Written Answers Nos. 69-88
69. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to work on and implement recommendations while acknowledging her role in establishing the Moore Street Consultative Group; and her views on the recommendations of the group. [20151/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply today to Priority Question No. 5.
In addition, I’d like to acknowledge the hugely important contribution of the Deputy to the work of the Moore St. Consultative Group.
70. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimated numbers in attendance at Cruinniú na Cásca events nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20394/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on reports available to my Department, almost 550,000 people turned out in Dublin and nationwide on Easter Monday for the first Cruinniú na Cásca. An initiative under Pillar 2 of the Programme - Enabling creativity in every community, Cruinniú na Cásca celebrate d culture and creativity in contemporary Irish society through a rich variety of live music and dance, talks, coding, theatre, art and music workshops, readings and screenings, special events and more.
Dublin City, the festival’s hub, hosted four distinct activity zones, from Smithfield Square and Custom House Quay on the city’s north side to Dublin Castle and St Stephen’s Green on the south. In addition to the events taking place across four zones in Dublin City, 31 local authorities hosted free, family-friendly Cruinniú na Cásca events in their individual counties as part of the national Creative Ireland programme. RTÉ broadcast live from Cruinniú na Cásca zones throughout the day across RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, with regular updates on television and online.
In embracing and celebrating our creativity and the energy and diversity of Ireland , this year’s first Cruinniú na Cásca reflected the aim of the Creative Ireland Programme to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing.
71. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding being provided for the arts in 2017; the amount that will be allocated by the agencies or organisations under the remit of her Department; the amount being allocated to arts projects directly by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20085/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the funding allocations made available to my Department are published each year in the Revised Estimates Volume with the outturn published in the annual Appropriation Account. These publications are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and on the website of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
As is shown in the published figures, the 2017 allocation to Arts , Culture and Film is €158.261m and most of this is allocated to the agencies under the aegis of the Department. Details of the expenditure outturns are published each year in the Appropriation Account and these are published by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General at www.audgen.gov.ie.
I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board in Budget 2017. The increase in the Arts Council's allocation in 2017 is €5 million, or 8%, and will assist the Council greatly in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025). I also secured an increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board, representing a 14% increase in its annual budget.
Budget 2017 also includes:
- increased funding for all of the National Cultural Institutions;
- an increase of €1 million for Culture Ireland;
- an additional €1 million to the Heritage Council; and
- funding of €5m for the implementation of the Creative Ireland Programme.
Where my Department makes direct grants to organisations, the figures are published on the website of my Department at www.ahg.gov.ie. The figures for 2017 will be published in due course.
72. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of National Parks and Wildlife Service officers currently monitoring the illegal snaring of badgers around the country. [20372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the total Departmental staff, 330 work in the area of natural heritage through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. In addition, my Department will take on 69 seasonal staff during the year to assist the NPWS. Frontline conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities. Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As well as more senior regionally based officers of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, there are 60 NPWS conservation rangers stationed around the country who deal with enforcement matters under the Wildlife Acts. My Department is currently working with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to create a Conservation Ranger Panel. Interviews were recently completed and I expect a panel will be available shortly from which appointments will be made across the country, taking account of financial resources to meet pay costs in the context of Government policy on public sector pay and staffing.
Within those staffing contexts, officials of my Department monitor compliance with the Wildlife Acts across the country on an on-going basis and carry out patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of these Acts, as required. Many of these officers carry out work in more than one county. They also investigate reports of breaches of the Acts including illegal snaring of badgers. Members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the Acts to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute if they see fit.
73. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the procedures within her Department for concerned persons to make observations and complaints regarding breaches of legislation by individual coursing clubs (details supplied). [20152/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIndividuals and organisations can report breaches of the Wildlife Acts to my Department either by contacting their local conservation ranger of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department or by emailing reports to nature.conservation @ahg.gov.ie. In relation to breaches of the licences issued by my Department to the Irish Coursing Club to capture and tag hares for coursing meetings, I published reports in recent months, which are available on the Department’s website, relating to incidents involving coursing meetings held during the 2015/16 season at Loughrea, Co. Galway, Rathdowney, Co Laois and Ballingar, Co.Offaly.
74. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to have discussions with the Arts Council regarding proposed cuts to grants for non productive artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the question relates to a review of Aosdána which is being carried out by the Arts Council.
Aosdana is a unique initiative established by the Arts Council in 1981 to honour creative artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Ireland. There are currently some 250 members of Aosdána, including seven new members who came into membership last week. The scheme is the responsibility of the Arts Council and not my Department. It should be noted that under section 24(2) of the Arts Act 2003 the Council is independent of the Minister in its funding decisions.
Members of Aosdána can qualify for a means-tested payment known as the Cnuas if they are resident in Ireland and are full-time practising artists.
Following recent internal audits of Aosdána and a Value for Money Policy Review of the Arts Council - which was undertaken under the guidance of an expert Steering Committee chaired by Dr. John O’Hagan, Professor of Economics at Trinity College - the Arts Council is reviewing all aspects of the administration and procedures of Aosdána to ensure the most appropriate governance and oversight arrangements are in place.
