Written Answers Nos. 307-313
307. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a chríochnófar an t-athbhreithniú atá iarrtha ag Muintearas ar chinneadh gan cuid den deontas don scéim seirbhísí réamhscoile agus Iarscoile a íoc leo. [52372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeidh an t-athbhreithniú atá luaite ag an Teachta á dhéanamh ag oifigeach sinsireach de chuid mo Roinne nach raibh ag plé leis an gcás seo go nuige seo.
Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an t-athbhreithniú seo críochnaithe gan mhoill.
308. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the rangers' report for the coursing meeting at Edenderry, County Offaly, on 20, 21 and 22 October 2017 records breaches of section 10 of the licensing code and that three hares which died at the event were found to have pre-existing conditions; the sanction her Department will take regarding the breach of the licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52380/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the reports of National Parks and Wildlife Service officers of my Department in relation to coursing meetings monitored this year. All issues arising from such reports will be reviewed and considered in the context of licenses for the 2018/19 coursing season.
309. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a derogation from the EU birds directive will be granted to Fingal County Council to allow for the removal of nests and eggs of seagulls in the Howth area in view of the fact that the growing gull population has been causing considerable nuisance in the area in recent years during the breeding season. [52390/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Birds Directive allows Member States to make derogations from its protective measures in respect of certain wild bird species in certain circumstances – for example, where they are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety or to air safety. The Declarations to implement these derogations are renewed annually and an annual review of the Declarations is undertaken prior to their expiry. The review process includes consideration of the views of stakeholders, such as hunting and conservation bodies, and airport authorities on the operation of the declarations.
This year’s review took into account the issue of seagulls in the North Dublin area especially in Balbriggan which had been the subject of correspondence to my Department from some community groups and other residents which proposed the inclusion of seagull species in the Declaration.
Following consideration of the matter, the new Declaration, which is effective from 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018, included methods to control seagull species in the Balbriggan area for public safety reasons. The control method can involve the removal of eggs and nests only; the culling of seagulls is not permitted.
These changes were introduced on a one year pilot basis and will be subject to review as part of a wider comprehensive review of the operation of the derogations next year. This comprehensive review will take account of all relevant factors, including perceived threats, distribution and population data available in respect of all the bird species in the declaration. My Department is currently examining tenders from contractors to undertake this review.
310. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of prosecutions under the National Monuments Acts for destruction of protected ring forts and hill forts that have been undertaken since 2007. [52411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll known archaeological monuments, of which there are in excess of 130,000, are entitled to protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014. Protection may be extended to previously unrecorded monuments by entering them in the Register of Historic Monuments or the Record of Monuments and Places. The Acts allow me to make a preservation order where I consider a national monument to be at risk.
As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the National Monuments Acts of approximately 1,000 national monuments located at approximately 750 sites. Maintenance of such monuments is undertaken on my behalf by the Office of Public Works. Local authorities are responsible under the Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are owners or guardians.
My Department records all reports of damage to recorded monuments. Such reports often emanate from members of the public, local authorities or heritage-based NGOs.
My Department also liaises regularly with the utility and infrastructure providers and has agreed codes of practice with a number of these agencies aimed at safeguarding archaeological sites and monuments. In addition, awareness programmes are in place with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc and farm organisations that are aimed at raising awareness in relation to farming and archaeology.
Notwithstanding the wide ranging legal provisions and other programmes in place, damage to archaeological sites and monuments does occur from time to time. Cases involving alleged wilful damage to monuments are referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation.
Since 2007, a total of nine prosecutions have been taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions on the recommendation of An Garda Síochána for alleged offences under the National Monuments Acts 1930 - 2014. Convictions were secured in all cases, four of which related to damage to, or destruction of ring forts.
311. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the length of time it is taking to process applications for cessation of turf cutting compensation schemes (details supplied); the number of staff tasked with physically checking the bogs in question; and if this case will be closed before Christmas 2017. [52415/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut turf)) in one of the 36 raised bog natural heritage areas and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on 25 May 2010;
- The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the five year period up to 14 January 2014;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
Arising from an issue that has arisen as regards these criteria, I am advised that an inspection of the plot of bog, in respect of which the application has been received, has been carried out recently by a District Conservation Officer from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. On the basis of the report of that inspection, the application is being processed further.
I understand that an official from my Department will be in contact with the applicant shortly.
312. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has given consideration to the motion passed at Birr municipal district to take a building (details supplied) into State ownership in order to secure its preservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52437/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the motion in relation to the building mentioned, which my Department has rated as being of Regional significance on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. As such, the building was recommended for and included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) by the planning authority. Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities a number of powers to deal with such structures and safeguard their future.
I understand that the building in question is in a derelict condition and is now for sale. This is a commercial matter between the seller and any interested parties in which I have no function as Minister.
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 planning 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 RPS.
While my Department is not in a position to acquire the building, I understand that in 2008 a study was carried out for the planning authority to look at options for its future. In general I would be supportive of local authorities in their efforts to identify suitable uses to safeguard such buildings into the 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. These schemes will operate again in 2018. Details are available on all local authority websites and on my Department’s website.
313. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the €2 million funding will be available for the arts centre in Tullamore, County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52439/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2007, a capital grant of €2 million was approved in principle for the Tullamore Arts Centre.
The Local Authority in question has recently contacted my Department to confirm that it intends to progress the project further. I can confirm that approval in relation to this project remains open and that my Department will be in contact with the Local Authority over the coming days.
Similar to all capital grants, the funding is conditional on compliance with the specific terms and conditions which relate to it and is also subject to the Public Spending Code and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014.
