Written Answers Nos. 1190-1208
1190. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has received a request for funding from a committee (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21250/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received correspondence recently from the Deputy on behalf of the committee referred to in the Question. A reply has now issued in relation to the matter.
1191. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 1142 of 4 November 2014, when she plans to bring forward the legislation referred to; whether she has plans to remove the natural heritage area designation from a townland (details supplied) in County Galway; if so, when that process will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21251/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network was published in January 2014 and concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete de-designation of certain natural heritage areas. 46 natural heritage areas (including parts of 7 natural heritage areas) are scheduled for de-designation. One of these sites includes land referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
Regulatory change will be required to give full effect to the de-designation of the sites. The appropriate form of this change is being considered within my Department and I expect that the process will be completed by the end of the year.
1192. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is in a position to respond favourably to correspondence from a community group (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21351/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that I have received the correspondence from the community group in question. This matter is under consideration in my Department and I hope to be in a position to issue a reply shortly.
1193. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding mechanisms available through her Department for smaller heritage and tourism projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21367/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy can appreciate, the scope to provide funding for the Built Heritage is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances. While there is no specific funding mechanisms for the area referred to, my Department is currently operating the Structures at Risk Fund 2015 to support the conservation and repair of heritage structures, in both private and public ownership that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), and which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, which has an allocation of €624,000, is administered through the local authorities, encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. The deadline for applications to this fund has now passed.
The remainder of my Department’s built heritage capital budget for 2015 will be focused on the conservation and presentation of the State's heritage portfolio, which is managed by the Office of Public Works.
Funding will continue to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and certain agencies.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, has also recently awarded funding of €547,000 to 197 heritage projects nationwide, under its 2015 Community-based Heritage Grants Scheme. The scheme, which supports the continuing conservation and development of Irish heritage through local community based groups, is expected to generate total investment of more than €1 million.
1194. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé na bearta atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun an pobal a chur ar an eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ón Roinn agus ó na heagraíochtaí atá faoi choimirce na Roinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [21516/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCuireann mo Roinn seirbhísí fairsinge ar fáil go rialta don phobal i nGaeilge nó go dátheangach. Tá eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ó mo Roinnse leagtha amach i scéim teanga na Roinne a cuireadh i dtoll a chéile de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003.
Tar éis próiseas comhairliúcháin poiblí a cuireadh i gcrích i mí na Bealtaine, tá mo Roinn ag dréachtú scéim nua Gaeilge i láthair na huaire, a thógfaidh ar an scéim reatha 2012-2015 ó thaobh soláthar éifeachtach agus éifeachtúil na seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge
Mar an gcéanna, tá eolas ar na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ó na heagraíochtaí atá faoi choimirce mo Roinne leagtha amach i scéimeanna Gaeilge na n-eagraíochtaí sin. Faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, tá mé freagrach as na scéimeanna teanga a aontú leis na comhlachtaí poiblí atá ainmnithe faoin Acht, lena n-áirítear comhlachtaí poiblí atá faoi chúram mo Roinne-se.
1195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht whether she plans to continue the school bus services linked to the ferry for second level pupils from Inishbofin, County Galway, in the school year 2015-2016 on the same basis as operated in the school year 2014-2015; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21569/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a contract in place with the Inishbofin ferry service operator which includes provision of a school bus service for second-level pupils from the island until the end of the current school term. Taking into consideration the public transport services available from Cleggan and the range of options being availed of by island families with regard to second-level education, my Department did not include a school transport element in the ferry service contract which is in place for 2015-2020.
As a result of an appeal by island community representatives, it was agreed that my Department would review this arrangement. No decision has been made in this regard as yet.
1196. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will direct the Heritage Council to consult and advise Monaghan County Council, as is provided for in the Heritage Act 1995, in respect of the court house/market house in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, which is a protected structure of architectural heritage, with a view to compiling a valuation and an estimate of works which need to be carried out to restore the building to its former glory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21605/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1197. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 1056 of 26 May 2015, if she will direct the appropriate officials in her Department to advise Monaghan County Council on the conservation, reuse and regeneration of the court house-market house in Castleblayney, County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21606/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1196 and 1197 together.
My role as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the protection and management of our built and natural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of the architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures, and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future. Given that in this instance the owner is the local authority, Monaghan County Council, it is, therefore, primarily its responsibility to address the issues identified by the Deputy.
The Heritage Council is a statutory consultee under provisions of the Planning and Development Act but is an independent body. Under section 10 (1) of the Heritage Act 1995, the Council, in its own right, can advise a public authority on a heritage building. I have no role in directing the Council under this section. It is a matter for the Council to decide how it prioritises and manages its various responsibilities under the Heritage Act.
Officials in my Department continue to be available to advise local authorities on the conservation, reuse and regeneration of historic structures, where applicable.
1198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grants that may be available under the arts and heritage umbrella for a committee trying to organise an Irish entertainment festival this summer. [21613/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFestivals which encompass arts or heritage programming may qualify for grants from certain bodies under the aegis of my Department. Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council has a Festival and Events Scheme and there are two calls for applications each year. Information on the funding available under this scheme can be found at www.artscouncil.ie. The Arts Council, although funded by my Department, is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, and specifically in its funding decisions.
