Vol. 498 No. 5
178 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will outline the conditions and details of improved housing repair grants for island inhabitants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27988/98]
182 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán an dtabharfaidh sí eolas fá na deontais mhéadaithe tithíochta do lucht oileáin; cén méadú atá ar na deontais i leith tithe nua agus na deontais deisiúcháin; cén uair a thiocfaidh siad i bhfeidhm; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina dtaobh. [27964/98]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 178 agus 182 le chéile.
Dúblófar deontais tógála tithe nua ar na hoileáin le héifeacht ó 1 Eanáir 1999. Is é an t-uasdeontas a bheidh le fáil ansin ag iarratasóirí cáilithe ná £12,000 ar na hoileáin Ghaeltachta agus £9,600 ar na hoileáin lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Ní bheidh aon athrú ar an staid reatha i gcás deontais fheabhsúcháin.
179 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to recent development and proposed development at South Iniskea Island off the Mayo coast; if it is the policy of her Department to intervene in the planning process in order to ensure that inappropriate developments do not proceed in these sensitive environments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27370/98]
My Department is a statutory consultee under current planning legislation and as such local authorities are obliged to inform me of all developments which are likely to impact on my responsibilities for national parks and wildlife; national monuments and historic properties; and the inland waterways.
I am aware that a planning application was submitted in August 1998 to Mayo County Council in respect of a proposed new dwelling at south Iniskea Island, a copy of which was subsequently forwarded to my Department. The proposal involved the demolition of an existing dwelling and the construction of a new dwelling on the site of the original.
Following a review of the application, my Department recommended that permission should be refused as the proposed development would have resulted in the demolition of a recorded monument and this was conveyed to Mayo County Council. Following receipt of this recommendation the applicant withdrew his request.
In addition, my Department has been consulted recently about a revised proposal for development on the island and this proposal is under active consideration.
In regard to inappropriate developments in environmentally sensitive areas I would view with concern any developments that would adversely impact on my areas of responsibility.
