Written Answers Nos. 367-384
367. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of occasions on which she or her officials met with a club (details supplied) between 9 August and 16 October 2019, and the details of the said meetings. [47879/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials of my Department met with the organisation in question on six occasions during the said period. The meetings were held to discuss the emerging situation regarding the RHD2 virus in hares and rabbits, the potential implications of this for the wild hare population and the implications of this for hare coursing.
368. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of occasions on which she or her representatives met with stakeholders in animal welfare and conservation between 9 August and 16 October 2019, (details supplied); and if the details of the said meetings will be provided. [47880/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the implementation of a range of national and European legislation on nature and biodiversity, principally the Wildlife Acts and the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations, which transpose in the Irish context the EU Birds Directive and EU Habitats Directive. The legislative framework around protecting and conserving our natural heritage is further strengthened by legislation for the implementation of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species); the Licensing and Inspection of Zoos Regulations 2013; as well as more specific legislation introduced in 2018 to tackle the threat posed by invasive alien species of crayfish; and regulations introduced earlier this year to implement the EU ABS Regulation, which puts in place a more equitable system for the sharing of benefits arising from use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
While animal health and welfare generally comes under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in the context of my Department's wide-ranging remit, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has a function in relation to policy on wildlife crime, with respect of species listed in the appendices to CITES, particularly the provenance of specimens, and with respect to the welfare and conditions of animals in zoos in Ireland and communicates on a regular basis with stakeholders and actors in these areas, including those named.
The role of non-governmental organisations and stakeholders is important and valued. My Department maintains productive relationships with a wide range of NGOs, stakeholders and conservation groups. Furthermore, environmental NGOS are represented on the Biodiversity Forum, an independent advisory group set up to advise the Minister on the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan which usually convenes 2 or 3 times each year.
Representatives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service meet with stakeholders and conservation groups on a regular basis in the course of carrying out their duties. These meetings are often conducted by personnel from the NPWS Regional Management structure. While there may have been additional routine or ad-hoc meetings / communications between NPWS and representatives of stakeholders or NGOs during the period referred to in the question, the following meetings took place during that time:
- NPWS Eastern Division met with senior personnel from one of the named organisations on 17 September 2019. The purpose of the meeting was an annual review of an MOU that exists between that organisation and NPWS.
- The Irish Red Grouse Conservation Trust met with NPWS in NPWS Kildare Regional Office on 5 September 2019.
- NPWS is represented on a multi-agency group dealing with animal welfare in Wicklow. This group last met on 24 September 2019. It includes representatives from the following bodies - Wicklow SPCA, ISPCA and Irish Horse Welfare Trust. Wicklow County Council is also represented.
- The Irish Red Grouse Conservation Trust and Irish Kennel Club members met with NPWS Regional Management to trial a survey method in Slieve Blooms Mountains Nature Reserve, 27 September 2019.
Ministerial diaries are available on the Department's website: www.chg.gov.ie/about/ministers/ministers-diary/.
In the period under review, a senior official of my Department discussed the subject matter of this question with an Official of one of the named organisations and met too with the Irish Council Against Blood Sports.
On Friday last, 15 November a senior official met the CEO of the second named organisation on a range of welfare issues.
369. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the definition of the term "areas unaffected" in respect of designation of areas impacted by the RHD2 virus; if this is exclusively on a county basis; and if not, if there are other divisions of classification. [47881/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the initial reports of the RHD2 virus in August this year, RHD2 has been confirmed in five hares found in Dublin and Wexford and in 21 rabbits found in counties Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kildare, Leitrim, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow.
In relation to hare coursing, I recently issued revised licences to allow the netting and tagging of hares but there are specific restrictions and conditions explicitly attached to the issue of those licences. The capturing of hares and coursing activity is prohibited in areas within a 25 kilometer radius of where wild rabbits or hares had tested positive for the virus. New zones will be added on an ongoing basis if further positive tests arise and, in these new zones, the capturing of hares will have to cease immediately and coursing will only be possible with already captured hares, where the hares are certified in writing by a veterinary surgeon as being healthy, and such hares will only be released on foot of further such certification.
370. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on purchasing mobile telephones for staff in her Department for work-related business in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by grade; if her Department has a contract with a mobile telephone company (details supplied) to supply mobile telephones if needed; if so, the name of the company; the date on which the contract for the supply of mobile telephones to her Department is next due to expire; and the robust steps taken to ensure that the costs incurred on work related telephones are the best value for the taxpayer. [47917/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with Department policy mobile phones are issued to staff on the basis of a business case approved by the head of the relevant division - Assistant Secretary or Director.
