Written Answers Nos. 1401-1425
1401. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has engaged the use of external consultants from 1 January 2020 to date; the details and costs of such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5526/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that no external consultants have been engaged by my Department for the period under review. My Department commissions engineering, environmental and other experts from time to time to provide technical reports or advice on specific issues. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants etc., or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
1402. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) will be paid the cessation payment for their bog in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5704/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme had been received from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
Annual payments for 2020 (€1,554 to each qualifying applicant) under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to qualifying applicants are being made. My Department expects this process to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2020.
1403. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dáta ar a gcuirfear sonraí ar fáil maidir leis na scéimeanna tacaíochta a d’fhógair Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta an 22 Aibreán 2020 chun teacht i gcabhair ar na coláistí samhraidh Gaeltachta agus ar na mná tí a chuireann lóistín ar fáil; an n-aontaíonn sí go bhfuil práinn faoi leith ag baint le cinnteacht a chur ar fáil do na coláistí samhraidh agus do na mná tí nuair a chuirtear san áireamh go bhfuil todhchaí na gcoláistí céanna i mbaol maidir le samhradh 2021, go háirithe agus na coláistí samhraidh ag aisíoc na n-éarlaisí faoi láthair a fuair siad ó thuismitheoirí le haghaidh na bliana 2020; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5747/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDírím aird an Teachta ar na ceisteanna atá freagartha agam cheana féin faoin ábhar seo. Mar atá ráite agam cheana féin, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis na húdaráis sláinte agus ar mhaithe le sláinte phoiblí a chosaint, ag cur san áireamh na bearta éigeandála atá á nglacadh maidir le Covid-19, d’fhógair mo Roinn le gairid nach reáchtálfar aon chúrsa foghlama Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht an samhradh seo de bharr na paindéime Covid-19.
Aithnítear gur cuid lárnach de bhonneagar sóisialta agus geilleagrach na Gaeltachta iad na coláistí agus suas le 27,000 scoláire go bliantúil ag freastal ar cheann de 42 coláiste agus iad ag fanacht le ceann den 700 teaghlach Gaeltachta atá incháilithe faoi Scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge de chuid na Roinne le lóistín a chur ar fáil. Meastar gur fiú c.€50m sa bhliain í earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge do gheilleagar na Gaeltachta nuair a chuirtear san áireamh na hóstáin, tithe aíochta, bialann agus gnólachtaí a dtugann tuismitheoirí na bhfoghlaimeoirí cuairt orthu i gcaitheamh an tsamhraidh.
Mar atá luaite agam roimhe seo, tá cíoradh á dhéanamh i rith an ama ag an Roinn ar an mbealach is fearr is féidir chun earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge a chobhsú. Chuige sin, tá mé féin agus oifigigh mo Roinne i dteagmháil i rith an ama le scáthghrúpa na gcoláistí samhraidh, CONCOS.
Is i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara atá an obair seo idir lámha i dtreo féachaint chuige go mbeidh teacht aniar ann don earnáil trí chéile in 2021 agus sna blianta ina dhiaidh sin.
1405. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); if there is a dedicated investigation unit for the poisoning of birds of prey; the number of prosecutions for illegal bird poisoning since 2017; and the measures being taken to police banned pesticides here. [6174/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Wildlife Acts and under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 all bird species are protected and animals such as badgers, deer, otters, bats and hares are also protected.
Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department monitor compliance with the Wildlife Acts and the European Community (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 across the country on an on-going basis and carry out patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of these Acts, as much as possible. They also investigate reports of breaches of the Acts with a view to initiating prosecutions where there is sufficient evidence to support same. Members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities legislation to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute if they see fit.
Over the last six years, three people have been prosecuted by the NPWS of my Department with illegal poisoning of birds. The NPWS of my Department is aware of the incident referred to in details supplied and the matter is presently under investigation. Accordingly, we cannot comment on this case beyond the facts below:
Following a report from a concerned landowner in West Cork, in early January this year, NPWS field staff collected 12 dead birds of prey which the landowner had come across in one of his fields. Subsequent searches of the general area by NPWS located 11 further dead birds.
While the investigation is still ongoing, NPWS are of the view that this case is an example of deliberate poisoning of wildlife, and are confident that this incident was not related to any agricultural practices in the area, nor with the landowner. I am grateful to the landowner for alerting the NPWS to this very serious incident, and local field staff are continuing with the intensive investigation into this case, including continued monitoring of the area, with a view to determining the source.
Testing of the carcasses was carried out by the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Cork which confirmed that the cause of death was the banned insecticide Carbofuran. The use of Carbofuran products in agriculture has been banned in Ireland since June 2009.
The chemical had been shown worldwide to be toxic to much wildlife, but particularly toxic to birds. While it is no longer legally available anywhere in Europe, it is known to be illegally procured and used by that minority of people who persecute wildlife, particularly birds of prey.
