Written Answers Nos. 769-782
769. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the entitlement of a person (details supplied) under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6280/19]
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. With respect to 36 raised bog natural heritage area sites, 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 these sites on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;
- The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period up to 14 January 2014;
- The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
The applicant was paid for Year 1 of the scheme (2014) in September 2014. I am advised that an inspection of the plot of bog in respect of which the applicant has applied for compensation is scheduled to be undertaken shortly. My Department will be in a position to further process the application when this inspection has been completed.
770. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding spent by Waterways Ireland on canal clearing ensuring navigation is retained effectively each year for the past five years; and the parts of the canal navigation system on which it was spent. [6320/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding spent by Waterways Ireland on canal clearing ensuring navigation is retained effectively each year for the past five years; and the parts of the canal navigation system on which it was spent is shown in the Table below:
|
Navigation |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Grand Total |
|
Barrow Navigation |
€14,508 |
€11,572 |
€33,495 |
€24,893 |
€155,357 |
€239,825 |
|
Grand Barrow Navigation |
€135,206 |
€162,541 |
€84,957 |
€181,344 |
€144,339 |
€708,387 |
|
Grand Rural Navigation |
€137,002 |
€201,009 |
€180,280 |
€251,438 |
€249,722 |
€1,019,451 |
|
Grand Urban Navigation |
€153,323 |
€189,398 |
€142,248 |
€128,781 |
€139,968 |
€753,718 |
|
Royal Rural Navigation |
€195,463 |
€133,223 |
€141,086 |
€211,167 |
€194,621 |
€875,560 |
|
Royal Urban Navigation |
€125,603 |
€84,221 |
€70,317 |
€59,687 |
€61,633 |
€401,461 |
|
Grand Total |
€761,105 |
€781,964 |
€652,383 |
€857,310 |
€945,640 |
€3,998,402 |
771. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of times Waterways Ireland conducted clearing in the Grand Canal through County Offaly to ensure open navigation per annum in the past five years. [6321/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland is the custodian of approximately 1,000 km of navigation located throughout the island of Ireland including the Grand Canal.
One of Waterways Ireland’s strategic objectives is to develop, implement and monitor a planned and effective infrastructure and maintenance works programme.
Waterways Ireland has continued to prioritise the repair/replacement of critical assets through its Capital works programme.
A key part of this programme is the delivery of a planned programme of navigation channel maintenance which includes dredging, removal of obstructing overhead trees, weed control, bank protection and access maintenance.
Waterways Ireland has conducted on-going clearing as part of this programme, which includes dredging and weed cutting, in the Grand Canal through County Offaly, over the past five years, to ensure open navigation.
772. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will engage with the HSE to provide conservation-led improvements to a burial ground (details supplied), carry out a study of its historic importance and ascertain the persons buried there. [6517/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received no communication from the HSE in relation to this matter.
I am not the owner of the burial ground and my Department is not, therefore, responsible for its ongoing care and maintenance. The Department's National Monuments Service would, however, be happy to provide advice and guidance, if requested, in relation to works such as those envisaged by the Deputy. Dublin City Council's Heritage Office might also be of assistance in that regard.
The burial ground is included in the Record of Monuments and Places maintained by the Department under the National Monuments Acts and is accordingly entitled to the protections of those Acts. This includes a requirement to give my Department two months advance notice of any works that might affect it.
My Department also provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through grant schemes which are generally administered by the local authorities.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals, tradespersons and craftsmen and women.
The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) (formerly the Structures at Risk Fund) is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public.
In November 2018, I announced a total of €4.3 million in funding for the BHIS and HSF for 2019. Full details of both of the schemes are available on my Department’s and on local authority websites.
773. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the assistance available to a church (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6518/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through grant schemes which are generally administered by the local authorities.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals, tradespersons and craftsmen and women.
The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) (formerly the Structures at Risk Fund) is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public.
