives) and national laws.
There are three main types of designations within Ireland - (i) Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), (ii) Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and (iii) Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
NHAs are areas protected under the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended). They are areas considered important at a national level for the habitats present, or which hold species of plants and animals whose habitat needs protection, and where protection of the site will make a significant contribution to the conservation of one or more species or habitats which are considered vulnerable, rare or endangered.
Sites of significance at a European level are known as Natura 2000 sites, and designated for protection under the EU Nature Directives. These sites fall into two categories: Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) as set out below.
SACs are prime wildlife conservation areas, selected under the EU Habitats Directive which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. The Directive lists certain habitats and species that must be protected within SACs.
SPAs are designated for the protection of listed rare and vulnerable bird species, regularly occurring migratory species and wetlands, especially those of international importance. They are selected under the EU Birds Directive.
In all cases, sites are evaluated by scientific staff within the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department before being proposed for designation. Sites should be at least large enough to provide the physical and semi-natural conditions for the maintenance of a particular habitat and/or species.
Designated sites are fully protected from the time of first notification and advertising. Protection for these sites comes in the form of Activities Requiring Consent (ARCs). These activities require the permission of the Minister before they can be carried out and will be considered based on the level of damage or harm to habitats and/or species that will occur as a result of the activity taking place. Different ARCs apply to each site depending on what habitats and/or species are present.
Following the decision by the Minister to designate a site, landowners, known to the Department, are notified in writing. Advertisements are placed in National and regional newspapers and notices are broadcast on radio. In addition, notices are displayed in local Government offices, Garda stations and National libraries. Landowners are given three months in which to appeal the designation and/or to object to the Ministerial Order in relation to ARCs.
Compensation may also be available to landowners in certain circumstances. When the appeals process has been completed, the sites are formally designated by Statutory Instrument.
Certain other forms of protection may be afforded to sites as set out below:
Nature Reserves - An area of importance to wildlife, which is protected by Ministerial order under the Wildlife Acts.
The Wildlife Act 1976 empowers the Minister to establish or recognise Nature Reserves on state-owned or private land. The criteria for Nature Reserve Status is as follows:
(i) includes the habitat or forms the habitat of part of the habitat of one or more species or community of flora or fauna being a species or community which is of scientific interest, or
(ii) includes or forms an ecosystem which is of scientific interest,
and (iii) that the habitat or ecosystem is likely to benefit if measures are taken for its protection.
Section 15 of the Act refers to the Establishment Order for Reserves on lands owned by the Minister or by the State. Section 16 of the Act refers to the Recognition Order for Reserves on land other than land to which Section 15 applies. The land is managed so as to secure, as best may be, the objective indicated in the establishment/recognition order having regard to and in accordance with the general protection of the natural environment. In the case of a Nature Reserve on private lands, the owner(s) of the land must commit to managing the land as a nature reserve prior to the issue of a Recognition Order.
For any suitable land to acquire the status of Nature Reserve, it has to be established or recognised as such by the Minister. Any proposal to establish or recognise a Nature Reserve has to be first assessed by the Scientific Unit of the NPWS. The Scientific Unit has to establish that the area in question meets the criteria as listed above. If the criteria mentioned above are met, the designation process may begin.
A Statutory Instrument (S.I.) is drafted, and is accompanied by a map of the proposed reserve, the schedule (i.e. scientific description of the site) and ,in the event of a private nature reserve designation (section 16 of the Wildlife Act 1976) a commitment letter from the land owner(s) to manage the land as a nature reserve. Relevant statutory bodies are consulted if required. If no objections are expressed, the S.I. is signed and sealed by the Minister in exercise of the powers conferred on him/her by section 16 of the Wildlife Act 1976.
Refuge for Fauna or Flora -
Section 17 of the Wildlife Act 1976, provides that where the Minister considers that particular species of fauna or flora should be specially protected on an area of land, the Minister may designate that land as a refuge. The land in question should be, or be contiguous to, a habitat of the species requiring special protection. Or, the land may have features of the landscape which are of major importance to those species as they are essential for migration, dispersal and genetic exchange – for example ponds or small woods that function as stepping stones.
The seven refuges designated to date have been to specially protect breeding birds on marine cliffs and small islands. One example is, Refuge For Fauna (Bull Rock) Designation Order, 1991. The land, the subject of the Order, is designated as a refuge to specially protect the Gannet, Kittiwake, Storm Petrel and Razorbill. The Order places restrictions on when a person may climb the cliff face within the refuge. It also prohibits actions such as wilfully disturbing birds for which the land is a refuge; carrying on any part of the refuge a firearm or other weapon that could be used to hunt the birds; and dumping or disposing of any deleterious matter which could cause death or injury to the birds.
Before designating such a refuge, the Minister must conduct prior consultation with public authorities and notify the owner or occupier of the land and the general public, in order to allow for objections to be made. Compensation may be paid to a person with an interest in or over the land for any decrease in its value following designation.
449. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the definition of a national park and a regional park; the statutory protection each covers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63005/21]
View answerRegional Parks are public parks and are managed and operated by Local Authorities and the Office of Public Works. A National Park is a protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection, protecting natural biodiversity, promoting education and recreation, and in Ireland, the national parks represent the very best examples of such areas.
State owned and run National Parks are managed as Category II National Parks under the criteria set out by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Under this Category, ownership and management should normally be by the highest competent authority of the State. Accordingly, all National Parks in Ireland are fully owned and managed by the State through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Division of my Department. It is the policy of my Department to abide by the criteria and standards for the National Parks laid down by the IUCN which can be found at www.iucn.org/theme/protected-areas/about/protected-areas-categories/category-ii-national-park.
With regard to statutory protection of National Parks, the principal national legislation, providing for the protection of wildlife and the control of some activities that may adversely affect wildlife, is the Wildlife Act 1976, and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. Conservation of biodiversity within our National Parks network has been strengthened and expanding by EU law, most notably, EU Directives 92/43/EEC 1992 (Habitats Directive), 2009/147/EC (Birds Directive), 2011/92/EU (EIA Directive) and 2001/43/EC (SEA Directive). The State Property Act 1954 and the National Monuments Act 1930 make provisions for the vesting and management of state owned property and the protection and preservation of national monuments respectively.
Through the NPWS, my Department manages an extensive network of natural heritage sites of some 87,000 hectares. The six existing National Parks of Ireland account for circa 65,000 hectares of this network. I am ever mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of these national parks. Irelands National Parks are managed from a conservation perspective, and attract in excess of 4 million visitors annually. My Departments on-going commitment to the preservation and protection of our natural heritage can be recognised through the major capital investment programmes, with a strong emphasis on conservation and the protection and preservation of our most fragile environments.
450. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding will be made available for a group (details supplied) to source administrative staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63006/21]
View answerSupporting the development and growth of towns and villages across Ireland is a major priority for this Government and to this end policy interventions are being pursued across a number of Government Departments and are being implemented by local authorities around the country.
I am committed to the regeneration of our towns and a package of measures to support the revitalisation of Tipperary Town was put in place by my Department in 2019 following extensive engagement with local stakeholders and representatives. These measures, over a 3 year period, will facilitate a partnership approach between the local community, Tipperary County Council and other key stakeholders in order to develop and deliver an action plan for the town.
My Department is providing funds to a suite of actions to support this project, including €20,000 to the Heritage Council for a Collaborative Town Center Health Check for Tipperary Town. The Town Center Health Check provided a baseline analysis from a commercial, heritage and tourism perspective on which a draft action plan has been developed.
A project manager for Tipperary Town Task Force was also successfully recruited by Tipperary County Council last year with my Department providing a once of payment of €100,000 to co-fund this position for a 3-year contract period.
My Department also supports the operation of the Tipperary Town General Municipal Fund over this 3-year period and has provided €60,000 to the fund to date with matching funding having been provided by Tipperary County Council.
Community interaction and engagement in this project is essential. It is very encouraging to see the level of local commitment to the rejuvenation of Tipperary Town to date and I am a excited to see what can be achieved from the initiatives and interventions outlined in the draft Strategy and Action Plan.
451. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the national river barriers programme; the rivers and barriers that are being considered under this programme; the funding allocated for barrier removal and remediation; the timeline for completion of individual projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63074/21]
View answerMy Department is currently holding a public consultation exercise in a relation to Ireland's draft 3rd River Basin Management Plan which includes objectives in relation to improving the environmental condition of Ireland's rivers. The National Barrier Programme (NBP) is an important element of the plan and is a matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland in the first instance. Since its establishment in 2018 the Programme has delivered tools that significantly enhance barrier detection and assessment, and establish an inventory which can inform prioritisation and mitigation of these structures. To date, the national inventory of barrier structures is approximately 30% complete. The National Barrier Database contains approximately 73,000 potential barriers (identified during the first barriers programme cycle between 2018 and 2021); it is estimated that 10,100 of these have a high probability of being barriers to fish passage on the Irish river network.
The second cycle of the National Barrier Programme beginning this year will continue the works required to deliver an inventory of barrier structures on Irish rivers. The National Barrier Programme is supported by applied studies that will inform best practice approaches to barrier mitigation. This data will make a significant contribution to finalising the Programme of Measures to be included in the 3rd cycle of the River Basin Management Plan for the years 2022-2027.
This programme will consider barrier structures on all Irish rivers. It will also include the development of a national, regional and catchment-based prioritisation process to identify structures requiring mitigation; and provide supporting information for funding proposals for mitigation works.
In addition, there is provision for a data-led research and monitoring programme to evaluate the impact of barriers and the effectiveness of various management approaches.
Funding allocations for barrier removal and remediation will be finalised as part of the proposed hydromorphology measures in the River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 later in 2022.
