Tuesday, 2 Jul 2019

Written Answers Nos. 708-725

Commercial Rates Data

Ceisteanna (708, 709)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

708. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of counties and local authority areas that have not been revaluated for commercial rates to date; the reason these counties were not revaluated; when they will be revaluated; if some counties were revaluated twice or more whilst other counties were not revaluated; if so, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28168/19]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

709. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the counties that have had a total review of their commercial rates valuations based on the Valuation Act 2001; the date in each case these revaluations have been carried out; the date that counties that have had more than one revaluation under the Act had these carried out; the reason other counties have not had such a revaluation; the counties involved; the projected date for all such counties to have their total rates revaluation review completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28283/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 709 together.

The Commissioner of Valuation has responsibility under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 to maintain a valuation list for each Local Authority, of all commercial properties in that Local Authority area, which is then used to calculate the rates due from individual ratepayers. The Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions including the selection of rating authority areas for revaluation.

The Valuation Office is currently engaged in a national revaluation programme, the first revaluation of all rating authority areas in over 160 years. The revaluation activity, on a local authority by local authority basis, is set out in the following table. Overall, the Programme involves the valuation of some 150,000 properties. When a Local Authority area is revalued it must be revalued again within a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years. Moving to the 5-10 year cycle represents a significant step forward for the rateable valuation system.

In terms of the process, the Commissioner makes a valuation order, to formally commence the process in each area, a valuation date is set, and the new rateable valuations are then assessed and set by reference to the market conditions and business environment that prevailed on this date. Ultimately, the new valuation list for the Local Authority area is completed and published.

Significant progress is being made on the Programme and the current phase, known as “Reval 2019”, will see new valuations published on 17 September 2019 to become effective from 2020 onwards. Following on from "Reval 2019", I understand that the Commissioner intends to sign Valuation Orders before the end of 2019 in relation to Donegal, Mayo, Galway City, Galway County, Clare, Kerry, Cork City and Cork County. This will conclude the first revaluation of all rating authority areas.

In relation to second valuations, Fingal County Council is undergoing a second revaluation in 2019 and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown will undergo a second revaluation in 2020.

Rating Authority	Date of signing of Valuation Order	Valuation Date	Publication Date of Valuation List
South Dublin	07/11/2005	30/09/2005	31/12/2007
Fingal	15/03/2007	30/09/2005	31/12/2009
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	27/06/2008	30/09/2005	31/12/2010
Dublin City	05/05/2011	07/04/2011	31/12/2013
Waterford City	12/12/2011	28/10/2011	31/12/2013
Waterford County	12/12/2011	28/10/2011	31/12/2013
Dungarvan Town	12/12/2011	28/10/2011	31/12/2013
Limerick City	29/03/2012	01/03/2012	31/12/2014
Limerick County	29/03/2012	01/03/2012	31/12/2014
Kildare	23/11/2015	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Leitrim	23/11/2015	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Longford	23/11/2015	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Offaly	23/11/2015	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Sligo	23/11/2015	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Westmeath	23/11/2015	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Roscommon	26/01/2016	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
South Dublin (2nd Revaluation)	29/07/2016	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Carlow	23/09/2016	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Kilkenny	23/09/2016	30/10/2015	15/09/2017
Cavan	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Fingal (2nd Revaluation)	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Louth	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Meath	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Monaghan	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Tipperary	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Wexford	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Wicklow	06/10/2017	15/09/2017	17/09/2019*
Laois	22/12/2017	30/10/2015	26/10/2018

*Projected date

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (710, 714)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

710. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has met with officials from Cork City Council in 2019 regarding the funding of a centre (details supplied). [27499/19]

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

714. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of times she has engaged with officials formally regarding a centre (details supplied) since April 2019. [27498/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 714 together.

Officials in my Department are engaged on an ongoing basis with Cork City Council regarding the development of the centre to which the Deputy refers and continue to discuss all aspects around the public funding elements of the project with Cork City Council Officials. My most recent meeting on the project, at which Cork City Council was represented, was on the 26th March last, and officials have met on a number of occasions since then.

Wildlife Conservation

Ceisteanna (711)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

711. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of compensation payments for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27730/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Natterjack Toad pond creation scheme was launched in 2008 and is administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service. The scheme is aimed at farmers and landowners and involves the creation of suitable breeding habitats for the Natterjack toad, an endangered species which in Ireland is found only in Kerry. This project has been very effective so far with over 100 new ponds dug for toads within the species' historical range around Castlemaine Harbour and Castlegregory.