In November 2018, I announced a total of €4.3 million in funding for the BHIS and HSF for 2019. Both schemes were open for applications from 28 November to 31 January and applications will be assessed with successful applicants being notified in due course.
While the closing date for the 2019 schemes has now passed, my Department will remain in contact with local authorities throughout the year to ensure the best possible use of funding, including by reallocating funds when, for example, projects do not go ahead.
Full details of both of the schemes are available on my Department’s website and on each local authority’s website.
In the context of a particular historic structure, the best advice for owners is to contact the local authority who will be able to advise on the various types of funding available to assist with the project. It should be borne in mind that any works at or in the vicinity of a national monument will require Ministerial Consent under Section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of our architectural 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. Details are published by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
774. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of advisers and special advisers employed by her Department in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; the annual salaries associated with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6567/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister on the 30 November 2017, and as provided for by the Public Service Management Act 1997, I have appointed two special advisers. My media adviser was appointed with effect from the 8 January 2018 and my policy adviser with effect from the 15 March 2018.
My predecessor Minister Heather Humphreys, appointed a policy and a media adviser with effect from the 14 June 2017. One special adviser subsequently left and another was appointed with effect from 18 September 2017.
All special advisers are paid at the relevant Principal Officer (Standard scale) rate in accordance with the standard arrangements put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In addition, all of the above appointments are made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Instructions to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil, which is available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website.
775. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of boards or agencies her officials have been appointed to; if there are guidelines or protocols for members of staff being appointed to boards or agencies; if so, when same were last updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6642/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised that, following the introduction of the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in November 2014, there have been no Departmental officials appointed to State boards or agencies under the remit of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The current Director of the National Archives of Ireland is on the Board of the Irish Manuscript Commission, however this is an ex-officio position associated with the role of Director of the National Archives rather than a Departmental appointment.
776. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of district conservation officers, wildlife inspectors, conservation rangers and ecologists recruited by her Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6778/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the number of staff recruited in the grades requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Numbers Recruited |
|
2016 |
No recruitment to these grades. |
|
2017 |
12 Conservation Rangers . No recruitment to other mentioned grades. |
|
2018 |
1 Head of Ecological Assessment. 5 Wildlife Inspectors/Ecologists. |
|
2019 to date |
No recruitment to these grades to-date but further recruitment planned during 2019. |
777. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén stádas atá ag an gconradh le haghaidh seirbhís farantóireachta gasta, atá le riaradh idir Toraigh agus an tír mór; cén dáta a rachaidh an conradh reatha in éag; cathain a bhronnfar conradh úr; an dtig léi sonraí a thabhairt faoin chonradh seo, mar shampla cén dáta a thosóidh an tseirbhís nua seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [6918/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá comhaontú idir mo Roinn agus Comharchumann Thoraí Teoranta faoina maoiníonn mo Roinn seirbhís sealadach farantóireachta gasta idir Thoraigh agus an mórthír. Beidh an socrú sin i bhfeidhm ar a laghad go dtí 30 Aibreán 2019. Idir an dá linn, reáchtálfaidh mo Roinn comórtas úr tairisceana d'fhonn conradh dhá bhliain don tseirbhís seo a thosódh ar 1 Bealtaine 2019, a aontú.
778. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici maoiniú a sholáthar d’oileáin Dhún na nGall le haghaidh bóithre poiblí ar na hoileáin éagsúla; an ndeimhneoidh sí go bhfuil leithroinnt leagtha amach i mbuiséad na Roinne i mbliana dó sin, agus an mbeidh leithroinnt bhreise ar fáil do na hoileáin i mbuiséad na bliana seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [6919/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá an cheist maidir le Clár Mionoibreacha 2019 do na hOileáin á scrúdú ag oifigigh mo Roinne faoi láthair i gcomthéacs an tsoláthair airgid atá ar fáil le caitheamh ar thograí oileánda i mbliana agus na n-éileamh éagsúla ar an soláthar sin.
779. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici chun Scéim na mBóithre Áise a chur ar bun athuair, chun freastal ar thithe agus bóithre feirme i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [6920/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFaoi Scéim na mBóithre Áise de chuid mo Roinne, chuirtí airgead ar fáil do na húdaráis áitiúla ar mhaithe le obair dheisiúcháin a dhéanamh ar bhóithre beaga faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht.
Le go mbeadh bóthar cáilithe chun críche na scéime, ba ghá roinnt coinníollacha faoi leith a bheith comhlíonta, ina measc; gur bóthar é nach raibh faoi chúram an údaráis áitiúil ábhartha agus gur bóthar é a bhí ag freastal ar theach amháin ar a laghad móide gabháltas talún nach le húinéir an tí é. Bhí sé mar choinníoll faoi leith chomh maith nach raibh aon gheata transna an bhóthair a thabharfadh le tuiscint don saol fodhlach go raibh cosc orthu an bóthar a úsáid. Mar is eol don Teachta tá an scéim ar fionraí le tamall de bhlianta anois.
Tuigtear go gcuimsítear feabhas ar bhóithre den chineál atá luaite anois faoi Scéim Feabhsúcháin Áitiúil atá faoi stiúir na Roinne Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail.
780. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici chun scéim deontais bóithre straitéiseacha a chur ar bun sa Ghaeltacht, le slí rochtana a chur ar fáil ar fud na Gaeltachta agus ar fud na tíre, ag cur i gcuntas go bhféadfaí, leis an airgead nár caitheadh sna buiséid éagsúla atá faoina cúram, maoiniú a chinntiú do scéim dá leithéid; cén uair a bhféadfadh a leithéid de scéim a bheith ag feidhmiú; an mbeadh sí sásta dá gcuirfí plean ilbhliantúil ar bun chun déileáil leis an easpa tograí bonneagair i gceantair Ghaeltachta ó cuireadh an scéim ar fionraí sa bhliain 2010; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [6921/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, tá Scéim na mBóithre Straitéiseach faoina mbíodh ciste airgid á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn do na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha chun athchóiriú agus uasghrádú a dhéanamh ar bhóithre áirithe sa Ghaeltacht ar fionraí le tamall de bhlianta anuas.
Is ar na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha atá an fhreagracht anois maidir le bóithre straitéiseacha sa Ghaeltacht, ach an oiread leis an gcuid eile den tír.
781. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the film forum will meet; and the stakeholders that will be invited to participate. [6941/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on the Development and Working Conditions in the Irish Film Industry recommended in July that Screen Ireland (formerly the Irish Film Board) constitute a Film Forum, with an independent Chair, in order to allow all stakeholders within the sector to meet and work together to develop mutually beneficial solutions for the industry.
Screen Ireland has been endeavouring to organise the Forum and had drawn up a list of all stakeholders to invite to the Forum. These include representatives of workers in the industry which include
- The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
- SIPTU
- Irish Film Workers Association (IFWA)
- GMBh Trade Union
- Screen Guilds of Ireland
The emergence of disputes between stakeholders have, however, impeded progress on the Forum. I understand that following the transmission of an RTÉ Prime Time programme on the film industry, ICTU and SIPTU stated that they would not attend a Forum to which the IFWA is invited, and that the Screen Guilds of Ireland gave a similar response. Based on the ICTU position, Screen Producers Ireland also indicated that it would not attend.
My Department will work with the Audiovisual High Level Steering Group to address issues raised in the audiovisual industry, and to support the industry and the people who work in it.
782. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on public relations services in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 1 January 2018 and to date in 2019 in her Department and agencies under her remit by amount, service provider and reason for incurring cost in tabular form. [7142/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the information requested by the Deputy in respect of payments made to public relations companies by my Department and bodies under its aegis during the periods in question, is set out in the tables below.
Value for money is a critical consideration in assessing whether external firms should be engaged to provide public relations services or any other services. I am also advised that all bodies under the aegis my Department are subject to Public Procurement Guidelines.
