Written Answers Nos. 1054 - 1069
1054. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad ordú logainmneacha a rinneadh gach bliain le deich mbliana anuas; cé mhéad logainmneacha a bhí ar áireamh sna hOrduithe Logainmneacha gach bliain; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1419/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1055. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad dréacht d’ordú logainmneacha atá ag fanacht le faomhadh nó lena mhalairt uaithi nó atá ag fanacht lena gcur faoi bhráid an choiste nua a cuireadh in ionad an Choimisiúin Logainmneacha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1420/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1056. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon ball foirne a bhí ag an mBrainse Logainmneacha an 1/1/10 agus an 1/1/15; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1421/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh 1054, 1055 agus 1056 le chéile.
Léirítear sa tábla thíos líon na n-orduithe logainmneacha a rinneadh ón mbliain 2005 go data, chomh maith leis an líon logainmneacha a bhí i gceist le gach ordú.
|
Orduithe Logainmneacha (Contae / Ceantar) |
Bliain |
Líon Logainmneacha |
|
Tiobraid Árann |
2005 |
3,527 |
|
Lárionaid daonra (nach bhfuil clúdaithe in orduithe eile) |
2005 |
1,340 |
|
Luimneach (Leasú) |
2008 |
1 |
|
Ceantair Ghaeltachta (ainmneacha eile) |
2011 |
6,071 |
|
Baile Átha Cliath |
2011 |
1,355 |
|
Corcaigh |
2012 |
6,072 |
Tá dréachtorduithe logainmneacha, a chuimsíonn 6,930 logainm san iomlán, ullmhaithe do chontaetha na Gaillimhe, Liatroma agus Longfoirt. Déanfar na dréachtorduithe sin chomh luath agus atá na leasuithe cuí ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 achtaithe.
Ina theannta sin, cuireadh 3,498 logainm i ndréachtordú logainmneacha Chontae Mhaigh Eo faoi bhráid an Choiste Logainmneacha sa bhliain 2014. Pléifidh an Coiste Logainmneacha fuílleach na logainmneacha i ndréachtordú logainmneacha Chontae Mhaigh Eo (658 logainm) go luath i mbliana. Tá socruithe sa treis freisin chun logainmneacha chontaetha Cheatharlach agus Loch Garman a chur faoi bhráid an Choiste Logainmneacha i mbliana.
Bhí 6 phost lánaimseartha sa Bhrainse Logainmneacha ar an 1 Eanáir 2010 i gcomparáid le 4.4 post lánaimseartha ar an 1 Eanáir 2015.
1057. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici aon athruithe a dhéanamh ar chaighdeán nó ar mhinicíocht na seirbhísí aeir d’Oileáin Árann sa chonradh nua a thiocfaidh i bhfeidhm níos déanaí i mbliana; cén uair atá sé i gceist tairiscintí nua a lorg don tseirbhís; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1423/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNíl cinneadh críochnúil tógtha go fóill maidir leis an gconradh úr don tseirbhís aeir d'Oileáin Árann. Mar is eol don Teachta, d’fhostaigh mo Roinn na comhairleoirí EY chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an tseirbhís aeir agus foilsíodh tuarascáil chuimsitheach anuraidh ina raibh moltaí éagsúla ann.
Mar eolas don Teachta, tá mo Roinn i mbun próisis tairisceana faoi láthair chun comhairleoirí a fhostú chun plé leis an bpróiseas tairisceana don tseirbhís aeir, ag tógáil na nithe thuasluaite san áireamh.
