Written Answers Nos. 362-382
362. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2013 that are to be unwound or are in the process of being unwound under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 to 2016, the Lansdowne Road agreement. [11224/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full list of measures in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2013 that need to be unwound outside of those under the process of being unwound under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 to 2016, the Lansdowne Road agreement, to bring public sector pay grades and conditions to a pre-Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts level. [11225/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of implementing the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 to 2016, the Lansdowne Road agreement. [11226/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 364, inclusive, together.
The Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) begins the process of unwinding the financial emergency measures in a prudent and sustainable fashion thereby reducing the risk to the sustainability of the public finances.
Under the terms of the Agreement for the majority of public servants, there is a significant reduction, weighted in favour of the lower paid, of the pay cuts imposed under the 2009 FEMPI legislation. These come in the form of increases in gross pay in 2016 for those on lower pay (up to €31,000) and in 2017 for all on pay up to €65,000.
For any public servant whose annualised salary is below €24,001 there was an increase in gross pay of 2.5% from 1 January 2016. For those on annualised salaries between €24,001 and €31,000 there was an increase in gross pay of 1% from 1 January 2016. For all those on annualised salaries up to €65,000 there will be an increase in gross pay of €1,000 from 1 September 2017.
On 1 January 2016 the exemption threshold for payment of Pension Related Deduction (PRD) was increased to €26,083 per annum and on 1 January the exemption threshold for payment of Pension Related Deduction (PRD) will increase further from €26,083 per annum to €28,750 per annum.
The Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) included commitments to restore the pay of those serving public servants who took an additional pay cut in 2013.
These measures are being implemented under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 with effect from 1 January 2016 at a full year cost of €844m to 2018. Provision has also been made for an amelioration of the PSPR for public service pensioners at an additional full year cost of €90m in 2018.
The Agreements and FEMPI legislation are available on my Department's website at http://www.per.gov.ie/public-service-pay-policy/.
365. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware of the successive rulings by the Information Commissioner against the Arts Council with regard to records concerning the awarding of a grant to a close relative of a member of staff; that more than 18 months after the records were sought, the Arts Council has still not released all of the documents requested; of any discrepancies between the original and subsequent schedules provided by the Arts Council; if the behaviour of the Arts Council with regard to the Freedom of Information Act and the Information Commissioner has implications for other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11315/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, compliance and enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act are a matter for the Information Commissioner, who is independent in the performance of his functions. Sections 22 and 23 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 set out the obligations of bodies subject to FOI legislation to provide the Information Commissioner with the particulars he considers necessary to undertake a review of decisions of such bodies. Section 45(8) of the Act provides powers to the Information Commissioner where an FOI Body fails to comply with a binding decision of the Commissioner under the Act. Given this, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter raised.
For the assistance of the Deputy, the full background to these cases and the findings are in the published decisions:
http://www.oic.gov.ie/en/Decisions/Decisions-List/Ms-X-and-the-Arts-Council-1.html
http://www.oic.gov.ie/en/Decisions/Decisions-List/Ms-Valerie-Hanley-and-The-Arts-Council-FOI-Act-2014-.html
366. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of each measure in each commitment relevant to his Department in the programme for Government and how he will finance these, either through already committed spending, additional new spending from the fiscal space, European Union funding or otherwise, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11371/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the ambition to build a strong economy and to deliver a fair society so that communities thrive throughout both urban and rural Ireland. For each of the policy challenges contained in the Government's Programme a clear unambiguous high-level ambition is also identified, for example:
- meet the target of building 25,000 new homes needed every year by 2020;
- create 200,000 jobs by 2020, including 135,000 outside Dublin;
- reducing waiting times in the health sector; and
- spend at least €6.75 billion more on public services by 2021 compared to 2016.
As stated in the Programme for every policy challenge, the new Government will ensure that a balance is struck between addressing urgent priorities - utilising the action plan framework set out in the Programme document - and engaging in long-term planning and thinking, so that lasting solutions with broad based support are implemented.
