Written Answers Nos. 659-676
659. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be issued with a compensation payment under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4611/15]
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. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have been made to this applicant. In addition, a once-off payment of €500 has been made to the applicant in respect of the signing of a legal agreement under this scheme. The assessment of applicants for payment in respect of 2015 will begin shortly in my Department.
660. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 15 January 2015, if any property is owned by Údarás na Gaeltachta in the location; if so, if the details of the purchase and maintenance costs of any such property, including greenfield sites, will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4618/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the organisation owns one site of approximately 2.9 acres in An Clochán, Co. Kerry which was purchased in May 1981. The purchase price was £8,200 (approximately €10,412). Údarás has confirmed that there have not been any maintenance costs with regard to the site.
661. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding she plans to provide to counties Longford and Westmeath for the preservation of protected structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4623/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently considering the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage in 2015 in the context of its overall allocation and I will publish details of funding schemes for 2015 as soon as these are finalised. As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Nonetheless, I keep the competing priorities regarding the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage under on-going review having regard to the resources available to my Department. Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department in 2015 via a number of schemes, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities, such as Longford and Westmeath County Councils, or through the Heritage Council. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports in 2015 and future years having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.
662. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the proposal to purchase the Moat of Granard (details supplied); when this project will proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4624/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 638 of 30 September 2014. My Department and Longford County Council have agreed to a joint approach to the potential acquisition of this national monument for the State. My Department has requested the Office of Public Works to enter negotiations with the landowner to establish if agreement could be reached on the proposal. These negotiations must, however, be conducted within the confines of the Office of Public Works’ site valuation and the limited capital funding available to my Department and the Council for the proposed acquisition.
663. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on extending the hedge cutting season from 1 March 2015 to 15 March 2015 as much of the ground was impassable during the recent wet weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4809/15]
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. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity. Accordingly, a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced.
Stakeholders had been seeking an opportunity to input their views on the operation of section 40 of the Acts and I announced, last year, a consultation process which provided that opportunity with a deadline for the receipt of submissions by 9 January 2015.
All submissions received by this deadline are to be considered as part of any future decision in relation to the operation of section 40 of the Acts and any change to the section would require amending legislation. Therefore, without prejudging the outcome of the review, it would not be possible, in the timeframe available, to amend this section before 1 March 2015.
664. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a copy of any appropriate assessment and opinion issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service on the plan to dredge the Akeragh River mouth, County Kerry, and remove the sand from the designated dune/beach complex; or if same is not available the reason this Natura 2000 site damage has not been halted by NPWS staff. [4830/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the works referred to in the Deputy’s Question have been undertaken by Kerry County Council within the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour candidate special area of conservation and within the Tralee Bay Complex special protection area. Under regulation 27(2) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, any public authority having or exercising functions, including consent functions, which may have implications for or effects on nature conservation is required to exercise those functions in compliance with and, as appropriate, so as to secure compliance with, the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive, the EU Birds Directive and the 2011 Regulations.
Regulation 42(1-2) of the 2011 Regulations sets out the requirement for any public authority to carry out a screening for appropriate assessment of any plan or project that the authority wishes to undertake and which is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site as a candidate special area of conservation or special protection area. This screening, in view of the best scientific knowledge and of the conservation objectives of the site, should assess if the plan or project, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant effect on the site.
My Department has previously engaged with the local authority in relation to works on the site and a further meeting has been scheduled.
On my behalf, my Department has also recently written to Kerry County Council, in accordance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, in relation to this matter.
665. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for amending, or revisiting the Arts Act 2003; if she will review its operation in consultation with the arts community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4850/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra666. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will examine the way the French, Danish or Scottish models in terms of the way they promote and foster the arts in those countries, and specifically, the way they support individual artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4851/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra667. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her Department's policy on supporting the arts in rural areas; her plans to improve this support and provide more resources to artists in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4852/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra668. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on ways to improve the link between local authorities and the arts and provide local authorities more of a say in the development of national policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4853/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra671. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for reform of the arts sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4856/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra672. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the role of the arts in the health service; if she will provide an update on the experience of same to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4857/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra674. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a report on the role of the Arts Council; her views on the sustainability of same; the changes that have been made to the Arts Council since 2008; the reaction artists have had to any such changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4859/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 665 to 668, inclusive, and 671, 672 and 674 together.
My Department is committed to implementing the priorities set out in the Programme for Government and the Statement of Government Priorities 2014 – 2016, published by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on 11 July 2014. This forms the underlying basis of the work of my Department for the remainder of this Government's term of office. 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.
Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the main channel of State current expenditure on the arts and it will receive almost €59 million in 2015. Although the Council is funded by my Department, it is statutorily independent in its funding decisions as provided by the Arts Act 2003. I believe that the Arts Council serves the arts and this country well and the Council has my full confidence. I do not envisage any fundamental change in the institutional arrangements which encompass the arm's length approach of Arts Council distribution of Exchequer funding to the arts. Expertise on the arts resides in the Arts Council and it is therefore best placed to identify and fund excellence in the arts. I have, therefore, no plans to review the Arts Act.
I understand that the Arts Council is examining new, more informative and transparent ways of presenting information on the combined local authority and Arts Council funding of the arts. The Council’s revamped website gives details of all funding distributed to local authorities and to arts organisations in each local authority area.
In November 2014, I met with local authority arts officers to discuss their concerns and their ideas for the future. Following on from that, I am looking for ways which would improve communication and linkages between the arts officers and other stakeholder bodies.
I am also committed to ensuring the delivery of the country's first ever national cultural policy – Culture 2025- which will set out the high level aims and policies of the Government in the period up until 2025. I will shortly be initiating a wide-scale consultation process to ensure that all stakeholders and members of the public can make their views know.