1058. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta bunaithe ar an treoir a thug an Roinn Caiteachas Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe do gach Roinn, cad é líon agus cad iad gráid na bpost dá mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla ag teastáil; cad é líon na bpost sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla iontu cheana féin, arna bhriseadh síos de réir gráid; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; i gcás nach bhfuil an treoir ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe comhlíonta, cad é údar na moille agus cén uair a dhéanfar an scrúdú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1425/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar chuid den obair ar dhréacht-Phlean Fórsa Oibre mo Roinnse do 2014, rinneadh réamh-iniúchadh ar na postanna 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 aithníódh 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:
|
- |
Posts |
|
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 |
Mar a thuigfidh an Teachta, beidh folúntais i bpoist áirithe ó am go ham. Faoi láthair tá 5 fholúntas i bpoist shainaitheanta - 2 cheann mar Ard-Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin, 2 cheann mar Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin agus ceann amháin mar Oifigeach Seirbhíse. Tabharfaidh mo Roinn aghaidh ar na bhfolúntas seo in am trátha i gcomhthéacs na srianta atá ann ó thaobh pholasaí acmhainní daonna agus párolla.
1059. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form the total photography costs for her Department per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; a list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; a breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1445/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTotal photography costs for my Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were €1,054.62, €3,605.85, €3,943.38 and €4,015.78 respectively. No costs were incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance. The table below sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
The hiring of photographers for Ministerial or Departmental events is dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of the engagement, the expected level of media interest and the national/regional scope of the subject. At all times, value for money is a critical consideration in the context of the booking of photographers.
|
Year |
Occasion |
Photographer |
Cost |
|
2011 |
National Famine Commemoration, Clones 2011 |
Philip Fitzpatrick |
€400 |
|
2011 |
2011 Open House Dublin, Lir Theatre, in conjunction with the Irish Architecture Foundation |
Alice Clancy |
€0.00* |
|
2011 |
Launch of National Biodiversity Plan, Botantic Gardens Dublin (2011) |
Mac Innes Photography |
€283.75 |
|
2011 |
2011 National Famine Conference, Dublin |
Mac Innes Photography |
€370.87 |
|
2012 |
Edinburgh Festival Fringe event |
Alastair Devine |
€362.23 |
|
2012 |
Launch of Introduction of Architectural Heritage of County Galway |
Joe Travers |
€100 |
|
2012 |
Culture Night, Dublin |
Maxwell Photography |
€599.25 |
|
2012 |
British-Irish Council Ministerial Meeting (Minority Languages Sector), Co Donegal |
Tommy Curran |
€80 |
|
2012 |
Launch of Treaty Online Project, National Archives, Dublin |
Mac Innes Photograhy |
€341.83 |
|
2012 |
Ballycroy National Park Whaling Exhibition |
Eamonn O'Boyle |
€320 |
|
2012 |
Official Opening of Burren National Park Information Centre, Corofin |
Nicholas Mac Innes |
€550 |
|
2012 |
Release of the white-tailed sea eagles, Killarney National Park |
Valerie O'Sullivan |
€120 |
|
2012 |
Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference 2012 event |
Erin Baiano |
€347.89 |
|
2012 |
CITES meeting March 2012 |
Mac Innes Photography |
€283.75 |
|
2012 |
Commemoration at Teampallín Bán Famine Graveyard 2012 |
Domnick Walsh Photography |
€205.70 |
|
2012 |
National Famine Commemoration, Drogheda 2012 |
Paul Connor Photography |
€295.20 |
|
2013 |
Launch of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918 at National Museum |
Lensmen |
€209.10 |
|
2013 |
Launch of Culture Connects initiative for Ireland's EU Presidency |
Maxwell Photography |
€397.29 |
|
2013 |
Presentation of coin find to National Museum |
Maxwell Photography |
€466.17 |
|
2013 |
Launch of Arts in Education initiative |
Maxwell Photography |
€276.75 |
|
2013 |
Display of coin find in National Museum at Collins Barracks |
Maxwell Photography |
€413.28 |
|
2013 |
Launch of Century Ireland website |
Maxwell Photography |
€362.85 |
|
2013 |
Launch of Scéim Oiliúna Peile agus Iománaíochta, An Cheathrú Rua |
Pixsheáin |
€147.60 |
|
2013 |
Dublin launch of Venice Artist Biennale April 2013 |
Lensman & Associates |
€307.50 |
|
2013 |
International Famine Commemoration 2013 |
