Written Answers Nos. 225-242
225. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether members of the Policing Authority or the policing commission should stand aside from their position on either organisation if they are applying for the job of Garda Commissioner. [40657/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether it would be appropriate for a member of the Policing Authority or the policing commission to be a candidate for the post of Garda Commissioner. [40658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether members of the Policing Authority should be part of the process of preparing the competition for the new Garda Commissioner post if they are actually intent on applying for the post. [40659/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 to 227, inclusive, together.
The Policing Authority under section 9 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) has responsibility for nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the post of Garda Commissioner, following a selection process undertaken by the Public Appointments Service.
This will be the first time that the new legislative process is utilised and I do not believe that it would wise to seek to exclude any candidate who meets the agreed eligibility criteria from the selection competition. As with all such competitions, high standards of probity, merit, equity and fairness must apply. In this regard the Authority, in accordance with good governance, has a Code of Conduct for Members and Staff of the Authority in place. The Code is available on the Authority's website(www.policingauthority.ie) and I would refer the Deputy to section 9 which addresses the management of potential conflicts of interest. All members and staff are required to sign a declaration agreeing to be bound by the Code. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that the Authority has appropriate processes and procedures in place to address any potential conflict of interest in the event that a member is considering putting themselves forward for the post.
I have consulted with the chair of the Authority about a process to identify and appoint a permanent Commissioner to An Garda Síochána. We agreed that it is crucial that a deliberate and considered recruitment process takes place so that the best possible candidate is appointed. In this regard, the Government will support the Authority in its work. The Commission on the Future of Policing has no direct role in the recruitment process but the chair has also written to me on behalf of the Commission regarding the timescale for the process and I am considering their advice in that context.
228. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations that operate a text alert scheme; the amount it would cost to extend this measure to each Garda station in operation; and the number of persons that are signed up to existing text alert schemes. [40662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government underlines the need for close engagement between An Garda Síochána and local communities. This is an essential feature of the strong community policing ethos which has long been central to policing in this jurisdiction. The Deputy will also be aware that as part of the overall strategy to oppose criminality, the Garda authorities pursue a range of partnerships with community stakeholders; for example, the well established Community Alert Programme and the highly successful Garda Text Alert Scheme to name but a few.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. In this regard I welcome the strong emphasis placed by An Garda Síochána on the Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, on further developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. Proposed initiatives include the establishment of local Community Policing Teams (CPTs) headed by an Inspector and made up of Gardaí from across a range of areas to proactively work with the community to prevent and detect crime; and the establishment of Community Safety Fora in every District comprising local Gardaí, local communities and key stakeholders.
Since the Garda Text Alert scheme was launched in September 2013, it has developed as an important crime prevention mechanism with over 700 local groups involving in excess of 130,000 subscribers and with an estimated 200,000 text messages sent each month under the scheme. Every Garda Division, rural and urban, now offers the text alert service and An Garda Síochána has published guidelines to assist in the establishment and operation of local groups.
The Deputy might wish to note that funding from my Department is not used to provide direct assistance to any local Community Alert (or Text Alert) Groups, but is allocated for the employment and associated costs of the national Community Alert programme, including the employment of regional Development Officers. These Development Officers, operating in Muintir Na Tíre, provide support to Community and Text Alert schemes and offer advice on how to establish new schemes. The long-standing view has been that this is the best use of the resources available to the Department to support effective community crime prevention actions.
At the National Ploughing Championships this year, I was pleased to announce that an additional €100,000 was being made available to Text Alert Groups, registered with An Garda Síochána, to provide modest financial assistance with the running costs they incur each year. This Text Alert Rebate Scheme will be administered by Muintir na Tíre and Groups wishing to participate at the Scheme can find more details at www.muintir.ie.
229. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is a national policy in relation to the treatment of Japanese knotweed; the steps being taken to control the spread of this plant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40440/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
In law, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a matter for landowners. In this regard, my Department carries out considerable work on controlling invasive species in National Parks and Nature Reserves.
There is significant work also being carried out at present by a range of agencies in this area, including a number of local authorities. In addition, the Management of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS), led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is a €5.5 million project aimed at managing invasive knotweed and other non-native invasive plant species, over the next 5 years, on the national road network and its interactions with regional roads. The project involves collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS).
While my Department does not collect data from local authorities on the incidence of Japanese Knotweed in their areas, information on the distribution of invasive species in Ireland, including Knotweed, is available on the invasive species section of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) website at http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie.
My Department has also worked closely over the years with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to fund and manage the Invasive Species Ireland Project. Information on general management approaches to invasive plant species is available from the Invasive Species Ireland website: http://invasivespeciesireland.com/toolkit/invasive-plant-management/.
230. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to purchase the Yeats family collection; and if not, the reason therefor. [40174/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a long standing policy of the State not to comment one way or another in its interests or otherwise on items that may be coming up for auction.
231. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will commit to the long-term goal of increasing arts funding to the European average of 0.6% of GDP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 388 on 7 March 2017. The position remains unchanged.
232. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work her Department has carried out with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to develop a mechanism for artists that have applied for jobseeker's benefit as part of the Creative Ireland programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40266/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, together with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, launched a new pilot initiative on 12 June last to make it easier for artists and writers to access social welfare supports.
The initiative which was a key commitment under the Creative Ireland Programme, aims to assist self-employed artists who apply to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for Jobseekers Allowance. The pilot initiative, which will be reviewed after one year, applies to visual artists and writers.
Under the new mechanism, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will provide for the classification of self-employed professional artists in consultation with representative artists organisations such as the Visual Arts Ireland and the Irish Writers Centre.
This new mechanism allows artists to be classified as self-employed for the purposes of accessing social welfare supports. The normal checks and balances will apply to ensure the initiative is not open to abuse, but my hope is that this will make it much easier for professional artists to access social welfare supports when they need them.
Confirmation of self-employed artist status must be obtained from the Visual Arts Ireland or the Irish Writers Centre. Such artists would not be subject to the activation process for 12 months. The other conditions associated with jobseeker’s allowance will continue to apply, as they do for all other claimants.
233. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work her Department has carried out with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment regarding the development of screen-based creative industries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40267/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has commissioned an economic analysis of our screen based creative industries, in partnership with the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Business, Enterprise and Innovation. This study will examine the economic impact including employment and the potential of the Irish film, TV and animation sector. Following an open tender process, Olsberg SPI Ltd in association with Nordicity, was selected to conduct the study in November last year. The commissioning of the study was also a commitment in the Action Plan for Jobs 2016.
The recommendations of the economic study will inform the development of the plan envisaged under the Creative Ireland Programme for an industry wide, long term plan for Ireland as a global hub for the production of film, TV Drama and animation.
On 5 May last, I hosted a very successful Media Production Workshop at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham which attracted attendance by representatives of the film, broadcast, animation and gaming industries. The outcomes of this event will also input into the consultant's study and the proposed Government plan. The economic study is due to be completed shortly and will underpin a Government plan for the audio-visual industry to be published later this year.
234. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work her Department has carried out with the Department of Education and Skills on enabling the creative potential of every child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40268/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently engaging with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to Pillar 1 of the Creative Ireland Programme - Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child. Substantial progress has been made in relation to this Pillar and it is intended that a plan to Enable the Creative Potential of Every Child will be launched later this year.
235. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work her Department has carried out with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government regarding the provision of suitable studio places for arts and implementation of initiatives under pillar two of Creative Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40269/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has had general discussions with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in relation to providing support to local authorities under Pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme - Enabling the Creativity in Every Community. As part of this pillar each of the 31 local authorities has produced a 2017 Creative Ireland Plan which were formally launched on the 25th May 2017.
Each of the local authorities is now in the process of producing a more detailed 2018 Creative Plan setting out a five-year vision for local creativity. These plans will set out a range of initiatives to be implemented under Pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme. Local authorities can use these plans to identify the issue of the provision of suitable studio places for the arts, where that is appropriate.
In terms of practical support, so far this year I have announced funding of over €10 million under my Department's Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 to a total of 122 arts organisations around the country in 2017. This allocation included over €900,000 in funding for 12 projects involving artist's studios and creative spaces. In addition, as part of the Government’s initiative on the North East Inner City, I awarded a grant of €35,000 last year to Fire Station Artists' Studios, Buckingham Street, to assist in providing additional studio space in conjunction with Dublin City Council.
My Department has also had discussions with the Arts Council, Dublin City Council and the OPW to consider some possible short-term and longer-term approaches to the issue, both in relation to specific issues in Dublin and to wider national approaches.
236. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of landowners and persons with turbary rights in areas of raised bog, natural heritage area network that is scheduled for de-designation; the number of hectares in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40288/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2014 Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. Arising from this review, 46 natural heritage areas (including parts of 7 sites) are scheduled for de-designation.
The number of active turf plots in the sites to be de-designated identified as part of the review was 2,707.
