Written Answers Nos. 219 - 228
219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to encourage continued use of Ireland as a film location, with obvious knock-on benefits; the degree to which dialogue continues with filmmakers at home and abroad in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39949/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the value of audio-visual industry in its contribution to the economy and to employment and will continue to take measures to support the industry. Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions, is the responsibility of the Irish Film Board. This includes assistance with locations for the making of films. In 2015, I approved a provision of €14.6 million for the Film Board, which maintained its funding at the same level as in 2014. The allocation of resources from within that provision is a matter for the Film Board, as the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry.
The other primary mechanism by which the Government supports the film industry is through section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 - the Film Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme has undergone a number of improvements, which took effect in January this year. These changes have been well received and were developed following consultations between my Department, the Irish Film Board, the Department of Finance and the audio-visual industry. The intention is to ensure that Ireland remains competitive in attracting film projects. The Film Tax Relief Scheme has been extended to the end of 2020 and in the recent Budget the Government announced an increase in the cap on this tax relief from €50 million to €70 million. This increase on its current level will help to attract further big budget productions to these shores. I am confident that these measures will increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a destination for film investment and allowing the audio-visual production sector to maintain existing jobs and create new ones. In this regard, Government Departments and public agencies are often key to assisting film companies in providing locations and other supports for film making.
220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she expects employment prospects to remain positive throughout the arts and culture sectors, with particular reference to job opportunities now, and in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39950/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn welcoming Budget 2016 in October I stated that the economic recovery has allowed for a 12% increase in my Department’s Budget for 2016. This will provide additional funding across a range of areas including the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, a new investment programme for regional arts and cultural centres and a boost in my Department’s heritage budget. Key highlights of Budget 2016 include:
- 12% increase in funding for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht compared to 2015;
- Over €48 million for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, including almost €31 million for major capital works, and additional funding for an inclusive and wide ranging national and international commemorative programme, including State events, local community initiatives, a wide range of arts and cultural projects, and €3 million earmarked for Culture Ireland’s international programme for 2016 and the Abbey Theatre;
- An additional €8 million for a cultural infrastructure programme to fund a new scheme of grants to existing regional arts and cultural centres and funding for the Cork Event Centre;
- Increase in the cap on the Section 481 film industry tax relief from €50 million to €70 million;
- An additional €2 million in funding for the Department’s heritage programme;
- Boost in funding for the National Cultural Institutions and the Arts Council.
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to liaise with local voluntary groups throughout County Kildare and countrywide, in respect of various grant-aid available for local productions involved in the promotion of the arts through community effort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39951/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to provide funding directly, through the local authorities or through the Arts Council, to the various voluntary groups or bodies involved in various cultural and artistic productions, such as drama and music productions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39958/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 228 together.
Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, and specifically in its funding decisions.
222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department continues to co-ordinate the commemoration of 1916, with particular reference to the need to ensure inclusiveness, and reflecting the totality of Ireland's culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39952/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ireland 2016 Centenary programme is an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future. The five themes, which underpin the programme – Remembering; Reconciling, Presenting, Imagining, and Celebrating - are intended to give people scope to think about the events of 1916 and its legacy in a way that is personal and meaningful to each individual.
The programme reflects the complexity and diversity of our history and of Ireland today. As with all of the key events in this Decade of Centenaries, this inclusive approach gives people across the island of Ireland the opportunity to explore, reflect on and build greater understanding of and respect for the many intertwined traditions on this island. A number of elements of the programme will take place on an all-Island basis, including an all-island schools history competition, which was developed in partnership with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland, and will give schools the chance to explore any aspect of life or events in 1916. There are other initiatives such as drama and song competitions which will engage children on an all-island basis. It should also be noted that while the focus of the Ireland 2016 programme is on commemorating the events of one hundred years ago, this centenary is also a chance to celebrate all that has been achieved on the island of Ireland in the last one hundred years. A formal state event will be held to mark the journey of reconciliation from Easter 1916 to Easter 2016, and highlight the importance of the Good Friday Agreement in that regard. The significant role and influence of the diaspora on the events of one hundred years ago will be prominently acknowledged and we will also seek to celebrate the continued close ties with the vibrant diaspora we have today, as well as with Ireland’s many friends overseas.
223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which personalities such as Francis Sheehy-Skeffington are likely to be remembered in the context of the 1916 commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39953/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31st March 2015, will include a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to formal State occasions, running throughout 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The programme is an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future. I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that, as we commemorate those who fought and those who died in 1916, we also acknowledge the many civilians and non-combatants who lost their lives, including figures such as Francis Sheehy-Skeffington. An Interfaith Service will be held on 3rd April in Glasnevin Cemetery, where all those who lost their lives during the Rising, including civilian dead will be remembered.