Maxwell Photography |
€311.19 |
|
2013 |
Presentation of European Diploma of Protected Areas (Burren, Co. Clare) |
Eamon Ward |
€332.10 |
|
2013 |
Europeana Conference on Digitisation, Dublin Castle |
Maxwell Photography |
€356.70 |
|
2013 |
Photocall for successful artists attending the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013 |
Maxwell Photography |
€362.85 |
|
2014 |
Contract signing for works at Killarney House |
Press 22 |
€425.63 |
|
2014 |
Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme |
Naoise Culhane |
€535.05 |
|
2014 |
National Gallery – commencement of refurbishment works |
Naoise Culhane |
€461.25 |
|
2014 |
Launch of 1916 Rising Oral History Collection |
Maxwell Photography |
€485.85 |
|
2014 |
Opening of Grantstown Wood and Nature Reserve, Co. Laois |
Denis Byrne Photography |
€220 |
|
2014 |
National Famine Commemoration 2014 |
Farrell Photography |
€720 |
|
2014 |
Photocall with winner of Herald Archangel Award at Edinburgh Festival 2014 |
Maxwell Photography |
€486 |
|
2014 |
Launch of Ireland 2016 commemorative programme at G.P.O. |
Maxwell Photography |
€482 |
|
2014 |
Photographs of Minister and two Ministers of State for official Departmental use |
Philip Fitzpatrick Photography |
€200 |
* Part of a package of two events for the price of one
1060. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form the use of external public relations firms employed by her Department per annum from 2011 to 2014, inclusive; a list of uses of the external public relations firm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1453/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 635 of 18 December 2014.
The table below lists the occasions on which an external public relations firm was hired since the establishment of my Department in June 2011.
|
Year |
Name of Company |
Service Provided |
Amount Paid |
|
2011 |
Zoetrope |
Provision of press and publicity, online and social media services to Culture Ireland for the duration of the Imagine Ireland programme |
€84,148 |
|
2012 |
Zoetrope |
Provision of PR and Media services to Culture Ireland for the Venice Architecture Biennale |
€6,983 |
|
2013 |
Nil |
||
|
2014 |
Nil |
The engagement of external groups for the provision of specialised services, including public relations firms, is dependent on a number of factors, including the expertise and resources available within my Department. In that context, value for money is at all times a critical consideration.
1061. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will introduce a new scheme to assist farmers in preserving the hen harrier in designated special protection areas; the expected cycle of time needed to ensure the preservation of the hen harrier in these areas; the proposed length of any new conservation scheme; her views that the hen harrier can survive and thrive without the introduction of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1568/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hen Harrier is protected under the EU Birds Directive and 6 Special Protection Areas have been designated for the conservation of the species. The Hen Harrier remains at risk due to a number of factors, such as the reclamation of upland open habitats for agriculture, the development of some wind farms and the maturing of the large-scale forests planted in upland areas. Such activities have a serious impact on the birds’ breeding populations.
To address these issues, my Department is working with other relevant Departments on a Threat Response Plan, which is intended to provide an overall plan to improve the prospects of the Hen Harrier, while bringing clarity to wider issues, including afforestation and wind energy. The Departments 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 Threat Response Plan will be key in ensuring the long-term conservation of the Hen Harrier.
With regard to conservation schemes, my Department is in ongoing discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning a range of measures for the protection or restoration of biodiversity, including the Hen Harrier, under Ireland's next EU co-funded Rural Development Programme.
1062. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by her Department during 2014; if she will also provide details of all the relevant fees paid to those firms during the period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1661/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below lists the consultants engaged by my Department in 2014, together with the associated payments made from my Department's Administrative Budget. Value for money is an overriding consideration in relation to the engagement of such consultants. For completeness, I should add that contracts for the provision of services are not included.
