Joan Burton
Ceist:10. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the United Kingdom on 19 May 2017. [25365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficial Engagements
Ceisteanna (10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:11. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his conversation with the British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, on 24 May 2017. [25569/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Micheál Martin
Ceist:12. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his telephone conversation with Prime Minister May following the horrendous bomb attack in the Manchester Arena. [25626/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoan Burton
Ceist:14. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the contact he has had with the United Kingdom regarding the terrorist attack in Manchester on 22 May 2017. [25680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoan Burton
Ceist:15. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Prince Charles on 12 May 2017. [25681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:16. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to London on 19 May 2017. [25622/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, and 14 to 16, inclusive, together.
Former Taoiseach Kenny met with Prince Charles in Government Buildings on 12 May as part of the three day visit by the Prince and his wife Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall to Ireland.
They discussed various aspects of the Prince’s programme for the visit and the continued strength of the unique and important relationship between our two countries.
My predecessor travelled to London on 19 May for a number of engagements including an address to the Ireland Funds Great Britain London City Lunch. He also attended a Global Irish Network Breakfast event in the Embassy and visited the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith where he met a number of Enterprise Ireland clients.
He spoke by phone with Prime Minister May on 24 May following the terrorist attack in Manchester, and again on 11 June regarding the NI talks process and the proposed supply and confidence arrangement between her party and the DUP.
Question No. 13 resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 17 to 55, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 56 to 64, inclusive, answered orally.
Creative Ireland Programme
Ceisteanna (65)
James Browne
Ceist:65. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the future investment which is planned for the National Opera House, County Wexford, in line with the Creative Ireland Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27609/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Opera House in Wexford was constructed in 2008 – 2010 with funding of €31 million from my Department. My Department is engaging with the Office of Public Works and the National Opera House in terms of the ongoing capital needs to protect this public investment. The Office of Public Work had a key role in designing and managing the construction of the Opera House and has the necessary expertise in this area. My Department will, in turn, consider any requests for capital funding in the context of the advice provided by the OPW and in light of the resources available to the Department and the demands on those resources.
The National Opera House is a wonderful venue and is the home of Wexford Festival Opera which is one of the most successful festivals in the world. Recently Wexford Festival Opera won the highly coveted Best Festival category at the International Opera Awards in London ahead of other shortlisted leading international opera festivals in the UK, France, Italy and the United States.
We can all be proud of the achievements and excellence of the annual Wexford Opera Festival. The state-of-the-art Opera House allows the Festival to attract national and international audiences to experience the experience the Opera at the highest levels and is an inspiration for what this Government is seeking to achieve through the Creative Ireland Programme nationwide.
Action Plan for Rural Development
Ceisteanna (66)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:66. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the implementation of the action plan for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27547/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was launched in January of this year. The Plan contains 276 actions for delivery across a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other organisations to support the economic and social progress of rural Ireland. Every action has a defined timeline for completion and the organisations responsible for implementing each action are clearly identified.
The Government has committed to publishing progress reports on the implementation of the Action Plan every 6 months, with the first report due to be published in July. However, significant progress has already been made in implementing the Plan and for this reason, I decided last month to publish an interim Progress Report setting out the headline achievements made to date across Government under the Plan. Some examples of initiatives under my own Department’s remit include:
- the launch of the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme with funding of €20 million over 12-15 months to support the economic development of up to 300 towns and villages;
- the launch of 2017 CLÁR and Rural Recreation Infrastructure programmes, with combined funding of €16 million; and
- the investment of €9 million in 62 arts and culture centres across the country, with over 80% of this investment in rural areas.
Details of these and other actions across Government are available in the interim Progress Report on the Action Plan for Rural Development which is available on a dedicated website, www.ruralireland.ie, which is administered by my Department.
I am determined that the Action Plan for Rural Development will be implemented in full over its three-year lifespan and that it will make a real difference to the people who live and work in rural Ireland. I have put in place a comprehensive structure to ensure that all of the actions are robustly monitored, and a high level Monitoring Committee, which I chair, has been established to oversee the process.
Town and Village Renewal Scheme
Ceisteanna (67)
Martin Heydon
Ceist:67. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the 2017 town and village renewal scheme will differ from the 2016 scheme; when she expects to announce successful applicants under the 2017 scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27572/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. Funding of €20 million has been made available under the scheme which will support up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.
This year’s initiative builds on the 2016 scheme, including feedback from stakeholders, and a number of changes have been introduced to strengthen its impact.