My Department has successfully prosecuted offenders who employed this method previously. NPWS Regional staff launched an intensive investigation and the Gardai at Bandon Garda Station were also alerted to the incident. Subsequent searches of the general area did not result in any further findings of mortalities leaving the total recorded mortalities from this incident at 23.
As this is an open on-going legal investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further on this case.
1406. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the process followed in the sale of a building (details supplied) which was owned by Údarás na Gaeltachta; the locations the sale was advertised; if the sale price is in line with market value for the area; the number of other sales there have been in the past ten years of land and property owned by Údarás na Gaeltachta in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6183/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraÚdarás na Gaeltachta has confirmed that the sale of a 12,000 square metre factory, vacant since 2004, to a long-standing locally owned and managed company, is currently being processed as part of a job creation package that was approved by the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in September 2019.
As a result of the expansion of this company, An tÚdarás approved the project based on the proposal by the company to add up to 45 additional jobs on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park. The company itself has now declared their intention to double that figure on foot of new contracts confirmed recently.
The sale is being progressed currently in accordance with the appropriate procedures as laid down for Údarás na Gaeltachta in the disposal of property and lands in its ownership. Údarás na Gaeltachta has confirmed that following full assessment of the expansion proposals from the client company the sale of the property as part of the job creation package was deemed appropriate in order to ensure permanency and investment in this expansion phase.
As per the appropriate procedure, two independent valuations were received in order to ascertain the current market value of the building at the time of the sale. The higher of these valuations was selected and approved by the Board of Údarás as the minimum sale price for the property, subject to the property being used for enterprise and job creation.
As the Deputy is aware, the Donegal Gaeltacht and the Gaoth Dobhair area in particular has experienced significant job losses in the past which resulted in the establishment by Údarás na Gaeltachta of an employment taskforce in the recent past to develop proposals in order to increase employment opportunities in the area.
Notwithstanding the significant efforts of this taskforce and Údarás na Gaeltachta in actively seeking tenants or investors for the building, the former Snáth Comer factory has been empty since 2004 and has not been upgraded in any way during that period. This sale and expansion is a positive development for the Gaoth Dobhair area, which will see cutting edge research, development and innovation, and manufacturing taking place in this factory once again and most importantly, a proposed workforce in excess of 160 people in total.
This development is integral to the future growth of the company in question and facilitates its ability to secure new contracts, expand the workforce and produce new products in Gaoth Dobhair. The building will need to be renovated as well as being extended to allow for the installation of the appropriate machinery as and when required and the company itself will complete those works.
Údarás na Gaeltachta has confirmed that 14 sales of buildings, enterprise units/sub-units, or parcels of land have been completed in the County Donegal Gaeltacht over the last 10 years.
The sale of enterprise property to client companies with an appropriate business model, resources, structure and profile is a long-established successful method by Údarás na Gaeltachta and other development organisations to ensure longevity, sustainability and investment by companies in creating employment in rural Gaeltacht areas.
At a time of global uncertainty, it is encouraging to see companies that are willing to innovate, develop and especially invest in their own local areas and to look to create new employment opportunities.
1407. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business for the practice of classical ballet as proposed by an organisation (details supplied); the phase they will be able to re-open at; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6239/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 1st of May, this Government published its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to ease the COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society in a phased manner. The roadmap started from 18 May and the plan sets out five phases for unlocking restrictions, at three week intervals. At all times we will be guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team and each three week interval will see a review of public health situation.
A National Protocol has been finalised by Government, employers and trade unions, with the assistance of the Health and Safety Authority, which will support a gradual restart of economic activity as restrictions are eased, while protecting the health and safety of workers as they return to work.
The Protocol has been developed following discussions at the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), which is the forum for high level dialogue between Government, Union and Employer representatives on matters of strategic national importance.
The Arts Council has recently appointed an Advisory Group to assess, inter alia, how arts organisations can emerge from lockdown, implementing hygiene and social distancing protocols as necessary, and how in due course, to safely return to public attendance and participation under advice from the relevant authorities.
While ultimately, it will be a matter for employers to assess their readiness to reopen safely in accordance with the National Protocol, my Department is engaging with its agencies, and through its agencies with a wide of sectorial stakeholders, on preparations under the Roadmap Plan and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.
1408. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Covid-19 supports announced by her Department or State agencies under her remit; the application process involved and deadlines for each such support; and if primary legislation will need to be enacted to operationalise any of these supports. [6253/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 crisis gives rise to many challenges for the nation as a whole and is having an unprecedented impact on the arts, culture, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors. While the full financial and economic implications of the crisis are not yet known, the impact on the sectors supported by the Department may extend well past the lifting of any COVID-19 restrictions.
Since the advent of the crisis, officials from my Department have been actively engaging with all sectors and continue to meet with those organisations under the aegis of the Department, as well as a broad range of sectorial stakeholders across all policy areas.
