Written Answers Nos. 1201 - 1211
1201. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grant assistance towards renovation and restoration available from her Department to owners of houses and homes that are listed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37382/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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. Funding for the protection of built heritage is being provided by my Department in 2015 via a number of schemes, which are either directly administered or delivered through local authorities or through the Heritage Council. Application for funding under these schemes is currently closed as all funding for 2015 has been allocated. It is expected that schemes for 2016, which are currently being worked on, will be advertised before the end of the year or early in the new year.
I recently announced a new €2 million investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures. This fund will operate on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme (BHJLS), which ran in 2014, and is expected to support a significant number of projects across the country and create employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas. This announcement will come as a welcome boost to the custodians of heritage properties.
In 2015, under the Structures at Risk Fund, an allocation of €624,000 was available, to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund which 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 fund was open to two applications per local authority of which one application may be in respect of a privately-owned building. The amount of funding available per project was subject to a minimum level of €15,000 and a maximum level of €60,000. Since 2011, in excess of 130 structures have been safeguarded for the future as a result of the Structures at Risk Fund.
The Heritage Council, which my Department also funds, provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. The announcement of any proposed grant schemes can be monitored on www.heritagecouncil.ie. It will be 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 annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.
I am sure the Deputy can appreciate that the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Nonetheless, the competing priorities regarding the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage are kept under on-going review having regard to the resources available to my Department.
1202. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of jobs that were supported in the Dungloe area of County Donegal by Údarás Na Gaeltachta in each year from 2005 to 2014, and in 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37586/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures in the table below relate to full-time, part-time and seasonal employment in the An Clochán Liath area of Co. Donegal from 2005 to 2014. The trends in employment for the area broadly reflect the experience of similar areas on a regional and national level.
While the figures show that there was a fall in employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies during the economic downturn, the figures also show that client companies are beginning to show signs of recovery with a modest increase in employment over the last three years.
|
Year |
Full-time |
Part-time |
Seasonal |
|
2005 |
217 |
33 |
17 |
|
2006 |
229 |
30 |
13 |
|
2007 |
181 |
48 |
19 |
|
2008 |
151 |
21 |
4 |
|
2009 |
127 |
11 |
0 |
|
2010 |
103 |
15 |
1 |
|
2011 |
101 |
11 |
3 |
|
2012 |
113 |
7 |
2 |
|
2013 |
124 |
16 |
0 |
|
2014 |
132 |
12 |
0 |
