Written Answers Nos. 387-398
387. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons who are on public or Civil Service pensions who have been recruited for work on any basis, permanent or temporary, under the remit of his Department in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of persons who are on civil service pensions who have been recruited for work on a temporary basis in my Department are outlined in the following table:
Table 1:
|
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Number of rehires |
5 |
5 |
5 |
No retired staff member has been reinstated permanently. Retired staff members were rehired in the past three years on a temporary, contractual basis to undertake specific tasks. Among the staff rehired were radio officers to fill essential vacancies in the Irish Coast Guard, an aeronautical engineer for the Air Accident Investigation Unit and an individual engaged in connection with the preparation and attendance at the State's defence of High Court proceedings due to their specialised knowledge of the legislation concerned. There are currently two public servants on specific, temporary rehire contracts in my Department.
I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested regarding public service pension holders. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days, please advise my private office.
388. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of hare coursing meetings the National Parks and Wildlife Service intends to monitor in 2014. [38948/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason no post-mortem evidence has been supplied to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to confirm the number of hares cited as dying from natural causes at coursing meetings. [38949/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together.
Licences were issued by my Department in August under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of their affiliated clubs to facilitate the tagging and capturing of hares for the purpose of hare coursing for the 2014/15 coursing season.
The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, which is a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958.
Where resources allow, officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department attend coursing meetings, on a spot-check basis, to monitor compliance with conditions on the licences granted by my Department. Veterinary officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also attend some meetings on an annual basis.
To assist my officials in the monitoring of these events, my Department also receives reports from the Irish Coursing Club Control Stewards and Veterinary Surgeons in attendance on the day of hare coursing meetings.
It is a licence condition that a qualified veterinary surgeon should be in attendance during all coursing meetings and that a signed report on the general health of the hares and on any injuries or deaths of hares that occur during the meeting should be submitted to my Department. While I understand that post-mortem examinations are carried out at coursing meetings in certain circumstances, it is not a licence condition that reports on these examinations are submitted to the Department. I have asked my officials to consider the issue of obtaining post mortem reports in advance of the 2015/2016 season.
390. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason she decided to increase the number of board members on the Irish Museum of Modern Art from nine to 11 breaching the Government's promise to reduce the size of each board to a maximum of nine members; when she decided to do this; if she was instructed or contacted by persons requesting her to increase the numbers from nine to 11; if so by whom; her plans to increase the numbers of other boards under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38956/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), the current limit in respect of the board is 15 members. I appointed two people to the Board of Directors of the IMMA on the 12th of September last to allow for better regional representation on the Board having regard to IMMA's national remit and with a view to enhancing the business skills and acumen of the Board in terms of the commercial dimension of IMMA's roles and responsibilities.
The Government, as part of a critical examination of the structure and operation of a number of institutions included in the Public Service Reform Plan, accepted a recommendation to scale back the membership of a number of Boards of institutions, including IMMA, to a maximum of nine members, including the Chair. Whilst my Department continues to work towards the implementation of this and other recommendations on an administrative basis, the legislation required to give legal effect to this decision has yet to be enacted. It is expected that this legislation will be published in late 2015.
The heads of Bills are currently with the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht for consideration. Regarding any future board appointments, I have indicated my intention to work closely with the Chairs of the cultural institutions to identify the skills needs of the boards. This will be done as part of the Government's new appointments procedures.
391. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to protect the heritage of a site (details supplied) in County Cork and develop it as a cultural site, in view of the fact that it has significant heritage tourism potential for the locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38998/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all identified monuments relating to the area referred to in the Deputy’s Question are available on my Department’s National Monuments Service website at www.archaeology.ie. These monuments are also included in the Record of Monuments and Places compiled under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004, which provides them with the protections and safeguards set out in those Acts.
The site referred to is also included in a focused study undertaken by my Department, that is now nearing completion. The individual reports produced as part of the study are currently being reviewed by an expert advisory panel appointed to oversee the project and will be available for wider consultation after the panel has concluded its deliberations. There are no proposals before me at this time for the development of this area as a cultural site.
392. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the upper two levels of the National Museum will be reopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39033/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst my Department provides funding to National Museum of Ireland, the board of that institution is responsible for all operational matters and I have no direct function in that regard.
A programme of capital refurbishment works was completed in 2010 to facilitate the reopening of the Natural History Museum. There is currently a management system in place to facilitate controlled supervised access to the historic balconies and the Museum, my Department and the OPW continue to explore the potential of providing further enhanced access to the upper levels in the Natural History Museum at a reasonable cost.
393. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the percentage of funds loaned to production companies by the Irish Film Board in each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 that were returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39047/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Film Board (IFB) is the statutorily independent agency responsible for the development and promotion of the culture of Irish filmmaking together with the development of the Irish film industry, taking into account both indigenous filmmaking and major international film and television productions. I have no responsibility in relation to its day-to-day operational matters, including policies and the allocation of resources to different support programmes including development loans and production loans.
The IFB allocation of development and production loans provides cultural funding to the production of films involving Irish creative talent, including Irish screenplay writers, directors, actors, designers and animators.
The IFB shares in and recoups profits from revenues generated from sales for cinema, television, DVD, etc. It has to be borne in mind that this recoupment can occur over a number of years, for example, a film project that receives funding support in 2011 can recoup money for a number of years beyond 2011 or 2012. Likewise, the recoupment figure for a particular year will include monies from projects that historically received funding support in earlier years.
The 2013 accounts for the IFB are still being examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, so I am not in a position to release those at this time. In 2011 the IFB advanced a total of €14,375,889 in feature development and production loans and recouped €1,179,854. In 2012 the IFB advanced a total of €12,698,869 in feature development and production loans and recouped €1,531,833.
These figures bring to 10% the recoupment rate on production feature loans advanced since the re-incorporation of the IFB in 1993. The cumulative percentage rate is given from 1993 which, as mentioned above, makes more sense than giving percentages for individual years as the films can earn revenues over a number of years. Internationally, this is seen as a reasonable return rate.
394. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will ensure there are no cuts to the Foras na Gaeilge budget for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39051/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I explained in my response to Question No. 435 from the Deputy on 8 July 2014, the allocation for Foras na Gaeilge in 2015 will be informed by the outcome of the comprehensive reviews of both current and capital expenditure announced as part of Budget 2014 and within the framework of the Budgetary and Estimates processes generally. In addition, as Foras na Gaeilge is part of the North South Language Body, a further impact will arise from the agreement of the Finance Departments in both jurisdictions on minimum efficiency savings of 4% per annum cumulatively to be achieved by all North South Implementation Bodies over the period 2014-2016.
The Deputy will appreciate that pending announcement of the 2015 budget today, I am not in a position to comment more specifically at this time.
395. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider allocating €12 million as a capital budget for Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39052/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1746 of 17 September 2014 in relation to this matter. As I stated in that reply, funding for the various Departments, including my own, are decided through the Budgetary and Estimates process annually. With regard to the capital budget for Údarás na Gaeltachta, I wish to again reiterate that, as Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, I very much appreciate the importance of job creation in helping to retain sustainable communities in Gaeltacht areas. In that context, I wish to again acknowledge the very important enterprise and employment function of Údarás na Gaeltachta as the regional economic agency for the Gaeltacht.
I am fully informed of Údarás na Gaeltachta's strategic proposal to increase its capital budget over time from the present level of €5.687m to €12m per annum. I am very aware and supportive of the case advanced by the organisation that such an increase in funding would enable it to create an additional 300 jobs per annum.
As the Deputy is aware, it was announced as part of Budget 2014 that comprehensive reviews of both current and capital expenditure would be undertaken by all Departments during 2014. These reviews underpin the Government's multi-annual budgetary framework and are conducted periodically to re-set Departmental expenditure ceilings in line with emerging Government priorities. Clearly, the capital allocation for Údarás na Gaeltachta for 2015 will be informed by the outcome of those reviews and within the framework of Budget 2015, which is being announced today.
396. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a list of all State board appointments since general election 2011; the person who recommended each appointment; the credentials of those appointed; if the vacancy was publicly advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39275/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs my Department was established on 2nd June 2011, the information sought is being provided in respect of the period since then. Details concerning the appointments of board members to bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group since 2nd June 2011, (both currently serving members and those no longer serving), and their qualifications or experience are set out in the following table. The table also indicates the number of board vacancies that were publicly advertised and the number of appointments made following from the publicly advertised process. My Department seeks expressions of interest from the public by advertising on my Department's website. Candidates may also be approached who, in the view of the Minister of the day, have a contribution to make and who may be willing to serve. In the case of certain bodies, board appointments may also be made by the bodies themselves or on an ex officio basis. It may be noted that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, being agencies of the North South Implementation Body - An Foras Teanga, are made by the North South Ministerial Council, arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.
The Government has recently agreed on a Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments to State Boards which complements the current system with a more structured approach to ensure that vacancies on State Boards are populated in a transparent way by the high-calibre personnel required to successfully perform their mandates. I am now working to implement this revised model and look forward to the guidelines which Minister Howlin will present in the coming weeks in that regard.
National Gallery of Ireland
|
Board Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
|
Suzanne McDougald |
Gallerist and Art Collector |
- |
- |
|
Mary Keane |
Deputy Director General of the Law Society of Ireland, responsible for the Society’s Policy and Public Affairs function. |
- |
- |
|
Margaret Glynn |
M.A. History of Art and Design U. L. 2003. |
- |
- |
|
Mary Daly |
President of the Royal Irish Academy |
- |
- |
|
Bernie Brennan |
Vice President of the Royal Dublin Society |
- |
- |
|
Fred Krehbiel |
International Business representative |
- |
- |
|
John O'Brien |
International Business representative |
- |
- |
National Concert Hall
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
12 |
12 |
|
Gerry Kearney (Chair) |
Former Secretary General of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. |
- |
- |
|
Dearbhla Collins |
Pianist |
- |
- |
|
Laurie Cearr |
General Manager, Music in Great Irish Houses. |
- |
- |
|
Gina Menzies |
Lecturer in Medical Ethics, Royal College of Surgeons. |
- |
- |
|
Alma Hynes |
Head of Volunteer Department for the Wexford Opera Festival. |
- |
- |
|
Deborah Kelleher |
Director, Royal Irish Academy of Music. |
- |
- |
|
Rachel Holstead |
Music consultant and freelance composer. |
- |
- |
|
Maura McGrath |
Senior management and executive experience across the private and public sectors and also not for profit organisations in Ireland and abroad. |
- |
- |
|
Rebecca Gageby |
Head of Programmes and Administration at the Royal Irish Academy. |
- |
- |
|
Kieran Tobin |
Retired Communications and Corporate Affairs Director, Irish Distillers. |
- |
- |
|
John McGrane |
Retired Ulster Bank Director |
- |
- |
|
Ray Bates |
Former Director, National Lottery. |
- |
- |
|
Peter McEvoy |
Project management consultant. |
- |
- |
|
Barney Whelan |
Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at An Post. |
- |
- |
|
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin |
Pianist, composer, recording artist and academic, who holds the Professorship of Music at the Irish World Music Academy of Music and Dance based at the University of Limerick. Former Chair of Culture Ireland. |
- |
- |
|
Bruce Arnold |
Journalist |
- |
- |
|
Margaret Ryan |
Marketing Practitioner |
- |
- |
|
Artemis Kent |
Director, Greystones Youth Orchestra and Head of Music at the Bray Institute of Further Education. |
- |
- |
|
Pat Heneghan |
PR Consultant |
- |
- |
|
Patricia Slavin |
Primary School Principal and qualified ballet teacher from the Royal Academy, London. |
- |
- |
Irish Museum of Modern Art
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Emma Goltz |