A number of initial support measures have been initiated by my Department, none of which require enactment of primary legislation and the Department continues to engage across its sectors on the range of cross-Government supports that are available as well as engaging on the challenges that are facing individual sectors.
Details of supports for the culture sector are available on my Department's Website at
https://www.chg.gov.ie/covid19-supports-for-artists/
Details of those supports put in place by State Agencies under my Department's remit can be accessed on their respective websites, as listed in the following table:
|
Body |
Details available at: |
|
Arts Council |
http://www.artscouncil.ie |
|
Screen Ireland |
https://www.screenireland.ie/ |
|
Heritage Council |
http://www.heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
http://www.udaras.ie/ |
|
Waterways Ireland |
https://www.waterwaysireland.org/ |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
http://www.forasnagaeilge.ie/ |
My Department will continue to engage with the agencies under its remit and other sectorial stakeholders to ensure that there is a high level of awareness of the supports that are available and to ensure that optimal use is made of available resources to best support the sector at this challenging time.
1409. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the detail of each Covid-19 business supports Údarás na Gaeltachta is providing to companies in Gaeltacht areas; the application process involved; and deadlines for each such support. [6254/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraÚdarás na Gaeltachta is engaging directly with its client companies to support them and their staff through these challenging times and is working alongside Government, State Agencies and the Gaeltacht community on a cohesive approach to the COVID-19 crisis.
An tÚdarás continues to advise client companies on contingency planning – financial planning, liquidity issues and recovery strategies and companies are being actively encouraged to avail of the COVID-19 support schemes that are available both nationally and through Údarás na Gaeltachta as detailed below.
Seminars, online resources and property solutions continue to be provided to such companies in order to support them in getting ready to reopen in the coming weeks. Údarás na Gaeltachta works closely with Enterprise Ireland (EI) to ensure that all support schemes available through EI are also available to client companies of an tÚdarás either directly or where required in partnership with EI.
The following business response supports are designed to help businesses stabilise and adapt to the evolving situation, in preparation for getting back on the road to recovery.
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant
The COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant is a support available to Údarás na Gaeltachta SME clients and is operated in association with Enterprise Ireland. It is targeted at those manufacturing or internationally traded services companies that employ 10 or more full time employees. The grant helps companies to develop a robust financial plan with the support of professional assistance, including the preparation of documentation required to support applications for external finance from banks and/or other finance providers. The COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant, worth up to €5,000, enables companies to access external support from approved financial consultants to prepare a financial plan to secure the company in the short to medium terms.
The financial plan will:-
- help the company to understand its immediate liquidity issues; determine how to minimise costs and maximise sources of liquidity;
- ensure that the company has a framework to manage the finances of the business;
- create a financial plan to secure the external finance that the company requires through the coming months;
- represent 100% funding of up to €5,000 to access an approved financial consultant, and
- be open via online application.
Sustaining Enterprise Fund — HPSU
The Sustaining Enterprise Fund – HPSU is aimed at High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) companies who, due to the COVID-19 pandemic face delays to projected sales growth and whose fund-raising plans are significantly impacted or stalled. Under this fund, HPSUs can apply for co-investment of €50,000 per undertaking in the form of equity or convertible debt instruments. The fund is open to companies in whom Údarás na Gaeltachta has an existing HPSU seed stage equity investment, who showed strong commercial and technical progress prior to the COVID-19 crisis and can demonstrate a clear need for additional funding. This fund is available to Gaeltacht HPSUs and operated in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland.
Sustaining Enterprise Fund Small Enterprise
The Sustaining Enterprise Fund - Small Enterprise purpose is to sustain eligible manufacturing and internationally traded services companies: who have been impacted by a 15% or more reduction in actual or projected turnover or profit and that require access to liquidity to sustain business continuity. This fund will provide a €25k to €50k short term working capital injection to eligible smaller companies to support business continuity and strengthen their ability to return to growth and be trading strongly in 3 years’ time.
The objectives of the fund are provide financial support (against detailed costs and cash flows) to eligible companies for a 3-month period to support business continuity so that companies can return to viability and contribute to the recovery of the Irish economy.
Sustaining Enterprise Fund
This is specifically aimed at all firms with 10 or more employees impacted by COVID-19 that are vulnerable but viable. The Fund is available to eligible Údarás na Gaeltachta clients and operated in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, providing repayable advances of up to €800,000 as agreed with the EU under new State Aid rules and, together with leveraged lending from the financial markets, should see up to €500m of additional investment in vulnerable but viable firms. These grants will only be repayable if and when a business returns to financial good health.
Lean Business Continuity Voucher
The Lean Business Continuity Voucher is available to eligible companies with 10+ employees to access up to €2,500 in training or advisory services support related to the continued operation of their businesses during the current pandemic. The services may be in the form of management advice or training of management or staff within the company or a combination of both.
