Written Answers Nos. 291-294
291. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason she has not sought to fill the vacant post of chairperson of the high level implementation group of the 2013 Arts in Education Charter. [6506/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2017, the Chairperson of the High Level Implementation Group on the Arts in Education Charter tendered his resignation to my predecessor for personal reasons.
On the 7th December 2017 last the Creative Youth plan was launched. The plan sets out a suite of measures to deliver on Pillar 1 of the Creative Ireland Programme: to ensure that every child in Ireland has practical access to tuition, experience and participation in music, drama, art and coding by 2022.
Creative Youth is a hugely ambitious five year Plan with 7 key actions which will build on policies and programmes that are already in place including the Arts in Education Charter.
Consideration is now being given, in consultation with key partners, to the appropriate oversight mechanism for the Creative Youth Programme having regard to the existing structures developed for the Arts in Education Charter.
292. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the programmes within her Department a group (details supplied) can apply to for funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6514/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to remembering the significant historical events that took place between 1918 and 1923 and all of those who lost their lives during this period, will be respectful, sensitive, inclusive and authentic. The State commemorative programme will be developed in accordance with the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations.
I have requested my officials to follow up with the group in question to explore if my Department or their local authority may be able to assist them in their plans.
293. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she, her officials or advisers have had meetings with the strategic communication unit since it was set up; the issues that were discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6527/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised to the House in reply to Question No. 579 of 7 November 2017, officials of my Department and the then Minister received a presentation from the Strategic Communications Unit of the Department of the Taoiseach at my Department’s offices in Kildare Street, Dublin 2, on 11 October last. Since then, I have appointed an Assistant Secretary to represent my Department on the SCU Inter-Departmental Group which meets regularly.
A number of officials from my Department have also attended briefings by the SCU on the work of the Unit and the areas of my Department's activities in which the Unit could play a role, having regard to its mandate to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and cross Government cooperation to foster and develop a whole of Government approach to communications and communications priorities in respect of Government information campaigns and related issues. The Creative Ireland Programme and Bliain na Gaeilge have been identified as two such priorities for my Department in 2018.
294. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of freedom of information requests received by her Department in each of the years 2013 to 2017; the average time taken in these years to complete the requests by her Department; the number of requests to her Department for these years that ran beyond the deadline for the request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6888/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information that the Deputy has requested regarding the number of Freedom of Information requests received by in this department for each of the years 2013 to 2017 is detailed in the table.
|
Year |
FOI Requests received |
|
2013 |
56 |
|
2014 |
84 |
|
2015 |
163 |
|
2016 |
169 |
|
2017 |
158 |
It is the policy of this Department to answer all Freedom of Information requests within 20 working days. However, this timeframe, and therefore deadlines, can be extended as per provisions set out in the relevant legislation.
Data regarding the average time taken to complete FOI cases is not currently captured by the systems within this department.
