Written Answers Nos. 159-171
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he or his Department is engaged in the restoration of major historical or cultural sites throughout the country at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11475/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is involved in a range of actions and initiatives aimed at improving the presentation, preservation and understanding of our national heritage. In the built heritage area, a fund of €5million has being made available under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. This fund will support a significant number of projects across the country and employment in the conservation and construction industries. The scheme will operate throughout 2014 and will be administered by the local authorities. More generally, under section 53 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012, I am empowered to make recommendations to planning authorities to include in their Records of Protected Structures any buildings that I consider merit such recognition and the associated protection that would then apply to their particular architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.
My Department’s National Monuments Service also works in close collaboration with the Office of Public Works on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care. While my Department is not at present directly engaged in the restoration of any major historical or cultural sites, it is currently undertaking refurbishment works at Killarney House, located within Killarney National Park, at the National Gallery of Ireland and at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, home of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department might consider the promotion of mutually beneficial, jointly-sponsored cultural events with the US in the course of the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11476/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through its Culture Ireland Programme, promotes Irish arts abroad and works closely with US partners to create and support opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic festivals and venues. I have arranged for a special focus on presenting Irish arts internationally over the St Patrick’s Day period this year. In this regard, my Department will support a significant number of events across the US and worldwide. In particular, a number of critically acclaimed traditional Irish bands will tour in the US this month, with the support of my Department.
On an ongoing basis throughout the year, my Department, through its Culture Ireland grant programmes, supports Irish artists travelling to the US across a range of artforms. This support encompasses:
- Irish films in key film festivals such as Tribeca, Sundance and Irish Film Festivals in New York, Boston, LA, San Francisco;
- music showcases at South by South West, Texas, and a number of music festivals, particularly during the summer months;
- visual arts at the Armory Show, New York City, and other art fairs and galleries; and
- readings by some of our finest poets and writers.
My Department is also supporting leading Irish theatre companies to present in the US in 2014, including in BAM, NY, America's oldest performing arts centre.
I would like to make special mention of the Irish Arts Center in New York, which is a key partner that focuses on presenting Irish artists on a year round basis. This year, in a new initiative, my Department through its Culture Ireland Programme has agreed to give support on an annual basis for the Center's Irish programme. The Irish Arts Center has well developed plans to build a new flagship building, with the support of the Irish Government. The Center, with a targeted completion date of 2016, will offer a world-class venue for presenting Irish arts in New York.
I am acutely conscious that the cultural ties between Ireland and America are unique. By bringing Irish creative talent to audiences across America, we are celebrating that unique shared story and growing key relationships between Irish artists and leading US arts festivals, venues and institutions, thereby creating new opportunities and jobs for Irish artists. In supporting these artists in the US, my Department works closely with Tourism Ireland, the IDA and other Irish State bodies to help widen the benefits for all sectors arising from the promotion of Ireland's creative talents.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for grant aid or other forms of financial support received by his Department or bodies under his aegis funded by his Department from applicants in County Kildare; the extent to which it has been found possible to respond positively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11477/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following tables set out the number of applications for grant aid or other forms of financial support submitted from applicants in County Kildare to my Department and to the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group during 2013; and also the extent to which it has been found possible to respond positively to those applications. For the sake of completeness, I must advise the Deputy that my Department also operates the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme. Under this scheme, qualifying applicants from various counties, including Kildare, are receiving compensation payments of €1,500 (index linked) per annum or deliveries of turf. Details of these personal applications and payments are not reflected in the tables.
|
Number of applications for grant aid or other financial support received in my Department from applicants in Co. Kildare. |
Number of applications for grant aid or other financial support received in my Department from applicants in Co. Kildare that were approved. |
|
14 |
4 |
|
Bodies and Cross Border Implementation Bodies under the aegis of the Department that received applications for funding from Co. Kildare. |
Number of applications for grant aid or other financial support received from applicants in Co. Kildare. |
Number of applications for grant aid or other financial support from applicants in Co. Kildare that were approved. |
|
Arts Council |
60 |
17 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
10 |
8 |
|
Heritage Council |
5 |
5 |
|
Waterways Ireland |
15 |
12 |
166. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure that biofuel is available at pumps in service stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11437/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive. The scheme works by obligating road transport fuel suppliers to bring a certain amount of biofuel, currently 6% by volume of total transport fuel sales, to the market. This has seen increased amounts of biofuel used in Ireland since the scheme was introduced and, in 2012, when the obligation was 4% by volume, approximately 128 million litres of biofuels were placed on the Irish market.
167. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made on the online voucher scheme for businesses; the level of uptake by businesses in respect of the scheme; the nature of those businesses and their geographical distribution; his plans to advertise the scheme further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11212/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe trading online voucher scheme which I announced in the context of the National Digital Strategy is currently in pilot phase, as planned. The scheme will provide individual qualifying businesses with a voucher of up to €2,500 to be used with the company’s own matching funding for the implementation of a trading online component to their business. The scheme is targeted at those small and micro enterprises, (with less than ten employees and whose annual turnover is less than €2m), who do not have an online presence or at those who are seeking to improve their online offering by adding, or improving, a trading online dimension.