In order to adopt this approach in practice, a key action for the Government's first hundred days is securing agreement with the Oireachtas on putting in place a reformed budget process. This is intended to secure a significantly more participatory approach, underpinned by a substantially enhanced Dáil input into and feedback on the development of budgetary priorities.
It is envisaged that an important element of this new model will be to facilitate appropriate consultation and engagement on the costings of specific measures intended to respond to particular Programme for Government priorities, as well as examining how these measures align with overall fiscal parameters.
This new approach will have a central role to play in guiding and informing deliberation by the Oireachtas on budgetary options and in shaping the Government's budgetary proposals in due course. These proposals would then form the basis for setting out the proposed Departmental expenditure ceilings required to accommodate the specific measures to deliver the Programme for Government priorities. At that point in time, the fiscal space implications of changes in Departmental expenditure arising from these specific measures can be fully assessed.
367. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of his Department. [11425/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works hold leases on three properties that are currently vacant pending reallocation to a Government Department:
1. Office at Island House, Cathedral Square, Galway; annual rent €105,120. The Department of Social Protection’s staff and functions transferred to the new Intreo Centre in Galway in late 2015. The Commissioners are negotiating an early surrender as there are no other State requirements for the facility.
2. Office in Civic Building, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, annual rent €4,338. This office was closed by the Department of Social Protection in 2015 and alternative uses for this property are under consideration at present.
3. Storage Unit in Tramore, Co. Waterford; annual rent €32,505.29. This storage unit was previously used by the Revenue Commissioners and early surrender is being pursued as there are no other State requirements for the property.
The Departments of Social Protection and Finance do not hold any property under lease.
368. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of additional unpaid hours which have been provided by civil and public servants under all public sector collective agreements since 2009; the cost of paying workers for these hours; the cost of bringing all post-2011 Civil Service and public service entrants to pre-2011 pay grades; the details of the €2.2 billion in savings from the collective agreements, by pay, levies, productivity measures and year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11483/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Haddington Road Agreement provided for a range of productivity measures including an increase in the standard working hours of public servants for no extra remuneration. Through its provisions, the Agreement is delivering an unprecedented structural increase of almost 15 million additional working hours annually in the productivity of the Public Service. That productivity is contributing to the maintenance of our public services and is a core enabler for a sustainable reduction in the cost of the public service pay bill. These extra hours were negotiated and implemented by sector and grade and had different impacts on individual public servants depending on existing hours of work. The overarching objective of the additional hours are to reduce the requirement for paid overtime hours and agency costs; to allow management to maintain services against the backdrop of reduced staff numbers; and to facilitate amendments to the supervision and substitution allowance in the education sector. Under the terms of the Agreement some €131 million in paybill savings were attributed to increased working hours due to reduced overtime, reduced hiring of Agency staff and some €125 million in the Education Sector in relation to Supervision and Substitution.
The issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA).
During the period 2008 to 2014 the Exchequer pay bill reduced from a peak of €17.5 billion gross to €13.8 billion (net of PRD), a reduction of €3.7 billion. This reduction was achieved primarily through the reductions applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts, supported by a reduction in the number of serving public servants together with other cost reduction and productivity measures. From the period 2009 to 2013 the FEMPI Acts introduced pay reduction measures. These measures, together with the Public Service Pension Reduction implemented in January 2011, are estimated to have resulted in over €2.2bn in direct reductions in public service remuneration and pensions. Details of the €2.2bn are contained in the 2015 Annual Review of the FEMPI legislation which is available on my Department's website http://www.per.gov.ie/en/reports/.
369. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to stop rolling one-year contracts in the public sector whereby employees do not receive the same benefits as their colleagues, including incremental pay increases, pension rights and the right to apply for internal vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11489/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for recruitment to the Civil Service.
All such recruitment is governed by the Public Service (Management and Recruitment) Act 2004. Under the Act, the method of appointment to a permanent Civil Service post is as a result of being successful in a competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) or by another licence holder such as the head of a Department or Office. Selection processes are open to all eligible applicants who meet minimum entry criteria.
In the main, vacancies in the Civil service are filled on a permanent basis. However, temporary vacancies arise from time to time to cover such absences as maternity leave or shorter working year, and where a permanent vacancy will not exist. Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO) positions in the Civil Service are filled by an annual competition conducted by the PAS which is usually advertised in February of each year.