The number of hectares of land to be de-designated by county is set out in the following table:
|
County |
Hectares of land to be de-designated |
|
Clare |
749 |
|
Galway |
6149 |
|
Kerry |
151 |
|
Kildare |
129 |
|
Laois |
184 |
|
Leitrim |
518 |
|
Longford |
508 |
|
Meath |
290 |
|
Offaly |
918 |
|
Roscommon |
2999 |
|
Tipperary |
1150 |
|
Westmeath |
316 |
|
Total |
14061 |
237. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the legal advice on behalf of the local authority involved in the Cork event centre; if she is seeking or has sought and received legal advice; if her Department officials have met in person with officials from the local authority or the contractor; if so, the dates on which they met; and the date for a decision to be made on funding. [40442/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cork Event Centre is a project being developed and managed by Cork City Council and the Council is responsible for delivery of the centre.
My Department allocated a capital grant of €12 million to Cork City Council towards the overall cost of the Centre. This allocation is subject to a Service Level Agreement with Cork City Council which lays out the conditions of the grant. My Department has not sought legal advice in relation to the proposed project at this stage and has not seen sight of any legal advice provided to the City Council.
Officials from my Department continue to liaise with Cork City Council on this project on an ongoing basis.
238. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the value of Irish Film Board, IFB, loans that have been issued each year for the past ten years; the default rate of these loans; if firms that have been in default have been afforded new loans subsequently; the amount of unpaid loans to date in 2017 within the scheme; and the number of full-time jobs in the industry that are created as a result of each euro afforded by the IFB loan scheme. [40509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for development, production and distribution is provided by the Irish Film Board through a range of programmes which is available to view on its funding webpage at the following link: http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/funding_programmes/.
Since 2012 IFB funding awards are announced on a quarterly basis and reflect decisions made by its Board during each quarterly period. It should be noted that these funding decisions reflect offers of funding only.
All the information regarding IFB loans advanced and the repayment/recoupment of those loans can be found in the IFB annual reports which can be viewed online on its Reports and Publications webpage at the following link: http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/reports/?category_id=3. The accounting policies in relation to IFB loans are also documented in their annual report
The Irish Film Board is statutorily independent in relation to its funding and executive decisions. In terms of the economic benefit of investing in the film industry in general, this is an issue which is being considered in the context of an economic study of the audio-visual industry which my Department has commissioned in association with the Film Board, the Department of Communications, Environment and Climate Action and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Employment.
239. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén deontas atá ceadaithe do Choláiste Chonnacht le hathchóiriú a dhéanamh ar a shealúchas; cé na coinníollacha a bhaineann leis an gceadú sin maidir le hiontaobhaithe; cé na coinníollacha a bhaineann le híocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla nó páirt-íocaíochtaí den deontas a íoc; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40568/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCheadaigh mo Roinn deontas nach mó ná €29,600 (nó 80% den chostas, cibé acu is lú) ar 9 Feabhra 2017 le cumasú d'Iontaobhas Coláiste Chonnacht oibreacha athchóirithe a dhéanamh ar chóras leictreachais an choláiste. Ceadaíodh an deontas sin ar an mbunús go gcomhlíonfaí gnáth-coinníollacha na Roinne a chuirtear lena leithéid de dheontas chomh maith le coinníoll nach n-íocfaí aon chuid den deontas go dtí go mbeadh cruthúnas cur ar fáil, chun sástacht na Roinne, ag taispeáint go bhfuil an t-iontaobhas tagtha ar shocrú maidir le struchtúr nua úinéireacht an choláiste. Ghlac an t-iarratasóir i scríbhinn leis na coinníollacha seo.
Cé gur déanadh roinnt dul chun cinn maidir le hathstruchtúrú an iontaobhais, níor sáraíodh na deacrachtaí uile. I litir dár data 10 Lúnasa 2017, leag an Roinn amach proiseis ar mhaithe le cúnamh a thabhairt chun dul i ngleic leis na constaicí seo ina cuimsíodh bealaigh gur féidir ionadaíocht a bheith ag eagrais pobail an cheantair ar aon iontaobhas nua.
D'aithnigh an Roinn freisin an gá a bheadh le hionadaíocht a bheith ag an iontaobhas atá ann faoi láthair in aon struchtúr nua. Léiríodh sa litir go mbeadh an Roinn sásta íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh ag brath ar dhul chun cinn ar an athstruchtúrú seo.
Leanfaidh mo Roinn ag obair i gcomhar leis an deontaí agus páirtithe leasmhara eile sa chaoi is go mbeifear in ann an deontas iomlán a chúiteamh chomh luath agus is féidir, ach na coinníollacha atá leagtha síos a bheith comhlíonta.
240. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí faoin phlean atá aici maidir le deontais feabhsúcháin tithíochta a chur ar bun in athuair i gceantair Ghaeltachta, agus an aontaíonn sí go mbeadh a leithéid riachtanach chun tacú le teaghlaigh chun cónaí i gceantair Ghaeltachta, mar spreagadh do theaghlaigh chun filleadh ar cheantair ina bhfuil laghdú tagtha ar an daonra le breis agus 10 mbliana anuas. [40573/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá Achtanna na dTithe Gaeltachta faoina mbíodh cúnamh ar fáil chun cabhrú le gnóthaí títhíochta sa Ghaeltacht ar fionraí ó 7 Aibreán 2009 agus nil sé beartaithe é a mhúscailt faoi láthair.
Ní miste a mheabhrú don Teachta ar ndóigh go bhfuil fáil ag muintir na Gaeltachta, ach an oiread leis an gcuid eile den tír, ar na scéimeanna agus na tacaíochtaí éagsúla atá ar fáil mar a bhaineann sé le gnóthaí tithíochta, lena n-áirítear scéimeanna na nÚdarás Áitiúil agus SEI.
241. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth go bhfuil an Roinn ag diúltú dul i gcomhairle le Coiste Thrá Mhachaire Rabhartaigh; cén fáth go bhfuil an roinn ag diúltú castáil leis an choiste; cén fáth go bhfuil an roinn ag diúltú glacadh leis an choiste mar ionadaithe don chéidh; cén fáth nach bhfuil an roinn sásta moltaí an choiste a chur san áireamh; cén fáth go bhfuil an roinn ag léiriú neamhshuim iomlán sa chéidh; an mbeidh sí sásta castáil leis an choiste áitiúil ar an láthair leis an cheist thábhachtach seo a phlé; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40574/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs faoi chúram Comhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall atá Cé Mhachaire Rabhartaigh. É sin ráite, tá mé agus tá mo Roinn sásta éisteacht le haon mholtaí maidir leis an gcé úd tagaidís ón gComhairle Chontae nó ó Choiste Thrá Mhachaire Rabhartaigh.
Mar eolas don Teachta, bhí cruinniú agam le toscaireacht ó Oileán Thoraí Dé hAoine seo caite (22 Meán Fómhair) agus pléadh forbairt Ché Mhachaire Rabhartaigh i gcomthéacs riachtanais na seirbhíse farantóireachta go Toraigh. Tá iarrtha agam anois ar oifigigh mo Roinne tús a chur leis na próisis pleanála cuí chun bád sainlasta a chur ar fáil le freastal ar phobal an oileáin agus chun an ché a fhorbairt le freastal ar riachtanais an bháid sin. Mar chuid den phróiseas pleanála seo, beidh oifigigh mo Roinne lán sásta dul i gcomhairle le Coiste Thrá Mhachaire Rabhartaigh agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile chun a bhfuil beartaithe a phlé.
242. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí cuntas ar an dul chun cinn maidir le scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga, ag eascairt as an ráiteas poiblí a rinne an t-iarAire Stáit, go háirithe maidir leis na postanna breise a cheadaigh an tAire ach nár líonadh, go háirithe na ceithre scoil i gContae Dhún na Gall (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40575/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraD'fhógair mé le gairid go bhfuil allúntas iomlán ar fiú €784,442 ceadaithe do Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga don scoilbhliain 2017/18. As an allúntas iomlán sin, tá €551,813 curtha ar fáil do Mhuintearas Teo agus €232,629 ceadaithe do Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne chun an scéim a riaradh thar ceann na Roinne.
Is ionann an t-allúntas seo agus an deontas a ceadaíodh anuraidh don scoilbhliain 2016/2017. Cé is móite de scoil amháin atá i gceantar feidhme Mhuintearas Teo, SN na Trá Báine a aithníodh in ionad SN Choill an tSidheáin atá dúnta anois, is ionann na scoileanna atá aitheanta faoin scéim sa scoilbhliain reatha agus a aithnníodh in 2016/17.
Mar a luadh sa bhfreagra ar Cheist Dála Uimhir 992 ar 20 Meitheamh 2017 agus 689 ar 2 Bealtaine 2017, tá sé beartaithe athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an scéim mar chuid d'fheidhmiú an an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 a seoladh i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2016 agus atá á chur i bhfeidhm ag an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara eile, mo Roinnse san áireamh - mar chuid d'fheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge.
Tá i gceist go dtosóidh an t-athbhreithniú sin go luath agus beifear ag súil leis go gcuimseofar, mar chuid de, na critéir cháilithe go mba chóir don Roinn a bheith á gcur san áireamh feasta chun críche aitheantais faoi scéim na gcúntóirí teanga i gcomhthéacs fheidhmiú an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta agus an phróisis pleanála teanga araon.