In regard to any issues which arise from the review of the Aosdána, these are a matter for the Arts Council and Aosdána and I would encourage dialogue between the parties to resolve them.
75. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way her Department proposes to oversee and monitor the implementation of actions to support the post office network arising out of the report of the post office renewal board and the post office hub working group as outlined in point 20 of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government in relation to the Post Office network which were assigned to my Department have now been completed or are significantly advanced.
I recently presented the final report of the Post Office Hub Working Group to the Government. This report examined the potential for Post Offices to act as hubs of economic and social activity, particularly in rural communities, and recommended that a project to test the concept of Shared Value Co-located Post Offices should be piloted, initially at four locations.
There have been a number of developments in relation to the postal services generally since the Programme for a Partnership Government was agreed last May, including the commissioning by An Post of a root and branch review of the company.
Overall responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, falls under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and, in light of developments in the sector, it has been agreed that all aspects of the postal services, including the Post Office network, should now be under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
It will be a matter for that Minister’s Department to oversee the future direction of An Post and the Post Office Network.
76. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the town and village renewal scheme 2017; the type of projects that can be supported under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20388/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 13 April, I launched an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017 as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development. This scheme will see €20 million in funding being invested in towns and villages across rural Ireland over the next 15 months.
The 2017 scheme will be operated via the Local Authorities in close collaboration with community and business interests, and I anticipate that up to 300 towns and villages will benefit from funding. The scheme is targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000.
Projects which have clear positive economic impacts on the town/village or which stimulate economic activity between a town/village and its neighbouring townlands will be particularly welcome, as will projects which demonstrate leveraging of, or linkages with, other schemes operated by Government Departments or agencies (e.g. in the areas of heritage, arts, culture, tourism, tidy towns, recreational facilities, re-use of vacant premises, vacant sites, energy efficiency schemes, etc.).
Full details of the application process have been issued to the Local Authorities and the closing date for applications is 30 June 2017.
77. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar chinneadh Fhoras na Gaeilge bogadh as oifig laistigh d'fhoirgneamh Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, go háirithe ó thaobh ardú cíosa agus sarú an mheamraim airgeadais de; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20430/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar atá mínithe cheanna don Teachta mar fhreagra ar Cheist Dála 161 den 9 Feabhra 2017, is ceisteanna oibríochtúla d'Fhoras na Gaeilge na ceisteanna maidir le léasanna áirithe. Mar a luaigh mé chomh maith sa bhfreagra sin, i gcomhréir le halt 5 dá Mheamram Airgeadais, chuir Foras na Gaeilge cás gnó cuimsitheach i leith léas ar cheannáras nua faoi bhráid na Ranna Urraíochta san dá dlínse anuraidh. Is féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil cead foirmeálta tugtha don chás gnó sin anois.
78. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she and the Minister for Finance will bring forward firm proposals for community banking following the recent public consultation on such banking models; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19872/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government envisaged that An Post, the Irish League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders would be asked to investigate and propose a new model of community banking, such as the Kiwibank model in New Zealand, which could be delivered through the post office network.
The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to investigate the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well-defined regions.
My Department is actively working with the Department of Finance to progress the Programme for a Partnership Government commitments. A public consultation process, seeking views on the community banking model, was launched in early March and ran for four weeks, to 29th March. My Department received a total of 16 replies from a range of stakeholders and all submissions are now available on my Department’s website at: www.ahrrga.gov.ie/consultation/consultation-on-local-community-banking.
Senior officials from my Department and the Department of Finance also met with representatives of the German Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation, Irish Rural Link and the Public Banking Forum of Ireland to discuss the viability of the Sparkassen model of local community banking in an Irish context.
All views received in relation to this matter are being considered and I anticipate that work on the examination of community banking models will be completed by the middle of the year. A report will be submitted to Government at that stage.
80. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has received or sought a legal opinion on whether sections of the proposed Heritage Bill may contravene EU directives such as the birds and habitats directives, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, the European Union (Natural Habitats) Regulations SI 94/1997 or the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that the sections in the Heritage Bill relating to wildlife provisions comply with EU Nature Directives and other national wildlife legislation.
81. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the deadline for the publication of all the reports of hare capture and hare returns for all hare coursing meetings for the 2016 and 2017 season. [20371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current 2016/17 coursing season finished at the end of February. It is intended to publish the various reports for the 2016/17 season compiled by the National Parks and Wildlife Service staff of my Department and the Irish Coursing Club on the NPWS website. It is expected that there will be some 200 separate reports - including NPWS ranger reports, ICC Reports, ICC Veterinary Reports - ranging over 70 coursing meetings. I understand that some reports are still outstanding from the Irish Coursing Club and, following an assessment of all these reports by my Department, arrangements will then be made to publish them as soon as possible.
The various reports for the 2015/16 coursing season have been published on the NPWS website.
82. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the pilot scheme to be run by her Department and the Department of Social Protection to establish a specific social protection payment for artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20385/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December, I announced that my Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection would devise a mechanism during 2017 to assist self-employed artists who have applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance. I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection on the matter and officials of our two Departments are working on this initiative in consultation with the Arts Council. The scheme will be a pilot scheme and is part of the Creative Ireland Programme launched in December. Details of the pilot scheme will be announced shortly.
83. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she expects to announce successful applications under the 2017 CLÁR programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20309/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on Friday the 31st March 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The allocation for CLÁR for 2017 is €5 million and funding is available under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure Needs
Measure 4: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for all applications under the 2017 CLÁR programme is Friday 5 May 2017 and it is anticipated that a large volume of applications will be received. The project assessment process is expected to be completed by the end of May at which time the successful applicants will be notified.
84. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has had discussions with Coillte or South Dublin County Council regarding proposals they have for the heritage sites of Masseys Estate and the Hell Fire Club; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApart from the archaeological investigations referred to in my reply to Question No. 299 on 28 March 2017, I am advised that no other proposals in the area concerned are currently the subject of consultations or discussions with the National Monuments Service of my Department.
85. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she expects to announce successful applications under the built heritage investment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20310/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures (i.e. structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures). The scheme supports heritage projects across the country in and creates employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas.
Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings, including the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.
I am delighted to be able to say that tomorrow I expect to announce a significant investment in both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund for 2017. These will now support a large number of projects across every local authority area in the country.
The administration of the Built Heritage Investment scheme is devolved to local authorities who are contacting successful applicants in the coming days. A circular outlining the terms of the scheme can be found on my Department’s website. Any queries about the operation of the scheme should be directed to the relevant local authority.
86. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs created since he took office to date in 2017, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20124/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment (ILO) in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2016.
Seasonally adjusted estimates of employment are produced at State level only. Changes in the seasonally adjusted QNHS employment series can be calculated on a quarterly basis as required, please see Table 1.
Estimates of employment (unadjusted) are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable County estimates from the QNHS. Changes in the unadjusted QNHS employment series are available on an annual basis only, please see Table 2.
Tables 1 and 2 show the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question. The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1 Seasonally adjusted series of persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO), Q2, Q3 and Q4 2016 and the change from Q2 to Q4 2016
'000
|
Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) |
Q2 16 |
Q3 16 |
Q4 16 |
Change from Q2 16 to Q4 16 |
|
All persons |
2,013.2 |
2,028.0 |
2,044.7 |
31.5 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q2=April-June, Q3=July-September, Q4=October-December.
Table 2 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NUTS2 and NUTS3 region, Q4 15 and Q4 16 and the annual change
'000
|
NUTS2 and NUTS3 Regions |
Q4 15 |
Q4 16 |
Annual Change |
|
Border, Midland and Western |
494.4 |
507.5 |
13.0 |
|
Border |
195.0 |
197.5 |
2.5 |
|
Midland |
120.8 |
121.6 |
0.8 |
|
West |
178.6 |
188.4 |
9.7 |
|
Southern and Eastern |
1,488.6 |
1,540.7 |
52.1 |
|
Dublin |
610.4 |
629.9 |
19.5 |
|
Mid-East |
235.8 |
241.6 |
5.8 |
|
Mid-West |
153.1 |
164.4 |
11.3 |
|
South-East |
205.4 |
214.8 |
9.4 |
|
South-West |
283.9 |
290.0 |
6.1 |
|
State |
1,983.0 |
2,048.1 |
65.1 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q4=October-December.
87. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the planned publication date for Irish Life Tables 17 by the Central Statistics Office. [20229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Life Tables are calculated based on population data from the census and 3 years mortality data centred on the census year. Therefore Irish Life Tables 17 will be based on population data from the 2016 census, and mortality data from the years 2015, 2016, and 2017. The Central Statistics Office intends to publish the Life Tables in early 2019, 3 years after the 2016 census.
88. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach the reasons for the ethnic and cultural categorisations currently used in the census, in view of concerns that they do not reflect the diversity of modern Ireland. [20854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ethnicity question on the census, which was first used in 2006, was agreed following consultation with various bodies such as the Equality Authority, Pavee Point and others.
The CSO works hard to ensure that the information collected on the census remains relevant to the changing needs of the economic and social life of the country. For the 2011 census there were two new questions and changes to eight other questions. The 2016 census on the other hand was run as a ‘no change’ census, meaning the questions on the form were the same as those used in 2011 with the exception of the question on marital status. New questions, or changes to existing questions, must be tested in advance to ensure they will provide meaningful results and be well understood by the public. However, given the budgetary circumstances that pertained during the planning phase of the 2016 census it was not possible to pursue this route and accordingly the ‘no change’ census option was implemented.
The ethnicity question, therefore, has remained unchanged since 2006.
The question has come in for criticism, by both individuals and various bodies. While information collected from the question in previous censuses has been beneficial to data users, the CSO accepts that the question as presently composed falls short of what could be expected in today’s multiracial Ireland. It is anticipated that in advance of the next census a full public consultation on the questions to be asked will be conducted, followed by a pilot test and consideration by an Expert Group. It is expected that the requirement for and formulation of the ethnicity question will be critically reviewed as part of that exercise.