It is a matter for Human Resource Units in all Departments and Agencies to have procedures in place for dealing with the recruitment and employment of fixed-term employees and the management of their contracts. My Department issues Guidelines on "Best Practice for the Recruitment and Management of Fixed-term Employees in the Irish Civil Service". These are revised from time to time as required. The most recent version issued in April 2014 and took account of changes arising as a result of the Single Pension Scheme and the Haddington Road Agreement. The Guidelines can be found on my Department's HR Management website http://hr.per.gov.ie/.
Temporary officers in the civil service are entitled to the same incremental progression and pension rights and can apply for internal promotion competitions while in a temporary position if they satisfy the qualifying criteria in each case.
Decisions on the filling of posts, permanent or otherwise, in other public service bodies are a matter for the employing bodies in the context of their business needs.
370. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the flood relief works which have been carried out on the River Clare in County Galway as part of the Clare river (Claregalway) drainage scheme; the works which remain to be carried out; if flood relief works are proposed for Lisheenavalla in Claregalway; when they will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11562/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdvance works carried out to date on the River Clare as part of the Claregalway flood relief scheme include the construction of an additional flood eye at Claregalway Bridge and the replacement of Crusheeny Bridge. These works were carried out on foot of the recommendations of the engineering consultants for the scheme in order to reduce flood risk in the area. Channel Maintenance has been carried out also along the Clare River from Lough Corrib to Crusheeny Bridge and for a distance upstream of Crusheeny Bridge. Also, in conjunction with site setup works in the vicinity of Claregalway Bridge this Spring, minor measures addressing the gap in the wall at An Mhainistir housing estate and providing a local embankment at Nine Arches bridge have been completed.
The proposed further scheme works to be undertaken comprise the following main elements:
- Localised road raising at Miontach North and Miontach South;
- Regrading of the existing channel upstream, through and downstream of the existing Claregalway Bridge;
- Increase the capacity of culverts at various locations on the Kiniska and Islandmore tributaries in conjunction with channel maintenance;
- Construction of pipeline /open channel combination from (a) Carnmore and Cashla areas to Islandmore channel and (b) from Lakeview area to the Clare River upstream of Claregalway Bridge;
- Channel widening from 1.3 km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to immediately downstream of Crusheeny Bridge to form a two-stage channel;
- Construction of an embankment from 1.3 km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to the Islandmore drain with the installation of a non-return valve on the outfall of the Islandmore drain.
The scheme works at Caherlea/Lisheenavalla will include channel widening from 1.3km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to immediately downstream of Crusheeny Bridge to form a two-stage channel, cleaning and regrading of the existing OPW channels Islandmore channel C3/7 and F.7991/1, construction of an embankment along the southern bank of the Clare River from 1.3 km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to the Islandmore Drain and the installation of a non-return valve on the discharge from the Islandmore drain, with raising of the local road in Caherlea/Lisheenavalla listed as a future measure.
Tenders have been sought for Archaeological Consultants for pre-excavation monitoring and for Environmental Consultants to provide Ecological monitoring during the scheme works and contracts for both are now being placed.
Works on the construction of the Clare River (Claregalway) FRS are estimated to take three years to complete having regard to environmental windows, particularly for instream works on salmonid rivers. Substantive works are scheduled to commence in June 2016 with pipe-laying at Lakeview. It is anticipated at this point that the works in the Lisheenavalla area will be undertaken in 2017.
371. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to revert to this Deputy on a matter regarding planned works on a river (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11667/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe River Deel Catchment Drainage Scheme was constructed in the 1960s by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to provide drainage outfall for agricultural purposes. In line with its statutory responsibility, the OPW continues to maintain the Scheme in proper repair and effective condition. The Scheme was not designed to a standard that would be appropriate for the protection of residential development from flooding.
The OPW’s programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance includes responsibility for 11,500 km of channel, 730 km of embankments, some 18,500 bridges and 750 ancillary structures such as sluice gates, pumping stations and tidal barrages. The programme of planned maintenance works for the current year does not include any works at the location mentioned by the Deputy.
