Written Answers Nos. 675-695
675. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if penalty points can be attached to a UK or other foreign driving licence; if so, the way these are attached and removed from the licence; whether, if the holder of the licence is resident here, that is, if he or she has an Irish passport, these points will be attached to a future Irish licence when the person's current foreign licence expires. [48422/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeasures brought into effect earlier this year under the Road Traffic Act 2014, mean that, when a foreign licence holder incurs penalty points, a record can be created and the points applied to it.
The mechanism is the same as for other penalty points offences. A licence record is created on the National Vehicle and Driving File, held by my Department, and the penalty points are associated with the record. They count down for a three-year period, and points are accumulate as offences are committed.
Non-nationals resident in Ireland are expected to apply in due course for an Irish licence once they are resident in this country for more than twelve months. If they come from another EU Member State, or from a State with which Ireland has a mutual licence exchange agreement, they may exchange their licence for the Irish equivalent. If not, they must begin here as a learner. In either case, their existing points, acquired while driving here on a non-Irish licence, would carry over as part of their record to their new Irish licence.
676. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the headings under which funding is available for projects in his Department; the number of projects applied for in Waterford city and county under the national festival and events programme funded by his Department. [48427/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism relates primarily to the area of national policy. I have no direct role in relation to the provision of funding for festivals and events as this is a matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
677. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the changes to bus routes in areas (details supplied) in County Kildare; if these routes are subsidised by Government funding; if so the implications of the route changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48437/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
678. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on correspondence (details supplied) outstanding since August 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48297/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of An Taoiseach, and will be brought forward for consideration by Government in due course. I have asked my officials to contact the Deputy with a view to organising a meeting to outline the present position in regard to this matter early in the New Year.
679. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department held meetings separate to the management advisory committee meetings which were attended by either her or the Minister of State and the management advisory committee; if so, if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of such meetings that occurred in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47857/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra680. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of management advisory committee meetings which were held for each of the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of management advisory committee meetings that were attended by her, the Minister of State, the political adviser, the Secretary General and all other titles of attendees in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47873/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.
As the Deputy has previously been advised, my Department's Secretary General, three Assistant Secretaries, Director of Irish, Head of Finance and Head of HR/Corporate Governance comprise the membership of my Department's Management Advisory Committee (MAC).
The MAC is chaired by the Secretary General and meets regularly, as required. My Department was formally established on 2 June 2011 and its MAC met 13 times in that year, 25 times in 2012, 23 times during 2013 and 25 times to date this year.
Since I took office in July this year, I have met with all MAC members on a regular basis, as required, and continue to do so. I also met with the MAC collectively in October, November and earlier this month. Both Ministers of State at my Department attended the November and December meetings. My special advisors also attended these collective meetings, which were in addition to the MAC meetings referred to above.
681. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on running the popular music capital scheme in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47899/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs is the case each year, a decision will be made when sufficient information has been collated on the available funds, existing commitments and the various demands on the capital budget of my Department. This decision will be announced in due course. €200,000 was paid to Music Network in respect of the scheme in 2014. Details are available on the Music Network website at the following link:- http://www.musicnetwork.ie/news/details/sound_investment_in_instruments_as_178500_awarded_through_music_capita/
682. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications that have been received from, and granted to, persons providing accommodation in each official Gaeltacht area under the Irish language learners scheme in each of the past five years. [47961/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, Gaeltacht households can apply for approval to my Department to accommodate students attending recognised Irish courses in Gaeltacht colleges. In general terms, such applications are generally referred to my Department through the local Gaeltacht college, following extensive enquiries beforehand with regard to the various requirements under the scheme – for example, that Irish is the spoken language of the household; that all members of the family are fluent Irish speakers; that all members of the family, 16 years or older, are vetted with An Garda Síochána in accordance with the appropriate provisions of Children First; and that the household meets the required level of compliance with the requisite fire safety management measures.
The number of new households that were approved over the last 5 years is set out in tabular form. I am advised that there are no live applications currently on hand. For completeness, the overall number of approved households providing accommodation for students in the last 5 years is also set out as follows.