Department Expenditure
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2016 |
Q4 Public Relations |
Publicity campaign for Irish language employment opportunities in the European Institutions |
€19,680 |
|
2017 |
Careers Portal |
Provision of services re Irish language career opportunities on www.careersportal.ie and www.saoloibre.ie |
€16,101 |
|
2018 |
Nicholas Quaife |
Culture Ireland GB18 Programme |
€51,400 |
|
2018 |
BigO |
Production of video to publicise Irish language recruitment opportunities with EPSO. |
€6,125 |
|
2019 |
Darcy Marketing and PR |
Publicity for EPSO recruitment competition 2018 |
€17,466 |
As I have previously indicated to the House, the Creative Ireland programme continues to engage in citizen engagement and public awareness to get people involved in cultural and creative activities. A full annualised breakdown of cost incurred in relation to these activities is published on the Creative Ireland website.
Arts Council
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2016 |
The Communications Clinic |
General Advice |
€44,504 |
|
2016 |
Christine Monk |
2016 Centenaries |
€36,755 |
|
2017 |
The Communications Clinic |
Promoting the arts and the work of the Arts Council |
€45,100 |
|
2018 |
The Communications Clinic |
Promoting the arts and the work of the Arts Council |
€44,496 |
|
2019 |
The Communications Clinic |
Promoting the arts and the work of the Arts Council |
€3,690 |
Chester Beatty Library
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2015 |
Coyne Communications |
General communication and PR Services for Chester Beatty Library |
€25,651 |
|
2016 |
Coyne Communications |
General communication and PR Services for Chester Beatty Library |
€24,374 |
|
2017 |
Coyne Communications |
General communication and PR Services for Chester Beatty Library |
€24,943 |
|
2018 |
Coyne Communications |
General communication and PR Services for Chester Beatty Library |
€24,459 |
Crawford Art Gallery
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2017 |
DH Communications |
Public Relations |
€5000 |
|
2018 |
DH Communications |
Public Relations |
€6000 |
|
2019 |
DH Communications |
Public Relations |
€500 |
An Foras Teanga*
Foras na Gaeilge
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2015 |
Jamie Cunningham T/A Talente |
Twitter Communications training for staff |
€2,270 |
|
2017 |
Lorg Media |
PR & Digital Marketing consultancy, training and services incl. media production |
€40,504 |
|
2018 |
Lorg Media |
PR & Digital Marketing consultancy, training and services incl. media production |
€15,407 |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
|||
|
Year |
Company |
Cost |
|
|
2015 |
Audiences NI |
Training to third parties on various topics inc PR |
£1,755 |
|
2016 |
Audiences NI |
Training to third parties on various topics inc PR |
£1,755 |
|
2016 |
Digital DNA |
Training to Agency staff on social media and PR |
£71 |
* Note: An Foras Teanga - comprising Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency While the above figures represent the total expenditure under the funding arrangements pertaining to the bodies under An Foras Teanga, 75% of costs for Foras na Gaeilge and 25% of costs for Ulster-Scots Agency are funded from the Vote of the Department.