Rathkeale is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk and Management (CFRAM) study. The CFRAM Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with local authorities, involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.
Under the Shannon CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation event in Rathkeale on 6 November 2014. In addition, on 7 October, 2015 a further Public Consultation event was held to present preliminary options to manage the assessed flood risks in Rathkeale AFA. The draft maps are now being finalised following the conclusion of the national statutory public consultation process on 23 December, 2015.
Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The draft Plans will include a prioritised list of measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. These Plans will be available for public consultation in 2016.
The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Plans.
372. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to revert to this Deputy on a matter regarding the protection of properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11668/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMany properties within the town of Adare, including the development mentioned by the Deputy, lie within the “Benefiting Area” or floodplain of the River Maigue Catchment Drainage Scheme (CDS) which is under the statutory care of the Commissioners of Public Works. The embankments protecting the Maigue Catchment floodplain were constructed to a standard to protect agricultural land from flooding and, as such, do not confer the level of protection usually associated with residential developments.
Considerable work has been done by the OPW in the last twelve years to strengthen the embankments. In recent years, sluice outfall structures at Adare have been replaced/upgraded and a new trash grid has been installed. OPW will continue to maintain the Maigue CDS to a standard above that for which it was originally designed.
Adare is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk and Management (CFRAM) study. The CFRAM Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works, working in partnership with local authorities, involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.
Under the Shannon CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation event in Adare on 14th April, 2015. In addition, on 9th December, 2015 a further Public Consultation event was held to present preliminary options to manage the assessed flood risks in Adare AFA. The draft maps are now being finalised following the conclusion of the national statutory public consultation process on 23rd December, 2015.
Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The draft Plans will include a prioritised list of measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. These Plans will be available for public consultation in 2016.
The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Plans.
373. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to revert to this Deputy on a matter regarding flood relief works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11670/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLimerick City and County Council (LCCC) is leading on and managing the Foynes flood relief project. The Office of Public Works agreed to fund these works and in December 2015 issued approval to the local authority to proceed. LCCC is currently finalising formal agreements with stakeholders and a letter of intent has issued to the successful contractor and pre-contract meetings have taken place. The Council expects to appoint the contractor shortly with a view to commencing works by mid-Summer. It is envisaged that works will be completed in four to six months.
374. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will end the pay inequality to which teachers who qualified after 2011 have been subject for the past five years; when he will establish the public service pay commission; in the absence of pay equality, to outline the justification for pay inequality having regard to the principle of equal pay for equal work; when he will make the work of teachers equal to the equal work they do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11686/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will end the pay inequality to which teachers who qualified after 2011 are subject, given five years of salary cuts and the proposal to establish a public service pay commission; the timeframe the commission will have to act on pay inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11782/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra376. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform why he has not ended the policy of inequality imposed on teachers, some of whom have lost over €20,000 for up to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11784/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra377. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will end pay inequality for teachers and make their pay equal for the equal work they do, given that the financial emergency is over, the economy is growing and we hear it is time to make work pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11786/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 to 377, inclusive, together.
The issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, including Teachers, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). Any further consideration of remuneration for any group of public servants, including issues relating to more recently recruited public servants, will fall to be examined within the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 -2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement). It will also of course have to comply with the terms of the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest Acts 2009 - 2013 (FEMPI), as well as its affordability being underpinned through delivering enhanced work place practices and productivity.
The Programme for Government also states that Government will establish a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the public service. The precise structure of such a commission and the technical aspects as to how it would operate have yet to be decided upon and would require broad consultation, including engagement with staff representatives as was committed to in the Lansdowne Road Agreement. My officials have begun to review international best practice in respect of public service pay determination models. This will help frame the Government's thinking on how to establish a fair, transparent and accountable process for determining public service pay, taking into account the views of all stakeholders.
378. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to report on his meetings with the national co-ordination group for response to flooding and with those agencies responsible for the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10021/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the flooding event of last winter, the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee, chaired by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, met on a daily basis to co-ordinate at a national level the response to the event. Deputy Simon Harris, who was the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works during that time, was appraised daily on the work of this Committee and also attended the Committee on a number of occasions.