|
Counties |
No. of new applications granted |
No. of new applications granted |
No. of new applications granted |
No. of new applications granted |
No. of new applications granted |
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
|
Donegal |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Galway |
21 |
20 |
17 |
17 |
14 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Meath |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
37 |
30 |
25 |
19 |
24 |
|
Counties |
Total number of approved households |
Total number of approved households |
Total number of approved households |
Total number of approved households |
Total number of approved households |
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
|
Donegal |
159 |
154 |
145 |
143 |
160 |
|
Mayo |
43 |
43 |
42 |
41 |
37 |
|
Galway |
364 |
379 |
377 |
376 |
337 |
|
Kerry |
52 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
45 |
|
Cork |
12 |
15 |
10 |
11 |
14 |
|
Waterford |
20 |
19 |
19 |
16 |
11 |
|
Meath |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
|
Total |
657 |
665 |
649 |
644 |
613 |
683. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications that have been received from, and approved to, persons in each county under the built heritage jobs leverage scheme since its launch in December 2013. [47962/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2014, my Department was provided with an allocation of €5m Capital Stimulus funding for a new Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme to assist with works to safeguard protected structures, in private and civic ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. This scheme was administered by local authorities, to whom initial applications for funding were directed. My Department currently holds records only of projects which local authorities put forward for funding, following assessment of all applications received. The table gives a breakdown by county of the total numbers of applications approved under the scheme. It may be noted that a number of the projects approved were withdrawn over the course of 2014 and the final number of projects funded under the scheme was 540.
Applications approved under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme 2014
|
County |
Number of approved applications |
|
Carlow |
12 |
|
Cavan |
11 |
|
Clare |
20 |
|
Cork |
52 |
|
Donegal |
16 |
|
Dublin |
140 |
|
Galway |
40 |
|
Kerry |
17 |
|
Kildare |
25 |
|
Kilkenny |
20 |
|
Laois |
15 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
|
Limerick |
43 |
|
Longford |
15 |
|
Louth |
21 |
|
Mayo |
10 |
|
Meath |
20 |
|
Monaghan |
7 |
|
Offaly |
34 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
|
Sligo |
15 |
|
Tipperary |
51 |
|
Waterford |
33 |
|
Westmeath |
17 |
|
Wexford |
24 |
|
Wicklow |
13 |
|
Total |
684 |
684. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a breakdown by county of the moneys her Department has paid out in finders' fees in respect of artefacts of local interest, recommended for display in a designated county or other museum, over the past five years. [47963/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has not paid out any finders fees in respect of artefacts of local interest recommended for display in a designated county or other museum over the past 5 years.
685. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details of all official foreign trips she and Ministers of State in her Department plan to take between now and the end of 2015; if she will provide the names of the persons she and Ministers of State in her Department will meet on these trips; the purpose of the trips; the duration of the trips; if there are plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48027/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that I do not have any overseas engagements confirmed for 2015 as of yet. I wish to further advise that neither of my colleagues, Minister of State McHugh and Minister of State Ó Ríordáin, has any overseas engagements confirmed for 2015 as of yet in relation to their responsibilities in my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that Ministers and Ministers of State undertake foreign trips from time to time in order to fulfil official duties. Every effort is made to maximise the opportunities that such trips present to promote Ireland and full itineraries are planned in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In that context, overseas engagements in 2015 could potentially be proposed over the coming months.
686. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the gorse burning season in 2015 will be extended beyond the current date in line with Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48121/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Any change to that period would require amending legislation. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and therefore a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced.
Stakeholders have been seeking an opportunity to input their views on the operation of these controls and I recently announced a consultation process which provides that opportunity. All views received will be considered as part of any future decision and I encourage interested parties to make a submission by the deadline of 9 January 2015.
687. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a group (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the consultative committee to help address the problem of farmers being at a loss because of lands being sterilised because of the hen harrier; if she will review all avenues to resolve this hugely damaging restriction for landowners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48172/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with representatives of the group referred to in the Deputy's Question last week and I am considering their request for inclusion within the consultative committee. With regard to the issue generally, an Inter-Departmental Steering Group has been established to draw up a Threat Response Plan for the Hen Harrier and is examining 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 Steering Group is continuing its work and is due to meet again this week.
688. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if as part of the decade of commemoration her plans to provide funding to refurbish monuments erected in memory of those who died during that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48193/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have secured an allocation of €4m in current funding for 2015, which will support the development of an integrated national plan focused on the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. This allocation will support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations. A widespread public consultation process is now underway in order to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ground-up initiatives in the wider commemorative programme. It is my intention that local authorities will play a lead role in bringing the consultation process forward and I remain open to considering the full range of commemorations proposals that will emerge.
I look forward also to working with the Oireachtas All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations, the Expert Advisory Group and a wide range of stakeholders over the coming 18 months to make the events of Easter 2016 a very special and poignant tribute to all those involved.
689. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the actions she has taken to support Irish cities bidding for the European city of culture in 2020; the funding that has been provided to these cities in their bids thus far; if she has met with officials from those cities to discuss their bids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48286/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to bring a proposal to Government very shortly in regard to the European Capital of Culture and hope to be in a position to advise the Deputy further when it has been discussed.
690. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way her Department will spend the €4 million allocated for the centenary commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48291/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have secured an allocation of €4 million in current funding to support the development of an integrated national plan focused on the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. This allocation is in addition to the capital provision of €22 million, which will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship projects. The allocation of €4 million will be used to engage with and support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts, as well as Irish language projects. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations. A widespread public consultation process is now underway in order to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ground-up initiatives in the wider commemorative programme. I look forward to working with the Oireachtas All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations, the Expert Advisory Group and a wide range of stakeholders over the coming 18 months to make the events of Easter 2016 a very special and poignant tribute to all those involved.
691. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the schemes or procedures through which her Department disburses funding to the arts sector, separate from the work of the Arts Council; the amount of money spent in this way in each of the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the amount of moneys that were applied for; the way applications were adjudicated upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48292/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of grant payments made directly by my Department to the arts are published on my Department's website and are updated periodically. Details for 2011, 2012 and 2013 can be found at the following link as well as general information relating to criteria and conditions of grants and details on how to apply http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Arts/GrantsandFunding/. It is envisaged that 2014 details will be available in January 2015.
The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts sector.
692. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on correspondence (details supplied) outstanding since August 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48296/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of An Taoiseach, and will be brought forward for consideration by Government in due course. I have asked my officials to contact the Deputy with a view to organising a meeting to outline the present position in regard to this matter early in the New Year.
693. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details in tabular form by county of the number of landowners who have been instructed by National Parks and Wildlife Service to change their farming activities since the implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC, as it relates to the protection of the habitat of the hen harrier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48355/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA habitat enhancement scheme (the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme) was available to farmers in Hen Harrier SPAs to undertake measures for the species. These measures are not a condition of the designation, nor were they mandatory. Instead voluntary commitments were entered into by 377 landowners under the Farm Plan Scheme, of which 105 plans are still active. In this respect, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has not instructed any landowners to change their farming activities since the implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC as it relates to the protection of the Hen Harrier. Any additional measures were voluntary, as set out above.
694. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iniúchadh déanta fós ar na poist agus na réimsí oibre ina mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Bhéarla agus sa Ghaeilge ag teastáil, de réir mar a thug an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe treoir don Roinn a dhéanamh; má tá an t-iniúchadh déanta, cad é líon agus cad iad céimeanna na bpost atá i gceist; cén líon de na poist sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla ann cheana féin; cén plean atá ann chun na poist eile a líonadh le daoine a bhfuil na cáilíochtaí cuí acu; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48368/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar chuid den obair ar dhréacht-Phlean Fórsa Oibre mo Roinnse do 2014, rinneadh réamh-iniúchadh ar na poist ina bhfacthas go bhféadfadh inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla araon a bheith riachtanach. Mar thoradh ar sin, rinneadh 72 phost a aithint mar mheastachán tosaigh ar an riachtanas a d'fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist. Chlúdaigh dáileadh na bpost a bhí aitheanta gráid ag gach leibhéal thar réimsí gnó uile na Roinne. Cé nár aithníodh go mbeadh aon cháilíocht fhoirmeálta de dhíth, glactar leis nach mór go mbeadh baill foirne sna poist aitheanta in ann gnó na Roinne a dhéanamh sa dá theanga oifigiúil.
Ós rud é go bhfuil an próiseas sa chás seo fós idir lámha, tuigfidh an Teachta nach bhfuiltear in ann figuiúrí deimhnitheacha a thabhairt ag an bpointe seo. Is ag na gráid seo a leanas, áfach, atá an 72 phost atá aitheanta go dáta ar bhonn eatramhach:
|
Post |
Méid |
|
Ard-Rúnaí |
1 |
|
Rúnaí Cúnta/Stiúrthóir |
2 |
|
Príomhoifigeach |
3 |
|
Príomhoifigeach Cúnta |
12 |
|
Ardoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin |
12 |
|
Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin |
15 |
|
Oifigeach Foirne |
1 |
|
Oifigeach Cléireachais |
15 |
|
Oifigeach Seirbhíse |
2 |
|
Gráid eile |
9 |
695. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a breakdown of the number of public sector workers under the aegis of her Department who have been approved for inter or intradepartmental or agency work transfers, both to and from County Waterford, in each of the past five years. [48802/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 2nd June 2011. I can confirm that since that date one member of staff of my Department transferred to Waterford as part of a head to head transfer with a member of staff of another Government Department. The transfers in question took place in January 2014.
