Written Answers Nos. 21-30
21. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the commemoration of the First World War; her views on whether the occasion should be used to highlight the devastating effects of war; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31275/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe outbreak and escalation of World War I is being remembered with many activities, nationally, in Britain and further afield. The Government continues to be represented at war memorial ceremonies in Dublin, Belfast and other centres, marking the Battle of the Somme in July and the Armistice in November. The Government has also taken part in the annual commemorations on the Somme – participating at the international commemoration at Thiepval and the special commemorations of the 16th (Ulster) Division at the Ulster Tower and the 10th (Irish) Division at Guillemont. As the Deputy will be aware, annual commemorations of national losses in World War I are organised by embassies and communities in Ireland, notably Australia, New Zealand and Germany. Official representation was undertaken at the ANZAC commemoration on 25 April last in Dublin. Arrangements are also being made to mark the anniversary of the start of the war with a special service of prayer.
On 31 July, a memorial "Cross of Sacrifice" at Glasnevin Cemetery will be dedicated to the memory of all Irish soldiers lost in the war and particularly those laid to rest there. This cross will be a welcome addition to the comprehensive and inclusive representation of Irish history on the site and is being brought forward in a partnership between Glasnevin Trust and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Deputy will no doubt be aware of the event jointly hosted by the National Library of Ireland and Trinity College, with substantial support from RTÉ, which was held on Saturday last. This was a well-attended event which allowed members of the public to relate stories of their families' connections with the Great War and to have their memorabilia catalogued and uploaded unto the digital Europeana library.
Indeed, as my first official function as Minister with responsibility for commemorations, I attended the annual ceremony of remembrance and wreath-laying for the Irish dead of the First World War on 12 July last in the National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge, Dublin. This year, of course, made particular reference to the outbreak of the Great War.
The National Museum of Ireland hosted a conference at Collins Barracks on 1 February last on ‘Remembering World War One in Europe, 1914-2014’, while the National Gallery of Ireland arranged an extensive programme of events commencing on 1 March with a Study Day on War Artists, followed on 2 March by a consideration of War Poetry and Images of the First World War.
I welcome also the contributions to the commemorative programme from colleges where conferences are being organised to present research and stimulate consideration of the centenary of the war. One such event was programme, prepared by the School of History at University College Cork earlier this year, addressed themes such as media, culture, religion, conscription, politics, society and legacy. The conference included a keynote address from British Minister Dr Andrew Murrison, MP, who referenced important issues of purpose, direction and tone in the official commemoration of the war. I was pleased to meet Minister Murrison at the Islandbridge ceremony last weekend.
As to the effects of war, certain of the events hosted by the cultural institutions already mentioned highlighted some of these effects. Clearly, while Ireland was at a distance from the immediate effects of major military confrontations, the brutal impact of casualties was experienced by many Irish families and this will continue to be recognised.
22. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the discussions planned with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and representatives of the farming organisations in relation to ongoing issues being encountered by landowners and farmers in maintaining the habitat of the hen harrier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31153/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hen Harrier is protected under the European Union’s Birds Directive and 6 Special Protection Areas have been designated for the conservation of the species. The birds are under threat due to a number of factors, such as the reclamation of upland open habitats for agriculture, the development of wind farms and the maturing of the large-scale forests planted in upland areas. An Inter-Departmental Steering Group has been established to draw up a Threat Response Plan for the Hen Harrier, comprising representatives from my own Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Group will examine all of the issues at hand, including forestry consents, planning permissions for wind farms, and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. The Group will meet next week.
After the Group has begun work, a wider Consultative Committee will be established, to include representation from the sectors likely to be affected by the outcomes of the Plan, including farming, forestry and wind energy, as well as non-governmental organisations. Through the Consultative Committee, the views of those affected will be sought and incorporated into the work of the Steering Group.
I should say that officials of my Department have already had significant engagement with farming organisations in regard to this issue.
23. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the role that drama and Irish language played in the lives of many of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation if she will consider the reconstruction of Amharclann Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, as a project worth support. [31210/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to state at the outset that I appreciate very much the role that the Irish language played in the lives of many of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. Given the symbolism of the Irish language in 1916, the Deputy may wish to note that is envisaged that a programme of Irish language events will be developed, within available resources, in the context of the commemoration of the Easter Rising in 2016. With regard to Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, funding of €30,000 was approved in December 2011 to assist the committee to carry out certain remedial works on the building, including improvements to the roof as well as repairs to the heating and electrical systems. I understand that Donegal County Council provided a further €20,000 towards these improvement works.
My Department understands that further substantial funding is required to bring the building to a standard that would allow professional productions to be performed there and, in this regard, that the committee is examining various options at the moment with regard to further financial support.
While I appreciate very much that Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair has an illustrious history of Irish language theatrical productions, the funding available to my Department for Gaeltacht projects of this nature is extremely limited and has to be apportioned among various competing priorities.
24. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a full and proper reform of the film industry in order to ensure this industry will reach its full potential. [31208/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Film Board (IFB) has primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions. it is a statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry and I have no responsibility in relation to its day-to-day operational matters, including the allocation of resources to different support programmes, schemes, and projects. The IFB has been allocated €14.037 million from my Department's Vote in 2014 to carry out its functions. The film and audiovisual production sector was the subject of a significant review, culminating in the acceptance by Government and the publication of the Creative Capital report almost 3 years ago. The recommendations of that Report are, by and large, implemented. A primary recommendation was the modification and extension of the tax support scheme for audiovisual production.
Following consultations between my Department, the IFB and the Department of Finance, a number of changes to section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (Film Tax Relief Scheme) are being introduced to ensure that Ireland remains competitive in attracting film projects to the country. The scheme has been extended to the end of 2020 in the 2013 Finance Act and further changes were announced by the Minister for Finance in his 2014 budget speech. The budget announcement brings forward the new regime for film tax reliefs to 2015, and extends the definition of 'eligible individual' in the scheme for film relief to include non-EU talent. I am confident that this will increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a destination for film investment and allow the audiovisual production sector to maintain existing jobs and create new ones.
25. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfar an maolú ar stádas na Gaeilge san Aontas Eorpach a chur ar ceal ag deireadh na bliana 2016; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31204/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeidh cinneadh le tógáil faoi dheireadh na bliana 2015 faoi thodhchaí an mhaolaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Sa chomhthéacs seo, tá plé ar bun ag mo Roinn, i gcomhar le Roinn an Taoisigh, le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla, institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh san áireamh, ar mhaithe le moltaí sonracha a fhorbairt maidir leis an chur chuige is fearr i dtaca leis an mhaolú. Beidh an cheist seo le breithniú ag an Rialtas in am trátha. Mar chuid de straitéis an Rialtais chun a chinntiú go mbeidh foireann leordhóthanach cháilithe ann chun freastal ar na riachtanais a eascraíonn as an Ghaeilge a bheith aitheanta mar theanga oifigiúil agus oibre de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh, cuireann mo Roinn maoiniú substaintiúil ar fáil i gcomhar réimse de shainchúrsaí tríú leibhéal agus chun téarmaíocht Ghaeilge a fhorbairt do bhunachar téarmaíochta an Aontais Eorpaigh dar teideal InterActive Terminology for Europe nó IATE, mar a thugtar go coitianta air.
