Gerry Adams
Ceist:18. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet Committee E (Health) last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [46587/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCabinet Committee Meetings
Ceisteanna (18, 19)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:19. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee E (Health) will next meet. [46797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
Cabinet Committee E last met on 12 September and is scheduled to meet again on 23 November.
Question No. 20 resubmitted.
Departmental Functions
Ceisteanna (21)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:21. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the international, European Union and Northern division of his Department. [46588/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of the Taoiseach has an amalgamated International, EU and Northern Ireland Division headed by a Second Secretary General, who also acts as the Irish Sherpa for EU business, including Brexit issues.
The work of the Division includes supporting the work of Cabinet Committee C, which deals with EU affairs, including Brexit, and supports me in my role as a member of the European Council. In particular, this Cabinet Committee assists the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit issues including input to the negotiation process, both on the issues that are of unique or particular concern to Ireland, and more generally.
The Division prepares me for engagement on a wide range of EU issues, as well as the debate on the future of Europe, and supports efforts to develop our strategic alliances in a post-Brexit scenario.
The Division also supports me in my International role and in all of my international engagements ensuring that they are strategically aligned with, and effectively advance, the Government's priorities, with a particular focus on driving job creation, sustainable economic development, trade, tourism and investment and on protecting and promoting our strategic interests internationally.
The Division also provides advice and support to me in relation to Northern Ireland Affairs and British Irish relations, and Brexit issues in that context. Staff in other divisions also contribute to the work on Brexit. For example the Economic Policy Division advises me on economic policy aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth, with a particular focus on jobs and competitiveness including possible economic impacts of Brexit.
In all of its work across international, EU and British and Northern Ireland issues, my Department works closely with other relevant Departments including, in particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which has lead responsibility for most policy matters in these areas, including Brexit.
Question No. 22 resubmitted.
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Ceisteanna (23)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:23. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the role of the Government security committee; when it last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [46589/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The role of Cabinet Committee F is to keep the State's systems for the analysis of, preparation for, and response to, threats to national security under review and to provide for high-level coordination between relevant Departments and agencies on related matters. The Cabinet Committee will allow greater ministerial involvement in preparing for and managing major security threats.
The Committee last met on 9 November 2017. It is expected that the Committee will meet again early in the New Year.
Questions Nos. 24 and 25 resubmitted.
Programme for Government
Ceisteanna (26)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:26. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a progress report on the programme for Government. [46796/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government Annual Report was published on 10 May setting out the progress made on more than 300 commitments across all of Government over the proceeding 12 months.
This Report provides a comprehensive update on the progress of the commitments in its first year and highlights very specific plans which have been put in place to address in the short and longer term, key areas of housing, homelessness, education, rural and regional development, job creation, broadband, agriculture and climate change.
The report also highlights the ambition and steps to improve services for families, children, people with disabilities and mental health problems, older people including key reforms necessary in the health and justice sectors.
It also reflects the significant work undertaken to ensure an effective whole-of-government approach to the Brexit negotiations that takes full account of the Government’s negotiating priorities.
Work is underway on a further interim Progress Report to reflect work advanced by the Government since May which is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Question No. 27 resubmitted.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (28)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:28. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with a person (details supplied). [47003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
During a recent visit to Seattle, I met with CEO of Apple, Tim Cook and his executive team. During our discussions, Mr. Cook highlighted the company’s very positive and long-standing experience of their Irish-based operations. He briefed me on the company’s data centre needs, and confirmed that Apple will consider the Athenry site in the context of future business requirements. I advised the company of the Irish Government's approach, including the recent decision to designate data centres as strategic infrastructure for planning purposes. We also had a brief discussion regarding the European Commission’s State Aid case, and on regional and global economic challenges including Brexit.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (29)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagements and meetings while he was in the United States of America. [47004/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I undertook a three day visit to Seattle, Silicon Valley and San Francisco from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd November. In Seattle, I spoke at an event attended by approximately 250 people from Seattle’s business community, as well as local Irish community representatives.
Also in Seattle, I met with representatives of both Amazon and Microsoft, who between them employ over 5,000 people in Ireland.
In Silicon Valley, I visited the headquarters of a number of companies with significant investments and operations in Ireland, including Cisco, Facebook, Google and Apple.
