Vol. 540 No. 3
6 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the situation regarding the National Park Uplands Council in County Wicklow; if it receives funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20228/01]
It is not clear from the Deputy's question whether he is referring to the Wicklow Mountains National Park Council or the Wicklow Uplands Council, which are separate entities. I propose, therefore, to give a brief description of both groups.
The Wicklow Mountains National Park Council was established by me because I was keen to obtain the considered views of the local communities and groups which have a legitimate interest in the national park. The Park Council will work with Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, in finalising the management plan for the Wicklow Mountains National Park, in the eventual implementation of this plan and in considering general issues relating to the park. Dúchas will continue to have responsibility for the management of the park.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the park council has recently received from me a copy of the draft management plan for the Wicklow Mountains National Park for its consideration. No funds are provided to the council, but it is supported by my Department in its deliber ations by the provision of meeting facilities and a secretarial back-up.
The Wicklow Uplands Council is an independent body representing 28 non-statutory groups and individuals. This council is concerned with issues broader than the national park, whereas the interests of the Wicklow Mountains National Park Council mainly lie within the boundaries of the national park. I have, however, agreed that the regional manager of Dúchas will attend meetings of the council in the capacity of observer, if requested.
I understand that The Heritage Council, Wicklow County Council and FÁS provide the main funds for the Wicklow Uplands Council. My Department does not provide funds to the Wicklow Uplands Council.
It is the Wicklow Mountains National Park Council to which my question relates and I thank the Minister for her reply. The Minister mentioned her Department facilitates meetings and provides a secretarial back-up for the council. Will she elaborate on that? Does she foresee a situation where this council might receive funding from her Department and does she consider it would be beneficial if it did? She outlined the number of bodies, I think she said 23, represented on the council. Does she agree that it might be necessary to provide funding to the Wicklow Mountains National Park Council in its own right in addition to the services provided by her Department which she outlined?
The Deputy mentioned his primary interest is in the Wicklow Mountains National Park Council. That council deals specifically with the management of the park. I was delighted to set it up because I wanted to give local people an opportunity to have a direct input into the management of their national park, an amenity of which they are very proud.
The management plan represents a considered view of the management of my Department on the future role of the national park and the proposed objectives for its management. Members of the park council will review the proposals therein and will work with Dúchas on finalising the management plans. This is very much a collaborative effort.
The Deputy referred to the back-up forthcoming from my Department. I explained that no funds are provided to the council by my Department, but it provides meeting facilities and a secretarial back-up because I recognise that a group such as this would need that assistance directly from my Department. I have willingly ensured that it is available to the group.