In general, mobile phones are issued to Assistant Principal or equivalent and above. However, mobile phones are also issued to other grades from time to time on the basis of business need or in the case of lone workers to take account of health and safety issues. There are currently 252 mobile phones on issue to staff in the Department.
The following table sets out expenditure by my Department for purchases of mobile phones for the periods specified by the Deputy. These figures include new purchases
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2016 |
€0 |
|
2017 |
€46,433 |
|
2018 |
€28,844 |
|
2019 (to date) |
€5,429 |
In June 2019, following a tender competition conducted under the Office of Government Procurement Framework, the Department entered into a new 2 year contract with eir for the supply of mobile telephony services with the option to extend for a further period of up to two years if required.
Expenditure is monitored carefully to ensure that costs are work related and value for money is achieved at all times.
371. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff in her Department by gender and pay grade in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47943/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular form as follows. The numbers reflect the position as at end September 2019.
|
Grade |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Principal Officer |
8 |
18 |
26 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
51 |
55 |
106 |
|
Administrative Officer |
41 |
47 |
88 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
44 |
29 |
73 |
|
Executive Officer |
102 |
75 |
177 |
|
Clerical Officer |
63 |
36 |
99 |
|
Services Officer |
4 |
11 |
15 |
|
State Industrial * |
|
|
|
|
Craft Chargehand |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Rural General Operative Band 2 |
0 |
30 |
30 |
|
Rural general Operative Band 3 |
1 |
18 |
19 |
|
Craftworker Basic |
0 |
9 |
9 |
|
Craft Foreman |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Foreman Grade 1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Foreman grade 3 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Guide |
13 |
4 |
17 |
|
Head Guide |
6 |
2 |
8 |
|
Supervisor Guide |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Storekeeper grade 1 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Storekeeper Clerk in Charge |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Stores and Office Supervisor |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Seasonal Guide |
18 |
12 |
30 |
|
Horticultural Assistant |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
Total |
373 |
365 |
738 |
* The numbers for state industrial grades (final ten rows) include 46 fixed term seasonal staff employed at 30 September 2019. Of the seasonal staff, 22 are female and 24 are male.
372. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the political advisers used by Ministers and Ministers of State in her Department since the commencement of this Government; the commencement and cessation dates in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47960/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing my appointment as Minister on 30 November 2017, I appointed two Special Advisers as provided for by the Public Services Management Act 1997. Mr. John Keogh was appointed from the 8 January 2018 and Mr. Cian Connaughton from the 15 March 2018, both of whom continue to serve in my Department.
My immediate predecessor, Minister Heather Humphreys T.D., appointed two Special Advisers, Mr. Pauric McPhillips and Ms. Sarah Meade, on 14 June 2017. Ms. Meade ceased employment on 31 July 2017. Ms. Lucy Moylan, was appointed Special Advisor on 18 September 2017. Both Mr. McPhillips and Ms. Moylan ceased employment in November 2017.
For completeness, I would point out that Seán Kyne T.D., Minister of State at my Department also holds responsibilities at the Department of An Taoiseach. Joe McHugh T.D. was Minister of State in my Department from the commencement of this Government to October 2018 and also had responsibilities at the Department of An Taoiseach. In these cases, the Department of An Taoiseach is the lead Department for the purposes of recording and accounting for the matters that are the subject of the Deputy’s Question.
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.
373. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding status from the rural regeneration and development fund to refurbish a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47974/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no role in relation to the administration of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
However, my Department has been in discussions on a number of occasions in recent times with the authority of the college referred to by the Deputy in relation to its plans to upgrade its building.
I understand that on foot of these discussions the college authority is considering submitting a business plan and formal application for capital funding under the Department's Community and Language Supports Programme. I also understand that the college authority is in communication with a number of other potential funding sources.
The Deputy may be assured that any application for capital funding being made by the college authority, encompassing a business plan in respect of the property, will be carefully considered by my Department in the context of competing priorities and available resources.
The Deputy may also be assured that my officials remain available to the college authority in order to offer guidance and advice in preparing any forthcoming application for departmental funding.
374. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided for the refurbishment of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47975/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been in discussions on a number of occasions in recent times with the authority of the college referred to by the Deputy in relation to its plans to upgrade its building.
I understand that on foot of these discussions the college authority is considering submitting a business plan and formal application for capital funding under the Department's Community and Language Supports Programme. I also understand that the college authority is in communication with a number of other potential funding sources.
The Deputy may be assured that any application for capital funding being made by the college authority, encompassing a business plan in respect of the property, will be carefully considered by my Department in the context of competing priorities and available resources.
The Deputy may also be assured that my officials remain available to the college authority in order to offer guidance and advice in preparing any forthcoming application for departmental funding.
375. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the purchase of a property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47980/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of this property and has in the past made enquiries about this property. While it would have been considered desirable, any pursuit of the property had been constrained by resources available as the Department focused upon managing its existing National Park holdings, including the completion of the restoration and refurbishment of Killarney House and Gardens.
My Department’s most recent enquiry in relation to the property in October was to ask if the property was still on the market. I am advised that the Department was unaware that an offer had been made on the property and that the timing of this enquiry by the Department's representative was coincidental. Ultimately, the sale or otherwise of this property is a private commercial transaction for the owner(s) and my Department will not comment further on same. We are unaware of an approach by the Office of Public Works.
376. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an application by a person (details supplied). [47983/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was 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 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.
I have been informed that a decision was taken by my Department that the applicant does not fulfil all of the qualifying criteria of the scheme. He did not have a legal interest in the plot in question on 25 May 2010 and turf cutting by the applicant had not taken place on the plot during the five year period up to 14 January 2014.
The applicant was informed of this decision on 27 May 2019 and advised that he could request a Departmental review of this decision.
The applicant has requested this review. As part of the review process, my Department has requested further information from the applicant.
If the original decision is upheld by the Departmental review, the applicant will have the opportunity to appeal against the decision to the Peatlands Council.
377. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of complaints of bullying and sexual harassment, respectively, received by her Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [48033/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy, as advised by my Department, is set out in tabular form as follows.
|
Year |
Number of Complaints |
|
2016 |
3 |
|
2017 |
1 |
|
2018 |
8 |
|
2019 |
1 |
None of the above complaints were in respect of sexual harassment.
378. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of employees of her Department who were dismissed in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date 2019; the reason for the dismissal of each employee; the number of employees suspended in the same period; and the reason for the suspension of each in tabular form. [48068/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy, as advised by my Department, is set out in the table.
|
Year |
No of Dismissals |
Reason |
|
2018 |
1 Dismissal |
Failed probation |
|
Year |
No of Suspensions |
Reason |
|
2019 |
1 Suspension |
Suspended pending outcome of investigation |
379. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on public relations, promotion and advertising for the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and Project Ireland 2040 since its publication in February 2018 by category (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48120/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not engaged in any public relations, promotion and advertising for the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and Project Ireland 2040 as described by the Deputy. I am advised, however, that costs in respect of the launch in April 2018 of Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027, a ten year plan setting out the Government’s commitment for capital investment of almost €1.2 billion in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage as part of Project Ireland 2040, was approximately €71,000, which included the cost of the event, technical assistance, translation, design and print and video production.
Under this programme some €1.2 billion will be invested in our culture, heritage and language infrastructure as part of Project Ireland 2040:
- €460 million for our National Cultural Institutions.
- €265 million for cultural and creativity investment programme.
- €285 million for natural and built heritage.
- €178 million for the Gaeltacht, the Irish language and the Islands.
Further details on the breakdown of the investment programme are provided in our sectoral plan – Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage. 2018-2027.
380. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date, subject and attendees of each meeting to date in 2019 she has attended with NGOs on the subject of biodiversity. [48181/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information the Deputy has requested is outlined in the table.
|
Date |
Subject |
Attendees |
|
22/01/2019 |
Meeting with Minister Madigan - Invasive Alien Species & Biosecurity in Ireland |
Professor Joe Caffrey, INVAS; Professor Frances Lucy, EPA; Alan Moore, DCHG |
|
20/02/2019 |
National Biodiversity Conference, Dublin Castle |
Catherine Farrell, Bord na Móna; Denis O’Sullivan, Gas Networks Ireland; Eamonn O’Reilly, Dublin Port Company; Gerard Britchfield, Coillte; Professor Jane Stout, Irish Forum on Natural Capital; John McMahon, OPW; Michael Ewing, Environmental Pillar; Paddy Mahon, County and City Management Association; Tina Roche, Community Foundation for Ireland; Professor Yvonne Buckley, Chair Biodiversity Forum |
|
11/07/2019 |
Meeting with Minister Madigan, MOS Cannon, Turf cutters and officials |
Gus McCarthy, Consultant Engineer; John Hynes, MK Consulting; 4 members of the Looscaun Shannonside Development Group; Brian Lucas, DCHG |
|
19/07/2019 |
Meeting with Minister Madigan |
Professor Yvonne Buckley; Ciaran O’Keeffe, DCHG |
|
29/08/2019 |
Blueway development - public meeting, Monasterevin Community Centre |
Martin Heydon TD |
|
03/10/2019 |
Meeting with IFA delegation |
Richard Kennedy, Deputy President; Flor McCarthy, National Hill Committee Chairman; Padraic Joyce, Chairman SAC Project Team; Charlie Killeen, Chairman Shannon Callows; Gerry Gunning, IFA Officer Environment Issues, Andy Bleasdale, DCHG |
381. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on bottled water and disposable coffee cups by her Department to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48186/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to participate in the Government's programme to reduce waste, including the non-use of single use plastics other than where public safety/hygiene issues arise, announced by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in January of this year.
