Written Answers Nos. 101-114
101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the proposed new town hall in Ballinrobe on the site of the old town hall; if the funding has been made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27615/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI, along with Minister Michael Ring T.D., met with the Ballinrobe Town Hall Committee in April last at their request.
During the meeting, the Committee presented its vision for a new town hall in Ballinrobe and outlined the business plan underpinning the venture. The Committee was interested in exploring whether any funding options were available from my Department which could support their own considerable fund-raising efforts. In this context, the discussion centred on the LEADER programme.
LEADER funding is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. The approval of LEADER funding for individual projects is a matter for the Local Action Groups in their respective areas and I have no function in relation to such matters.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
I understand that the Ballinrobe Town Hall Committee has been actively engaging with the LEADER structures in Mayo and that they are being assisted by the LEADER Local Action Group in the county.
Any decision to approve funding in respect of the proposed Ballinrobe Town Hall project will be a matter for the Mayo Local Action Group.
102. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the assessment of Coolrain bog special area of conservation, County Laois being conducted by consultants working on behalf of her Department; and the date on which she expects this to be completed. [27545/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2017-2022, due to be published in the coming period subject to Government approval, will set out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed.
Within the framework of the Plan, my Department is considering the available options in terms of relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs and other alternatives and the invocation of certain 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 and where there are no suitable alternatives.
Scientific contractors engaged by my Department have undertaken a preliminary review of the eco-hydrological conditions present on Coolrain Bog special area of conservation to examine the potential for continued turf-cutting on the site in accordance with the provisions of the Habitats Directive. A separate Raised Bog Monitoring and Assessment Survey report was prepared to outline the current ecological condition and location of active raised bog habitat and other raised bog habitats, listed in Annex 1 of the Directive, on the site.
The results of these studies are being considered by my Department within the framework of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2017-2022.
103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of engagement her Department has had with the Department of Education and Skills to implement the recommendations of the arts in education charter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27571/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she has taken to develop arts in education practices by professional artists in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27570/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 109 together.
The Creative Ireland Programme, which the Taoiseach and I launched in December, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children - to enable every child in Ireland to access tuition in music, drama, art and coding by 2022. My Department officials continue to work with relevant Departments and other stakeholders with a view to launching this plan in Autumn 2017.
The Creative Children plan will build on work to date in implementing the Arts in Education Charter to include the delivery of arts rich schools, making the arts a key part of school life across the country. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Youth and Children Affairs and the Arts Council to deliver the key objectives of the Charter within the wider context now of the Creative Ireland Programme to include non-mainstream education.
I am pleased to say that continuing professional development through teacher - artist partnerships is ongoing and this July will see a significant increase in the number of courses taking place across twenty one Education Centres throughout the country.
Arising from the significant increase of support of €5m which I secured for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017, I am also pleased that the Arts Council increased funding in this area for 2017 from €3.1m in 2016 to €3.7m this year.
These initiatives demonstrate the overall commitment of Government to deliver for children as we work in finalising the Creative Children plan.
104. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her future plans for the dormant accounts scheme which is administered by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27515/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012 provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post), and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. The Dormant Accounts Fund is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency.
The Acts provide for the disbursement of funds for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist:
- the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged;
- the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
- persons with a disability.
My Department's role in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund is to prepare a Disbursement Scheme every three years, which sets out the objectives to be achieved by making disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund and the strategies for achieving those objectives. My Department also co-ordinates the preparation of annual Action Plans in accordance with the three-year Disbursement Scheme. The Action Plans contain the details of specific programmes and projects for delivery across Government Departments.
A Disbursement Scheme for the period 2017-2019 was approved by Government on the 26th April 2017 and my Department is currently finalising a new Dormant Accounts Action Plan for 2017, following a detailed consultation process across Government Departments.
It is anticipated that the responsibility for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Scheme and annual Action Plans will be transferring to the new Department with responsibility for rural development and community development.
105. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps her Department has taken to protect heritage structures in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27516/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role, as Minister, 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 local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) is a State initiative to identify, record, and evaluate the post-1700 built heritage of Ireland, as an aid to its protection and conservation. The NIAH, which operates within my Department, has published surveys in respect of both Sligo and Leitrim and these have formed the basis for Ministerial recommendations to both local authorities for additions to their Record of Protected Structures. My Department has also published an introductory book to the built heritage of both counties.
The 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). I recently announced an allocation of €3.5m for over five hundred projects across the country, which will be supported by the scheme in 2017, including over €100,000 for sixteen projects in Sligo and three projects in Leitrim. The scheme will create employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas.
The Structures at Risk Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. Structures must be on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. The fund, administered through the local authorities, seeks to encourage the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and to help to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. I recently announced an allocation of over €1.3m for 67 projects countrywide that will be supported under the Structures at Risk Fund for 2017, including nearly €70,000 for three projects in Sligo and one project in Leitrim.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures. This 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. The latest returns to my Department from the local authorities indicate 272 structures on the Record of Protected Structures in Leitrim and 699 in Sligo.
I also have a role, as Minister, in terms of being a prescribed body under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2015, whereby development proposals that may impact on our built heritage are referred by planning authorities to my Department so that recommendations can be made as appropriate to avoid or mitigate any such impacts.
106. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the detail of her Department's ongoing work on the national cultural strategy up to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27511/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast July I published the draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach, which was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. I understand that the Committee is currently finalising a report on the draft framework policy which I will consider when received. I have also received submissions from various organisations on the draft document. Following receipt of the report from the Committee, it is my intention to finalise the Policy.
In the meantime, as referred to in my reply to the Deputy on 7 March, in December last, the Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme as the Government’s Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a high-level, high-ambition, all-of-Government initiative to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation. It focuses on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities, and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the 2016 commemorative programme.
An enabling budget of €5m has been allocated to the Creative Ireland Programme in 2017 and detailed plans for its implementation are currently being drawn up by my Department in consultation with partners across Government and with other key stakeholders. This includes an ambitious plan to deliver several initiatives by the end of 2017. Further details of these initiatives are available on http://creative.ireland.ie.
107. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the hen harrier threat response plan will be published. [27960/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department are working with the key Departments to finalise the draft Plan very soon. It will be shared for discussion with the Stakeholder Consultative Committee and will then undergo a public consultation and screening for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment.
Substantial work has been, and is being, carried out by my Department, and the other stakeholders, in setting the key issues around managing the recovery and conservation of the hen harrier population in Ireland, with full recognition of the concerns of landowners and the other key groups involved in the development of this Plan.
108. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the outcome of the forum she held with local action groups and the local development companies in relation to Leader; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27593/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she proposes to introduce improvements to the Leader administrative procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27592/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 113 together.
The LEADER programme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and has the capacity to deliver significant outcomes for rural areas.
I am committed to implementing the LEADER 2014-2020 programme as effectively and as efficiently as possible. However, I am also aware of concerns regarding some of the administrative procedures related to the programme, and I want to see these issues resolved to the greatest extent possible. In this regard, on 17th May last, I hosted a forum with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER, to explore the issues of concern to them and to identify potential solutions aimed at streamlining the current administrative and application procedures.
The forum, which was attended by more than 70 people, was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined and where the burden on project applicants could be reduced.
On the basis of the feedback at the forum, I gave a commitment to the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies present that I would implement a number of the suggestions put forward, while being mindful of the regulatory requirements associated with this EU co-financed programme.
My officials have reviewed all of the contributions made at the forum and have identified a substantial number of changes that can be made to 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 changes that we intend to make, in partnership with them in many instances.
