Written Answers Nos. 31-40
31. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views regarding the numbers of NPWS officers around the country; her plans to increase these numbers in order to protect our wildlife; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31155/14]
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.
32. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of her responsibility for the decade of commemorations programme, her role in deciding to whom the Government extends invitations to attend commemoration events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31272/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA variety of commemorative opportunities will arise over the coming period, some of which will fall under State remit. These include lectures, exhibitions, conferences, religious, community and other events over the coming months, all of which will combine to form an appropriate and evolving programme of events. As has been stated previously, many of the commemorative events will be undertaken with the co-operation of partners and decisions on invitations will be taken collaboratively.
As a co-ordinator and partner, my Department will be happy to offer advice as to invitations to be issued, if required, and the matter will be kept under ongoing and active consideration, as individual events arise. My Department recently invited expressions of interest from relatives of those involved in the 1916 Rising in relation to attending commemorative events in 2016.
33. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the coastal islands, the measures, improvements and policy changes she has initiated since assuming office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31270/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a core policy of my Department to support the sustainable development of the offshore islands. My Department is the principal Department charged with island development by supporting the improvement of infrastructure and assisting with the provision of essential services.
My Department subsidises lifeline transport services for the inhabited offshore islands. These comprise passenger and cargo ferry services with a connecting bus service, where necessary, in addition to an air service for the Aran Islands. In the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, my Department spent €3.56m, €0.78m and €0.68m respectively on island and island related infrastructure. An allocation of €0.644m has been provided to my Department for this purpose in 2014. In the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, expenditure on supporting transport services was €5.9m, €6.1m and €5.9m respectively. An allocation of €5.9m has been provided to my Department for this purpose in 2014. I might also mention that, since 1997, my Department approved expenditure in the region of €120m on island infrastructure. As a result, island life has improved considerably and populations on many offshore islands have stabilised or increased.
In addition, my Department is the lead partner in relation to the Aran LIFE project which is being core funded by the EU under the LIFE programme and which is aimed at generating more sustainable farming practices on the Aran Islands. The project has a net value of €2.6m and will run for four years from 2014.
34. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking to maximise the use of public properties and properties with public access which are of scientific interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31150/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department manages 6 National Parks and 78 Nature Reserves, 66 of which are in State ownership. The National Parks and the State-owned Reserves are open to the public all year round and are free to visit. This network of National Parks and Nature Reserves is also a major part of Ireland's tourism product and my Department is promoting the greater use of these important and valuable natural heritage properties in a manner which is compatible with conservation and protection of their biodiversity.
My Department will continue to develop visitor facilities where resources allow, such as walking and cycling routes, enhanced signage and interpretation. In the last few years, my Department opened modern visitor centres at Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo, and Clara Bog Nature Reserve, Co. Offaly, as well as a visitor information point for the Burren National Park in Corofin, Co. Clare.
Killarney House in Killarney National Park is currently undergoing major refurbishment to transform it into the main visitor and interpretative centre for the National Park, with a focus on interpreting the Park's natural wealth. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with the Office of Public Works (OPW), as project managers, and Fáilte Ireland, which has committed funding of €5.2 million towards the project under its Tourism Investment Programme.
There are also approximately 750 national monuments in my ownership or guardianship, including Newgrange, the Rock of Cashel and Kilmainham Gaol. The day-to-day operation of these national monuments is carried out by the OPW. National monument sites are, in general, freely accessible to the public and, in many cases, dedicated visitor services, interpretive facilities and guided tours are available. Information about visitor services at national monuments is available on the OPW's heritage services website at www.heritageireland.ie.
Finally, it should be noted that many areas identified as being of scientific interest, such as Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Habitat Areas, are on private land. My Department works with the many stakeholders involved in caring for, and raising awareness of, the importance of these areas.
35. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the preservation of the Naomh Éanna. [31209/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Naomh Éanna had been moored at Grand Canal Dock since 1989, when it was found to no longer meet health and safety requirements to operate as a passenger-carrying vessel. Unfortunately, the ship deteriorated substantially since then and I am advised that very significant investment would be required to preserve the already unstable hull of the vessel and to bring the vessel to the point where it would be safe and insurable. I am further advised that the vessel's owners, the Irish Nautical Trust, do not have the financial resources to deal with these issues and therefore entered into an agreement with Waterways Ireland earlier this year to dispose of the vessel.
On foot of that agreement, the vessel was moved on 19 February last to a dry dock adjacent to the Grand Canal Basin, a property owned by NAMA, to facilitate its safe disposal. However, arrangements to dispose of it were subsequently put on hold to give an opportunity to a group interested in preserving the vessel to develop a suitable business proposal and to secure the require financing. I understand that these matters are still being pursued by the group concerned.
I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the group proposing to restore the Naomh Éanna is currently in discussions with NAMA to secure its agreement to allow work on the vessel to be undertaken within the dry dock to which it was relocated last February. Waterways Ireland is awaiting the outcome of those discussions.
36. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the progress of the 20-year strategy for the Irish language; the structures in place to monitor the progress of the strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31268/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department has the overarching responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 in cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders. Progress is being made with regard to the systematic implementation of a wide range of measures under the Strategy within the resources available.
In this regard, I would like to refer the Deputy to the progress report on the implementation of the Strategy during the period 2010-2013 and to the implementation plans published by the relevant Departments, 11 in total, in July 2013. These documents, which are available online, reveal a coherent approach to the implementation of the Strategy which will have a positive impact on the language in the long-term. It is envisaged that updates will be published shortly on the implementation of the Strategy by the relevant Departments over the past year.
Significant progress has been made by my own Department with regard to the implementation of the Strategy since the progress report was published last year. For example:
- The language planning process under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 is being progressed by my Department in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge.
- The language planning criteria were published in September 2013 and the language planning guidelines were published in January 2014.
- Priority is being given to the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas which have been recognised for the purposes of the Gaeltacht Act. Notices, which officially commence the language planning process, have been published in relation to 9 areas. Another 4 notices will be published in the autumn, with the final 13 notices being published in 2015.
- As a result of submissions received under a public consultation process, my Department will publish a list of towns in the autumn which could be recognised under the Act as Gaeltacht Service Towns.
- In the case of the Irish Language Networks, I understand that Foras na Gaeilge intends to announce its Irish Language Network Scheme later this year.
For the first time ever as part of the 2014 Revised Estimates, a specific allocation of €0.5 million was provided to my Department for the Strategy. This funding is being allocated towards various activities which support the language planning process on the ground. This includes support for community organisations to assist them in preparing and implementing language plans under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. The following organisational structures have been established to deliver the Strategy:
- The Cabinet Committee on the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht, chaired by An Taoiseach, maintains oversight of progress on the Strategy.
- A Senior Officials Group, consisting of high-level officials from relevant Departments, supports the Cabinet Committee.
- An Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by myself, as Minister of State, is coordinating the implementation of the Strategy.
- An Advisory Committee, also chaired by myself, as Minister of State, is supporting the implementation of the Strategy through a representative structure involving key Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations.
- Finally, a number of high-level working groups have been established with key stakeholders to progress the implementation of various areas of action under the Strategy.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she has engaged with Waterways Ireland and traditional canal dwellers and recreational users of the canals in the context of the ongoing debate on proposals by Waterways Ireland to increase dramatically the costs to the users of the canal system, having particular regard to the fact that the Royal Canal was largely restored through voluntary effort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31206/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Waterways Ireland undertook a public consultation process in relation to the proposed draft bye-laws earlier this year. I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the main stakeholders, including the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, the Heritage Boat Association, the Royal Canal Amenity Group and the Irish Boat Rental Association, were contacted individually and invited to meet with the Chief Executive and the senior management team of Waterways Ireland prior to submitting their views.
I am also advised that all current permit holders on the three waterways, including traditional canal users and canal dwellers, received individual written notice and were given the opportunity to make their views and requirements known. I understand that over 2,000 submissions were made in the course of the public consultation process. Waterways Ireland has now concluded their analysis of the public consultation. A summary of the consultation process and of the submissions received is available on the Waterways Ireland website at http://www.waterwaysireland.org/public-consultation and work is continuing on finalising the draft bye-laws. To that end, Waterways Ireland will prepare a report setting out its proposed approach, including any revisions it may wish to make to its original proposals. That report will be submitted to my Department and will then be referred to me, as Minister, with recommendations for consideration and final decision.
In line with the commitment given during a debate in Seanad Éireann on Wednesday 26 February 2014, I will afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the draft bye-laws.
38. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider providing funding to assist in the refurbishment of the 1916 plot in the St. Paul's section of Glasnevin Cemetery as part of the 1916 centenary celebration. [31211/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Glasnevin Trust operates the Glasnevin Museum and Cemetery. Responsibility for the upkeep of the 1916 plot in the St Paul's section of the Cemetery falls within the remit of the National Graves Association (NGA), which commissioned the monuments in the first instance. I understand that refurbishment works are envisaged to be undertaken by the NGA and that Glasnevin Trust are undertaking associated works, to be completed in time for the centenary of the 1916 Rising. My Department will continue to work closely with these organisations on relevant commemorative matters.
39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will intervene to protect the future of Sweny's pharmacy, 1 Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, which has such an important place in the literary history and heritage of Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31217/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role, as Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with regard to the protection and management of our built and natural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage and gives local planning authorities primary responsibility to identify and protect architectural heritage by including structures on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
The building referred to by the Deputy is included on the Record of Protected Structures for Dublin City and its protection is a matter for the local authority and its owner.
40. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports issued in 2013 and to date in 2014. [31819/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2013 the Passport Service issued 631,499 passports. So far to date in 2014, the Passport Service has issued 384,076 passports.