I am very aware of the impact of flooding and the risk of flooding on communities. I am also conscious that it requires a cross-sectoral approach to effectively manage the risk. One of my first and early tasks will be to convene a further meeting of the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Committee to get an update on the progress being made towards a report for Government on a range of flood risk management policy initiatives by mid-2016.
The Government also decided on 5 January 2016 to establish the Shannon Flood State Agency Co-ordination Working Group to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group is comprised of the following membership and comes under the chairmanship of the Office of Public Works:
- Office of Public Works;
- Local Authorities, represented by the City and County Management Association;
- Waterways Ireland;
- Electricity Supply Board;
- Inland Fisheries Ireland;
- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht;
- Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government;
- Bord na Móna;
- Environmental Protection Agency;
- Irish Water.
The Attorney General’s Office and other Government Departments may also participate, as requested by the Chairman.
The Group has met on three occasions and has conducted an audit of the roles and responsibilities of State Agency organisations and has published its Shannon Flood Risk Work Programme for 2016. This Work Programme which is available on www.opw.ie sets out co-ordinated actions and activities for the Shannon catchment. The Group is also considering in co-operation with the Attorney General’s Office the development of appropriate guidance that will set out more clearly the rights and responsibilities of non-statutory bodies.
The Group has held an open day on its Work Programme in Athlone on 5 May 2016 and is holding further open days on Friday 3 June, 2016, in Áras an Chontae, Leitrim County Council, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim and on Friday 10 June, 2016 in City Hall, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick.
I look forward to meeting with the representatives of this Group and all stakeholders that can help to feasibly manage Ireland’s flood risk.
379. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if legislation exists that prevents listed and protected structures in local authorities' development plans from being protected by local authorities, once deconstruction works have already commenced, taking note of the judicial review Healy v. Dublin City Council 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11223/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of the local authorities and the responsibilities of owners with regard to heritage assets.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of 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.
Under Section 54 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may add to or delete from its record of protected structures a structure, a specified part of a structure or a specified feature of the attendant grounds of a structure. Such a structure, specified part of a structure, or specified feature remains on the record of protected structures until such time as the planning authority deletes it. Provision is made in the Act for the carrying out of works to protected structures either by way of planning permission or on the foot of a declaration received from a planning authority that certain works that would not materially affect the character of a structure are exempted development. There is a duty of owners and occupiers to protect structures from endangerment. Where structures become endangered or unauthorised development has been or is being carried out, the planning authority has the powers to take appropriate action.
380. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will merge the natural heritage and the national parks and wildlife sections from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht into the new environment section. [11440/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra381. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to which Departments the nature functions of her Department have passed; if she has successfully split all of the functions of the former Department or if she has dispensed with any of its functions. [11581/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.
My Department in its reconfigured format will retain all of the functions of the previous Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, including functions in relation to both the built and natural heritage.
Accordingly, a continuing key priority for my Department will be the conservation and management of Ireland’s unique heritage for the benefit of present and future generations, both in terms of its intrinsic value and as a support to economic renewal and sustainable employment.
I fully recognise the significant contribution that Ireland’s built and natural heritage make to national health, wellbeing, enjoyment and sustainable economic growth. I will continue to work to ensure that Ireland has a suite of heritage policies and legislation in place to meet modern requirements, in compliance with EU and international heritage obligations, and to achieve their effective implementation, within available resources.
382. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas faighte aici ar dheontas le forbairt a dhéanamh ar chultúrlann Ghaeilge i dTamhlacht; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar an iarratas; cén staid sa phróiseas ag a bhfuil sé; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11168/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs mian liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil iarratas faighte ag mo Roinn ó Ghaelphobal Thamhlachta ar mhaoiniú chun ionad Gaeilge a fhorbairt. Ar an 11 Eanáir 2016, iarradh ar an iarratasóir eolas breise a chur ar fáil chun go mbeifear in ann an t-iarratas a mheas. Ní bhfuarthas aon fhreagra ón iarratasóir go fóill.