Landowners participating in the scheme typically enter into a 5 year agreement with my Department. The agreement requires landowners to manage the ponds and maintain the surrounding habitat in a condition suitable for the toads, and to meet several grazing and pond management requirements. In return, the landowner is paid a grant of €500 per annum per pond. There have been 52 landowners involved over the life of the scheme and 35 of these agreements are active at present.

As there is a limited budget available for the scheme, it was not possible to offer new agreements for phase 3 to all previous participants. Furthermore, in cases where a landowner has not fully met the requirements of the scheme, their agreement may not be renewed.

The first phase of 5 year agreements were signed in 2008 and a number of participants, who had met the requirements of the scheme in phase 1, were invited to participate for a further 5 years in phase 2.

Phase 2 agreements, again clearly stated as being for a 5 year period, were signed by landowners in March 2013. Final payments for the second phase were made to landowners at the end of 2017. The landowner in question is not participating in the current phase of the scheme.

Wildlife Conservation

Ceisteanna (712)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

712. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27837/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Natterjack Toad pond creation scheme was launched in 2008 and is administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service. The scheme is aimed at farmers and landowners and involves the creation of suitable breeding habitats for the Natterjack toad, an endangered species which in Ireland is found only in Kerry. This project has been very effective so far with over 100 new ponds dug for toads within the species' historical range around Castlemaine Harbour and Castlegregory.

Landowners participating in the scheme typically enter into a 5 year agreement with my Department. The agreement requires landowners to manage the ponds and maintain the surrounding habitat in a condition suitable for the toads, and to meet several grazing and pond management requirements. In return, the landowner is paid a grant of €500 per annum per pond. There have been 52 landowners involved over the life of the scheme and 35 of these agreements are active at present.

As there is a limited budget available for the scheme, it was not possible to offer new agreements for phase 3 to all previous participants. Furthermore, in cases where a landowner has not fully met the requirements of the scheme, their agreement may not be renewed.

The first phase of 5 year agreements were signed in 2008 and a number of participants, who had met the requirements of the scheme in phase 1, were invited to participate for a further 5 years in phase 2.

Phase 2 agreements, again clearly stated as being for a 5 year period, were signed by landowners in March 2013. Final payments for the second phase were made to landowners at the end of 2017. The landowner in question is not participating in the current phase of the scheme.

Wildlife Conservation

Ceisteanna (713)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

713. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28177/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Natterjack Toad pond creation scheme was launched in 2008 and is administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service. The scheme is aimed at farmers and landowners and involves the creation of suitable breeding habitats for the Natterjack toad, an endangered species which in Ireland is found only in Kerry. This project has been very effective so far with over 100 new ponds dug for toads within the species' historical range around Castlemaine Harbour and Castlegregory.

Landowners participating in the scheme typically enter into a 5 year agreement with my Department. The agreement requires landowners to manage the ponds and maintain the surrounding habitat in a condition suitable for the toads, and to meet several grazing and pond management requirements. In return, the landowner is paid a grant of €500 per annum per pond. There have been 52 landowners involved over the life of the scheme and 35 of these agreements are active at present.

As there is a limited budget available for the scheme, it was not possible to offer new agreements for phase 3 to all previous participants. Furthermore, in cases where a landowner has not fully met the requirements of the scheme, their agreement may not be renewed.

The first phase of 5 year agreements were signed in 2008 and a number of participants, who had met the requirements of the scheme in phase 1, were invited to participate for a further 5 years in phase 2.

Phase 2 agreements, again clearly stated as being for a 5 year period, were signed by landowners in March 2013. Final payments for the second phase were made to landowners at the end of 2017. The landowner in question is not participating in the current phase of the scheme.

Question No. 714 answered with Question No. 710.

Creative Ireland Programme

Ceisteanna (715)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

715. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the proposal by an organisation (details supplied) to establish a culture card or subsidy to enable every child to have access to at least one community arts or cultural opportunity each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27567/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I note with interest the proposals received. My Department and the bodies under its aegis have taken practical steps to provide such opportunitie to children and young people.

My Department recently supported Cruinniú na nÓg which took place on the 15 June 2019. Now in its second year, this national day of creativity for children and young people included free access to over 700 events across the country such as workshops, exhibitions and performances, with a special focus on starter workshops to encourage young people to try something new. Further information is available at https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie.

Cruinniú na nÓg is part of the Creative Ireland Programme which seeks to ensure that every child in Ireland has practical access to tuition, experience and participation in music, drama, art and coding by 2022. Another element of the Programme is the Creative Youth Plan which was launched in December 2017 and includes the Creative Schools pilot project, currently underway, and which is a partnership between my Department, the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Arts Council. Creative Schools, which will have 300 schools participating from September this year, will see each school developing a bespoke school plan to embed arts and creativity and explore new links with artists and cultural organisations, both locally and nationally. To assist this, each participating school is being awarded €2,000.