Artsandhealth.ie is an independent, national arts and health website developed by the Waterford Healing Arts Trust and Create. The website providing a focal point and resource for the field of arts and health in Ireland via resource documents, project case studies, a directory of contacts, perspectives on a range of issues and current news.
The Deputy may be interested to know that following publication of Inspiring Prospects - Arts Council Strategic Review in June 2014, the Arts Council is now embarking on a process to develop a new strategy for the arts in 2015 which includes approaches around purposeful engagement with members of the public. Further details are available on the Arts Council website.
669. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in view of improving budgetary conditions, she will increase funding to the arts in the coming years; if there is long-term plan to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4854/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the allocation to the Arts Council in 2015, as set out in the recently published Revised Estimates Volume, was €58.893 million, an increase on the provisional outturn of €56.668 million for 2014. Allocations to the Council in 2016 and beyond will be determined by the emerging budgetary situation and estimates processes at the time. However, as I have done consistently since my appointment as Minister, I will continue to make the argument that the arts must benefit as the economy continues to improve.
670. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will review the arts and education charter as artists have suggested it is weak and under used; her views on strengthening the role of the artists in such a charter; if she will conduct such a review in consultation with the arts community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4855/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Arts in Educations Charter was launched in January 2013 and both the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and I are very committed to its implementation. A High Level Implementation Group, chaired by Professor John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus at NUI Maynooth, was established to oversee the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The Group meets regularly and, to date, has presented three progress reports in accordance with the Charter.
Arts-in-education involves skilled, professional artists of all disciplines working for and with schools in the making, receiving and interpreting of a wider range of arts experiences. Accordingly, the Group has been proactive in meeting many organisations from both the arts and education sectors. The process of holding meetings with stakeholders, as well as receiving submissions from key agencies, is in accordance with the provisions under Dialogue and Partnership in the Charter and is ongoing. In addition, progress is being made by the Group on a number of initiatives, including increasing the number of artists in residence in colleges of education and developing a portal as a key communications and information channel for both the education and arts sectors.
673. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the role of Culture Ireland promoting the arts internationally; her further views on the sustainability of Culture Ireland; the changes that have been made to the role of Culture Ireland since 2008; the reaction Irish artists here and abroad have had to any such changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4858/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Culture Ireland Division of my Department promotes Irish arts worldwide, creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. I am satisfied that this promotional work continues to make a significant impact through Culture Ireland's regular grant rounds and showcase programme. Since its establishment in 2005, Culture Ireland has promoted and supported over 7,500 Irish cultural projects and events worldwide, ranging across music, theatre, dance, literature, film, visual art and architecture. This support has created significant goodwill and influence for Ireland and has helped to contribute to the strength of Ireland's reputation for creative excellence.
In line with a critical review of Culture Ireland undertaken as part of the Public Service Reform Plan in 2012, the functions of Culture Ireland were fully merged into my Department and an Expert Advisory Committee was established to oversee the programme, with representation from a range of bodies with a shared interest in Ireland’s international promotion, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism Ireland, the IDA and the Ireland Funds, as well as representation from the arts community. The Expert Advisory Committee works with my Department to ensure that the Culture Ireland Programme continues to promote Ireland's artists and gain further opportunities for them worldwide, while maximising the potential of Ireland's creative talent as a motivator for business and tourism interests for Ireland.
Culture Ireland continues to provide critical financial support for Irish artists for events and activities abroad. For many individual artists and companies, it is their international work which helps make a life in the arts sustainable. International presenters also value the support of Culture Ireland, both in terms of showcasing and introduction to new Irish talent, as well as in providing financial support to assist artists' travel.
In 2014, Culture Ireland supported over 300 events, which reached audiences of over 3 million and a further 6 million television viewers. During last year also, Culture Ireland focused on a number of special initiatives, including in particular the hugely successful Ceiliuradh concert in the Royal Albert Hall, which formed part of the State visit by President Higgins to Great Britain. This role in delivering high profile international programmes is a key element of the work of Culture Ireland.
In 2015, I have maintained the level of Culture Ireland's funding, which is a measure of the importance I place on its work, and I am confident that it will continue to operate effectively on the international promotion of Irish arts into the future.
675. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the sources of funding available to a festival (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4919/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council, although funded by my Department, is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, and specifically in its funding decisions. Information of funding available to festivals, including that from the Arts Council's Festival and Events Scheme, is provided at http://www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/. I understand that festivals are also supported by my colleague, Mr Paschal Donohoe, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, through Fáilte Ireland. Further information in this regard is available at www.fáilteireland.ie.
Support may also be provided by the local authority through its arts office. Further information is available on the website of Kerry Council County at http://www.kerrycoco.ie/en/allservices/arts/forms/thefile,6703,en.pdf.
676. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way the name for the new centre at Teach an Phiarsigh in Ros Muc, Connemara, County Galway, was chosen; and if it would be more appropriate to have a name which reflects the historical links of the new centre. [4999/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a visitor centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh is being progressed by a steering group comprising a number of key stakeholders, including Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway County Council, the Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland and my own Department. While the working title for the project to date has been Cultúrlann Chonamara at Teach an Phiarsaigh, an official name has not yet been chosen for the proposed centre. I can assure the Deputy that full consideration will be given in due course to all relevant factors in choosing an appropriate name for the building. Clearly, the Government's decision to include it as one of the flagship capital developments for the 2016 Commemorations will be important in this regard. The management by the OPW of the national monument at Teach an Phiarsaigh and the presentation of different aspects of Pearse's history and legacy will also be of importance in choosing an appropriate name for the centre.