Companies can avail of support from a list of approved service providers.
The service provided focuses on the Operations of the company in terms of;
- Crisis response where appropriate,
- Sustaining Operations including process re-engineering (Lean, etc),
- Planning for resilience post crisis.
The Lean Business Continuity Voucher is open to small, medium or large client companies (including HPSUs) of Údarás na Gaeltachta and provided in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland.
Credit Guarantee Scheme
The Government’s Credit Guarantee Scheme supports loans up to €1 million for periods of up to 7 years. Údarás na Gaeltachta is advising and mentoring companies on how to make applications to AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank.
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loans
Microenterprises can access COVID-19 loans of up to €50,000 from MicroFinance Ireland. The Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 loan includes an option for a moratorium on interest and repayments for the first six months. Loans are available at an interest rate of between 4.5% and 5.5%. Údarás na Gaeltachta clients and Gaeltacht businesses can apply directly at microfinanceireland.ie following consultation with an Údarás na Gaeltachta development executive.
COVID-19 Retail Online Scheme
The new COVID-19 Retail Online Scheme is suitable to retailers employing over 10 people. The objective of the Scheme is to support companies in the indigenous retail sector with a pre-existing online presence to respond to both the domestic and international consumer demand for a competitive online offer. Successful applicants will be awarded funding to support a maximum of 80% of the project costs. Grants ranging from €10,000 to €40,000 will be awarded under the competitive scheme. Údarás na Gaeltachta is providing advice and support to Gaeltacht companies to assist them in preparing applications for the scheme which is operated by Enterprise Ireland
COVID-19 Údarás na Gaeltacht Online Trading Scheme
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Online Trading Scheme assists businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This scheme was originally introduced by Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2017 in order to increase the number of Gaeltacht businesses trading online and to increase Gaeltacht business sales online. Under the Online Trading Scheme a maximum grant of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenses, excluding VAT, whichever is lower, is available to eligible businesses to develop and strengthen their ability to trade ‘online’.
COVID-19 Údarás na Gaeltachta Business Continuity Voucher
The Business Continuity Voucher is worth up to €2,500 in third party consultancy costs and can be used by companies and sole traders that employ up to 50 people to develop short-term and long-term strategies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For a huge number of small businesses, survival is the over-riding objective at this time so making the right decisions is crucial. Successful applicants who avail of the voucher gain access to contingency planning advice to help continue trading through this crisis and prepare for the recovery phase. It also helps firms prepare a business case to apply for emergency financial interventions through the banks. The voucher assists different sectors, depending on the needs of each business, but includes significant measures such as preparing a business case for application to emergency funding, developing a business continuity plan, reducing variable costs, reviewing and exploring supply chain financing options, implementing remote working processes or procedures, and leveraging expertise in HR and ICT.
COVID-19 Act On Initiative Scheme
This support is available to Gaeltacht client companies which export and whose businesses is affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. It provides access to 2 days consultancy engagement at no extra cost to assess financial management, strategic sourcing and transport and logistics advice.
Mentoring Scheme
The Mentoring Scheme provides support for a business mentor to assist businesses in the initial stage of their businesses or who give advice on specific areas of their business plan – vital assistance in these challenging times.
Údarás na Gaeltachta officials have been in contact with all clients directly to provide support, inform them of the best supports available to them and to assist them with the completion of forms.
Information and application forms for the various supports are available on the organisation's website and social media channels; Client companies are being urged to contact Údarás na Gaeltachta directly by phone in order to discuss their proposals with a Development Executive and to ascertain the support package most appropriate to a particular companies needs.
The COVID 19 support schemes will run until the end of 2020 as per all national schemes. Údarás na Gaeltachta also has its own range of schemes to support companies in their future development (Capital Investment, Marketing, Innovation and competitiveness).
Finally, can I reassure the Deputy that Údarás na Gaeltachta is continuing to work with colleagues across Government Departments and other State Agencies to develop further practical emergency supports for businesses based on these beneficial consultations.
1410. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Dara Calleary den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta de réir an ráiteas go bhfuil sé fógartha ag a Roinn nach reáchtálfar aon chúrsa foghlama Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht an samhradh seo de bharr na paindéime Covid-19 an bhfuil sé i gceist ag a Roinn airgeadais a chuir ar fáil chun tacú leis na mná tí, leis na coistí agus leis na coláistí iad féin chun freastal ar an gcaillteanas a tharlóidh. [6255/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDírím aird an Teachta ar na ceisteanna atá freagartha agam cheana féin faoin ábhar seo. Mar atá ráite agam cheana féin, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis na húdaráis sláinte agus ar mhaithe le sláinte phoiblí a chosaint, ag cur san áireamh na bearta éigeandála atá á nglacadh maidir le Covid-19, d’fhógair mo Roinn le gairid nach reáchtálfar aon chúrsa foghlama Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht an samhradh seo de bharr na paindéime Covid-19.