I am advised that total expenditure to date in 2019 in respect of bottled water for water dispensers in Department offices and disposable paper cups from my Department's Administrative Budget, is €1,546 and €312, respectively.
382. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date of each review and revision of the material published under the publication scheme of her Department as outlined in section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48203/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s publication scheme as outlined in Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 is available on our website, www.chg.gov.ie. The Scheme, initially published in April 2016, was reviewed in 2017 following the reorganisation of my Department, covers a broad remit of information and materials. These are published under six pillars, as follows:
- Information about the Department;
- Services Provided by the Department;
- The Department's Decision-Making Process for Major Policy Proposals;
- Financial Information;
- Procurement;
- FOI Disclosure Logs and other Information.
Information and materials across all pillars are updated regularly by individual areas of my Department.
I am informed that a comprehensive review of the publication scheme is currently underway and it is expected that this will completed shortly.
383. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided to local authorities to assist with the maintenance of roadside hedges in view of health and safety concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48224/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no function in relation to the funding of roadside hedge maintenance for health and safety purposes.
384. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on public relations, promotion and advertising, including multi-media, in her Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019 (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48242/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount spent on public relations, promotion and advertising including multi-media in my Department to date in 2019 is set out in the following table. Value for money is a critical consideration at all times in assessing whether external firms should be engaged to provide services of this nature.
2019
|
Activity |
Expenditure |
|
Culture Ireland: social media content |
€ 2,446 |
|
Creative Ireland: social media content |
€76,506 |
|
Total |
€78,952 |
In respect of the information requested by the Deputy in respect of expenditure by my Department in 2017 and 2018 I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to Dáil Questions No 596 and 597 of 19th December 2018. For the Deputy's convenience the relevant material is set out as follows.
In 2017 expenditure of €64,167 was incurred in respect of social media relating to the Creative Ireland programme. This arose from a comprehensive citizen engagement programme to showcase the range and depth of Ireland's cultural and creative offering and to encourage participation in arts and creative activities as a means of individual, collective and societal well-being. The vision of the Creative Ireland Programme is that every person in Ireland should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential. This represents a new approach to creativity and cultural policy and therefore required a sustained communications programme in 2017. A combination of approaches and platforms were used to maximise impact, taking account of the diversity of the target audiences. Further information is available on my Department's Creative Ireland website.
During 2018 Creative Ireland undertook a four week campaign from mid-May to mid-June 2018 on regional radio and social media to promote the 500 events taking place across the country as part of the inaugural Cruinniú na nÓg day of creativity for children and young people. Three bespoke videos were produced to support and raise awareness of Cruinniú na nÓg - Ireland's new national day of Creativity for children and young people - at a cost of €24,815.
In addition to promoting interest in specific initiatives such as Cruinniú na nÓg, social media is also actively used to support and promote the Creative Ireland Programme generally as well as specific creative endeavours and partner activities. During 2018, specific short videos were also commissioned to promote various aspects or pillars of the Creative Ireland Programme. These included a specially commissioned spoken word piece by Stephen James Smith to mark the publication of 31 Local Authority Culture and Creativity Strategies in September accompanied by five short videos to illustrate the breadth and range of activities supported by the local authority Creative Ireland Programmes; and a video to mark the roll out of the Creative Schools initiative in 150 schools nationwide, in partnership with the Arts Council and the Department of Education and Skills. All these videos are available at www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en. A full breakdown of all costs in 2018 in relation to these activities is published on the Creative Ireland Website.
|
Creative Ireland Expenditure Summary |
2018 |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
|
|
Regional radio & social media campaign |
€48,780 |
|
3 Cruinniú na nÓg videos |
€24,815 |
|
Creative Ireland Programme |
|
|
Social Media content - uploading of articles daily throughout 2018 |
€66,420 |
|
12 videos |
€93,110 |
I am also advised that the Culture Ireland Unit of my Department engaged Mr. Nik Quaife on a 1 year contract for the provision of services including a communications strategy for its GB18 programme, to celebrate and renew Ireland’s cultural relationship with Britain. Total expenditure on this contract was €51,400.
The Department also engaged D’Arcy Marketing and BigO at a cost of €17,466 and €6,125 respectively to promote awareness of the 2018 European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) campaign for the recruitment of Irish language translators to the institutions of the European Union.
