Written Answers Nos. 168-171
168. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) will receive compensation under the turf cutting scheme; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39356/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
I am advised that the applicant has indicated on his application form that he had not cut turf on the designated site in question during the five year period up to 31 December 2011.
My Department will be writing to the applicant shortly in relation to his position.
169. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if performance-related pay has been paid to any of her staff or staff in her Department for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if so, the number of staff involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39389/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department is subject to Civil Service pay policy, as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I am advised that no performance related pay of the nature described by the Deputy was paid for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014.
170. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to publish the 1926 census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39414/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to enable publication of the 1926 census. The project seeks to build on the success of the digitisation of the 1901-1911 Census returns and other digitisation projects in the National Archives. A 1926 Census Working Group, comprising officials from my Department, the National Archives and the Central Statistics Office (CSO), has examined this complex project to determine what issues need to be addressed and what resources need to be put in place to move the project forward.
Under the relevant legislation - the Statistics Act 1993 - census data must be withheld for 100 years. To release the records before the expiry of 100 years would require a change in legislation and policy. I am advised that such a change could prejudice and undermine the ongoing collection of national statistics data. Accordingly no change is contemplated at this time.
Following discussions with the CSO, it is considered that the next steps should address the issue of the extensive preparatory work that will be required to facilitate the release of the data into the public domain in due course. The CSO and the National Archives have agreed to facilitate such preparatory work and the Working Group, chaired by my Department, will progress these plans.
171. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39425/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA reply issued to the correspondence in question from my office yesterday.