Funding for the built heritage is focused primarily on conservation and presentation of heritage structures and the State’s heritage portfolio. Support for built heritage programmes and initiatives continues to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which can be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and certain agencies. The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, has recently awarded funding of €547,000 to 197 heritage projects nationwide under its 2015 Community-based Heritage Grants Scheme. The scheme, which supports the continuing conservation and development of Irish heritage through local community-based groups, is expected to generate total investment of more than €1 million. Further information is available at www.heritagecouncil.ie.
I understand that festivals are also supported by my colleague, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, through Fáilte Ireland. Further information in this regard is available at www.failteireland.ie.
Support for festivals may also be available from the relevant local authority through its arts office and heritage office.
1199. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a payment under the turf cutting compensation scheme; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21767/15]
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), €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have been made to this applicant. The application is currently under assessment within my Department in relation to payment in respect of Year 4 of 15 (2015) under the scheme.
1200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will re-open the Gaeltacht road grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21810/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn view of the strategic importance of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the overall level of funding available under my Department's Gaeltacht Support Schemes, there are no plans to reopen the scheme referred to by the Deputy in the short to medium term.
1201. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on Offaly County Council's proposal to advance the development of Tullamore Arts Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21833/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2007, a capital grant of €2 million was approved in principle for Tullamore Arts Centre. My Department continues to maintain contact with Offaly County Council in relation to this project having regard to the conditions of the approval.
1202. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a list of all export licences issued by the National Gallery of Ireland in each of the years from 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 date for paintings or other works of art in the ownership of the Alfred Beit Foundation, or were assets of the foundation at the time of the granting of any such licence; the names and positions of the authorising signatories on any such export licence; the regulatory process leading to the grant of any such licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22116/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1203. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a list of all licences or other permits issued by her Department or by previous Departments with responsibility for arts or culture in each year since 2010 and for 2015 to date to enable the export of paintings or other works of art in the ownership of the Alfred Beit Foundation or that were in the ownership of the foundation at the time of the granting of any such licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22117/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1205. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she granted an export licence to the Alfred Beit Foundation under section 4 of the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945; if so, the person who recommended the granting of such a licence; the administrative process leading to the granting of any State licence for export of art work by the Alfred Beit Foundation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22162/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1208. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the issuing of an export licence for paintings from the Alfred Beit collection; if she will outline the dates on which the applications were submitted, the dates of any formal or informal enquiries between the foundation and her Department, either before the submission of the export licence request, during the process, or since the issuing; her views on the proposed sale of these paintings; if, at any stage, prior to or during the export licence process, she or any official of her Department were made aware of the proposed sale, either formally or informally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22245/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1202, 1203, 1205 and 1208 together.
My Department did not receive any application or grant any licence in respect of the recent export of paintings by the Beit Foundation, as applications for licences to export paintings and drawings within the European Union, under the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945, are issued by the National Gallery of Ireland. Responsibility for the administration of the licence applications for paintings, under the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945, was delegated to the National Gallery of Ireland in April 1985.
A licence was granted by the National Gallery of Ireland, under the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945, for the recent export of paintings by the Beit Foundation. I will ask the National Gallery to provide a list of any export licences issued by it by year, from 2010 to date in 2015, for paintings or other works of art that are currently in the ownership of the Alfred Beit Foundation, or were assets of the Foundation at the time of grant of any such licence.
I was informed of the decision of the Beit Foundation by the Chair of the Trustees two days in advance of the public announcement. Neither I nor my Department was informed in advance of any decision of the Foundation or the National Gallery in regard to the matters referred to in the Deputy’s Questions.
As I have stated in replies to previous Questions regarding this matter, the administration of the Beit Foundation, which owns and operates Russborough House, is a matter for the Trustees and my Department has no role in the matter.
1204. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if any works of art owned by the Alfred Beit Foundation, have at any stage been entered on the national register of cultural objects; the dates of registration and removal from the register of individual paintings owned by the Alfred Beit Foundation; if the Head of A Bearded Man and Venus and Jupiter by Rubens, The Kermesse Scenes by David Teniers the Younger, Adoration of the Shepherd by Adriaen van Ostade, or any works by Francesco Guardi in the ownership of the Beit Foundation are or have been on the register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22118/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of works of art presented by Sir Alfred and Lady Beit to the National Gallery are entered on the Register of Cultural Objects having been proposed for inclusion by the National Gallery. There are no entries on the Register of Cultural Objects of other works in the ownership of the Beit Foundation, including the specific works mentioned by the Deputy.
1206. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the music capital scheme will be open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22186/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Music Capital Scheme is funded by my Department and managed by Music Network. I am currently considering the capital grant allocation for the Music Capital Scheme for 2015/16 and I hope to announce a decision shortly.
1207. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the promoter of a festival (details supplied) is paying to use a State property; if so, the fee payable and if it has been paid; if the promoter has provided a valid tax clearance certificate; if she is aware of the promoter's previous events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22244/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe festival referred to by the Deputy should bring considerable economic benefits to area in question and make a significant contribution to our heritage and cultural tourism offering. It will also provide another platform from which to showcase the national park and the natural heritage of the region. It was on this basis that my Department agreed to facilitate the festival being held within the environs of the national park in question, subject to licence by the local authority, the completion of appropriate assessments and to the conditions of contract being met. Negotiations with the promoter, including in regard to the fee to be paid, are at an advanced stage and are expected to be concluded shortly.
