Written Answers Nos. 648 to 666
648. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he anticipates running a new round of the local authority swimming pool programme; the criteria that would need to be met for a swimming pool to be granted in an area; and if the pronounced regional demographic growth in areas such as north Kildare will be taken into consideration in the allocation of funding. [24729/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000.
My priority now is the completion of the projects in the existing Programme. No decision has been taken on any new round of the Programme. If the Programme re-opens it would be open to each Local Authority, including Kildare County Council, to submit an application under the terms that would apply at that time.
649. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of the Road Safety Bill, he plans to make it an offence when cyclists do not use designated cycle lanes, where these are provided; his further plans to address excessive speeding by cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24746/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSI 182 of 1997 as amended by SI 332 of 2012 provides that cyclists should use cycle lanes where provided. Cyclists, like all road users, are required to obey road traffic law, and in addition, like all road users, are expected to act in a safe and responsible way. There are no cyclist-specific speed limits, but cyclists are bound by the normal speed limits on any road.
I have indicated that I will, this summer, bring a number of offences by cyclists within the fixed charge notice system, in order to assist An Garda Síochána in enforcing the law where offences are committed by cyclists.
650. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application for a sports capital grant in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24792/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted.
I expect to announce allocations later this year.
651. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedure taken by Irish Rail to ensure that, at all times, spaces reserved for the use of disabled passengers on trains are kept free from luggage and other obstacles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24906/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
652. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24995/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism offerings such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
653. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he will ensure that there are no further low flying incidents reported at Kilkenny Airfield at Holdensrath in County Kilkenny following intensification of the use of same due to sponsored parachute jumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25018/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
654. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the way moneys received from the national lottery fund in 2013 were spent on each project to which they were directed, including projects that were part-funded and wholly-funded from the fund; if he will indicate, for each such part-funded project, where the balance of funding was sourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25035/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra655. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount of money that was received by his Department from the national lottery fund in each of the years 2009 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; if he will provide a detailed breakdown indicating the way this money was spent, or otherwise directed, for each of these years; if any moneys are held in reserve arising from funds received over this period or before; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25051/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 654 and 655 together.
Details of the total Exchequer allocations to the relevant Lottery supported subheads are published in the annual Revised Estimates for Public Services. These programmes are only part-funded by the Lottery with the remaining expenditure coming from general Exchequer funding. The Revised Estimates do not specify the precise amount of National Lottery funding in each individual subhead.
In relation to the Sports Capital Programme, a list of payments in each of the last six calendar years is available on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie. The total amount available for SCP payments in 2015 is €28.5 million.
Subhead D5 is the Grant-in-aid for the Irish Sports Council which is part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery. Subhead D5 funding is the grant given annually to the Irish Sports Council to fund a wide range of programmes aimed at increasing participation and raising standards in Irish sport and to fund National Governing Bodies of sport to enable them to develop their sport in a strategic manner. The total Exchequer allocation for the Irish Sports Council in 2015 is €42.5 million.
656. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support a grant application for funding toward a Rock of Cashel Promotions outdoor concert event (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25117/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism is concerned primarily with national policy, and it is not involved in the funding of individual events, or the administration of tourism-related funding programmes.
These matters fall within the day-to-day responsibilities of Fáilte Ireland, which operates the Festivals and Events programmes. The provision of funding from these programmes is decided on an annual basis by Fáilte Ireland, based on applications received. It is a competitive grant process, and funding is awarded to those applicant events and festivals that best meet the advertised criteria for the relevant programme, including the expected impact on tourism.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that following that competitive process, I announced on the 3rd March this year, Fáilte Ireland have approved a grant of €3,000 to the Rock of Cashel Festival in 2015.
657. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will halt the sale of valuable artworks bequeathed to the people of Ireland by the Beit Foundation; and if she will support an alternative financial plan for keeping Russborough House in County Wicklow open. [24610/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra660. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will intervene in the sale of the Alfred Beit art collection; if she will report on discussions held with the Alfred Beit Foundation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24723/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra661. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the proposed sale of the Russborough Estate's Rubens and others paintings; if so, if she will halt these sale proceedings, including the sale of these items; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24927/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra662. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the sale of art and artefacts from the Beit collection; if she will intervene to prevent the sale of any further artworks or artefacts from the collection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25017/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra666. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the export licences issued for paintings, such as the Beit Foundation paintings proposed for sale in the United Kingdom in June and July 2015, if she will identify, specifically and explicitly, the mechanism and exact legislative provision that was used to delegate export licensing authority to the National Gallery of Ireland in April 1985, or at any other time, pursuant to the powers in the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945; if she will identify, specifically and explicitly, any other relevant legislative provisions authorising the National Gallery of Ireland to lawfully issue such export licences; if she will identify the authority that is entitled to issue export licences for paintings such as those as the Beit Foundation paintings proposed for sale in the United Kingdom in July 2015, and the legislative provisions that apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25120/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 657, 660 to 662, inclusive, and 666 together.