The categories of eligible towns will remain unchanged, with a focus on towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000. However, the selection of projects will be by means of a national competitive process. Local Authorities have been instructed to advertise for expressions of interest from towns and villages who wish to be considered for funding.
Applications are particularly encouraged from projects which have clear positive economic impacts on a town or village, or which stimulate economic activity between a town and its neighbouring townlands. Projects which demonstrate leveraging of, or linkages with, complementary schemes operated by other Departments or agencies in areas such as tourism, heritage or business supports will also be favourably considered.
Timeframes in which to prepare applications have been extended, but projects must be in a position to commence during 2017 and be completed by mid-2018. Funding will issue in two tranches: 50% of the total allocation will be paid when a minimum of 20% of the total project cost has been expended, and the remainder will be paid on satisfactory completion of the project.
Funding is also available under the scheme for art works to enhance public spaces, as part of one or more project proposals submitted by each Local Authority.
The objective of these, and other changes which have been introduced this year, is to achieve greater impact from the investment in the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The closing date for receipt of applications through the Local Authorities is 30th June. The assessment of applications will commence immediately after this date, with the objective of announcing the successful applicants by the end of July.
Creative Ireland Programme
Ceisteanna (68)
James Browne
Ceist:68. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which she plans to promote the Norman Way under the Creative Ireland Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27610/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme 2017–2022 in December 2016 as the Government Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach, the draft cultural policy which I published in July 2016.
This is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. It focuses on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the 2016 commemorative programme. Further information on the programme, its key pillars and deliverables for 2017 is available online at https://creative.ireland.ie.
Pillar Two of the Programme – Enabling creativity in every community – is being implemented primarily through the local authorities who, as the primary instruments of community engagement, have a particular capacity for engaging citizens through local programme delivery including heritage initiatives and promotion.
A dedicated budget of €1m from the overall Creative Ireland Programme budget of €5m has been allocated to the local authorities towards the implementation of initiatives under Pillar Two including the publication of a Culture and Creativity Plan for each county. These plans were launched by the Taoiseach on the 25 May 2017 and are available online at https://creative.ireland.ie/en/local-plans.
Each plan includes a series of projects that will utilise the funding I have provided as well as a list of promotional events occurring in each county throughout the year.
It was a matter for the local authority to decide on what events/projects to fund and consider for inclusion in their Culture and Creativity Plans and I note that Wexford County Council included raising awareness about the Norman Way as one the projects/initiatives to be delivered in County Wexford in 2017 under the Creative Ireland Programme.
CLÁR Programme
Ceisteanna (69)
Ciaran Cannon
Ceist:69. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the 2017 CLÁR programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27575/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31st March 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Funding is available this year under four separate Measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
Applications under Measures 1, 2 and 3 were submitted through the Local Authorities, while Measure 4 was targeted at voluntary organisations involved in emergency rescue or first-response efforts. The closing date for applications under the 2017 CLÁR programme was 5th May 2017 and over 500 applications were received across the four measures.
Successful projects were announced over the last few weeks, with a total of just under €7 million allocated to approximately 230 projects across the four Measures. Details of the approved projects are available on the Rural Affairs pages of the website www.ahrrga.gov.ie. Payments will, in general, be made to the successful applicants on a phased basis when the projects have commenced and have made a satisfactory level of progress.
The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. Over 800 projects have now been approved for funding since the scheme was re-launched last year.
Commemorative Events
Ceisteanna (70)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:70. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the Decade of Centenaries commemorative events she has attended since 26 March 2016; and the commemorative events she hopes to attend during the remainder of 2017. [22974/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have attended a large number of commemorative events since Easter Saturday, 26th March 2016, as part of the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme.
The 1916 centenary commemorations were inclusive, respectful and measured and sought to strengthen peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. Never in the history of our State have so many of our citizens been involved in shared historical and cultural events that honoured the courage, dignity, and ideals of the events and personalities of that tumultuous time in our history. A million people came out on to the streets of Dublin over the Easter weekend in 2016 – in an extraordinary celebration and commemoration, the like of which we may never see again in our lifetimes.
Last year we also commemorated the Battle of the Somme. I travelled to the site of the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval in Northern France on July 1st to participate in the commemoration, which was jointly hosted by the French and British Governments. I returned to France in September, to remember the fateful events which took place in Guillemont 100 years previously.
This year I also attended official State ceremonies to commemorations to mark the Easter Rising and just last week, I attended commemorations of the Battle of Messines Ridge at the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines, which were jointly led by the Governments of Ireland and the UK, in partnership with the Mayor of Messines.
Commemorating these events has deepened our understanding of the context of that time – an understanding which is respectful of alternative perspectives and which has contributed towards a society that is more knowledge of its complex history.