Aithnítear gur cuid lárnach de bhonneagar sóisialta agus geilleagrach na Gaeltachta iad na coláistí agus suas le 27,000 scoláire go bliantúil ag freastal ar cheann de 42 coláiste agus iad ag fanacht le ceann den 700 teaghlach Gaeltachta atá incháilithe faoi Scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge de chuid na Roinne le lóistín a chur ar fáil. Meastar gur fiú c.€50m sa bhliain í earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge do gheilleagar na Gaeltachta nuair a chuirtear san áireamh na hóstáin, tithe aíochta, bialann agus gnólachtaí a dtugann tuismitheoirí na bhfoghlaimeoirí cuairt orthu i gcaitheamh an tsamhraidh.
Mar atá luaite agam roimhe seo, tá cíoradh á dhéanamh i rith an ama ag an Roinn ar an mbealach is fearr is féidir chun earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge a chobhsú. Chuige sin, tá mé féin agus oifigigh mo Roinne i dteagmháil i rith an ama le scáthghrúpa na gcoláistí samhraidh, CONCOS.
Is i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara atá an obair seo idir lámha i dtreo féachaint chuige go mbeidh teacht aniar ann don earnáil trí chéile in 2021 agus sna blianta ina dhiaidh sin.
1411. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital spend by her Department to date in 2020, including the capital carry over from 2019, by subhead. [6260/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of capital expenditure by my Department and all Government departments are published by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c46b76-fiscal-monitor-april-2020/
Total capital expenditure for my Department to 30 April 2020 amounts to €20.98m as detailed in the following table. Total expenditure from capital carryover to 30 April 2020 amounts to €525,000.
These figures are provisional as all expenditure within my Department's Vote is subject to an on going internal verification and monitoring process to ensure the best use of available financial resources. Adjustments may fall to be made between subheads as part of this process and all figures are subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
|
Subhead |
|
Expenditure to 30/04/2020 €000s |
|
(v) |
OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND EXTERNAL IT SERVICES |
292 |
|
A.5 |
GENERAL EXPENSES OF IRISH MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, CHESTER BEATTY LIBRARY, NATIONAL CONCERT HALL & CRAWFORD GALLERY |
415 |
|
A.7 |
CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT |
395 |
|
A.9 |
AN CHOMHAIRLE EALAÍON |
440 |
|
A.10 |
GENERAL EXPENSES OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND |
200 |
|
A.11 |
GENERAL EXPENSES OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND |
179 |
|
A.12 |
FÍS EIREANN |
6,000 |
|
A.13 |
NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND |
429 |
|
A.14 |
EUROPEAN CITY OF CULTURE |
2,653 |
|
B.3 |
HERITAGE COUNCIL |
478 |
|
B.4 |
BUILT HERITAGE |
191 |
|
B.5 |
NATURAL HERITAGE (NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE) |
557 |
|
B.8 |
PEATLANDS RESTORATION, CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT |
1,583 |
|
C.3 |
GAELTACHT SUPPORT SCHEMES |
214 |
|
C.4 |
IRISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT SCHEMES |
2 |
|
C.8 |
ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA - GRANTS FOR PROJECTS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON PREMISES |
4,317 |
|
C.9 |
ISLANDS |
5 |
|
D.4 |
WATERWAYS IRELAND |
2,630 |
|
|
Total |
20,980 |
1412. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the terms of reference or rules of procedure of the wildlife crime committee in her Department; the members of the committee; and if all minutes of meetings of the committee will be provided. [6352/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1415. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the procedures in place within her Department for evidence gathering and investigating illegal poisonings and other wildlife crimes; and the persons or bodies tasked with leading investigations. [6355/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1418. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether greater resources need to be allocated to tackling wildlife crimes in view of the ongoing illegal poisonings of birds of prey and the lack of successful prosecutions for these crimes. [6358/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1427. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the process by which wildlife crimes are investigated; if public reporting of the outcome of investigations of wildlife crimes are carried out; the number of criminal investigations carried out under the Wildlife Act 1976 in each of the past ten years; the number of investigations which have been successfully upheld in court in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6956/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1412, 1415, 1418 and 1427 together.
The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018 are the primary statutes designed to afford protection to the various species in the State and which set out the framework for dealing with wildlife crime. In addition, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 include provisions affording strict protection to a number of species and habitats.
Wildlife crime takes many forms ranging from persecution of badgers, illegal hunting of deer species, illegal hunting of hares with packs of dogs generally known as lurchers, trapping of wild birds such as native finches for illegal trade, wilfully disturbing or destroying the eggs or nests of wild birds, poisoning of raptor species and the illegal cutting of hedges during the nesting season for birds.