1203. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for details of all subsidised passenger and cargo services to offshore islands, by island served; by frequency of the service in return journeys per week; by the number of passengers carried on each service; by the annual cost of each service, stating in each case whether it is a passenger service, a cargo service or a dual service, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37779/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table.
|
ISLAND |
FREQUENCY |
TOTAL PASSENGERS* |
ANNUAL SUBSIDY† |
TYPE |
|
Toraigh |
Winter helicopter service in conjunction with the HSE |
292 |
€70,000 |
Passenger |
|
Toraigh |
12 |
14,076 |
€398,546 |
Dual |
|
Toraigh |
26 return sailings per annum |
N/A |
€37,440 |
Cargo |
|
Árainn Mhór |
42-57 |
58,661 |
€154,666 |
Dual |
|
Inis Bigil |
7 |
2,288 |
€43,790 |
Passenger |
|
Inishturk |
12 |
8,357 |
€319,585 |
Passenger |
|
Inishturk/Clare |
2 |
N/A |
€72,933 |
Cargo |
|
Clare |
14 |
17,586 |
€154,522 |
Passenger |
|
Clynish |
||||
|
Inishlyre |
||||
|
Collanmore |
6 return sailings per annum |
N/A |
€4,500 |
Cargo |
|
Inishbofin |
14 |
52,213 |
€250,500 |
Passenger |
|
Inishbofin |
2 |
N/A |
€144,929 |
Cargo |
|
Árainn |
||||
|
Inis Meáin |
||||
|
Inis Oírr |
3-4 |
N/A |
€749,775 |
Cargo |
|
Árainn |
19 |
22,982 |
||
|
Inis Meáin |
14 |
5,196 |
||
|
Inis Oírr |
14 |
10,295 |
€1,620,120 |
Passenger |
|
Inis Meáin |
||||
|
Inis Oírr |
14 |
51,605 |
€811,873 |
Passenger |
|
Whiddy |
5 sailing days |
N/A |
€4,500 |
Cargo |
|
Whiddy |
30-35 |
12,020 |
€75,000 |
Passenger |
|
Sherkin |
||||
|
Cléire |
||||
|
Heir |
||||
|
Long |
50 sailings per annum |
N/A |
€67,000 |
Cargo |
|
Sherkin |
52-61 |
63,313 |
€119,604 |
Passenger |
|
Dursey |
4 return sailings per annum |
N/A |
€5,760 |
Cargo |
|
Bere |
46-54 |
47,733 |
€75,825 |
Passenger |
|
Bere |
46-54 |
19,799 |
€37,913 |
Passenger |
|
Bere |
2 |
N/A |
€25,000 |
Cargo |
|
Long |
6-10 |
1,706 |
€32,000 |
Passenger |
|
Heir |
33-40 |
13,534 |
€29,697 |
Passenger |
|
Cléire |
15-29 |
41,262 |
€333,395 |
Passenger |
* Total passengers carried in 2014
† Current Annual Subsidy
1204. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth ar thug an tAire Stáit sa Roinn le fios i bhfreagra ar Cheist Dála Uimhir 118 an 14 Deireadh Fómhair nach raibh iarratas faighte aige ó phobal Inis Meáin ar chruinniú le ceist fhorbairt na Cé ag an gCaladh Mór a phlé nuair a bhí iarratas curtha chuige an 6 Lúnasa 2015 ar tugadh freagra air an 29 agus an 30 Meán Fómhair; an bhfuil sé i gceist aige anois géilleadh don iarratas seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37785/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI bhfreagra a cuireadh ar an gcomhfhreagras den 6 Lúnasa atá luaite ag an Teachta, míníodh gur cúram don Chomhairle Contae an ché seo. É sin ráite, tá mé sásta i gcónaí bualadh le grúpaí ó na hoileáin chun plé a dhéanamh ar nithe éagsúla atá ag déanamh imní dóibh.
1205. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén méid airgid a íocadh faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge gach bliain ó 2009 i leith, briste síos de réir contae; cén líon scoláirí ar íocadh deontais ina leith, briste síos ar an mbealach céanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37950/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá an t-eolas atá iarrtha ag an Teachta tugtha i bhfoirm tábla thíos. Áirítear anseo líon na bhfoghlaimeoirí a bhí ar iostas le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta agus i mbrúnna sa Ghaeltacht agus i dtrí cinn de choláistí cónaithe seanbhunaithe taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Áirítear anseo fosta na hábhair oidí agus daoine fásta eile a d'fhreastail ar chúrsaí sa Ghaeltacht.
Baineann an t-eolas faoin mbliain 2015 leis na híocaíochtaí atá déanta go deireadh mhí Dheireadh Fómhair 2015. Tá roinnt íocaíochtaí eile le déanamh go fóill faoin scéim i mbliana.