In San Francisco, I spoke at a reception in City Hall hosted by Mayor Ed Lee, and attended by approximately 300 Irish-American business and community leaders. I spoke about Ireland's economic and social transformation, Ireland-US relations, and the strong and vibrant Irish Community in San Francisco and the Bay Area. I also had the opportunity to meet with the family of Ashley Donoghue, one of the victims of the 2015 Berkeley tragedy.
Also in San Francisco, I spoke at an Enterprise Ireland business networking event attended by 250 people where I used the opportunity to promote the strength of Ireland’s innovation ecosystem and highlight the depth of our highly skilled workforce. I also met with representatives of a number of Enterprise Ireland clients exhibiting at the event.
I officially opened the new San Francisco office of Irish company, Linesight, which is projecting job increases of 200 worldwide in 2018, including approximately 90 jobs in Ireland. I also attended the announcement by IDA client company Twilio that it has chosen Dublin as the location for its EMEA headquarters, with the establishment of 100 jobs.
Also in San Francisco, I attended a Tourism Ireland event with representatives of the travel industry and airlines, where I had the opportunity to promote Ireland’s tourism offering. Finally, I visited Lucas Film studio and heard from production executives there about the positive experience of Ireland as a location for the Star Wars series.
Overall, my visit to the West Coast was very positive, and a great opportunity to further develop the strong links between Ireland and the United States, as well as promote Ireland's priorities in the context of Brexit and other global developments.
Questions Nos. 30 to 41, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 42 to 51, inclusive, answered orally.
State Bodies Code of Conduct
Ceisteanna (52)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:52. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take to ensure that bodies in receipt of State funding have in place good governance structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47853/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Priority Question No 44.
All bodies under the aegis of my Department are subject to the Revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies which came into effect in September 2016.
The Code, which is published on the Department of Public expenditure and Reform's website sets out the respective roles of parent Departments, Boards and Chairs of individual bodies chairperson, and includes details of the Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreements to be entered into by both parties.
The implementation of the Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreements by individual bodies is monitored by officials of my Department who meet with the individual bodies on a regular basis to review progress in relation to performance objectives and governance matters.
All recipients of State Funding, either directly from my Department or through an intermediary funding body, are also subject to the provisions of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular: 13/2014 Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds which outlines the public financial management principles, procedures, and additional reporting requirements to be followed in the management of grant funding provided from public money.
In addition to the above last week I announced a series of measures designed to support bodies in meeting their governance obligations.
These include:
- Arranging training for board members and senior management staff of bodies directly reporting to the Department in the area of governance in general, and on issues relating to bullying and harassment in the workplace. My Department is also working on a collaborative basis with the Arts Council to make similar training available to other cultural organisations and arts centres around the country at a series of regional information days;
- Highlighting again to bodies reporting to the Department the nature of their legal obligations, by immediately writing to them to seek assurances of their compliance with obligations under employment legislation (the Employment Equality Acts, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, and the Employment Equality Act 1998 (Code of Practice) (Harassment) Order 2012); and
- Accelerating a planned review of compliance by bodies reporting to the Department with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
I am confident that these support measures will contribute to the further enhancement of existing governance structures in bodies in receipt of state funding.
Bullying in the Workplace
Ceisteanna (53)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:53. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she or the Arts Council received information regarding sexual harassment or bullying in a theatre (details supplied); and her plans to constitute an independent investigation concerning the allegations. [47914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Let me assure the Deputy that neither I nor my Department received allegations or information on sexual harassment or bullying in the organisations referred to by the Deputy prior to the recent alarming allegations and reports. Nor am I aware that the Arts Council had received any such information.
The governance of publicly funded theatres, as with all bodies, is a matter for the Board of the theatres themselves. All boards have a duty to ensure that their bodies comply with statutory requirements and to ensure that their staff can work in a safe and respectful environment. In this case I understand that the theatre in question has now brought in a respected independent expert to carry out a review of the allegations that have been made.
However, I have invited the group of eight leaders from Irish theatre organisations, who recently co-signed a statement condemning sexual harassment and abuse of power in the theatre in Ireland, to meet with me and the Arts Council this week. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss ways in which the Department and the Arts Council together can support the sector in creating a safe culture and environment for those working in the industry.