|
Company |
Amount paid |
|
Dorgan Associates |
€3,382 (balance for study on capital incentives to promote investment in film studio infrastructure - total cost €6,765) |
|
Rits Group |
€2,460 |
My Department also commissions engineering or environmental experts from time to time to provide technical reports on specific issues as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as "consultancy services and policy reviews" and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
1063. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí tuairisc ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta i dtaca leis na bearta sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, ós rud é go bhfuil an ceathrú cuid de thréimhse na Straitéise istigh in 2015; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1711/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, is ar mo Roinnse atá an fhreagracht uileghabhálach an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 a chomhordú agus a chur i bhfeidhm i gcomhar le réimse mór páirtithe leasmhara. Cuirtear é seo i gcrích tríd na struchtúir éagsúla, lena n-áirítear an Coiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht, an Coiste Comhairleach, an Grúpa Idir-Rannach agus na grúpaí ardleibhéil éagsúla. Ón uair gur foilsíodh an Straitéis i mí na Nollag 2010, tá dul chun cinn suntasach déanta ar chur i bhfeidhm na réimsí gnímh éagsúla atá luaite inti. Foilsíodh tuarascáil sa bhliain 2013 inar léiríodh an dul chun cinn foriomlán a rinneadh maidir le feidhmiú na Straitéise le linn na tréimhse ó 2010 go 2013. Ina theannta sin, d'fhoilsigh na Ranna Rialtais ábhartha a gcuid pleananna forfheidhmithe faoin Straitéis ag an am céanna. I mí Mheán Fómhair 2014, d’fhoilsigh na Ranna Rialtais ábhartha, dhá cheann déag acu san iomlán agus mo Roinn féin san áireamh, tuarascálacha ar an dul chun cinn a bhí déanta acu ó 2013 faoin Straitéis. Tá na tuarascálacha thuasluaite go léir ar fáil ag: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/ie/Straiteis20BliaindonGhaeilge2010-2030/FeidhmiunaStraiteise/.
Cé go bhfuil an Straitéis fite fuaite le gníomhaíochtaí mo Roinne thar na réimsí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta go léir, ní miste a rá gur cuireadh allúntas ar leith de €0.5m ar fáil don chéad uair riamh don Straitéis i Vóta mo Roinne anuraidh. Caitheadh an t-airgead sin ar ghníomhaíochtaí breisluacha ar leith chun tacú leis an Straitéis agus leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012. Is ar mhaithe leis na haidhmeanna céanna a chur i gcrích a chaithfear an t-allúntas ar leith de €0.551m atá ar fáil don Straitéis i Vóta mo Roinne i mbliana.
1064. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form the number of EU directives which remain to be implemented within her Department; the name of these directives; the timeframe for the implementation of these directives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1787/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, there is one EU Directive which requires implementation by my Department. The timeframe for its implementation is 18 December 2015. The Directive in question is Directive 2014/60/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State.
1065. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in her Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [1808/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1066. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in her Department since September 2013. [1823/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1065 and 1066 together.
Two General Schemes of Bills have been subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas as set out in the Table below. It is expected that the Bills will be published in the coming weeks.
|
General Scheme |
Purpose |
Date approved by Government |
|
Official Languages (Amendment) Bill |
To amend the Official Languages Act 2003. |
1 April 2014 |
|
National Concert Hall Bill |
To give statutory status to the National Concert Hall, in line with the governance and accountability regime that applies to other national cultural institutions. |
15 April 2014 |
In addition, two General Schemes of Bills have also been submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas as set out in the Table below:
|
General Scheme |
Purpose |
Date approved by Government |
|
National Cultural Institutions Bill (No. 1). |
To revise and update the governance arrangements in regard to the National Gallery, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Crawford Art Gallery Cork, including shared services. |
9 July 2013 |
|
National Cultural Institutions Bill (No. 2). |
To revise and update the governance arrangements in regard to the National Library, National Museum and National Archives, including shared services. |
4 February 2014 |
1067. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of secondments from her Department to external private firms in 2010 to 2014, inclusive, and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1838/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1068. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of secondments based in her Department from external private firms in 2010 to 2014, inclusive, and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1852/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1069. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has a policy regarding secondments from and within her Department to external firms; when the policy was initiated and last updated; the details of the policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1866/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1067 to 1069, inclusive, together.
There have been no secondments of the types described by the Deputy since my Department was established in June 2011. My Department does not have a specific policy in relation to these matters but if it were to engage in any such secondments, it would do so in line with the norms set down by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.