Within my Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has responsibility for the protection and conservation of Ireland’s natural heritage, including species protection and biodiversity at national level.
As well as more senior regionally based officers of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, NPWS Conservation Rangers are stationed around the country and deal with enforcement matters under the Wildlife Acts. Conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities.
Some of their work entails scientific research and survey work and the monitoring of compliance with national and European law in relation to nature conservation and wildlife crime across the country. The team also conducts patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of national and EU legislation and investigate reports of breaches of legislation including the various types of wildlife crime I have already described. My Department works closely with An Garda Síochána who are also specifically empowered under the Acts to investigate alleged wildlife crime offences and to prosecute as they see fit.
In the period 2013 to date in 2020 some 90 prosecutions were taken by my Department for breaches of the Wildlife Acts ranging from illegal deer and hare hunting, the cutting of hedges and vegetation and the poisoning of bird species. I will arrange for Deputy Whitmore to receive a yearly breakdown of prosecutions since 2010. These cases are heard in District Courts and my Department has issued press statements on individual cases over the years. For example, in 2019 my Department issued some 10 press statements on successful wildlife crime prosecutions. While bringing perpetrators of crime to justice is important, the success of dealing with wildlife crime cannot be judged on this alone, as ensuring compliance in the first instance is clearly of critical importance.
Given concerns about wildlife crime, an internal Wildlife Crime Group made up of senior Departmental officials and regional field staff has been established and meets regularly. The primary purpose of the Group is to ensure that the NPWS can realise its enforcement functions under the Wildlife Acts and European legislation as effectively as possible including consideration of how working with other agencies and organisations can enable the Department to fulfil its functions in tackling wildlife crime.
The Wildlife Crime Group has pursued many important initiatives including the organisation of a major Wildlife Crime Conference in 2018 which was attended by An Garda Síochána and representatives from organisations in Britain and Northern Ireland dealing with wildlife crime.
I am committed to ensuring that we continue with vigour our actions to tackle wildlife crime including incidents such as the recent killing of buzzards in Co Cork and to working with other agencies, including An Garda Síochána and the I.S.P.C.A to counteract these illegal activities.
1413. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the deaths of 22 buzzards poisoned in late 2019 in County Cork did not appear in the Raptor Protocol 2019 report published in April 2020. [6353/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1414. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason her Department has made no statement on the poisoning of 22 buzzards in County Cork in 2019 despite it being the largest single incident recorded; and the protocol for releasing statements on illegal poisoning incidents. [6354/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1416. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the persons or bodies that led the investigation into the poisoning of 22 buzzards in late 2019 in County Cork; the actions and lines of inquiry taken; and the outcomes of same. [6356/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1420. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the reports of the largest poisoning of birds of prey for a number of years which happened recently in County Cork; if there is an investigation underway into this case; if there is funding in place and strategies to combat the systemic harm and poisoning of the under threat birds of prey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6494/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1424. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to a large number of birds of prey in County Cork being poisoned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6569/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1428. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the most recent mass poisoning of buzzards in County Cork which occurred in late 2019 including specifics of the poisoning; the process by which it was investigated; the outcome of the investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6957/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1413, 1414, 1416, 1420, 1424 and 1428 together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is aware of this incident of poisoning. As the matter is presently under ongoing and active investigation by the NPWS, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this case beyond the following facts:
Following a report from a concerned landowner in West Cork, in early January this year, NPWS field staff collected 12 dead buzzards which the landowner had come across in one of his fields. Subsequent searches of the general area by NPWS located 11 further dead buzzards.
Testing of the carcasses was carried out by the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Cork which confirmed that the cause of death was the banned insecticide Carbofuran. The use of Carbofuran products in agriculture has been banned in Ireland since June 2009. The chemical had been shown worldwide to be toxic to much wildlife, but particularly toxic to birds. While it is no longer legally available in the European Union, it is known to be illegally procured and used by that minority of people who persecute wildlife, particularly birds of prey.
On learning of the incident, NPWS Regional staff immediately launched an intensive investigation and the Gardai at Bandon Garda Station were also alerted to the incident. More recent searches of the general area did not result in any further findings of buzzard mortalities leaving the total recorded mortalities from this incident at 23.
While the investigation is still ongoing, it is the view of NPWS that this incident was not related to any agricultural practices in the area, nor with the landowner but rather that it is a case of deliberate poisoning of wildlife.
Buzzards are a species that became extinct in Ireland the late 19th century. Having re-established themselves in Northern Ireland in the 1930’s, they have steadily colonised many counties in Ireland and have now become a welcome addition to Ireland’s avian biodiversity. Incidents such as this impede this recolonisation and are to be condemned not least at a time when the awareness and appreciation of the value of our biodiversity is on the increase.
I am very grateful to the landowner for alerting us to this very serious incident, and local field staff are continuing with the intensive investigation into this case, including continued monitoring of the area, with a view to determining the source.