Heritage Council
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2015 |
MKC Communications |
PR Consultation |
€43,895 |
|
2016 |
MKC Communications |
PR Consultation |
€47,008 |
|
2017 |
MKC Communications |
PR services |
€26,384 |
|
2017 |
Dairne O'Sullivan & Annette Nugent |
PR and audience development for National Heritage Week |
€20,384 |
|
2018 |
DHR Communications |
PR and Audience Development for Heritage Week. |
€5,525 |
|
2018 |
Thinkhouse |
General Communications and PR for the Heritage Council audience development for National Heritage Week |
€28,026 |
|
2019 |
Thinkhouse |
General PR Services for the Heritage Council. Particularly Adopt a Monument: call for participation |
€4,484 |
|
2019 |
Thinkhouse |
PR and audience development for National Heritage Week |
€2,522 |
National Concert Hall
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2015 |
WHPR |
Public Affairs Support |
€22,550 |
|
2016 |
WHPR |
Public Affairs Support |
€1,750 |
|
2016 |
Christine Monk |
Public Relations Support |
€6,400 |
|
2017 |
WHPR |
Public Relations |
€15,750 |
|
2018 |
WHPR |
Public Relations |
€18,858 |
|
2018 |
Dairne O'Sullivan |
Public Relations |
€4,000 |
|
2018 |
Drury Communications |
Public Relations |
€6,000 |
|
2019 |
Drury Communications |
Public Relations |
€6,000 |
|
2019 |
Dairne O'Sullivan |
Public Relations |
€4,000 |
National Gallery of Ireland
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2017 |
PHT Alternatives Ltd |
Irish promotion for Caravaggio exhibition, Burton exhibition, reopening of Historic Wings, Vermeer |
€5,930 |
|
2017 |
Kate Burvill PR |
UK coverage for Vermeer exhibition, Historic Wings Reopening, Burton exhibition |
€22,858 |
|
2018 |
DHR |
Irish promotion for Nolde exhibition, Roderic O'Conor exhibition, Zurich Portrain Prize, Frans Post exhibition, Countess Markievicz exhibition, Canaletto exhibition. Support with European Museum of the Year presentation |
€31,466 |
|
2018 |
Kate Burvill PR |
UK coverage for Nolde exhibition & Roderic O Conor exhibition |
€22,697 |
|
2018 |
Ackavana Consulting Ltd t/a Sync & Swim |
Reopening of Café, Burton Exhibition |
€11,980 |
National Library of Ireland
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2015 |
DHR Communications |
Public Relations, Communications and Promotion |
€98,687 |
|
2016 |
DHR Communications |
Public Relations, Communications and Promotion |
€97,393 |
|
2017 |
DHR Communications |
Public Relations, Communications and Promotion |
€113,067 |
|
2018 |
DHR Communications |
Public Relations, Communications and Promotion |
€109,090 |
|
2019 |
DHR Communications |
Public Relations, Communications and Promotion |
€9,364 |
National Museum of Ireland
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2017 |
Q4PR |
Provision of Corporate PR to NMI Director and Board |
€34,006 |
|
2018 |
Q4PR |
Provision of Corporate PR to NMI Director and Board |
€46,343 |
Screen Ireland
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2015 |
Q4PR |
Advice for high profile media campaign including Oscar nominations for Irish Films. |
€16,018 |
|
2015 |
Q4PR |
Advice for high profile media campaign including Oscar nominations for Irish Films. |
€14,348 |
|
2016 |
PR dept |
US Publicist to raise awareness of Irish films resulting in 9 Oscar nominations. |
€18,741 |
|
2018 |
Q4PR |
Promoting Screen Ireland and Irish Film. |
€13,591 |
|
2018 |
London Flair PR |
Promotion of Irish Short Film |
€2,286 |
Údarás na Gaeltachta
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2015 |
Digital Elevation Strategies Ltd |
Development of a LinkedIn strategy for Údarás |
€977 |
|
2015 |
Grace Ann McGarvey |
Publicity Campaign to highlight and attract media coverage to the Donegal Gaeltachta as a place to set up and develop a business |
€3,448 |
|
2016 |
Grace Ann McGarvey |
Publicity Campaign to highlight and attract media coverage to the Donegal Gaeltachta as a place to set up and develop a business |
€6,962 |
|
2016 |
Heneghan PR |
To develop a strategic Information and publicity plan and campaign |
€7,000 |
|
2018 |
H&A Marketing & PR |
Development and launch of An Branda Gaeltachta- Ireland’s Gaeltacht na hÉireann (Tionscnamh Branda na Gaeltachta) |
€8,284 |
Waterways
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2016 |
The Communications Clinic |
Media training |
€750 |