In addition, a pilot group of Education and Training Boards are developing new Creative Youth Partnerships to extend the reach of the Creative Youth plan to the non-formal sector. The ETBs in question are Laois/Offaly, Limerick/Clare and Kerry.

The Deputy should also note that the National Cultural Institutions have a general policy of free admission for children while access to all our National Parks is free. The OPW additionally provides free educational visits to heritage sites for schools provided certain conditions are met, while children under the age of 12 have free access to a huge number of OPW managed sites. Further information on access to heritage sites can be found here: http://www.heritageireland.ie

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (716)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

716. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the 2019 budget allocation for the island scholarship scheme; the number of scholarships the allocation will cater for in 2019; the number of scholarships availed of over the 2016 to 2018 period on an annual basis; and the budget allocation for each year in tabular form. [27603/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table:-

Year	Expenditure	Total number of students who availed of the fund
2016	€135,000	34
2017	€125,037	40
2018	€152,103	30
2019 to date	€ 81,783	30

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (717)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

717. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27832/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An 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 53 raised bog special areas of conservation 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 25 May 2010 in respect of the 29 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999 and up to 31 December 2011 in respect of the 24 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation in 2002);

- The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and

- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.

My Department is currently processing annual payments for 2019 under the scheme and it is expected that the payment will issue to the applicant in due course.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (718)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

718. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by her; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [27878/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Details of ongoing studies, reviews and research undertaken and commissioned by my Department are set out in the following table.

Title	Commenced	Expected Completion
2016 Heritage Council Review – Assessment of Implementation	2019	2019
Post-Project Review of the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme 2007-2009 (ACCESS II)	2019	2019
Towards a Roadmap for the Creative Industries	2019	2020
Youth Singing in Ireland	2018	2019
Review and analysis of the revenue generating capacity of Ireland’s National Parks	2019	2019
Wild Nephin Conversion Plan	2016	2019
Bio-security review of the Skellig Islands	2019	2019
Arachnid, Killarney National Park Study	2019	2019
Killarney National Park Rhododendron review	2019	2019
Study on impacts of fires in Killarney National Park	2019	2019
Plean Digiteach don Ghaeilge	2015	2019
Athbhreithniú ar Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga (Review of Language Assistants’ Scheme)	2018	2019

For completeness, I would also advise the Deputy that, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Science & Biodiversity Unit is required, as part of its remit, to carry out scientific monitoring and survey work on 59 habitats (which range from mountain tops and bogs, to coastal and deep sea environments), over 100 species of plants and animals and over 200 species of birds. The NPWS utilises a mixture of in-house expertise and contracted experts working closely with the scientific unit to carry out this large volume of work on an ongoing basis. My officials will be happy to respond to any request from the Deputy for further detail in respect of this work.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (719)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

719. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the documents published by her Department since 1 January 2016 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27902/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Details of documents published by my Department during the period specified by the Deputy are set out below. These are available on my Departments website.

2019

- Ireland’s Biodiversity Sectoral Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

- Draft Climate Change Adaptation Sectoral Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage

2018

- Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027,

- Ireland’s Audio-visual Action Plan (AV plan),

- 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 – Action Plan 2018-2022,

- The National Parks’ Tourism Interpretative Masterplan

- Consultation document on Heritage Ireland 2030.

2017

- The Creative Ireland Programme,

- The National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021

- The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022

2016

- The National Peatlands Policy.

Aquaculture Data

Ceisteanna (720)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

720. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the findings of an underwater archaeology report will be published in respect of an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28004/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department asked for an underwater archaeological assessment to be undertaken in this case in response to a request for its comments on new aquaculture proposals for the area. I understand that the assessment report has recently been submitted to the Department and that the Department's observations will shortly be provided to the developer. Publication of the report would be a matter for the developer.

Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna

Ceisteanna (721)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

721. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le forbairt na gcéibheanna ar Inis Meáin agus ar Inis Oírr; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [28010/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá forbairt na gcéanna atá luaite san áireamh sa liosta tograí atá clúdaithe sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2018 - 2027.

Maidir le Cé an Chaladh Mhóir, Inis Meáin, tá Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe i dteagmháil le geallsealbhóirí faoi láthair i dtaobh a gcuid mianta d'fhorbairt na cé agus tá Cás Gnó i leith na forbartha á réiteach ag an gComhairle faoi réir théarmaí an gCód Caiteachais Poiblí. Déanfar cinneadh críochnúil faoi scóip na forbartha amach anseo i gcomhthéacs na n-acmhainí airgeadais a bheidh ar fáil do mo Roinn sna blianta amach romhainn agus na n-éileamh éagsúla ar na hacmhainí sin.