Under the 'Community Participation' strand of the programme, the 31 local authorities have recently published their plans for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level following an extensive public consultation process. It is envisaged that many local authorities will be hosting specific events and developing initiatives dedicated to commemorating all those who lost their lives, including civilians and children.
224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to achieve an amicable resolution of issues between Waterways Ireland and traditional dwellers and recreational users of the Grand Canal in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39954/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to facilitate or accommodate the needs of the traditional canal dwellers and recreational users of the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal in County Kildare, having regard to the huge voluntary efforts contributed by the community in the case of the latter, and the need to ensure a fair and equitable resolution to issues arising from the draft management proposals as set out by Waterways Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39957/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 227 together.
I am advised by Waterways Ireland that its inspectorate continues to advise, make aware and educate its recreational boating customers across all Waterways Ireland navigations with respect to their obligations under the various navigation by-laws. Where by-law contraventions are noted, owners are informed by various means including in person, by email, by phone and/or by a notice being placed on their boat and they are given every opportunity to comply.
As I indicated to the Deputy in my replies to previous questions relating to this subject (Questions No. 39 on 30 April 2015, No. 275 on 18 June 2015 and No. 36 on 24 September 2015), I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the proposed by-laws that Waterways Ireland intends to make in order to enhance the management of the canals for all canal users.
The current position is that there is ongoing liaison between Waterways Ireland and my Department with a view to finalising the draft by-laws which will be referred to me with recommendations for consideration and final decision. It is my intention to afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the proposed by-laws.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she remains satisfied that all issues of concern to traditional turf cutters in County Kildare, in respect the various bogs affected, have been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39955/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she remains satisfied that all issues of concern to traditional turf cutters, in respect of the various bogs affected, have been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39956/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
Since this Government has come into office, huge efforts have been made to solve the issue of the protection of Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation, within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included intense and ongoing engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and the European Commission.
A long-term compensation scheme has also been introduced to compensate cutters for their loss arising from the cessation. This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme comprises a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off incentive payment of €500.
Some 3,149 applications for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received under this scheme. 8,521 annual payments have been made in respect of the applications received. In addition, 1,501 once-off incentive payments and 772 turf deliveries have been made to applicants from these sites.
The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan was published in January 2014. It sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed.
Notwithstanding the complexity involved, progress in relocating turf cutters to non-designated bogs is being achieved in a number of cases. Potential relocation sites had been identified for each of the raised bog special areas of conservation where relocation may be required. When relocation sites have been assessed as suitable, my Department has been seeking expressions of interest from turf cutters with a view to them moving to these sites.
For a number of these special areas of conservation, the relocation site identified may not be suitable or may not have the capacity to cater for the number of turf cutters who may wish to relocate there. In such cases, and in the context of the finalisation of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, my Department, in consultation with turf cutting interests, is considering the available options in terms of relocation and the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. Under article 6.3 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the site. Under article 6.4 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation for imperative reasons of overriding public interest.
Given the clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of turf extraction on raised bogs, it will only be possible to utilise the provisions of article 6.3 in a small number of cases. Similarly, the flexibility provided for under article 6.4, if required, will only be applicable to a small number of sites.
Some 171 applications from Mouds Bog and 60 applications from Ballynafagh Bog in County Kildare have been received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation. 463 annual payments, 199 turf deliveries and 46 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from these sites.
Discussions are ongoing between my Department and local turf cutters with a view to relocation from Ballynafagh Bog to a non-designated bog, which has been assessed as suitable for relocation.
Lattins Bog, also known as Mouds North Bog, in County Kildare, has been assessed as a suitable relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog. My Department had sought expressions of interest from qualifying applicants under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme with a view to relocation to this site. However, the level of interest received in relocation to this site has been muted.
I am advised that discussions have taken place between external experts, engaged by my Department, and local turf cutter representatives with a view to examining whether turf cutting could take place on Mouds Bog where it can be shown that such cutting would not have an adverse effect on the site, in accordance with article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive.
The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Areas, which is available to download from my Department’s website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications, provides details on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 raised bog natural heritage areas.
Carbury Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of the natural heritage areas which are to be conserved. In the case of this bog, the review envisages the cessation of turf cutting on the site by 1 January 2017 to preserve its conservation value. Turf cutting may continue on the bog until that date, on plots that have been cut in the five year period prior to the Government decision of 14 January 2014 on the review.
The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been extended to land owners and turbary rights holders affected by the restrictions on turf cutting in raised bog natural heritage areas. No applications for compensation have been received, to date, in respect of Carbury Bog.
The Natural Heritage Area review also envisages the complete or partial de-designation of 46 existing natural heritage areas where turf cutting may continue into the future. Hodgestown Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of those de-designation cases.