The full list of State Ceremonial events which I attended since 26th March 2016, is set out in the table to this reply which will be published in the official report. In addition to these formal State ceremonial events, I attended a range of cultural, educational, historical and ceremonial events which were supported by the State, or led at local authority or community level.
As Minister with responsibility for Commemorations I will continue to attend many events over the coming period, including for example, the State Ceremonial event to honour poet Francis Ledgewidge in Slane on the 24th of June. In terms of the overall approach to the Decade of Centenaries, the Government will be continue to guided by the advice of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations in this regard.
|
Date |
State and Ceremonial Commemorative Event |
|
26/03/2016 |
State Commemoration in the Garden of Remembrance for those who died during the 1916 Rising. State Ceremonial Event in the RDS for the relatives of those who fought during the 1916 rising. |
|
27/03/2016 |
State Commemoration in Glasnevin Cemetery, including wreath-laying ceremonies at the Sigerson Monument and graves of Edward Hollywood and Peadar Kearney. Easter Sunday State Commemoration and Parade at the GPO. |
|
28/03/2016 |
Wreath-laying ceremony at Moore Street, which was one of a number of synchronised wreath-laying ceremonies on Easter Monday in Dublin and various regional locations. |
|
03/04/2016 |
Interfaith Service at Glasnevin Cemetery. |
|
10/04/2016 |
Rising to Reconciliation Ceremonial Event at the Abbey Theatre. |
|
24/04/2016 |
State Commemoration at Arbour Hill |
|
26/05/2016 |
State Ceremonial Event in Grangegorman Cemetery to remember the British Soldiers who died during the 1916 Rising. |
|
01/07/2016 |
Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme at the Thiepval Monument in France, jointly hosted by the French and British Governments. |
|
09/07/2016 |
State Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme at the Irish National War Memorial Park, Islandbridge |
|
03/09/2016 |
Wreath-laying ceremony at the location of the original Ginchy Cross at Guillemont, France. |
|
13/11/2016 |
Inauguration in Glasnevin Cemetery of the Ireland France Memorial, which commemorates the contribution of Irishmen to the defence and freedom of France. |
|
16/04/2017 |
State Commemoration in Glasnevin Cemetery, including wreath-laying ceremonies at the Sigerson Monument and graves of Edward Hollywood and Peadar Kearney. Easter Sunday State Commemoration and Parade at the GPO. |
|
03/05/2017 |
State Commemoration at Arbour Hill. |
|
09/06/2017 |
State commemoration at Wytschaete Cemetery. Joint Irish and British Commemoration of the Battle of Messines, Island of Ireland Peace Park, Messines. State commemoration at the graveside of Major Willie Redmond. |
Leader Programmes
Ceisteanna (71)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:71. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the value of projects approved fully to date in 2017 under the Leader programme 2014 to 2020 in County Donegal; the expenditure by her Department on projects to date in 2017 in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27607/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Funding Agreements with Local Action Groups (LAGs) for the delivery of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme were signed in the second half of 2016. Since then, the LAGs have been working to establish their programmes locally and encourage applications.
I am advised that the Local Action Group in Donegal has not yet approved any projects under the LEADER programme. However, I understand that more than 300 expressions of interest from potential applicants, with an estimated value of over €12 million, have been recorded in respect of Donegal on the LEADER ICT system. The LAG is currently working through these expressions of interest with a view to assisting project promoters to develop and finalise their project applications.
In light of concerns regarding the pace of approval of projects under the LEADER programme, I hosted a forum on 17th May last with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER, including those from Donegal. The forum provided a platform to explore the administrative issues impacting on project approvals, and to identify potential solutions to the issues identified.
The forum was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined. My officials reviewed all of the contributions made at the forum and identified a significant number of administrative changes that can be made to simplify and improve the delivery of the LEADER Programme. I have written to all of the Local Action Groups and Local Development Companies to update them on the measures that will be taken in the immediate future to improve the processes.
In light of the level of expressions of interest received in Donegal, and the administrative changes being introduced, I anticipate a significant increase in LEADER project approvals in Donegal over the coming months.
Cruinnithe an Aire
Ceisteanna (72)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:72. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici bualadh le haon eagraíocht Ghaeilge nó Ghaeltachta sa todhchaí. [27585/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Toisc go mbeidh na freagrachtaí reachtúla maidir leis an teanga tarmligthe domsa mar Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Gaeltachta, is ormsa go príomha a thitfidh an cúram casadh le heagrais Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, de réir mar is gá. Sa chomhthéacs sin, pléifear le haon cuirí a thagann faoi mo bhráid de réir mar a fhaighfear iad.