The pilot is being conducted by the Dublin City Enterprise Board (DCEB) in two phases. The first phase involved 25 companies based in the DCEB area. These companies are involved in a diverse range of business activities including retail, wholesale, crafts, design, pharmacy, as well as activity and service products. The companies availing of these vouchers encompass a broad range of product types including clothing, furniture, beauty, training, equipment rental, jewellery, and flowers. Details of the 25 companies successful in securing vouchers in the second phase will be finalised later this month.
€5 million has been provided for the voucher scheme in 2014 in my Department's Vote. Planning is currently underway for the national roll-out of the scheme. When launched, it will be advertised nationally and on the National Digital Strategy web page of my Department's website. It is envisaged that up to 2,000 small businesses will benefit from this initiative from mid-2014. The eligibility criteria that operate in the case of the pilot are available on the DCEB web page at www.dceb.ie/Financial-Assistance/Online-Trading-Voucher and it is likely that very similar criteria will apply for the national scheme. I have also made arrangements for companies who feel that they may be eligible, and would like to be informed when the scheme is being rolled out, to contact my Department at Benefit@dcenr.gov.ie with their name and contact details and my officials will notify them when the national scheme is open for applications.
168. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made on the better energy and the retrofitting schemes; if targets have been achieved; if it is intended to continue these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11219/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As of February 27 2014, more than 155,000 homes have received a grant under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, with the total grants provided reaching €162 million. A further 105,000 homes have to date received a free energy efficiency upgrade under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, with a total spend of over €116 million. The Department publishes an energy saving target for the Better Energy Programme each year in its Annual Output Statement. These targets have consistently been met. Between both schemes, nearly one sixth of homes in Ireland have received some form of Government assisted energy efficiency upgrade.
Last year I launched the Better Energy Communities Scheme and the Better Energy Areas Scheme. These schemes are intended to assist in upgrading the energy efficiency of existing clusters of buildings, homes and community facilities. Both programmes will be continued in 2014. In total, the Government has committed to spending €57million across the various schemes under the Better Energy Programme in 2014. In the long run, it is the Government's intention to transition from Exchequer funded grants for energy efficiency measures to a market-orientated approach to realising energy efficiencies. Work on this initiative, known as Better Energy Financing (BEF), is currently in progress.
169. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his future plans for the post office network; his views on the fears expressed by the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, in respect of the anticipated closure of 600 post offices by 2017, as per a Grant Thornton report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11457/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. [9846/14] of 26th February 2014. The position is unchanged.
170. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government where funds already raised through the local property tax will be spent in 2014. [11401/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local government funding model is changing considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing this year, the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year. Details of the proposed expenditure from the Local Government Fund are set out in the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2014 as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Local Property Tax paid into the Local Government Fund in 2014 will contribute to a range of financial supports being provided to local authorities, including General Purpose Grants and funding, on the basis of Service Level Agreements, for water services which local authorities will be providing on behalf of Irish Water.
171. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the background to the current system for taxing vehicles; if there are plans to look at a fairer system for taxing vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11428/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe basis for the levying of motor tax is contained in a number of enactments dating back to the 1920s, and the system of taxation is kept under review and updated on a regular basis. Motor tax classes and rates are provided for in the Schedule to the Finance (Excise Duties)(Vehicles) Act 1952, and changes to the rates of motor tax rates are effected by amendment to the Schedule. Rates for commercial vehicles are currently based on unladen weight. Rates for private vehicles registered prior to 1 July 2008 are based on engine capacity, and rates for vehicles registered after that date are based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle given on the Certificate of Conformity for the vehicle. All of the foregoing are based on a graduating scale, with higher rates for heavier vehicles or for those with higher carbon emissions.
There is a separate tax class for large public service vehicles and youth and community buses, where rates are at a concessionary rate of motor tax, depending on the seating capacity of the vehicle. There are also a number of smaller tax classes, such as hearses, agricultural tractors, vintage and veteran vehicles (i.e. those over 30 years old) etc., most of which carry a concessionary rate of tax, as they are in limited use on the public road. Certain vehicles are also exempt from paying motor tax, such as ambulances, fire engines and vehicles qualifying under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers )(Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
The 1952 Act makes provision for the setting of non-annual periods for taking out a motor tax disc and for the setting of rates for such discs. Motor tax can currently be paid annually, half-yearly or quarterly. The half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge element which covers the administrative and printing costs involved in processing the higher volume of applications. In addition, reminders are issued on each renewal. The Act also makes provision for the granting of refunds in certain limited circumstances.
While the operation of the motor tax system is kept under regular review, I have no plans currently to move away from the current basis of charging for motor tax for private vehicles. A Working Group has been set up, chaired by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, to examine the feasibility of introducing a road charging regime for HGV’s in Ireland in the medium term, and I will review the basis of charging for commercial vehicles following the outcome of that review. Proposals have previously been made to move from taxation of vehicles to taxation of the use of vehicles, through for example increasing the rate of taxation on road fuel. I have no plans to introduce such a system.