|
2009 |
Líon scoláirí |
Caiteachas faoin Scéim |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
5,803 |
€949,636.65 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
2,930 |
€463,690.00 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
12,546 |
€2,835,404.15 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
2,804 |
€603,710.75 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
1,746 |
€360,213.00 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
1,343 |
€289,285.50 |
|
Co. na Mí |
198 |
€42,409.50 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
216 |
€49,108.50 |
|
IOMLÁN |
27,586 |
€5,593,458.05 |
|
2010 |
Líon scoláirí |
Caiteachas faoin Scéim |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
5,141 |
€762,845.20 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
2,786 |
€381,728.00 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
11,961 |
€2,548,891.00 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
2,279 |
€442,014.85 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
1,393 |
€273,630.00 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
1,144 |
€231,660.00 |
|
Co. na Mí |
195 |
€40,820.00 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
221 |
€46,260.00 |
|
IOMLÁN |
25,120 |
€4,727,849.05 |
|
2011 |
Líon scoláirí |
Caiteachas faoin Scéim |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
4,675 |
€660,225.50 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
2,874 |
€367,250.50 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
12,311 |
€2,472,176.50 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
2,331 |
€470,503.05 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
1,031 |
€190,218.50 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
1,017 |
€194,290.50 |
|
Co. na Mí |
279 |
€52,953.00 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
196 |
€38,541.50 |
|
IOMLÁN |
24,714 |
€4,446,159.05 |
|
2012 |
Líon scoláirí |
Caiteachas faoin Scéim |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
4,737 |
€664,350.75 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
2,936 |
€318,810.50 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
11,668 |
€2,352,816.00 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
2,146 |
€407,881.35 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
1,019 |
€120,441.00 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
893 |
€119,051.00 |
|
Co. na Mí |
278 |
€51,129.00 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
163 |
€16,945.00 |
|
IOMLÁN |
23,840 |
€4,051,424.60 |
|
2013 |
Líon scoláirí |
Caiteachas faoin Scéim |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
4,702 |
€629,770.20 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
2,957 |
€311,049.50 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
10,995 |
€2,199,580.00 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
2,092 |
€365,220.05 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
877 |
€106,337.00 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
648 |
€83,021.00 |
|
Co. na Mí |
342 |
€62,092.00 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
170 |
€15,685.00 |
|
IOMLÁN |
22,783 |
€3,772,754.75 |
|
2014 |
Líon scoláirí |
Caiteachas faoin Scéim |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
4,057 |
€624,682.00 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
2,742 |
€267,792.50 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
11,040 |
€2,023,207.50 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
1,687 |
€290,634.50 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
777 |
€89,254.50 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
687 |
€76,097.00 |
|
Co. na Mí |
345 |
€56,924.00 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
174 |
€16,480.00 |
|
IOMLÁN |
21,509 |
€3,445,072.00 |
|
2015 |
Líon Scoláirí |
Caiteachas Faoin Scéim |
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
4,943 |
€691,441.00 |
|
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
2,879 |
€282,151.50 |
|
Co na Gaillimhe |
11,380 |
€2,140,246.50 |
|
Co. Chiarraí |
2,082 |
€314,173.00 |
|
Co. Chorcaí |
949 |
€81,638.00 |
|
Co. Phort Láirge |
776 |
€84,542.00 |
|
Co. na Mí |
344 |
€57,000.00 |
|
Co. an Chláir |
32 |
€9,380.00 |
|
IOMLÁN |
23,385 |
€3,660,572 |
1206. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) will receive compensation under the turf cessation scheme for 2014 and 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37968/15]
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 2 of 15 (2012) and a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2013) have been made to this applicant. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
My Department has been in contact with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (as successor to the Irish Land Commission) in relation to the legal interest in the bog plot on which the applicant claims to have been cutting turf. Contact has also been made with the applicant in relation to the location of this plot.
Once these matters have been clarified, my Department will be in a position to process this application further.
1207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of days that the contracted passenger ferry services did not sail from each island to the mainland, by island, since January 2011; the dates of these instances, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38172/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of days that the contracted air service did not fly to each of Oileáin Árann, by island, since January 2011; the dates of these instances, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38173/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1210. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the investigations concerning the possible use of lands within the Annaghdown Abbey complex for the expansion of the Annaghdown cemetery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38382/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s officials met with representatives of the cemetery committee during the summer to discuss the investigations required to verify whether the site proposed by the committee for an extension of the existing graveyard was suitable from an archaeological perspective. My Department subsequently wrote to the committee on 12 August 2015 setting out revised recommendations for archaeological testing in response to the representations made by the committee.
The results of the archaeological testing will be considered as speedily as possible by my Department when received from the committee.
1211. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of civil servants under her remit who have been reinstated in recent years after taking a career break; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38720/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraArrangements applying to the Career Break Scheme are made under the authority provided by Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 – 2006. These arrangements are outlined in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 4/2013.
My Department was established on the 2nd June 2011. Since that date 23 civil servants have been reinstated following career break.