As I have said I believe that working together my Department, the Arts Council and leading members of theatre organisations can encourage a safe and respectful environment free from abuse of power and sexual harassment.
I have also identified a number of actions that I can take as Minister in relation to the bodies reporting to my Department. The intention is to help boards under the aegis of my Department fulfil their functions more effectively, and to support them in ensuring that policies in relation to equality and respect in the workforce operate effectively in line with best practice. These actions include:
- Arranging separate dedicated Governance workshops for board members and senior staff with a particular emphasis on issues relating to bullying, abuse of power and sexual harassment in the workplace;
- Working on a collaborative basis with the Arts Council to make similar training available to other cultural organisations and arts centres around the country at a series of regional information days; and
- Highlighting once again to bodies reporting to the Department the nature of their legal obligations, by seeking assurances of their compliance with obligations under employment legislation.
Commemorative Events
Ceisteanna (54)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the dates and locations of each national Famine memorial day since 2008; the proposed date and location for 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47909/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Famine Commemoration was announced by the then Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2008 at an official reception to complement a community event held in Dublin that day. The inaugural meeting of the National Famine Commemoration Committee was subsequently held in July of that year. Its main tasks were to consider the most appropriate arrangements for future national commemorations of the Great Famine and to organise such commemorations in 2009 and following years.
The first National Famine Commemoration to integrate both local input and formal State ceremonials was held in Skibbereen in 2009. Since then, the event has been held annually in a similar dual format in Murrisk (2010), Clones (2011), Drogheda (2012), Kilrush (2013), Strokestown (2014), Newry (2015), Glasnevin Cemetery (2016) and this year in Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary.
As I announced recently, the 2018 National Famine Commemoration will take place next May in University College Cork.
The Decision to hold the National Famine Commemoration for 2018 in UCC was taken by the National Famine Commemoration Committee earlier this year in recognition of the University's long tradition of research and study of the Famine including the publication of the Atlas of the Great Irish Famine and the development of the Website to be launched next year.
Heritage Sites
Ceisteanna (55)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to support, maintain, preserve and promote heritage sites throughout the country with particular reference to the need to ensure that nothing is lost that can be preserved for future generations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47885/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including relevant structures on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings. These schemes are administered via the local authorities and include the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.
Under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014, my Department has established and maintains the Record of Monuments and Places, which affords legal protection to over 120,000 recorded archaeological sites and monuments in the State. Anyone proposing works to a monument that is included in the Record of Monuments and Places must give my Department two months prior notice before works can start.
As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the National Monuments Acts of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites and in such cases there is a statutory duty to maintain the national monument. Such maintenance is undertaken by the Office of Public Works. Local authorities are responsible under the National Monuments Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department manages an extensive conservation and recreational property portfolio of some 79,000 hectares. Our 6 National Parks account for circa 60,000 hectares with another almost 20,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites.
While the existing National Parks are managed from a conservation perspective, they also play a very important role in Ireland’s tourism industry. To that end, we have been exploring ways to optimise the sustainable tourism potential of heritage sites under our control in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives. My Department, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, launched a strategic investment partnership earlier this year with the aim of developing tourism projects and improving visitor experience at our National Parks.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. Grant schemes are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
Arts Funding
Ceisteanna (56)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:56. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to double the arts budget in order to realise the potential of the film and theatre industry in view of the Taoiseach's promise regarding same. [47918/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Taoiseach has said that he will double the overall budget of arts, culture and sport over the next seven years. I am certain that we can meet this target by implementing sustainable increases on an incremental basis between now and 2025 – a process we initiated in Budget 2018, in spite of it being a tight year across the board.
In Budget 2018, I announced a funding package of over €300 million in 2018 towards the development of our cultural and creative heritage, an increase in funding to my Department of €13 million, comprising €9 million in current expenditure and €4 million in capital expenditure. This includes an €8.5 million boost in funding for arts and culture. I also secured an additional €90 million in capital funding between 2018 and 2021 for my Department which will accelerate investment across the culture, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors.
As part of 8.5m in additional funding, the Arts Council will receive an additional €3 million to enhance its support to artists and arts organisations of all sizes throughout the country. The total Arts Council allocation of €68.2 million in 2018 represents 23% of total allocation to all areas of my Department and is over 49% of all current expenditure by the Culture Division of my Department. I also allocated an additional €1.55m to the Irish Film Board equivalent to a 9.3% increase.