Ní mór dom a chur in iúl don Teachta go raibh caidreamh an-mhaith agam leis na heagrais Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta le linn mo théarma dheiridh mar Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta agus go bhfuil sé mar sprioc agam tógáil ar an gcaidreamh sin sa tréimhse atá amach romhainn.
National Museum
Ceisteanna (73)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:73. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on whether the new master plan issued by the National Museum of Ireland will meet her objectives for the institution. [27584/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Museum of Ireland is a valuable part of the cultural heritage of the State. Under the new Board which I appointed last year, the Museum is now planning for the future in a strategic fashion and is in the process of finalising a master plan to provide for its future development. The plan has not yet issued but I do look forward to engaging with the Museum over the coming period before it is finalised.
The master plan for the Museum will also to be considered in the wider policy context of Government policy on the arts area including the Creative Ireland Programme. The Creative Ireland Programme is the Government's Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 – a five year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. The Government recognises that high quality infrastructure is critical for a vibrant arts and culture sector and that investment in cultural infrastructure underpins social cohesion and supports strong and sustainable economic growth. In line with this my Department is supporting the National Cultural Institutions in preparing ambitious but realistic investment plans, building on the progress already underway, to address infrastructure deficiencies in a planned and measured way. In particular, my Department is working on the development of an overall capital strategy for the cultural and heritage sector.
The Museum's plan, when finalised, will provide a valuable long-term roadmap for the development of this valuable cultural institution as part of this overall capital strategy.
Legislative Programme
Ceisteanna (74)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:74. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider delaying the passage of the current Heritage Bill and commission a study of the impact of recent wild fires on wildlife in affected areas to ascertain the damage such burning will do to wildlife. [27568/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.
Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures is included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016.
The Bill recently completed its passage through Seanad Éireann and is now before Dail Éireann. In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts remain in force.
While my Department will assess the damage done by recent gorse fires, I do not believe that these incidents are related to the provisions in the Heritage Bill relating to burning and hedge cutting. This matter can of course be raised in the context of discussions on the Bill in Dáil Éireann.
Rural Recreation Promotion
Ceisteanna (75)
Martin Heydon
Ceist:75. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the 2017 rural recreation programme; her views on the potential to develop new tourism amenities such as a location (details supplied) in County Kildare through this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27573/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme was launched on 28th April 2017 as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. The scheme will provide funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland. Building on the 2016 Rural Recreation Scheme, the 2017 scheme has been enhanced and will provide funding of €11 million over a period of 15 months under the following measures:
Measure 1: Small Scale Maintenance/Promotion and Marketing
Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail Development
Measure 3: Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategy Trail Development
The closing date for receipt of applications under Measures 1 and 2 was 31st May 2017 and the closing date for Measure 3 applications was 16th June 2017.
Projects such as the amenity mentioned by the Deputy would be eligible for funding under Measure 3. However, no application has been received in respect of the amenity in question under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on this occasion.
Nonetheless, I am aware that there are a number of towns and villages along the amenity that provide a range of services and facilities to visitors and I believe that continued development of the amenity will serve to support the economic development of the area as a whole.
Action Plan for Rural Development
Ceisteanna (76)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she expects to be in position to identify particular towns or regions in respect of which grant assistance will be offered especially those areas deemed to have suffered particularly during the economic downturn; if her Department will co-operate with the local authorities with a view to a co-ordinated redevelopment programme to enhance, upgrade and improve the commercial, social and economic attractiveness of such locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23rd January last, provides a policy framework for a coordinated approach to rural development across Government.
The Plan contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
A number of the measures come under the remit of the Rural Affairs Division based in my Department, and include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, LEADER and CLÁR. All of these schemes seek to address the issues encountered by rural areas which have suffered during the economic downturn. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, in particular, is aimed at improving the commercial, social and economic attractiveness of rural towns and villages. My Department is also developing a pilot initiative to increase residential occupancy in rural town and village centres. It is hoped that this pilot can be launched later this year.
The Local Authorities are closely involved in the delivery of all of the initiatives referred to. A key requirement of many of the schemes operated by my Department is that projects proposed for funding by the Local Authorities are identified in co-operation with relevant local stakeholders, with particular reference to the Local Economic and Community Plans of the Local Authorities. The LEADER programme has its own community-led local development structure which is based around Local Development Strategies.
My Department engages with the Local Authorities on an on-going basis and my officials are available at all times to provide guidance for Local Authorities with regard to applications and to assist with any queries arising.