A patron of the Arts and company director. |
- |
- |
|
Jane Dillon Byrne |
A former member of the Arts Council; she currently serves on the board of the Pavilion Theatre |
- |
- |
|
Sheila O'Regan |
A museum curator, radio producer and presenter and historian. |
- |
- |
|
John McNulty |
Businessman active in local cultural, sporting and language initiatives. |
- |
- |
Arts Council
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
11 |
8 (and also one reappointment) |
|
Sheila Pratschke (Chair) |
Studied fine art and arts management, worked in many arts organisations and institutions in Ireland and abroad and was awarded the 'Ordre Nationale du Merite' by the French State. |
- |
- |
|
Joan Sheehy |
Actress with extensive experience in professional theatre for over three decades. |
- |
- |
|
Miriam Dunne |
Has 25 years experience as a professional arts manager and producer in arts organisations, festivals, venues and events. |
- |
- |
|
Monica Spencer |
A freelance producer, festival organiser and performance related facilitator with extensive experience of arts management and delivery. |
- |
- |
|
Éimear O'Connor |
An art historian specialising in Irish art who was elected an Honorary Royal Hibernian Academician in 2010 for her contribution to the Arts in Ireland. |
- |
- |
|
Brian Maguire |
A visual artist. |
- |
- |
|
John McAuliffe |
A writer and academic, currently chief poetry critic for the Irish Times and co-editor of The Manchester Review. |
- |
- |
|
Ciarán Walsh |
A graduate of communications studies from Dublin City University who has been involved in the performing arts for almost 20 years. |
- |
- |
|
Mark O'Regan |
A professional actor with a long association with the Abbey and Gate Theatres in Dublin. |
- |
- |
|
John Fanning |
A specialist in advertising, branding, marketing and communication who has a long standing commitment to the Arts. |
- |
- |
Censorship of Publications Board
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
5 |
4 |
|
Shane McCarthy (Chair) |
Solicitor |
- |
- |
|
Noelle O'Connor |
Senior lecturer in tourism and hospitality studies |
- |
- |
|
Sinéad Prunty |
Barrister |
- |
- |
|
Georgina Byrne |
Librarian who holds qualifications in English literature, information studies and management. |
- |
- |
|
Philip Moynihan |
Retired Chief Superintendent, An Garda Siochána. |
- |
- |
Irish Film Board
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
7 |
5 |
|
Bill O'Herlihy (Chair) |
Television broadcaster and businessman |
- |
- |
|
Annie Doona |
President of the Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
- |
- |
|
Katie Holly |
Managing Director of Blinder Films |
- |
- |
|
Kate O'Toole |
Actress and Chairwoman of the Galway Film Fleadh |
- |
- |
|
Seamus Deasy |
Director of Photography |
- |
- |
|
John Rice |
BAFTA and IFTA winning producer, co-founder and CEO of JAM Media |
- |
- |
|
Maurice Sweeney |
Documentary film maker. |
- |
- |
The Heritage Council
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
Conor Newman (Chair) |
University lecturer |
7 |
3 |
|
Fidelma Mullane |
Specialist in vernacular architecture |
- |
- |
|
Catherine Heaney |
Communications consultant |
- |
- |
|
Ciara Breathnach |
University lecturer |
- |
- |
|
Michael Parsons |
Former school principal |
- |
- |
|
Kieran O'Conor |
University lecturer |
- |
- |
|
Ted Creedon |
Broadcaster and journalist |
- |
- |
National Archives Advisory Council
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
6 |
0 (no expressions of interest received) |
|
Joanne Rothwell |
Archivist, Waterford County Archives |
- |
- |
|
Deirdre McMahon |
Senior lecturer and Head of Department, Mary Immaculate College and member of the Irish Manuscripts Commission |
- |
- |
|
Máire Mac Conghail |
Professional genealogist and member of the Irish Manuscripts Commission |
- |
- |
|
Mary McAuliffe |
Historian, lecturer in the School of Social Justice, UCD |
- |
- |
|
Raymond Refaussé |
Librarian and archivist, Church of Ireland Library |
- |
- |
|
Paul Rouse |
Historian and lecturer in the School of History of Art and Archives, UCD |
- |
- |
Crawford Art Gallery
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
1 |
1 (there were also 7 re-appointments and 1 ex-officio) |
|
John Bowen (Chair) |
CEO of Bowen Construction |
- |
- |
|
Una Feely |
Arts management and co-founder of the IndieCork Festival |
- |
- |
|
Sheila Maguire |
Hospital administrator in Cork University Hospital and former VEC member |
- |
- |
|
Tim Brosnan |
Cork City Councillor |
- |
- |
|
Jim Corr |
Former Cork City Councillor and former Cork City VEC Chairman |
- |
- |
|