As the economy continues to improve over the coming years the Government's ambition is to allocate more resources to arts and culture and to continue to build on the foundations that I have put in place in Budget 2018.
Commemorative Events
Ceisteanna (57)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:57. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the Oireachtas All Party Consultation Committee on Commemorations will meet again; and the nature of the role it will have. [47917/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to re-establishing the Oireachtas All Party Consultation Committee on Commemorations and I expect that the practical arrangements to convene a first meeting of the Committee will be made as quickly as possible following receipt of party nominees from the Business Committee of the Oireachtas.
In the period leading up to the 1916 centenary commemorations, the All Party Consultation Committee on commemorations was instrumental in promoting an open, politically inclusive, consensus-based and honest approach, which allowed all narratives to be heard and ensured that the State reflected appropriately on all of the major historical events as they unfolded. The work of the Committee complemented the work of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations, which also provided advice and guidance to the Government on its approach based on the authentic history of the period.
Between 2018 and 2023, the Government will recall significant historical events that took place between 1918 and 1923 on the road to the foundation of the State, as well as important themes of that period. I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to remembering this period and all of those who lost their lives during it will be based on the respectful, sensitive, inclusive and authentic approach that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme. I believe that the All Party Oireachtas Committee and the Expert Advisory Group have a significant contribution to make in this regard and I am looking forward to continued positive engagement and consultation with both groups over the coming period.
Departmental Bodies Reports
Ceisteanna (58)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:58. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in the publication of the final culture 2025 policy document; the expected publication date of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47851/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In July 2016 I published the draft framework policy document Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025. This underwent a round of consultations, with submissions received from Government Departments, local authorities, and cultural bodies and stakeholders in the cultural sector. The draft framework policy was also submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who published its 'Report on Culture 2025 – Éire Ildánach, Framework Policy to 2025' in July 2017.
My Department is now in the process of finalising the framework policy, following receipt of the Oireachtas report, and I will then bring it to Government for approval.
As the policy document has now been through 2 rounds of consultation I do not intend to prolong the completion of the policy further. In the meantime of course, the Government has published the Creative Ireland Programme 2017 - 2022 which is the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach published in 2016.
Creative Ireland Programme
Ceisteanna (59)
James Browne
Ceist:59. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which the Creative Ireland Programme will utilise the National Opera House; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47614/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Creative Ireland Programme 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 aims to put creativity at the centre of public policy. The programme is based on five pillars:
1.Enabling the creative potential of every child
2. Enabling creativity in every community
3. Investing in our creative and cultural infrastructure
4. Establishing Ireland as a centre of excellence in media production
5. Unifying our Global Reputation
Implementation of the Programme, while under the aegis of my Department, will, where the opportunity arises, primarily be through, and in collaboration with existing agencies, local authorities, cultural institutions, State bodies and other cultural partners.
The focus of the Programme this year is on delivering ten major initiatives by the end of 2017, further details of which are available on https://creative.ireland.ie. The National Opera House in Wexford already plays a huge role in the creative and cultural life of the nation as well as being an anchor resource in Co. Wexford and the South East. This existing role contributes to the aims of the Creative Ireland Programme and I have no doubt that this engagement will deepen over the coming years as the Opera House develops its services with the support of my Department, the Arts Council and others.
Creative Ireland Programme
Ceisteanna (60)
Tom Neville
Ceist:60. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the work of the culture teams in each local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47883/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Pillar Two of the Creative Ireland 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.
The Culture Teams established in each local authority area under this pillar have put a considerable amount of work and time into producing local Culture and Creativity Plans for 2017 which were published last May.
A key operating principle underpinning the Creative Ireland Programme is community empowerment and therefore each local authority decided themselves what events/projects they wished to include in their respective plans. In total, the plans listed over 750 local cultural projects, events and initiatives taking place nationwide in 2017 giving us a snapshot of the rich cultural activity taking place in each country.
The plans also stimulated conversation and debate around the Creative Ireland Programme at a local level.
An allocation of €2m was made available (€1m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government) to support the implementation of these plans.