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil dul chun cinn maith déanta maidir le forbairt Ché Inis Oírr. Le cúnamh airgid ó mo Roinn, tá innealtóirí comhairleacha ceaptha ag Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe i ndáil leis an togra a fhorbairt. Ach an oiread le haon togra eile ar an scála seo, beidh gach chéim d'fhorbairt Ché Inis Oírr le meas i gcomhthéacs an tsoláthair airgid a bheidh ar fáil do mo Roinn ag an am sin agus faoi réir na bhforálacha atá san áireamh i gCód Caiteachais Phoiblí an Rialtais.

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Ceisteanna (722)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

722. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá le déanamh i mbliana i bhfeidhmiú na Straitéise Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [28011/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Seán Kyne)

Dírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimhir 55 ar an 12 Meitheamh 2019 maidir leis an ábhar seo. Mar a thug mé le fios sa bhfreagra sin, is é an Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 a d’fhoilsigh mo Roinn i mí Meithimh 2018 an mapa bóthair atá leagtha amach chun cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú na Straitéíse 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge don tréimhse cúig bliana ó 2018 go dtí 2022.

Is ann a leagtar amach cad atá beartaithe a dhéanamh sa tréimhse sin chun tuilleadh cúraim a dhéanamh den Ghaeilge agus den Ghaeltacht mar a bhaineann sé leis na naoi réimse gnímh faoi leith atá luaite sa Straitéis.

Mar atá ráite agam go minic roimhe seo, ag croílár an Phlean Gníomhaíochta, tá na bearta comhaontaithe a leagtar amach ann. Tá breis agus 180 díobh ann, a chuirfear i bhfeidhm i gcomhar le os cionn 60 páirtí leasmhar. Leagtar an bhéim is mó ar an méid a dhéanfar go sonrach ar bhonn comhpháirtíochta thar 5 bliana. Tá tráthchlár ama luaite le gach beart agus luaitear chomh maith, ar ndóigh, na páirtithe a bheidh freagrach as na bearta a chur i bhfeidhm.

Tá Coiste Stiúrtha, atá freagrach as monatóireacht agus tuairisciú a dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhm agus ar dhul chun cinn an phlean bunaithe ó mhí na Samhna agus bhí trí chruinniú den choiste go dtí seo. Tá sé i gceist go bhfoilseofar tuairisc bhliantúil maidir le dul chun cinn, tar éis don tuairisc a bheith faofa ag an Rialtas. Ina thaobh sin, tá beartaithe go bhfoilseofar an chéad tuairisc bhliantúil i bhfómhar na bliana seo a chuimseoidh an tréimhse 12 mhí ó foilsíodh an Plean Gníomhaíochta (Iúil 2018 go Meitheamh 2019).

Tugtar spléachadh thíos ar a bhfuil déanta le gairid agus ar a bhfuil beartaithe sa ghearrtréimhse maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an phlean:

- Maidir leis an bproiséas pleanála teanga: As an 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga atá ainmnithe sa Ghaeltacht, tá 14 plean teanga ceadaithe go dáta faoin bpróiseas. Mar thoradh air sin, tá 9 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus 3 Oifigeach Cúnta fostaithe sa Ghaeltacht chun na pleananna sin a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá súil ag mo Roinn go mbeidh suas le 23 plean in iomlán ceadaithe faoin bpróiseas faoi dheireadh na bliana seo. Ina thaobh sin, tá soláthar €550,000 breise ar fáil don phleanáil teanga do 2019, rud a fhágann go bhfuil €3.2m in iomlán ar fáil i mbliana.

- Maidir le Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga: Ar mhaithe le tacú tuilleadh le feidhmiú an phróisis agus an pholasaí don oideachas Gaeltachta, d'fhógair mé le gairid go raibh allúntas suas le €3.6m in iomlán thar thréimhse 3 bliana ceadaithe agam faoi Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga. Bainfear leas as an infheistíocht bhreise seo chun go mbeidh scoileanna Gaeltachta atá páirteach sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta in ann cúntóirí teanga a bheith acu ar feadh sé seachtaine breise in aghaidh na scoilbhliana feasta. De thoradh seo uile, beidh cúntóirí teanga in ann dul i mbun oibre feasta nuair a thosaíonn an scoilbhliain seachas níos faide isteach sa bhliain mar a tharlaíodh go dtí seo i gcásanna áirithe. Tiocfaidh an beart seo i bhfeidhm san fhómhar ó thús na scoilbhliana nua.