Declan Moylan |
International Chairman of Mason, Hayes and Curran |
- |
- |
|
Noel O'Keeffe |
Former Cork County Engineer |
- |
- |
|
Kevin Lonergan |
Principal Officer, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
- |
- |
|
Anne Doherty |
Cork City Manager |
- |
- |
Chester Beatty Library
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
3 |
3 1 appointment was an ex-officio appointment and 1 was a nominee of the Taoiseach. |
|
Patricia Donlon |
Former Curator of the Chester Beatty Library and former Director of the National Library. |
- |
- |
|
Eamonn Ceannt |
Artist, sculptor and Former Bursar, UCD |
- |
- |
|
Declan Downey |
Professor of History of Art and Archives, UCD |
- |
- |
|
Brian McGing |
Regius Chair, School of Classics, TCD |
- |
- |
|
Catherine Fahy |
Acting Director, NLI |
- |
- |
Údarás na Gaeltachta
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
7 |
4 (there were also 5 appointments by County Councils with Gaeltacht areas within their jurisdictions) |
|
Anna Ní Ghallachair (Chair) |
Director of the Languages Centre, National University of Ireland, Maynooth |
- |
- |
|
Dairíona Nic Con Iomaire |
Primary school principal |
- |
- |
|
Fiachra Ó Céilleachair |
Health Service Executive employee |
- |
- |
|
Pádraig Ó hAinifín |
Health Service Executive employee |
- |
- |
|
Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin |
Regional manager of WESTBIC in Cill Charthaigh |
- |
- |
|
Micheál Ó Scanaill |
Businessman and former teacher |
- |
- |
|
Séamus Cosaí Mac Gearailt |
Nominated by Kerry County Council |
- |
- |
|
Seán Ó Cuireán |
Solicitor and manager of Donegal Volunteer Centre |
- |
- |
|
Seosamh Ó Laoi |
Nominated by Galway County Council |
- |
- |
|
Ian Mac Aindriú |
Nominated by Mayo County Council |
- |
- |
|
Cathal Seoighe |
Nominated by Meath County Council. |
- |
- |
|
Daithí Alcorn |
Nominated by Donegal County Council |
7 |
- |
Foras na Gaeilge
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
- |
- |
N/A |
N/A Appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency are made by the NSMC arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction and therefore they are not open to public competitions. |
|
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl (Chair) |
Former Director General of the GAA, primary school teacher and school inspector. |
- |
- |
|
Eoghan Mac Cormaic (Vice Chair) |
Member of Conradh na Gaeilge and employee of Glór na nGael with an interest in education. |
- |
- |
|
Áine Ní Chiaráin |
Journalist and former civil servant with an interest in local history. |
- |
- |
|
Bríd Ní Chonghóile |
Senior Executive of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, former board member of Galway City VEC and member of Galway City Public Forum. |
- |
- |
|
Therese Ruane |
Teacher, former board member of County Mayo VEC, member of Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board and Director of Gnó Mhaigh Eo. |
- |
- |
|
Caitríona Ní Shúilleabháin |
Teacher |
- |
- |
|
Pól Callaghan |
Head of Information and Policy with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Northern Ireland and former MLA. |
- |
- |
|
Colm Cavanagh |
Former Business Development Manager with the North West Regional College, President of the NI Council for Integrated Education, Chair of London-Derry Connections and Vice President of the Alliance Party. |
- |
- |
|
Seosamh Mac Donnchadha |
Former teacher, Irish Language Organiser with Galway CCVC, CEO of Foras na Gaeilge,President of the GAA and Chairperson of TG4, CEO of Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board. |
- |
- |
|
Tomás Mac Eochagáin |
Director with Griffith College Dublin |
- |
- |
|
Marcus Mac Ruairí |
Journalist and writer and Development Officer for Glór na nGael. |
- |
- |
|
Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill |
Former school principal and greatly involved in community development and in his local GAA club. |
- |
- |
|
Dónal Ó hAiniféin |
School Principal of GS Mhíchíl Chíosóig. |
- |
- |
|
Éamonn Ó Gribín |
Retired, member of the SDLP and Conradh na Gaeilge, among other memberships. |
- |
- |
|
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire |
Member of Cork County Council and Chairperson of the Council's Arts, Culture and Language Committee. |
- |
- |
|
Liam Kennedy |
Lecturer at Queen's University, Belfast. |
- |
- |
|
Thomas Sharkey |
Local Councillor and Secondary School teacher of Irish |
- |
- |
Ulster-Scots Agency
|
Appointments since 2 June 2011 |
Qualifications/Experience of Appointees |
Vacancies Advertised |
Appointments made following from a publicly advertised process. |