Tagraíonn an maolú go sonrach do na hinstitiúidí Eorpacha a bheith ag leanúint ar aghaidh ag glacadh céimeanna chun rochtain an phobail ar fhaisnéis i nGaeilge ar ghníomhaíochtaí an Aontais Eorpaigh a fheabhsú. Chomh maith leis an cheanglas dlíthiúil íosta a chomhlíonadh, ní miste a nótáil go soláthraíonn príomhinstitiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh raon leathan de sheirbhísí Gaeilge atá neamhreachtach den chuid is mó agus atá dírithe ar rochtain an phobail ar fhaisnéis i nGaeilge a fheabhsú. I measc na seirbhísí seo, áirítear freagraí ar chomhfhreagras i nGaeilge, ábhar do shuíomhanna gréasáin, preasráitis, bróisiúir eolais agus fógraí folúntais. Ina theannta sin, cuireann príomhinstititiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh seirbhísí i nGaeilge ar fáil do Chúirt Iniúchóirí na hEorpa, do Chúirt Bhreithiúnais an Aontais Eorpaigh, don Ombudsman Eorpach agus do Choiste na Réigiún.
26. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil poist le cailliúint sna heagraíochtaí Gaeilge a bheidh maoinithe ag Foras na Gaeilge sa bhliain atá le teacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31197/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCheadaigh an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas socruithe nua maoinithe in ionad múnla bunmhaoinithe Fhoras na Gaeilge ar an 10 Iúil 2013. Tá feidhm leis na socruithe nua maoinithe ón 1 Iúil 2014. Mar thoradh ar an chur chuige nua straitéiseach seo, táthar ag súil go mbeifear in ann seirbhísí níos fearr a seachadadh ar bhealach níos éifeachtaí do phobal na Gaeilge sa dá dhlínse, ó thuaidh agus ó dheas. Faoi na socruithe nua maoinithe, beidh tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha i réimsí ar leith á sheachadadh ar bhonn uile-oileáin ag eagraíochtaí ceannais atá roghnaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge chun na críocha sin. Ina theannta sin, cuirfidh Foras na Gaeilge scéim ar bun chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil do raidió pobail trí Ghaeilge sa dá dhlínse. Cuirfear maoiniú ar fáil fosta sa todhchaí, mar is cuí, don Áisaonad ó thuaidh, i gcomhthéacs fheidhm reachtúil Fhoras na Gaeilge i ndáil le tacú le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge.
Maidir le cúrsaí fostaíochta, tuigfidh an Teachta gur gnó é do na heagraíochtaí iad féin an fhoireann atá riachtanach dá gcuid gníomhaíochtaí a fhostú, i gcomhréir leis na buiséid a bheidh ar fáil dóibh ó Fhoras na Gaeilge. Tuigtear dom ó Fhoras na Gaeilge go mbeidh soláthar curtha ar fáil le haghaidh 74.5 post san iomlán san earnáil faoin chur chuige nua i gcomparáid leis an 75.5 post a bhí sa 19 n-eagraíocht bhunmhaoinithe ar 1 Meitheamh 2014. Tuigtear dom fosta go bhfuil na poist sa 6 eagraíocht cheannais, sa 2 stáisiún raidió pobail agus san Áisaonad san áireamh sa 74.5 post.
27. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on her plans for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising; the level of engagement her Department has had with the families of those who participated in the Rising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31154/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDevelopment of an inclusive and detailed programme of events for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising is continuing and I hope to have a refined draft of that programme in the autumn. That draft will be subject to consultation with stakeholders before finalisation. As is the nature of these programmes, it may continue to evolve as we move towards 2016, as ideas crystallise and resources become available. Through consultation with the Oireachtas All-party Working Group on Commemorations and the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations, I will be seeking to prioritise ideas that are of educational and historical value, that provide a lasting legacy and that are appropriate in tone, balance and scale to the events being commemorated.
Expressions of interest in attending 1916 Commemorations were recently invited from relatives of 1916 Rising participants. The information being collated will be associated with existing databases of such material held by the Department of Defence. My predecessor also recently met a group representing these relatives with a view to establishing a regular forum for dialogue, consultation and information sharing on an ongoing basis. It is hoped that these initiatives will contribute towards having a successful and inclusive series of commemorations in 2016.
