Written Answers Nos 1068-1084
1068. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the projects mentioned in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 that come under his Department's remit or bodies under its aegis; and the estimated completion dates for each project in tabular form. [12993/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Ireland 2040, which was launched by the Government last month, sets out the long-term planning and investment strategy for the country and contains a wide range of major investment projects and commitments within the 10-year National Development Plan.
In addition, the 20-year National Planning Framework outlines the broader policy principles and priorities to plan in a more strategic and coordinated manner for an estimated 1 million increase in our population, with the requirement for over 600,000 new jobs and over 550,000 new homes by 2040, and its principles are underpinned by the capital investment priorities within the NDP.
My Department has secured substantial capital funding resources under the 10-year NDP in the areas of housing, water services infrastructure and other key delivery areas, and will be working closely with the local government sector and our other agencies to further develop and implement the actions and projects identified.
Details of sectoral investment and priority projects are already listed throughout both documents, which are available on the dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/ireland/2040.ie. Given the broad remit of my Department, the wide coordination role that the local authorities play in the delivery of many infrastructure projects and services across a range of sectors, and the fact that individual projects under certain programmes will only be brought forward over the course of the 10 year National Development Plan, it is not possible at this stage to provide the comprehensive tabulation sought.
1069. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to enhance the management and visitor services at the ruined windmill at Vinegar Hill, Enniscorthy, County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12584/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 6 March 2018.
1070. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost to her Department of negative interest rates on deposits held; the details of same for agencies under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11733/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that no costs have arisen for my Department or those bodies under its aegis in respect of this matter.
1071. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cathain a chuirfear bád farantóireachta nua ar fáil do mhuintir Thoraí mar a ghealltar sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11747/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuairim is deich mbliana ó shin, ghlac oifigigh na Roinne Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta páirt i togra INTERREG, i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an Roinn Forbartha Réigiúnda ó thuaidh agus Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries Ltd agus Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. in Alban, ar mhaithe le báid farantóireachta agus céanna a dhearadh d'oileáin beaga sna trí dlínse. Dearadh bád farantóireachta do Thoraí agus oibreacha feabhsúcháin do Ché Mhachaire Rabhartaigh le freastal ar an mbád sin mar chuid den togra sin. Tá obair ar bun laistigh den Roinn faoi láthair chun an dá thogra seo, atá luaite go sonrach i dTionscadal Éire 2040, a thabhairt chun cinn arís.
Anuas air sin, tá an Roinn i dteagmháil le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall agus geallsealbhóirí eile chun cruinnithe a thionól chun an t-ábhar a phlé agus an chéad céim eile sa phróiseas pleanála a aontú. Bunófar coiste le hionadaíocht ó phobal Thoraí, ó Chomhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall agus ó mo Roinn fhéin chun tacú le forbairt an dá thogra.
Mar is gnáth le tograí móra caipitil a bhíonn á maoiniú ag an Stáit, caithfear tabhairt futhu ar bhonn chéimiúil. Maidir leis an soitheach nua, is gá don Roinn:
1. Tabhairt faoi phróiseas tairisceana chun sainchomhairleoir muirí a earcú le mion-dearadh a dhéanamh ar an soitheach nua, agus an próiseas tairisceana agus tógála a bhainistiú.
2. Conradh tógála i leith an tsoithigh nua a bhronnadh.
Mar is gnáth le tograí móra caipitil a bhíonn á maoiniú ag an Roinn agus i gcomhréir le forálacha an Chóid um Chaiteachas Phoiblí de chuid na Roinne Chaiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe, déanfar an cás i gcóir maoiniithe i leith na gcéimeanna éagsúla de na forbairtí a mheas, de réir mar is gá.
Is ceart a rá go dtógfaidh an próiseas chun soitheach nua a phleanáil agus a thógáil roinnt ama, ach bheinn ag súil go mbeadh sí tógtha taobh istigh de thréimhse 2-3 bliana.
1072. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent by her Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns from January 2017 to date in 2018, by year, month and company engaged in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring 2017 my Department spent €16,100 through Careers Portal, www.careersportal.ie, on a Public Awareness Campaign for the provision of new materials showcasing career and educational opportunities with the Irish language.
The Creative Ireland Programme also undertook a citizen engagement and public awareness campaign to get people involved in cultural and creative activity.
A full breakdown of all costs in 2017 in relation to this can be accessed on the Creative Ireland website through the following link:
https://creative.ireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/file-uploads/2018-01/Creative%20Ireland%20Programme%20End%20of%20Year%20Report%20%202017.pdf
In addition to the above €8,302.50 has been paid to MB Arts International in 2018 in relation to a range of services including citizen engagement under the Creative Ireland Programme.
1073. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will investigate the possibility of purchasing available lands at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11842/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 28 February 2018 in relation to this matter. My Department is aware of the land available for sale adjoining Killarney National Park. Through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht manages a property portfolio in respect of national parks and reserves of approximately 87,000 hectares. These important biodiversity areas are located all around the country. Given the limited resources available for capital investment within the National Parks and Nature Reserves, I recognise the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands. The Department has no plans at this time to purchase the lands in question.