- Maidir le hearnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh: D'fhógair mé dhá thogra nua le gairid chomh maith chun tacú tuilleadh le córas na gcoláistí samhraidh. Faoin gcéad bheart dar teideal, DEIS Gaeltachta, tá ciste ar fiú €50,000 curtha ar fáil chun cabhrú le lucht freastail iar-bhunscoileanna DEIS na tíre freastal ar chúrsa i gceann de na coláístí Gaeilge atá aitheanta ag mo Roinn. Ina theannta sin, d'fhógair mé ciste nua faoi leith dar teideal, ERASMUS Gaeltachta, faoina bhfuil ciste ar fiú €250,000 curtha ar fáil le cabhrú le hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéal seimeastar sa Ghaeltacht a thairiscint do mhic léinn dá gcuid.

- Tá €980,000 breise curtha ar fáil do Chlár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga de chuid mo Roinne féin do 2019. Ciallóidh sé sin go bhfuil ciste breise ann chun cabhrú tuilleadh le gnóthaí teanga agus pobail sa Ghaeltacht. Fágann sé seo go bhfuil soláthar iomlán de €9.692m ar fáil do 2019.

- Tá Coiste stiúrtha bunaithe ag an Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige chun monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú plean cuimsitheach don earnáil luathoideachais Gaeilge.

- Tá mo Roinn ag dréachtú Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) i gcomhar le hOifig an Ard-Aighne faoi láthair.

- Tá súil ag mo Roinn an Plean Digiteach don Ghaeilge a fhoilsiú go luath

- Tá buiséad iomlán caipitil de €9.7m curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn d'Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2019 le hinfheistíocht a dhéanamh i mbonneagar fiontraíochta agus gnó sa Ghaeltacht. .

- Táthar ag leanúint leis an obair leis na hinstitiúidí ábhartha san AE chun tacú le deireadh a chur leis an maolú don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach faoi 2021.

- Tá dul chun cinn suntasach déanta ag an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 - le gach iar-bhunscoil Ghaeltachta agus móramh suntasach na mbunscoileanna Gaeltachta rannpháirteach.

Níor mhiste a lua sa phlé seo ar fad faoin straitéis, ar ndóigh, go bhfuil úinéireacht thras-rannach aige agus go bhfuil an fhreagracht dá réir maidir lena cur chun feidhme ar na páirtithe leasmhara atá luaite leis na bearta éagsúla atá sainithe sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta.

Departmental Communications

Ceisteanna (723)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

723. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a licence will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28027/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department is not party to the document to which the Deputy refers.

Commercial licences and permits to operate class P5 boats at the location in question are advertised by way of tender. The person to which the Deputy refers applied under this tender process but has not subsequently provided the requisite documentation to allow a licence to issue. The Department has been in ongoing contact seeking the documents required and the applicant has been afforded time and opportunity to lodge the correct documentation. When the correct documents, including the requisite fee are lodged, I will then make a decision on whether to award the licence.

Legislative Process

Ceisteanna (724)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

724. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the proposed timetable for the passing of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 through all stages of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28053/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 raised bog natural heritage areas. The Review concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network which entails:

i. The cessation of turf-cutting on 36 existing natural heritage areas, which will remain designated - this includes 7 sites to be divided, with part to be conserved and part de-designated;

ii. The complete de-designation of 46 natural heritage areas - including the relevant areas of the 7 sites to be divided - where it has been judged that their conservation potential is expected to be marginal and/or that restoration would be prohibitively expensive for the conservation benefits achieved. Domestic turf-cutting may continue on these sites, while larger scale or commercial turf cutting will continue to be regulated through other consent systems; and

iii. The designation as natural heritage areas of 25 currently undesignated raised bogs, which are in public ownership or where there is reduced turf cutting pressure. These sites are to be proposed for designation to make up for the loss of habitat within the natural heritage area sites where turf cutting is to continue.

The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016, to give effect to the outcome of the 2014 Review, was presented to the Dáil on 21 July 2016 and was passed by that House on 13 December 2018.

The Bill, as passed by Dáil Éireann, provides for me, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, to complete the 2014 Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network and for a Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to conduct a review or reviews of blanket bog natural heritage areas, at his or her discretion.

The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 has passed Committee Stage in Seanad Éireann and is now to be scheduled for Report Stage in that House.

Archival Material

Ceisteanna (725)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

725. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the new archives repository project will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28163/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Archival Repository project will to deliver new and much expanded purpose-built storage facilities at the National Archives premises in Bishop Street, Dublin 8 and will build-in the potential to develop and construct additional storage in the future. It is funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under Project Ireland 2040 with the aim of having this project completed in 2022.