My priority, in hosting the recent forum and developing action points for improving the delivery of the programme, has been on facilitating the work of the Local Action Groups and making LEADER funding more accessible for potential project applicants. I am confident that the changes I am planning to introduce will improve the delivery of the LEADER programme to the benefit of rural communities throughout the country, and I expect to see a substantial increase in project approvals in the second half of 2017.
110. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the attention of NPWS officials has been drawn to suspected cases of badger baiting in the past 12 months; if so, the details of those cases; and the outcome of investigations. [27348/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials 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 or “digging out” of badgers etc., with a view to initiating prosecutions where there is sufficient evidence to support same. Members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the Acts to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute if they see fit.
No prosecutions have been initiated by the NPWS in respect of badger-related wildlife offences in the last year. The last prosecution on record in my Department dates to September 2015, when the individual concerned pleaded guilty to two charges.
111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding detailed in the Action Plan for Rural Development that has been spent to date in 2017; and the number of persons or organisations that have financially benefitted from the town and village renewal scheme, a framework for town centre revival, the regional arts and cultural centres under the arts and culture capital scheme and the CLÁR programme. [27587/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development provides a framework for the coordinated delivery of over 270 actions across a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support the economic and social development of rural areas. These actions will see a multi-million Euro investment in schemes, programmes and projects which will benefit rural Ireland. Details of expenditure incurred in relation to individual actions in the Plan would be a matter for the relevant lead Department or body delivering the action. However, from my own Department’s perspective, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in April last and will provide funding of €20 million to up to 300 rural towns and villages over the next 12 months. The closing date for receipt of applications under this scheme is 30th June 2017; therefore no expenditure has yet been incurred under the 2017 scheme. In 2016, just under €10 million was allocated to 170 projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Earlier this year, I announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for 62 arts and culture centres across the country. This scheme will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces. A full list of organisations to benefit from funding under Stream 1 and 2 of the Arts and Cultural Capital Scheme 2016-2018 is available on my Department's website at www.ahrrga.gov.ie/minister-humphreys-announces-capital-funding-of-more-than-e9m-for-arts-and-cultural-centres/.
I also recently announced a new small capital grants Scheme (Stream 3) which will provide grants of up to €20,000 to not-for-profit organisations with a defined arts and cultural remit. Organisations with artists' studios were also eligible to apply under this new scheme, which had a closing date of 16 June 2017.
The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched in March, with applications invited under four different Measures. A total of just under €7 million has been allocated to approximately 230 projects across the four Measures over the last number of weeks. Details of the approved projects are available on my Department’s website at www.ahrrga.gov.ie/rural/rural-development/clar-2016/. 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.
112. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to expand the rural recreation programme in view of the increase in popularity of greenways and blueways; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27444/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development acknowledges the increasing popularity of recreational and activity tourism and includes a series of actions to maximise Ireland’s rural tourism and recreation potential. The 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme was launched on 28th April 2017 and 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
Details of the scheme are available at: www.ahrrga.gov.ie/minister-ring-launches-e11-million-outdoor-recreation-infrastructure-scheme-for-2017/.
The deadline for submission of applications under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme has just passed. A large number of applications have been received and will be assessed by my Department. The successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible following the assessment process.
The all-island body Waterways Ireland, which is co-funded by my Department, is responsible for the management, maintenance, development, and restoration of inland navigable waterways, primarily for recreational purposes. The body is responsible for developing and promoting Blueways on the Royal, Grand and Barrow Canals, and on the Shannon Navigation to expand their recreational and tourism offering. Waterways Ireland will make a capital investment of €6 million in Blueways over the period 2017-2019.
My Department also supports the ongoing maintenance of established walking trails all over Ireland through the Walks Scheme. A total of 39 trails are currently covered by the scheme. The Programme for a Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Ireland include a commitment to double the walks scheme during the lifetime of the Government and officials in my Department are currently examining ways in which this can be progressed.
Overall responsibility for policy and development of Greenways rests with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Minister recently launched a public consultation process on a “Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways”, details of which can be found at www.dttas.ie/publications.