My Department has provided funding for satellite tags for research on the movements of some of the introduced birds of prey and hen harrier and these have provided important information on poisoning. In relation to the Raptor Protocol, this is a collaborative approach between my Department, the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, and the State Laboratory to systematically determine the extent to which human actions (for example poisoning, persecution, disturbance, collisions, etc.) are threats to Ireland's native birds of prey. My Department issues an on-line report annually providing records, information and analysis of mortality and persecution of birds of prey. Details relating to the poisoning of the buzzards in West Cork, which I have already stated came to my Department’s attention in January this year, will be included in the Raptor Protocol Report for 2020.
1417. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the investigation into the illegal poisoning of a hen harrier in November 2019 in County Meath (details supplied); the person or body tasked with leading the investigation within her Department; the actions taken; and the outcomes of same. [6357/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal field staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department are aware of this incident to which the Deputy refers and the matter is currently under active investigation. Accordingly, I am not in a position to comment on the issue any further at this time.
1419. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent to date on the upgrading of the east and west wings of the National Library; and the duration of such works. [6375/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €14.7 million National Library of Ireland building redevelopment project “Re-imagining the National Library” is part of Project Ireland 2040. The first Phase 1 was to provide a modern, secure, state-of-the art book repository in which a substantial part of the Library's priceless book collection is now housed. I had the honour of unveiling the new facility in June 2019.
The completion of the first phase of the Library’s capital development project was a huge milestone. It involved moving 350,000 volumes from five floors of storage in the Victorian West Wing. The book repository gives us all a great sense of relief with the safeguarding of the national published collections. To date, funding of over €1.6 million has been made available by my Department.
The next phases include investigative works in the Library’s West Wing and the development of new public spaces and services, as well as providing universal access for all visitors.
1421. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has met formally with the new director of the Arts Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6518/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the new Director of the Arts Council remotely on a number of occasions including 15 April, 21 April and again on 1 May.
In addition, officials from my Department are in ongoing contact with the Arts Council and as well as with a broad range of sectorial stakeholders including resource organisations, advocacy groups as well as individual artists and arts practices.
The Council has undertaken a detailed survey of arts organisations to identify the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on audiences, employment and finances for March, April and May as well as a survey of artists seeking information of the economic impact on individual artists.
My Department has worked with the Arts Council from an early stage in the COVID-19 crisis, on measures to sustain our cultural infrastructure, support artists and arts practitioners and ensure the ongoing provision of cultural services. Following a meeting I convened on 12 March with the Arts Council, the national cultural institutions and Screen Ireland, the Arts Council announced a series of immediate measures, including an undertaking to honour all funding commitments made to organisations and allow grantees to draw down up to 90% of their funding commitment.
In the context of the wider cultural sector, officials from my Department are continuing to work with the Arts Council as well as other parts of Government, to assess and measure the effects of COVID-19 on the cultural sector and continue to plan how best to manage through this crisis.
1422. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the budget allocation for Údarás Na Gaeltachta in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6526/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe core exchequer allocation from my department to Údarás na Gaeltachta in respect of 2019 and 2020 is outlined in the following table:
|
Subhead |
2019 Current |
2019 Capital |
2020 Current |
2020 Capital |
|
C6 – Údarás Administration |
€9.442m |
€9.602m |
||
|
C7 – Údarás Current |
€3.850m |
€4.050m |
||
|
C8 – Údarás Capital |
€9.7m* |
€10m |
||
|
Total |
€13.292m |
€9.7m |
€13.652m |
€10m |
* An additional capital allocation of €0.7m, arising from savings elsewhere in the Department’s Vote was secured for an tÚdarás in 2018 and carried forward to 2019 and is included in the figure provided.
In addition, Údarás na Gaeltachta also receives current funding from my Department in respect of cultural and language planning activities under the following subheads:
|
Subhead |
2019 |
2020 |
|
C3 – Community and Language Support Programme |
€0.330m |
€0.350m |
|
C10 – Language Planning Process |
€2.600m |
to be agreed* |
|
Total |
€2.930m |
€350k to date |
*Preparatory work in relation to the 2020 financial allocation to Údarás to progress the ongoing implementation of the language planning process is currently being finalised.
In the interests of completeness, I should also mention that when the funding allocated to An tÚdarás under the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund as well as that allocated under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund is included, it results in an additional capital funding allocation of €10.484m being available to An tÚdarás to date over the period in question.