1074. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons holding Civil Service positions above clerical officer grade in her Department who entered the Civil Service via a route other than through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service or its predecessors; the grades of each; and the basis for the non-standard recruitment. [11854/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the information sought is not readily available, but will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with the timeline set out in Standing Orders.
1075. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the directions provided to the payment of staff in the public sector and Civil Service who fall under the direction of her Department for the days during Storm Emma when staff were directed to stay at home; if deductions in pay and annual leave were made to staff in the public sector or Civil Service as a result of days lost during the storm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11871/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that, while staff were directed to stay at home during Storm Emma, no pay or annual leave was deducted from staff in my Department or in the agencies under its aegis. My Department's IT systems enable many of the staff to work from outside their main office locations using official IT equipment; therefore, while the main buildings may have been closed, it was possible for key staff to work from home during the storm.
1076. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial provisions in place to enable local authorities to action the culture and creativity plans put in place under Creative Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11963/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme - Enabling Creativity in every Community is a key element of the Programme and the 31 Local Authorities are important partners.
Last year, a sum of €2m (€1m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government) was allocated between all 31 Local Authorities to enable them to develop and implement their Culture and Creativity Action Plans for 2017.
This year a sum of €3m (€2m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government) has been allocated to all 31 local authorities (€96,000 each approximately). This will enable them implement the objectives contained within their five-year Culture and Creativity Strategies and support an accompanying programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county. In addition, separate provision will be provided to local authorities for Cruinniú events as part of their Culture and Creativity Strategies. Details regarding the roll-out of Cruinniú will be made available shortly.
Both the Strategies and Activity Programmes will be launched in the coming weeks.
1077. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of language support packs that have been issued to families for each year since the introduction of the family language support programme to date by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11968/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date, 6,603 language support packages have been distributed since the introduction of the measure in 2012 at a total cost, to date, of €153,136.10[3]. A breakdown per county is as follows:
|
County |
2012/2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 to date |
|
Antrim |
|
62 |
20 |
33 |
17 |
3 |
|
Armagh |
|
8 |
10 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
Carlow |
|
9 |
9 |
4 |
14 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
|
1 |
14 |
7 |
9 |
2 |
|
Clare |
|
5 |
15 |
39 |
20 |
13 |
|
Cork |
|
56 |
105 |
134 |
180 |
49 |
|
Derry |
|
18 |
11 |
13 |
7 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
|
29 |
34 |
103 |
71 |
76 |
|
Down |
|
5 |
2 |
11 |
5 |
- |
|
Dublin City and County |
|
170 |
360 |
325 |
287 |
51 |
|
Fermanagh |
|
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
Galway |
|
115 |
102 |
91 |
73 |
12 |
|
Kerry |
|
64 |
45 |
60 |
47 |
8 |
|
Kildare |
|
31 |
46 |
31 |
72 |
15 |
|
Kilkenny |
|
1 |
8 |
2 |
11 |
4 |
|
Laois |
|
4 |
5 |
7 |
40 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
|
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
|
11 |
32 |
36 |
36 |
53 |
|
Longford |
|
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
- |
|
Louth |
|
20 |
10 |
14 |
19 |
4 |
|
Mayo |
|
21 |
67 |
26 |
33 |
13 |
|
Meath |
|
43 |
42 |
54 |
43 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
|
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
|
Offaly |
|
|
8 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
|
2 |
8 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
|
1 |
11 |
4 |
8 |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
|
6 |
9 |
16 |
9 |
14 |
|
Tyrone |
|
10 |
8 |
9 |
13 |
|
|
Waterford |
|
7 |
22 |
21 |
19 |
4 |
|
Westmeath |
|
2 |
15 |
3 |
10 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
|
11 |
16 |
16 |
9 |
- |
|
Wicklow |
|
8 |
41 |
96 |
50 |
4 |
|
Overseas |
|
24 |
22 |
18 |
8 |
- |
|
Total |
1,955[1] |
752 |
1,102 |
1,198 |
1,136 |
362 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated cost |
€91,321 |
€34,930 |
€11,000 |
€15,885.10[2] |
[1] No breakdown is available by County for these years.
[2] From 2016 to date
[3] Postage costs are not included.
1078. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the planned Creative Ireland forum conference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12032/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Creative Ireland Forum, "Culture, Wellbeing and the Creative Society", took place on 13 December 2017 in Dublin Castle. The content of the forum can be revisited on https://www.facebook.com/CreativeIrl/videos/763820870489971.
1079. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the local authorities that received funding to host events (details supplied) in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12033/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Creative Ireland programme was launched in December 2016 and is a five year initiative, placing creativity at the centre of public policy. It is a cross-Government initiative led by my Department. Significant progress has been made across the five pillars of this Programme and a full report of activity and achievements in 2017 including information on Cruinniú na Casca can be found in the End of Year Report on my Department's Creative Ireland website: https://creative.ireland.ie/en.