Each local authority is now in the process of drawing up a more detailed five-year Strategic Creativity Plans which will be published in early 2018. As part of this development, each Culture Team are hosting a variety of collaborative workshops, public meetings and discussions across the country to discuss these strategies, future cultural development as well as to listen and respond to local audiences. These strategies will be accompanied by a yearly Culture and Creativity Action Plan.
I have already doubled my own Department's allocation to the Local Authority Programme in 2018 to €2m and I look forward to working with the local authorities next year to build on the success of 2017.
Arts and Culture Capital Scheme
Ceisteanna (61, 80)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:61. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there will be a further round of the arts and culture capital scheme in 2018 to support local arts centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47911/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Martin Heydon
Ceist:80. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there will be a further round of the arts and culture capital scheme in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 80 together.
The Arts and Culture Capital scheme 2016-2018 which I announced in 2016 is focused on the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities throughout the country. This scheme is running from 2016 to 2018 over three complementary grant streams. Grant funding of between €20,000 and €2m is being offered to projects on a matched funding basis with a maximum of between 50%-70% provided by the Department.
To date, funding of €10.1m has been allocated to 122 projects under the 3 streams. This includes seven flagship projects which received substantial funding allocations of over €300,000.
My Department recently commenced making payments on this grant scheme and most of the allocations are expected to be drawn down over the coming 2 years.
As part of the additional resources allocated to my Department I have allocated an additional €1m towards the scheme in 2018 and will make an announcement on re-opening the scheme early in the New Year.
A full list of all successful projects under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 is available on my Department’s website at the following link www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding/.
Caiteachas Ranna
Ceisteanna (62)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:62. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dóigh léi go bhfuil coibheas idir líon na dtograí a fuair deontais i nGaillimh agus i nDún na nGall le cúpla bliain anuas agus an Dáilcheantar arb as don Aire féin. [47915/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Faigheann an Roinn líon mór iarratas gach bliain ar chúnamh faoina cuid scéimeanna Ghaeilge, Ghaeltachta agus oileánda, ina measc, iarratais ó ghrúpaí pobail agus ó údaráis áitiúla. Sula gcuirtear moladh ina leith faoi bhráid an Aire Stáit déantar na hiarratais seo uile a bhreithniú go cúramach i gcomhréir le gach dea-chleachtais riaracháin, lena chinntiú go gcomhlíontar mar is cuí, na critéir ábhartha lena mbaineann an cás.
I measc na gcritéar seo, ag brath ar an scéim i gceist, bíonn gá a chinntiú mar shampla go bhfuil cead pleanála in ord; go bhfuil riachtanas le hábhair an iarratais agus leis an gcúnamh atá iarrtha ina leith agus go bhfuil coiste iontaofa taobh thiar den togra. Bíonn gá féachaint chuige chomh maith ar ndóigh, ag brath ar an gcineál cáis atá i gceist, go bhfuil gnóthaí mar a bhaineann sé le soláthar poiblí in ord.
Tugtar cur síos cuimsitheach ar na critéir a gcuirtear san áireamh chun críche measúnaithe maidir le Scéim Áiseanna pPbail agus Teanga na Roinne san fhoirm iarratais ina Leith, a bhfuil teacht air ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne.
Ós rud é gurb iad na ceantair Ghaeltachta Dhún na nGall agus na Gaillimhe an dá cheantar Gaeltachta is mó, bheifí ag súil leis go ginearálta go mbeadh cion níos mó trí chéile den infheistíocht a dhéantar faoi na scéimeanna thuasluaite á dhéanamh sna ceantair sin i gcomparáid leis na ceantair Ghaeltachta eile. Ní foláir a chur san áireamh, áfach, go mbraitheann an léargas ar an dáileadh seo ag aon uair faoi leith ar cibé punann tograí a bheadh ag dul tríd an bpróiseas thuasluaite ag aon phointe ama faoi leith.
Ní call a rá go ndéantar gach iarracht i gcaitheamh an ama chun féachaint chuige go mbaintear an leas is fearr is féidir ar son na Gaeltachta, na Gaeilge agus na n-oileán as an infheistíocht shuntasach a chuirtear ar fáil faoi na scéimeanna éagsúla a bhíonn á riaradh ag an Roinn.
