Written Answers Nos. 617-632
619. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Transport Authority has concluded the receipt of submissions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10540/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In this regard the NTA is in the process of preparing a new transport strategy for the GDA comprising the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow covering the period 2015 to 2035. Preparing such a strategy is one of the functions of the Authority under the Dublin Transport Authority Act, 2008.
It is intended that the NTA's draft transport strategy will be available for public consultation in mid-2015. As a first step in that process, the Authority invited views and opinions on what might be addressed in the transport strategy and the draft strategy prepared in 2011 is being used as a template to inform this process. The closing date for submissions was 2 March.
620. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Transport Authority has carried out studies on bus rapid transit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10541/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.
The NTA’s report “Bus Rapid Transit – Core Dublin Network” published in October 2012 identified that while BRT does not have sufficient capacity to serve the Swords/City Centre corridor over the longer term, it could provide an interim solution in the shorter term pending the development of a higher capacity rail solution, such as metro, on this corridor. Two other cross city routes - Blanchardstown to UCD and Tallaght to Clongriffin, were also identified as having potential for development as BRT routes.
The NTA is currently finalising a detailed business case for the Swords BRT project. This business case will require careful consideration in tandem with other analyses being undertaken on large public transport projects, including the Fingal / North Dublin Transport Study, updated business case for the DART Underground project, and the work being carried out in the preparation of a draft Transport Strategy for the GDA. I anticipate that I will have concluded my review of the outcome from these studies by mid-year, in conjunction with the development of the new draft Transport strategy for the region covering the period 2015 to 2035 and a new capital plan to 2020.
The potential contribution of BRT in addressing public transport deficits in the GDA to 2035 will be addressed in the Transport strategy.
In the meantime no decision has yet been made with regard to any proposed BRT projects and no funding has been allocated or is currently available for their construction (apart from that required for design and planning) in the existing capital plan to 2016.
621. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total number of staff employed by the National Roads Authority, broken down per year, in 2010 to 2015, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10547/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject of this question is a matter in the first instance for the National Roads Authority (NRA), I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
622. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total administrative budget of the National Roads Authority in 2010 to 2015, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10548/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of NRA administrative budgets for the period 2010–2013 are outlined in the Authority’s annual reports and accounts for the years in question copies of which are available on the NRA website www.nra.ie and in the Oireachtas Library. I understand that figures for 2014 and to date in 2015 are available directly from the NRA.
623. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will consider purchasing the listed building formerly occupied by Summerhill College from the diocese of Elphin, which is seeking to offload it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10329/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the many competing priorities for funding built heritage, resources are not available from my Department to consider the purchase of the building referred to by the Deputy.
624. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the plans for the 1916 commemoration celebrations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6608/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Ireland 2016 initiative, which I am leading and which was formally launched on 12 November 2014, is to develop, coordinate and deliver a programme to honour and remember all of those who fought or died in the 1916 Easter Rising, and to recognise all of the people whose lives were touched by the events of 1916. It will also reflect on the legacy of that period and look towards our future, based around the themes set out in the Government's framework plan. I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary in 2016 will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.
A dedicated 2016 Project Office has been established in my Department and is currently engaged in an extensive consultation process across the Government, State agency and community sectors in order to progress the development of a rich programme for 2016, details of which will be published in the coming weeks.
In order to facilitate engagement with local communities and people of all ages nationwide, I have met with the County and Cities Management Association and have requested each local authority CEO to lead on the development of local-level plans for Ireland 2016 in their individual counties during 2015. Dedicated Ireland 2016 co-ordinators and steering groups have been put in place in each local authority to help to shape and drive the relevant county programmes. I recently met with Cathaoirligh and Mayors from all counties and cities, together with the Ireland 2016 co-ordinators, to kick start this process. A series of public meetings will now be undertaken in each county, at which members of the public can come together to hear about Ireland 2016 , meet those involved in their community, and to explore and learn about how they can get involved. I have allocated funding of €1 million to local authorities in 2015 to support this overall process.