Information on the developing commemorative programme will be available on my Department's commemorations website at www.decadeofcentenaries.com and individual announcements will issue for specific events. I would, of course, be glad to hear from Deputies with any views on commemorative arrangements.
In addition, a number of flagship capital projects have been identified as priorities for completion by Easter 2016. These include the development of a suitable permanent facility for the Military Service Pensions Archive, the renovation of Kilmainham Courthouse to enhance the visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol, the development of a permanent exhibition space and interpretive centre at the GPO and the development of visitor facilities at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc, as well as the renovation of Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum. These initiatives are moving apace.
28. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is an adequate number of National Parks and Wildlife Service officers to protect our wildlife properly; her plans to recruit additional officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31274/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department directly employs 565 staff, who are deployed across a broad range of functional areas in the Arts, Culture, Film, Music, Built and Natural Heritage, Irish Language, Gaeltacht, Islands and North/South Co-operation sectors. These staff are assigned to the various functional areas on the basis of need, having regard to overall resource availability. Of the total Departmental staff, 283 work in the area of natural heritage, through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. In addition, my Department will take on up to 50 seasonal staff during this year to assist the NPWS. As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on public service recruitment remains in place and, as a result, my Department is not in a position to recruit new staff to deal with wildlife protection. However, it is hoped to bring in some staff from other Departments on secondment to assist in priority areas.
Despite the constraints, I am satisfied that NPWS is playing a comprehensive and valuable role in the conservation and protection of our natural heritage. For example, in the last year or so:
- Ireland's 6 National Parks at Wicklow, Killarney, The Burren, Connemara, Ballycroy and Glenveagh have been well-managed, remained open for visitors and provided a wide range of education and visitor services to the public.
- Significant progress has been achieved on a major capital project of developing Killarney House and Gardens as a new interpretive and information service for Killarney National Park.
- Considerable progress was made on the development of a suite of initiatives to address peatlands policy issues. This work, which was carried out in conjunction with the Peatlands Council, led to the publication early in 2014 of a draft National Peatlands Strategy, a draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan and the results of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area (NHA) Review. These documents raise issues of considerable importance for current stakeholders and future generations. A public consultation process in relation to them began in early 2014.
- A total of 2,959 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, applicable to raised bog special areas of conservation, have been received and are being dealt with by my Department.
- The Burren Farming for Conservation Programme is in 4th year of operation, with some 160 farmers involved. In September 2013, Ireland was awarded its first ‘European Diploma of Protected Areas Award’ from the Council of Europe for the sustainable management of the Burren.
- In the period 2009 to end-2013, there were almost 160 prosecution cases taken by NPWS officials for breaches of national wildlife legislation.
- My Department's NPWS staff processed and granted some 7,000 licences in 2013 under various provisions of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. In addition, over 360 certificates and permits were granted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- My Department's NPWS contributed to a successful Irish Presidency of the European Council in relation to Cultural and Heritage issues, including guiding European legislation, leading at international meetings and hosting relevant events and meetings here at home.
In the circumstances, I consider that my Department's staff are continuing to deliver an excellent service to the public, notwithstanding the demands placed on them, including resource constraints.
29. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps taken to date to progress the north midlands wetland park project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31151/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy understanding is that the bogs proposed for use in the project referred to by the Deputy are under the stewardship of Bord na Móna and, as such, their management, present use for commercial peat production and future rehabilitation are, in the first instance, matters for that organisation. My Department, in principle, would welcome any initiative to rehabilitate cutaway bog in a way that enhances its biodiversity and its attractiveness to visitors. I am aware that my predecessor wrote a letter of support for the project to Bord na Móna and my Department remains willing to engage with the company in relation to the matter.
30. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the investigation into the report of the deer hunted in Curragha, County Meath last December; and the steps she is taking to make sure that this event is not repeated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31148/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 103 of 19 June 2014. My Department is continuing with its investigation into this matter.
