Brian Stanley
Ceist:150. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department works with local authorities in the delivery of services; and if so, the details of same. [42556/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 4 October 2012
Ceisteanna (150, 151)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:151. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department engage with local authorities in the provision of services and if so the details of same. [42577/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011. It oversees and has policy responsibility for the conservation, preservation, protection, development and presentation of Ireland’s heritage and culture. My Department also seeks to promote the Irish language, to support the Gaeltacht and to assist the sustainable development of island communities. Information in relation to the wide-ranging functions of my Department, as well as the programmes and schemes operated by it, can be found on my Department's website www.ahg.gov.ie.
I should say that in delivering on this broad mandate, my Department seeks to promote a coherent and coordinated approach in the delivery of services and engages with local authorities, as appropriate, to achieve this end. This includes engagement with local authorities in relation to Ireland's built and natural heritage, arts and culture matters, the Gaeltacht and the offshore islands.
Given the complexity of these interactions, the Deputy will appreciate the difficulty with setting out the details of my Department's engagement with local authorities within the timeframe of a Parliamentary Question. If, however, the Deputy wishes to indicate the particular areas in which he has an interest, I will seek to provide the relevant information to him.