Written Answers Nos. 128 - 133
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when back to education allowance will be approved in respect of VTOS or education programme in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39973/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of this Department, the person concerned has not applied for a back to education allowance.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an application for rent support in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39974/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rent supplement claim for the person concerned was refused on the 21st February 2012. The person concerned has not provided the Department with sufficient supporting medical documentation as requested on 2nd July 2012. The refusal has been appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office which functions independently of the Department.
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when fuel allowance and household package will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39975/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension is in payment to the person concerned since 15 September 2011. In order to determine the person’s entitlement to free fuel allowance, he was requested to furnish details in relation to employment and his household composition on 24th May 2012. To date no response has been received to this request. On receipt of the requested information, entitlement to free fuel allowance will be determined and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome. An application for the household benefits package has not been received from the person concerned. An application form issued to him today for completion.
132. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an féidir leasuithe nó athruithe a dhéanamh ar theorainn na LCS agus na LON i gConamara le ceantair a bhaint astu agus, más féidir, cé is féidir leasú a thionscnamh; cad iad na critéir a chaithfí a úsáid; an bhfuil sé i gceist aon leasú a dhéanamh ar na ceantair seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [39708/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDéantar soláthar faoi Alt 9 de Threoir an Aontais Eorpaigh maidir le Gnáthóga don fhéidearthacht dí-shainiú a dhéanamh ar láthair Limistéir Chaomhantais Speisialta. Is feidhm den Choimisiún Eorpach é seo, agus i gcomhréir leis an Treoir, ní féidir é a dhéanamh ach amháin nuair atá gá leis mar gheall ar athruithe nádúrtha atá tugtha faoi deara mar thoradh ar fhaireachais an Bhallstáit. Is iad na hathruithe atá i gceist anseo, mar shampla, ná nuair a dhéantar damáiste do ghnáthóg mar thoradh ar chreimeadh, sciorradh talún, nó a leithéid d'eachtra nádúrtha. Déantar Limistéir Oidhreachta Nádúrtha (LON) a shainiú faoi na hAchtanna um Fhiadhúlra, áit a leagtar amach an fhéidearthacht maidir le ceantar a bhaint amach ó shuíomh da leithéid más rud é nach bhfuil luach eolaíochta ag baint leis a thuilleadh. Níl i gceist agam aon leasú a dhéanamh ar aon suíomh LON faoi láthair.
133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that the Arts Council adopts a policy of ensuring that moneys donated by the State to opera festivals, including the Wexford Opera Festival, will result in Irish based musicians being used in orchestras rather than the current policy of bringing in from overseas principal musicians which is not necessary when one considers the amount of talented musicians available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39720/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor 2012, the Exchequer allocation to the Arts Council, which is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts, is €63.241m. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and my Department has no role to play in its executive or funding decisions. Government policy on the arts is set out in the Programme for Government. In the context of the 2012 Estimates, I have continued my endeavours to maximise ongoing Government support for the arts and culture sector.