|
Tom Scott (Chair) |
Board member of a local enterprise agency and involved with several private and public sector bodies with a strong interest in the Ulster-Scots heritage and culture. |
N/A |
N/A Appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency are made by the NSMC arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction and therefore they are not open to public competitions. |
|
Tony Crooks (Vice-Chair) |
Numerous academic qualifications and a strong interest in the Ulster-Scots language, culture and heritage. |
- |
- |
|
Hilary Singleton |
Founding member of an Ulster-Scots group with vast experience and knowledge of the Ulster-Scots heritage and culture. |
- |
- |
|
Ida Fisher |
Extensive experience in local government in County Donegal with an interest in Ulster-Scots heritage and culture. |
- |
- |
|
Val O'Kelly |
Worked in a professional and voluntary capacity with many local and national voluntary groups and has an interest in Ulster-Scots heritage and culture. |
- |
- |
|
Sharon Treacy-Dunne |
Has a special interest in the promotion of Ulster-Scots music and culture and has commissioned several works in the Ulster-Scots genre. |
- |
- |
|
William Leathem |
Current Chairman of an Ulster-Scots group with a long standing interest in the Ulster-Scots history and culture, particularly in the promotion of the Ulster-Scots music. |
- |
- |
|
Trevor Wilson |
Vice President of an Ulster-Scots group with a long standing interest in the Ulster-Scots heritage and culture. |
- |
- |
397. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has considered the submission from turf cutters (details supplied) to have SAC lifted, and if this has been put to the EU Commission for an exemption under Article 6(4) of the habitats directive. [39294/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft National Peatlands Strategy, draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan and the Review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network were published in January of this year. In the subsequent public consultation process, almost 1500 submissions were received and are currently under examination. This includes a submission received on behalf of the Committee representing turf cutters on the bog referred to. In general, turf cutting and its associated drainage is damaging to the ecology and functioning of raised bogs and is incompatible with their conservation. For raised bog SACs, it will in most cases not be possible for the State to consent to further turf cutting, as the State is legally obliged to prevent such damage to these sites. There are, however, two sets of circumstances in which turf cutting could be consented to. These can be referred to as Article 6(3) consents (where it can be shown that cutting will not have an adverse effect on the SAC) and Article 6(4) consents (for imperative reasons of overriding public interest), under the EU Habitats Directive.
The draft National Plan sets out the demanding tests which must be met before flexibility under the Directive could be sought. The final Plan will clarify these issues and whether the provisions of Article 6(4) could be applicable for any particular SAC within the broader context of the Plan, and seek to establish whether sufficient consensus can be achieved at a national level to make a successful case to the European Commission for flexibility on this basis.
It should be noted that there have been 60 applications to my Department under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme in relation to the bog in question. 11 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation. The assessment of potential relocation sites for these turf cutters is ongoing. A total of 130 annual payments have been made, along with 51 deliveries of turf, since cessation came into force. 35 legal agreements have also been signed.
398. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons who are on public or Civil Service pensions who have been recruited for work on any basis, permanent or temporary, under the remit of her Department in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39543/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of persons who are on public or civil service pensions employed on permanent or temporary fixed term contracts in my Department and the bodies funded from its Vote Group in the years in question is summarised in the following table:
|
Year |
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
Public Bodies |
|
2012 |
2* |
5 |
|
2013 |
2* |
3 |
|
2014 |
2* |
7 |
*Includes a former special adviser in receipt of a teacher's pension.