In addition, since the launch of the Ireland 2016 initiative, I have convened two meetings of the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Commemorations, of which I am Chair. The Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations, which is chaired by Dr Maurice Manning, has also met on two occasions since that date. The first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on the 1916 Commemorations, which is chaired by An Taoiseach, took place on 3 February 2015 and meets for the second time today, 10 March.
Meetings have also taken place with other key Departments, agencies, local authorities and interested parties. My Department's 2016 Project Office is engaging with the National Cultural Institutions, the Arts Council, Culture Ireland and the Heritage Council to ensure that a comprehensive and diverse cultural programme is developed. Meetings and a dedicated workshop have also been held with a wide range of Irish language groups in order to develop an Irish language programme. My Department has been working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to develop an appropriate programme involving the Irish Diaspora and with the Department of Education and Skills to ensure the involvement of primary and post-primary schools and the third-level education sector. My Department has also been engaging with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to ensure that the views of children are taken on board and that they have a meaningful contribution to make.
The relatives of those who fought and those who died during the Rising will play a key role in the Ireland 2016 programme and I am actively engaging with them to ensure that will have a central involvement in a number of key State events and that their views on the overall programme are considered. My officials and I have met with a number of relatives, including representatives of relatives’ groups and individual relatives, to highlight the important role that they will have in the plans to commemorate the centenary of the events of Easter 1916.
My Department is also working closely with the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Defence to ensure that a full programme of State commemorative events is developed, which is respectful to all those were affected by the events of the Rising.
In addition to this, my Department continues to engage with members of the public on their ideas for 2016. Over one hundred proposals have been received in the 2016 Project Office to date from members of the public and interested parties - via email, postal submissions and through the project website, www.ireland.ie - and I very much appreciate and welcome all ideas and submissions received.
I look forward to continuing engagement with all stakeholders and members of the public as the Ireland 2016 initiative develops.
625. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide €7,675 in funding for a First World War memorial at the Market House, Ballybay, County Monaghan, for which funding has been requested by the Ballybay World War I committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10118/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am awaiting a formal submission from the Committee referred to by the Deputy.
626. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon de na fostaithe atá fostaithe sa mhonarcha toitíní leictreonacha i gCorr na Móna gur cainteoirí Gaeilge iad ón nGaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10189/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil coinníollacha sainiúla maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge sa Chomhaontú Deontais leis an gcomhlacht a bhfuil tagairt déanta dó ag an Teachta. Tuigim freisin ón Údarás go bhfuil sé curtha in iúl ag an gcomhlacht dóibh nach féidir leo na sonraí atá iarrtha sa cheist a chur ar fáil mar gheall ar dhualgais an chomhlachta faoin Acht um Chosaint Sonraí.
627. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will place a monetary figure upon the value of the national collection held by the National Library of Ireland; if an insurance policy is in place against loss, degradation or destruction of all or part of the collection; if so, if this policy is subject to materials being stored to best international practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10244/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Library of Ireland is a statutorily independent body. While my Department provides funding to the national cultural institutions, the management and board of each institution are responsible for all operational matters. However, I understand that the National Library does not have a valuation of the collection as a whole, due to the volume of material that would need to be assessed and the shifting nature of market values. I am advised that the collection is covered under State indemnity.
628. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she received advice from the Attorney General on whether there is an obligation on the Government to properly compensate farmers in the designated areas whose lands and right to private property under the Constitution have been devalued or made worthless by the designation. [10270/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the relevant legislation, certain activities in sites designated for nature conservation may only be undertaken with my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Compensation may be payable where a person has been refused consent by me for a prescribed activity within a designated site that he or she had been undertaking in the five year period prior to the refusal.
However, compensation or incentive schemes have generally been put in place, where required, without the need to undergo a formal process under the relevant legislation.
As appropriate, where the need arises, advice is sought from the Attorney General.
629. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding to be provided to each local authority and other organisations to assist with the 1916 commemorations; the total funding to be provided; the criteria involved in the funding allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10294/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have secured an allocation of €4 million in current funding to support the development in 2015 of the Ireland 2016 initiative. This allocation will be used to engage with and support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups, as well as Irish language, educational and cultural projects. The allocation of €4 million is in addition to the capital provision of €22 million, which will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship commemorations projects. Within this €4m, an allocation of €1 million is to be distributed across all local authorities in 2015. The purpose of this funding allocation is to
- Support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the Ireland 2016 initiative and the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising; and
- Support each local authority in developing and delivering a plan for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level in line with the national plans for Ireland 2016. Local authorities will be notified of individual allocations and the recommended criteria for the inclusion of initiatives and projects in county plans very shortly.
The Government also provided an additional €2 million to the Arts Council in 2015 for an artistic programme as part of Ireland 2016. On 6 March 2015, the Arts Council announced an open call for projects which will form part of the Ireland 2016 Commemorations. Details regarding how to apply for this funding are available on the Arts Council website – www.artscouncil.ie
630. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on expediting the objective contained in the 20 year strategy for the Irish language between 2010 and 2030 of promoting and supporting the use of packaging which is bilingual in view of the fact that such a step would greatly heighten the visibility of the first language across the country. [10454/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 in partnership with relevant stakeholders, including Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Under its statutory role to provide resources and support for the Irish language on an all-island basis, Foras na Gaeilge is compiling an e-book on best practice in bilingual packaging. The recommendations in the e-book entitled Pacáistíocht Dhátheangach – Treoir ar an gCleachtas is Fearr are based on research commissioned by Foras na Gaeilge and carried out by Dublin Institute of Technology. The e-book is primarily aimed at private sector companies and will demonstrate how bilingual packaging can be used to competitive advantage, in addition to highlighting international best practice in relation to minority languages.
I should add that Foras na Gaeilge has already produced an e-book on best practice in bilingual signage entitled Comharthaíocht Dhátheangach – Treoir ar an gCleachtas is Fearr which is available on www.gaeilge.ie/treoir. In addition, a voluntary code of best practice for businesses that wish to use the Irish language, Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge, is being developed by Foras na Gaeilge.
As part of the grant assistance given by Údarás na Gaeltachta to client companies in the Gaeltacht, there are specific conditions in the grant agreement that relate to the use of the Irish language. A comprehensive language plan, incorporating bilingual labelling and packaging, is agreed by Údarás na Gaeltachta with all its client companies. Údarás na Gaeltachta has compiled a business guide, Gnó le Gaeilge/Business in Irish, to encourage and assist companies to increase and consolidate the use of Irish in the workplace and to implement language plans in the workplace.
It is also worth noting that bilingual labelling and packaging is already a central part of the marketing strategy of many client companies of Údarás na Gaeltachta, including household names such as Folláin, Bácús Uí Bhaoill, Rí na Mara, Brian de Staic and Iasc de Brún.
631. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ensure that all national parks containing deer have fencing that is stock proof for deer to ensure deer do not leave the national parks and cause severe damage to private property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10458/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. They roam freely throughout the countryside and are present in many parts of the country. Their presence is not confined to the National Parks and so fencing of these properties would serve no practical purpose in terms of wild deer control or management.
There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to 28 February, depending on the species and gender of deer. My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as the National Parks. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls may be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
Control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners who may apply to my Department for a permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to cull deer where this is necessary outside the annual open seasons. These permissions offer a facility whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case by case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Permissions are only issued where there is evidence of such damage.
632. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the potential nature conservation implications for extensive farmland and upland Natura 2000 sites outlined in correspondence (details supplied) to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and recently published by the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association, supported by a range of environmental organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10459/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is in ongoing dialogue with staff of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with respect to eligibility rules in upland and commonage lands, and, in particular, for lands that are part of the Natura 2000 network.