A breakdown of that funding is outlined in the following table:
|
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund |
Date Announced |
€ |
|
Completion of the undeveloped top floor level of gteic Gaoth Dobhair |
23/11/2018 |
€1.500m |
|
gteic An Spidéal Innovation and Digital Hub in Conamara. |
23/11/2018 |
€0.548m |
|
8 Innovation Centres/Digital Hubs/Centres of Excellence in the Mayo Gaeltacht. |
23/11/2018 |
€0.795m |
|
To develop a master-plan for the redevelopment of the former Dingle Work House. |
11/02/2019 |
€0.415m |
|
To support the design and development of a range of new community, sporting and educational facilities on a state-owned site in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co. Kerry. |
11/02/2019 |
€0.293m |
|
The development of projects identified in the Action Plan for Uíbh Ráthach in South Kerry. |
11/02/2019 |
€0.174m |
|
To develop a master-plan for the Coláiste Íosagáin campus in Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork. |
11/02/2019 |
€0.180m |
|
To develop a major tourism hub ‘Áras Scéalta an Atlantaigh’ in Eachléim on the Erris Peninsula, Co. Mayo |
08/11/2019 |
€1.879m |
|
Total |
€5.784m |
|
Regional Enterprise Development Fund |
Date Announced |
€ |
|
To develop a market-focused marine innovation and development centre as part of the Páirc na Mara Marine Innovation Campus in Cill Chiaráin, Co. Galway. |
03/12/2018 |
€2.0m |
|
To develop, implement and manage a Regional Development Hub (RDH) in support of enterprise creation on the Coláiste Íosagáin campus in Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork. |
08/01/2019 |
€2.7m |
|
Total |
€4.7m |
Finally, can I reassure the Deputy that my Department is continuing to work with colleagues across other relevant Government Departments and State Agencies in order to mitigate insofar as possible the challenges being faced by Údarás na Gaeltachta in the context of the Covid-19 crisis.
1423. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital spending of her Department in 2019; the capital funding allocated to Waterways Ireland; the projects undertaken by Waterways Ireland with the allocation; the specific funding per project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6535/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital expenditure for my Department in 2019 amounted to €70.108 million. In addition, the sum of €0.7m was expended in respect of capital carried over into 2019 from 2018. All figures are provisional as they are subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and adjustments may fall to be made. Details of the final outturn for the Department will be published in the Annual Appropriation Account for 2019 and will be made available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General later this year.
The original capital funding allocated by my Department to Waterways Ireland in 2019 was €4,380,000. In November 2019, there was an additional allocation of €725,000 bringing the total allocation to €5,105,000.
The following table details the capital projects undertaken,and the funding allocated to each project, by Waterways Ireland in 2019.
Waterways Ireland Capital Funding allocation 2019
|
Capital Project |
Funding |
|
Weir Repair |
€1,648,660 |
|
Lock Gate Repairs |
€934,152 |
|
Infrastructure Repairs |
€672,792 |
|
Depot Costs |
€369,477 |
|
Fleet & Plant |
€291,517 |
|
Bank Repairs |
€201,296 |
|
Cycleways/Blueways |
€199,284 |
|
Jetty Repair |
€197,168 |
|
Dredging |
€168,090 |
|
Environmental/Feasibility Studies |
€129,284 |
|
Total |
€5,104,997 |
1425. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of funding for programmes that do not require physical presence to complete, for example, writer in residences. [6577/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has worked with the Arts Council and other stakeholders on measures to sustain our cultural infrastructure, support artists and arts practitioners and ensure the ongoing provision of cultural services.
Since the advent of the crisis, officials from my Department have been actively engaging with the arts sector and have met and continue to meet with arts and cultural organisations under its aegis, as well a broad range of sectorial stakeholders including resource organisations, advocacy groups as well as individual artists and arts practices
My Department and the Arts Council are providing detailed advice for arts and arts organisations on their websites. Priority is being given towards supporting the artists and arts workers. The Arts Council responded quickly to the impact of COVID-19 on the arts sector. At the start of the COVID-19 emergency, the Council introduced a series of measures to help artists and arts organisations manage their businesses during the period of the COVID-19 crisis.
These measures include honouring all existing funding commitments and asking regularly funded arts organisation to prioritise their own payments to artists in turn. Since March 12th the Arts Council has fast-tracked the payment of up to 90% of funding to organisations and individuals.
The Arts Council has announced that there will be no financial penalties for arts organisations and individuals unable to deliver programmed events and activities arising from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
I understand also, that in light of the Covid-19 crisis, a number of the Arts Council's 2020 grant deadlines have been repurposed in certain cases. In this regard a number of awards where the money was not committed have been reallocated to a new suite of programmes (including expanded bursary, commission and professional development awards) designed to sustain the ecology to the end of the year, while also offering support which enables artists to develop work and supports arts workers enhancing their skill set. This new proposed approach has been informed by these recent sectorial surveys as well as the Council’s own strategic objectives. Progress is also continuing with College of Education residences and with writer in residence programmes in a number of universities. These had been initiated before the onset of Covid 19.
The Department will continue to engage with the agencies under its remit and other sectorial stakeholders to ensure that there is the greatest level of awareness of the supports that have been made available by Government and to ensure that optimal use is made of available resources to best support the sector at this challenging time.
