Written Answers Nos. 31 - 41
31. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the various initiatives funded by her Department that support the restoration of built heritage projects; her views on the success of the built heritage jobs leverage scheme; if she will extend that scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23939/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scope for financial support 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. This includes making €624,000 available this year under the Structures at Risk Fund to support properties protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. Since 2011, over 100 structures have been safeguarded for the future as a result of the Structures at Risk Fund. 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.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. For 2015, the Council is administering a community-based heritage grants scheme with funding of €547,000 available for projects that contribute to particular heritage themes.
In 2014 my Department was provided with a special allocation of €5 million from Capital Stimulus funding for a new Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme (BHJLS) to assist with works to safeguard structures, in private and civic ownership protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
This scheme was administered directly through the local authorities and sought to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craft workers and tradespeople. My Department's allocation of €5 million leveraged a further €10 million in private funding, which led to a total of €15 million being invested in 540 historic structures across the country. Statistics gathered by the local authorities show that 175 full time equivalent jobs were generated by the scheme in 2014. The operation of a similar scheme in the future would be contingent on dedicated funding being made available to my Department.
The conservation and protection of Ireland's built heritage, both for its intrinsic value and as a support to economic renewal and sustainable employment, will continue to be a priority for my Department.
32. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na scéimeanna ar fad a bhí á riaradh ag a Roinn i Márta 2011 agus atá faoi chúram Údarás na Gaeltachta anois; cad iad na scéimeanna atá an Roinn ag beartú a chur faoi chúram an Údaráis as seo go deireadh thréimhse an Rialtais seo; cén chúis atá leis an mbeartas seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23543/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá comhphlé ar bun le tamall anois idir mo Roinn agus Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis na bealaí go bhféadfaí cur le héifeacht na scéimeanna agus na ngníomhaíochtaí a thagann faoi scáth an dá eagraíocht agus an luach is fearr ar airgead a fháil don Státchiste. Tá sé seo á dhéanamh i gcomhthéacs chur i bhfeidhm córasach na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Tá sé á dhéanamh fosta i gcomhthéacs na bhfreagrachtaí breise atá sainithe don Údarás faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 mar a bhaineann sé le cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis pleanála teanga sa Ghaeltacht.
Ag eascairt as an bplé sin, aontaíodh go n-aistreofaí an fhreagracht do Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht ó mo Roinn chuig Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tháinig an socrú sin i bhfeidhm ar an 15 Aibreán 2015. Tuigim go ndearna an tÚdarás cinneadh ina dhiaidh sin an fhreagracht maidir le reachtáil na scéime a thiomnú chuig Muintearas Teo., atá mar fhochuideachta de chuid an Údaráis. Níl aon socrú déanta ag an tráth seo aon scéim eile de chuid mo Roinne a chur faoi chúram an Údaráis.
Le gur féidir le mo Roinn agus leis an Údarás araon an leas is fearr a bhaint as na hacmhainní atá ar fáil ón Státchiste ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht, táthar ag díriú i gcónaí ar a bheith ag comhoibriú ar bhonn níos dlúithe ar an talamh sa Ghaeltacht. Is ar mhaithe le seirbhísí a sheachadadh ar an mbealach is éifeachtaí sa Ghaeltacht a bhíonn an comhoibriú seo ar siúl. Tá gníomhaíochtaí ar leith ar siúl ar an talamh sa Ghaeltacht ag Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ag eagraíochtaí de chuid an Údaráis, ar nós Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Óige na Gaeltachta agus Muintearas. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh obair mo Roinne agus an Údaráis ar siúl ar bhonn comhtháite sa Ghaeltacht agus go mbeidh luach ar airgead ag an Státchiste as an infheistíocht a dhéantar sa Ghaeltacht.
33. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her objectives with regard to the level of the deer population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23871/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. 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 the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer. I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Control is normally a matter for the owner of the property on which they occur. On lands managed by my Department, shooting may be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.
My Department, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, recently published a report entitled “Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action”, which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas, including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are widespread. An Irish Deer Management Forum has been established to implement the various actions listed in the report. The Forum itself comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas, such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations, as well as representatives from both Departments. The report can be downloaded at the following web address: http://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Deer%20Management%20in%20Ireland%20March%202015.pdf.
34. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the proposal within the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language on encouraging, on a voluntary basis, companies to produce bilingual packaging, in view of the fact that such a measure would heighten exposure to and awareness of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23875/15]
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. As I set out in my detailed response to Parliamentary Question No. 630 on 10 March 2015, both Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta are proactive in promoting bilingual packaging in line with their statutory roles in regard to the Irish language. In that context, the Deputy will be aware that bilingual labelling and packaging is a central element 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.
Specific initiatives undertaken by Foras na Gaeilge with regard to the promotion of bilingual packaging include:
- Comharthaíocht Dhátheangach – Treoir ar an gCleachtasis Fearr, an e-book on best practice in bilingual signage, which is published and available on www.gaeilge.ie/treoir;
- Pacáistíocht Dhátheangach – Treoir ar an gCleachtas is Fearr, an e-book on best practice in bilingual packaging, which is to be published shortly; and
- Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge, a voluntary code of best practice for businesses that wish to use the Irish language, which is currently being compiled.
Specific initiatives undertaken by Údarás na Gaeltachta with regard to the promotion of bilingual packaging include:
- Gnó le Gaeilge/Business in Irish, a business guide to encourage and assist companies to increase and consolidate the use of Irish in the workplace and to implement language plans in the workplace;
- bilingual labelling and packaging being incorporated into the comprehensive language plan for agreement with all its client companies; and
- engagement with local businesses with a view to increasing the use of Irish in the business sector as part of the language planning process currently underway in Gaeltacht areas.
Finally, in this overall context, I welcome the findings of a recent survey undertaken by Millward Brown on behalf of Conradh na Gaeilge, which found that 42% and 37% of the populations in the south and in the north, respectively, believe that the use of the Irish language by the business sector is a unique selling point.
35. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the Government’s plans for the Ireland 2016 programme, if she will provide an update on the engagement with relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23551/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme was launched on 31st March 2015. I, together with my Government colleagues, am committed to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful. The relatives of those who fought and those who died during the Rising will play a key role in the Centenary Programme and I am actively engaging with them to ensure that will have a central involvement in a number of key State events. 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. Officials from my Department and from the Department of the Taoiseach meet with representatives of the 1916 Relatives Association on a regular basis, in order to brief them on key aspects of the State's plans to commemorate 1916 and to seek their views, particularly in relation to planning for the State Ceremonial events taking place. In addition to this forum, a new group is being established by Dublin City Council to consult more widely with relatives on issues concerning Moore Street.
Officials in my Department are also liaising with the Department of Defence in relation to matters regarding relatives, including the compilation of lists of relatives for the official events being organised to commemorate the centenary of 1916.
Relatives who have not already applied to attend the State Ceremony and Parade, which will take place at the GPO on Easter Sunday, 27th March 2016, and other official events, can return their completed application forms to the Department of Defence before Wednesday, 30th September 2015. Further details in this regard are available on the website of the Department of Defence, www.defence.ie.
36. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the recently published Irish Council Against Blood Sport Report into the 2014-2015 coursing season, if she will reconsider renewing coursing licences. [23559/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have received licence applications from the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of its affiliated clubs to facilitate the tagging and capturing of hares for the purposes of hare coursing for the 2015/16 coursing season. In examining these applications, my Department will take account of the various reports available to it in respect of coursing meetings carried out during the 2014/15 season.
37. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the consideration her Department can give to mitigation measures for activities that may have an impact on special areas of conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23905/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the exercise of their functions, all public authorities have a statutory responsibility to avoid the deterioration of habitats and species protected under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, and to exercise their functions and powers in compliance with the requirements of those Directives. These obligations are set out in the European Communities Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 and in the Planning and Development Acts. All public authorities, including my Department, are obliged to ensure that they do not undertake, adopt, or give consent for any plan or project that may adversely affect the integrity of a European site designated under the Birds or Habitats Directives. Compliance with this requirement involves a screening process to determine whether plans or projects would be likely to have a significant effect on a European site and, where such a possible effect is identified, an appropriate assessment of the plans or projects is required in accordance with Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive, in addition to national law. Public authorities may consider mitigation measures in the course of conducting an appropriate assessment. Any such mitigation must effectively address all potential effects of the activity in question and such mitigation proposals and methods must be proven and set out in detail.
The Court of Justice of the EU has made it clear that, in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, a project or plan should only be authorised if the relevant authority has made certain that the project or plan will not adversely affect the integrity of a protected site.
38. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the representations she has received in relation to expanding the timeframe for legal hedge-cutting and gorse-burning; if, under present legislation, it is permissible to engage in hedge-cutting at any time if there is a safety concern; the expert advice to the working group in her Department in this regard, and with regard to the observed time in which bird-nesting takes place; if she is considering amending legislation in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23879/15]
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 and, therefore, 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 of 9 January 2015 for the receipt of submissions. Over 180 submissions have been received arising from this consultation process. The submissions received range from detailed papers from stakeholders to individuals expressing support for one outcome or another. I have also on occasion met with stakeholders on a range of issues, who have availed of the opportunity of re-iterating views expressed in their submissions in response to the public consultation.
The submissions received have been published on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at http://www.npws.ie/legislation.
I have established a Working Group, consisting of officials from my Department, to consider all submissions received by the deadline and to report back to me with a range of proposals. The Group is considering the data contained in the submissions and has regard to the expertise within the Group.
There are a number of exemptions within section 40, including one for reasons of public health or safety as follows:
“2 (c) the cutting, grubbing or destroying of vegetation in the course of any works being duly carried out for reasons of public health or safety by a Minister of the Government or a body established or regulated by or under a statute;”.
Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation as provided for in section 40 of the Wildlife Acts would require amending legislation.
39. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details on the historic towns initiative, and the way funding support was allocated under this scheme; the cost of this initiative; the total number of projects supported; if she will consider extending this initiative to other towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23553/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) aims to promote heritage-led regeneration of the historic cores of our rural historic towns by harnessing the cultural heritage assets of participating towns. The wider objective is to help stall and, ultimately, reverse the trend towards depopulation, loss of vibrancy, vacancy and dereliction which currently exists. This approach has been successfully used throughout Europe as a means of creating vibrant urban quarters with integrated historic buildings; transforming the public realm; and conserving historic cores, to positive advantage for residents and visitors. During 2013 and 2014, my Department, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, the Heritage Council and three local authorities, ran a pilot HTI programme in Youghal, Listowel and Westport. Central to the programme was that it was driven at local level, with guidance by a national steering group comprising officials from each local authority, my Department, the Heritage Council and Fáilte Ireland. An HTI guidance manual was also developed to assist each town in the pilot programme.
A capital investment from my Department consisting of €240,000 in 2013 and €101,500 in 2014, supported by investment by Fáilte Ireland, and with additional funds from the local authorities, chambers of commerce and private individuals, funded the pilot initiative, which, in total, supported over 38 projects for the three towns. A preliminary review, undertaken by my Department, of the pilot programme concluded that a roll out of the HTI could bring substantial benefits in terms of the economy, employment, and the social and cultural fabric of our historic towns.
A national roll-out of the HTI is currently under consideration but will be contingent on the level of funding available to my Department.
40. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the Government’s plans for the Ireland 2016 programme, if she is satisfied that the capital projects on track will be completed on time for the centenary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23555/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlans to commemorate the 1916 Rising are well underway, with the aim of having a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to formal State occasions, which will run throughout 2016. In this regard, I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful. A capital provision of €22 million has been allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship commemorations projects in order to create a long-term legacy and works are well underway on each of the seven ‘permanent reminders’ set out in the Government's Centenary Programme. A Capital Projects Steering Group has been established in my Department in order to oversee the progress of each of the projects under this programme and I am confident that they are on track for completion in 2016.
Further details relating to the schedule of launch dates for these projects will be available on www.ireland.ie as details are finalised.
In addition, the Government has decided to acquire the national monument at Nos. 14–17 Moore Street in order to safeguard the buildings for the future. The intention is to have the restoration works carried out and to have the planned 1916 Commemorative Centre opened with the least delay possible. My Department is working closely with the other parties involved, including relatives of those who took part in the events of 1916, to progress these plans.
41. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is in support of the Heritage Council's call for an increase in funding for local heritage projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23906/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scope for financial support 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.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, has been allocated a sum of €4.743m in 2015 to fund its role of supporting heritage infrastructure and promoting pride and best practice in the conservation and sustainable management of heritage assets. It is primarily a matter for the Council to decide how its funding should be allocated, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.
The Heritage Council operates a number of grant schemes for heritage projects and 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.