A total of €2m was allocated to the local authorities in 2017 (approximately €64,000 each) to help them implement their Culture and Creativity Action Plans for 2017. Each local authority had full discretion as to how they wished to allocate this amount and that included supporting Cruinniú na Casca.
Local authorities were invited to submit proposals for additional support for Cruinniú if required. Two proposals were received, one from Kerry County Council and the other from Laois County Council, both to support specific Cruinniú programmes. Kerry County Council were allocated €10,000 and Laois County Council were allocated €5,000.
A large-scale, national Cruinniú na Cásca event was held in partnership with RTÉ and DCC. The total cost of this event came to €1.3m which included a contribution from DCC.
1080. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available to local authorities from her Department or the Heritage Council to fund the cost of hiring a heritage officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12278/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe County Heritage Officers Programme is a partnership between the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, and Local Government.
County Heritage Officers are employed directly by local authorities with financial, technical and professional support from the Heritage Council. In financial terms, the Heritage Council contributes 25% of the gross salary costs and travel and subsistence costs of the Heritage Officer to the local authority.
Total expenditure on the Heritage Officer programme by the Heritage Council in 2017 was €530k.
The decision as to whether to appoint a Heritage Officer is a matter for each local authority. The Heritage Council is available to work with any local authority to advise and support them in this regard.
1081. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding the Heritage Council provides to local authorities; the purpose of the funding; the conditions attached to the funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12279/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Heritage Council is a statutory body established by the Heritage Act 1995. The Council is an agency under the auspices of my Department and is independent in the performance of its functions.
It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding is allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports.
Details of the Council's activities and the funding awarded are available in its Annual Reports, which are published on the Council's website. Further information is available directly from the Heritage Council and on its website.
1082. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is an obligation, statutory or otherwise, on a local authority to employ a heritage officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12281/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe County Heritage Officers Programme is a partnership between the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, and Local Government.
County Heritage Officers are employed directly by local authorities with financial, technical and professional support from the Heritage Council. The decision as to whether to appoint a Heritage Officer is a matter for each local authority and a matter in which I have no statutory function. The Heritage Council is available to work with any local authority to advise and support them in this regard.
1083. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to introduce commemorative plaques for sites connected with the Famine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12293/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Great Famine was a catastrophe that affected communities throughout the island of Ireland and indeed abroad. This is reflected in large the number of memorials erected by local communities to be found throughout Ireland and in those countries to which victims of the Famine fled in search of relief.
The National Famine Memorial in Murrisk, County Mayo, commissioned by the Government as part of its commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine, was unveiled by President Mary Robinson in July 1997. Murrisk was also the site of the 2010 National Famine Commemoration organised by the National Famine Commemoration Committee.
The main objective of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, which was established in 2008 is to consider the most appropriate arrangements for an annual national commemoration of the Great Famine. The involvement of local communities, local authorities, and appropriate state entities in the annual commemoration Central to the approach of the Committee.
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. The unveiling of a commemorative plaque has been an integral part of each of these events, with the permanent placement of the plaque at a local site decided by the local organisers.
The 2018 National Famine Commemoration will take place next May in University College Cork. As previously advised to the House, the National Famine Commemoration Committee decided last year to hold this year's Commemoration in UCC 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, which was co-funded by my Department, and the development of the associated Website, which also is being co-funded by my Department, and which will be launched as part of this years event. Once again a commemorative plaque will be commissioned to mark the holding of this year's ceremony.
1084. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad chuige nár tháinig aon mhéadú ar an deontas reáchtála a íocadh le comharchumann i gContae Dhún na nGall anuraidh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [12304/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCuireann Údarás na Gaeltachta deontais reáchtála ar fáil do chomharchumainn áirithe Gaeltachta a fheidhmíonn faoina scáth - sé cinn de chomharchumainn ar oiléain Gaeltachta ina measc - chun cláir fhorbartha a chur i bhfeidhm ar na hoileáin sin. Cuirtear na deontais seo ar fáil chun cabhrú leo a gcuid costais bainistíochta agus barrchostas a chlúdach.
Ós rud é gur eagraíocht neamhspleách reachtúil í Údarás na Gaeltachta, tuigfidh an Teachta gur faoin eagraíocht féin atá sé breithniú a dhéanamh ar chonas an chistíocht a fhaigheann sí ó Vóta mo Roinne a chur chun fónaimh i gcomhthéacs na gcúramaí atá sainithe di.
Tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil an Comharchumann atá luaite ag an Teachta ag feidhmiú le roinnt blianta agus go bhfuil maoiniú i bhfoirm deontais reáchtála ar fiú €32,000 é, á fháil aige go bliantúil ón Údarás. Bunaithe ar an gclár oibre agus an réimse gníomhaíochtaí atá idir lámha ag an gcomharchumann, tuigtear ón Údarás nach léir dóibh go bhfuil cás ann an deontas reachtála thuasluaite a ardú mar a sheasann rudaí faoi láthair.
Tuigtear chomh maith go bhfuil an tÚdarás sásta cruinniú a reáchtáil leis an gComharchumann i gceist chun plé a dhéanamh faoin ábhar.