Cuanta agus Céanna
Ceisteanna (63)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:63. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta le dhá bhliain anuas maidir le forbairt na gcéibheanna ar Inis Meáin agus Inis Oírr; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá na céanna atá luaite aige faoi chúram Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe. I gcás Ché Inis Oírr, tá cead pleanála don fhorbairt faighte cheana féin agus anois táthar i mbun próisis chun comhairleoirí a fhostú le tabhairt faoin obair chomhairleoireachta ar a n-áirítear dearadh críochnúil a dhéanamh agus réiteach doiciméid tairisceana don chonradh tógála. Tá cead tugtha agus maoiniú curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn le tamall chun roinnt suirbhéanna thábhachtacha maidir leis an tionscadal a chur i gcríoch. Tá coiste bunaithe idir an Comhairle Chontae agus an Roinn ag a bpléitear forbairt na cé seo agus Cé an Chaladh Mhóir chomh maith. Bhuail mé féin agus mo chuid oifigigh le hionadaithe ó Inis Oírr agus ó Inis Meáin ar roinnt ócáidí éagsúla chun an dá fhorbairt a phlé.
Maidir le Céim III de Ché an Chaladh Mhóir, tá mo Roinn tiomanta don tionscadal seo a bhrú ar aghaidh agus, chuige sin, tá innealtóir feidhmeach ceaptha ag Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe le tamall anuas le díriú ar an tionscadal seo chomh maith le forbairt Ché Inis Oírr.
Hare Coursing
Ceisteanna (64)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:64. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of hare coursing meetings in areas (details supplied) attended by National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The hare coursing meetings referred to by the Deputy were not monitored by officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department in either 2015 or 2016 owing to resource constraints. Trials in one of the areas were monitored by the NPWS on Saturday 4 November, 2017. The meetings for both clubs for 2017 have not taken place. Where resources allow, local NPWS conservation rangers and staff attend coursing meetings, on a spot-check basis, to monitor compliance with licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club and its affiliated clubs.
Arts and Culture Capital Scheme Funding
Ceisteanna (65)
Peter Burke
Ceist:65. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of funding for a centre (details supplied) that applied for funding under the arts and culture capital scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47867/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Arts and Culture Capital scheme 2016-2018 which I announced in 2016 is focused on the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities throughout the country. This scheme is running from 2016 to 2018 over three complementary grant streams. Grant funding of between €20,000 and €2m is being offered to projects on a matched funding basis with a maximum of between 50%-70% provided by the Department.
This is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and is targeting investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces.
To date, funding of €10.1m has been allocated to 122 projects under the 3 streams.
I am currently giving consideration to the application referred to by the Deputy and hope to make an announcement in this regard shortly.
Arts Council
Ceisteanna (66)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the human resources processes that are in place in agencies funded by the Arts Council; the details of the independent resource appointed to deal with allegations of misconduct at a theatre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All employers, including organisations funded by the Arts Council, are subject to employment legislation and their boards have a duty to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and that their staff can work in a safe and respectful environment.
Arising from the allegations and reports of misconduct in the workplace, last week I announced a suite of measures on sexual harassment and abuse of power in the workplace in conjunction with the Arts Council.
I have invited the group of eight leaders from Irish theatre organisations to a meeting to discuss ways in which my Department and the Arts Council together can support the sector in creating a safe culture and environment for those working in the industry.
I will be collaborating with our National Theatre to facilitate an industry-wide consultation exercise that will be held in partnership with the Arts Council.
While all workplaces are obliged to comply with employment legislation, I have identified a number of actions that I intend to take, as Minister, which include:
- Arranging separate dedicated governance workshops for board members and senior staff of bodies reporting to the Department. There will be a particular emphasis on issues relating to bullying, abuse of power and sexual harassment in the workplace;
- Working on a collaborative basis with the Arts Council to make similar training available to other cultural organisations and arts centres around the country at a series of regional information days;
- Highlighting once again to bodies reporting to the Department the nature of their legal obligations, by seeking assurances of their compliance with obligations under employment legislation;
- Accelerating a planned review of compliance by bodies reporting to the Department with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
I am aware of the decision by the theatre referred to in the question to appoint an independent expert to conduct an independent review of recent allegations but have no role in relation to this appointment.