As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 18 June last, the sale of these paintings is a matter for the committee of management of the Alfred Beit Foundation, which owns and operates Russborough House. My Department has no function in relation to the administration or sale of these artworks.
When I met with trustees of the Alfred Beit Foundation last week, I asked them to delay the sale of the artworks, so other options could be explored. While conscious and respectful of the independence of the Foundation, my clear preference is for these artworks to be kept in Ireland, if possible.
I am pleased, therefore, that the Chair of the Foundation has decided to propose to the Foundation board to postpone the sale, in light of my request and the emergence of Irish donors who are considering the purchase of some of the artworks. I understand that this would involve the donation of artworks to an Irish cultural institution using section 1003 tax relief. This is welcome. I also welcome the fact that the Foundation proposes to enter negotiations with the auction house handling the sale.
It is important to note that, while funding constraints remain, the tax relief provided by the Government under section 1003 of the Finance Act continues to provide a generous mechanism to enable artworks, which would otherwise have left the State, to be kept here. The postponement of the sale would allow the necessary breathing space to explore how this mechanism can assist in this case.
I appreciate the significant challenges which face those who seek to maintain our major historic houses, such as Russborough. I intend to engage with my Government colleagues, including the Minister of State at the OPW, and other State agencies, to consider how we can work together to safeguard the future of Russborough.
As Minister with responsibility for Heritage, I am also committed to finding sustainable solutions for the wider historic houses sector. The Steering Group on Historic Houses, which I established several months ago, is due to report to me shortly with proposals in relation to action points that would assist in protecting and promoting this sector into the future.
The National Gallery, by administrative arrangement since 1985, has operated the export licensing system for paintings, under the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945, since it was delegated to the Director of the Gallery by the then Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for the Arts. Matters relating to export licensing arrangements are currently being examined by my Department.
658. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason artworks that were gifted to the nation are being sold (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24692/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sale of the paintings referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the owners of the artworks. My Department has no function in relation to the administration or sale of these artworks. When I met with the owners of the artworks last week, I asked them to delay the sale to allow other options to be explored.
I am pleased, therefore, with the proposal to postpone the sale, in light of my request and the emergence of Irish donors who are considering the purchase of some of the artworks. I understand this would involve the donation of artworks to an Irish cultural institution using section 1003 tax relief.
It is important to note that, while funding constraints remain, the tax relief provided by the Government under section 1003 of the Finance Act continues to provide a generous mechanism to enable artworks, which would otherwise have left the State, to be kept here. The postponement of the sale would allow the necessary breathing space to explore how this mechanism can assist in this case.
659. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the working group was established to consider burning and hedgecutting controls, and when will it make its report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24693/15]
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. 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.
Following the end of the public consultation period, I established a Working Group, consisting of officials from my Department, to consider the submissions received and to report back to me with a range of proposals. I expect to announce the outcome of the review in the near future.
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.
663. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, the way moneys received from the national lottery fund in 2013 were spent on each project to which they were directed, including projects that were part-funded and wholly-funded from the fund; if she will indicate, for each such part-funded project, where the balance of funding was sourced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25021/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra664. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, the amount of money that was received by her Department from the national lottery fund in each of the years 2009 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; if she will provide a detailed breakdown indicating the way this money was spent, or otherwise directed, for each of these years; if any moneys are held in reserve arising from funds received over this period or before; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25037/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.
Under section 8 of the National Lottery Act 1986, the proceeds of the National Lottery are paid into the Central Fund of the Exchequer and therefore National Lottery funding is one of the constituents of Exchequer funding. The apportionment of National Lottery funding to various lines of voted expenditure is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The components of my Department’s Vote, which are part-funded by proceeds of the National Lottery, are:
- Subhead A.9 An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Arts Council)
- Subhead B.3 Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council)
- Subhead C.4 Irish Language Support Schemes.
My Department was established in June 2011. Allocations in respect of these subheads for each year since then are set out in the Revised Estimates Volumes for the years in question and published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at http://www.per.gov.ie/estpubexp2013/.
Details of National Lottery related expenditure for the period from then to 2014 are published by my Department on its website at: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications/CorporatePublications/CurrentPublications/.
Information in respect of expenditure for 2015 will be published in 2016.
665. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will instruct her Department to conclude negotiations and ensure that the heritage structure of Granard Mote in County Longford is concluded without any further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25073/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 662 of 3 February 2015, in which I indicated that my Department and Longford County Council had agreed to adopt a joint approach to the potential acquisition of this national monument for the State and that the Office of Public Works had been asked to enter negotiations with the landowner to establish if agreement could be reached on the proposal. I understand that it has not been possible to negotiate a purchase agreement in the meantime and that the Office of Public Works is continuing to engage with the landowner with the objective of bringing the matter to a conclusion, one way or the other, without further delay. Any negotiations must, of course, continue to 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.
I can assure the Deputy, however, that, irrespective of the outcome, this important national monument will remain in my guardianship as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and will continue to enjoy the highest level of protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004.
