Written Answers Nos. 357-381
357. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a copy of the departmental briefings received by her and each Minister of State in her Department upon taking up each individual role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14799/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a copy of the ministerial briefing of her Department will be published. [15260/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 363 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that arrangements are being made for the publication on my Department's website of this material.
358. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports that will be available to the arts industry following the difficulties posted by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14841/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if specific funding will be provided for the arts sector due to the severe difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15863/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra376. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her priorities to further support artists and performers here; if funding for the arts sector will be reformed to ensure artists, actors and performers have adequate access to Arts Council funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15919/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 358, 371 and 376 together.
The Government is aware of the unprecedented impact that the coronavirus is having on business and people’s livelihoods and that this impact is likely to be more protracted in the arts sector.
The Government has extended its two universal income support measures for all sectors. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment, operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, has been extended to 10 August. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), operated by the Revenue Commissioners, has been extended to 31 August and allows employers to retain the link with employees so that when the crisis passes, people can get back to work as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
The Arts Council is the main route through which the Government funds the arts and artists in Ireland. The 2020 allocation to the Council has been increased to €100 million. It includes an additional €20 million allocated last month in recognition of the challenges facing the sector. The Arts Council has indicated that it will allocate the additional funding to bursaries and commissions to artists and arts organisations and these will be coming on stream over the coming weeks and months. Further information is available at the Arts Council's website www.artscouncil.ie/funding/.
The Government is preparing a July stimulus package which will set out additional supportive measures for a range of sectors to ensure that the economy is in a position to recover rapidly. Details will be announced by Government in due course.
359. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter regarding the future of coursing (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14953/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare.
While the regulation of hare coursing is not under my statutory control, licences are required by the Irish Coursing Club under the terms of the Wildlife Acts on behalf of their affiliated clubs to facilitate the netting and tagging of hares for closed park meetings. The annual licence to capture and tag hares for the 2019/2020 coursing season was issued by my Department on 9 August last year. The licences granted by my Department in such instances include a range of conditions in relation to coursing hares which are designed to provide as much protection as possible to the conservation status of the hare.
My Department has received an application from the Irish Coursing Club for a licences to capture and tag hares for the forthcoming 2020/21 hare coursing season and a decision will be made on the application in due course.
360. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when service blocks along the River Shannon around Lough Derg will be fully opened by Waterways Ireland. [14997/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland continues to reopen facilities on the Shannon Navigation based on guidance from Government and relevant health professionals, in order to protect its staff, stakeholders and the wider community. It is aware that the restriction of services and facilities impacts on the ability of users to enjoy the waterways.
All measures are being taken to support the national effort in keeping people safe, protecting staff and everyone who visits or lives on and along the Shannon Navigation.
The Agency will continually review such measures in light of direction and advice from Government and health professionals and any further decisions on service provision will be communicated via the issuance of Marine Notices and will be posted on its website and social media platforms.
As part of its COVID-19 Response Plan, Waterways Ireland has prepared a Roadmap which has been shared externally on its social media platforms. It has indicated that service blocks would remain closed until it is assured it is safe to re-open them. This was predicated on Health & Safety advice from within the Agency taking account of broader public health guidelines.
Waterways Ireland considers service blocks to be potentially high risk infectious areas. Mitigation of this risk, to protect all users, involves increased cleaning routines combining deep cleaning and higher frequency of daily cleaning. There are ten service blocks along the South Shannon (of which four are operated with local authorities – Mount Shannon; Dromineer; Portumna and Coosan) and five directly-managed in the north Shannon. At peak season these are cleaned twice daily.
Following the re-opening of the waterways, the Agency is experiencing record cruise hire bookings in addition to pent-up demand from private boats accessing the waterways in a reduced seasonal window.
Waterways Ireland is working diligently to facilitate user needs whilst managing the risks. Following engagement with users, the Agency has decided to extend its lock opening hours from Monday July 20th 2020.
Waterways Ireland is reviewing its service provisions protocols in relation to the re-opening of service blocks and it is expected this review will be completed by the end of the week.
361. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the delegated functions assigned to the Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht and sport; and the date those delegated functions come into effect. [15039/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware Government Chief Whip, Dara Calleary TD, was appointed Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, the Irish language and Sport by An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin on Wednesday 1st July.
I look forward to working closely with Minister of State Calleary to progress the broad remit of the Department.
Arrangements for the transfer of Ministerial functions, including the delegation of specific functions to Ministers of State are being put in place and will be completed over the coming weeks.
362. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the offices and agencies under the remit of her Department. [15259/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Taoiseach, Mícheál Martin T.D. has recently announced a reallocation of responsibilities between a number of Government Departments including my own.
Pending the making of the necessary orders to give effect to these changes, the details of the offices and agencies currently under the remit of my Department are available from the following links on my Department's website:
Offices
www.chg.gov.ie/about/organisation-structure/.
Agencies
www.chg.gov.ie/about/organisation-structure/agencies-bodies-under-the-departments-aegis/.
This is the current situation, pending completion of the formal transfer of functions which are currently taking place between Departments. Once formal transfer of functions has been completed, the Department's website will be updated accordingly.
364. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the scéim pobal Gaeilge funding for County Mayo and rest of the country in view of the fact that there is concern regarding the proposed reorganising of the scheme. [15336/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraForas na Gaeilge has been administering Scéim Pobal Gaeilge since 2005, to assist voluntary committees in promoting the Irish language in the community on an all-island basis.
I have been informed by Foras na Gaeilge that the consultation process regarding the proposed restructuring of the current scheme is still ongoing and will be until 17th July 2020. The final proposals regarding the new scheme will have to be agreed in due course by the sponsoring Departments – that is, my own Department and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
I would like to encourage all communities involved in SPG to communicate their views regarding the restructuring of the scheme to Foras na Gaeilge under the consultation process.
In relation to County Mayo, Coiste Duíche Mhaigh Eo is being funded under the current scheme and I understand that the current contract, which was due to expire on 30 June 2020, has been extended until the application process under the new scheme is completed.
365. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of requests submitted under freedom of information legislation to her Department in each of the years 2009 to 2019; the average initial estimated cost of FOI requests in each of the years; the quantity and value of estimated costs that were in excess of the overall maximum fee in each year; the quantity of requests in each year pursued by the applicant after having been provided with an initial estimated cost; and the average fee paid by applicants that received information from her Department under FOI legislation in each year, in tabular form (details supplied). [15465/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department in its current configuration was established on 2nd June 2011 bringing together functions previously under the remit of three different Departments.
Details of the number of FOI Requests received by my Department and the charging provisions applicable to such requests are available on my Department’s website at www.chg.gov.ie.
Charges, if any, arising in the case of individual FOI requests are dependent on the nature of the request received. It is the policy of my Department to seek to assist requesters in minimizing or eliminating costs where possible with a view to ensuring efficiency in the operation of the FOI legislation to the mutual benefit of the requester and the Department.
Following a review of FOI requests received during the period specified the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Requests |
Cases where Fees estimated |
Avg Est Costs |
Cases where fees paid |
Avg Fees Paid |
Cases where Est. Fees above Limit |
Avg value where Est. Fees above Limit |
Notes |
|
2011 |
34 |
1 |
€158 |
1 |
€158 |
0 |
€0 |
None |
|
2012 |
69 |
9 |
€134 |
4 |
€83 |
0 |
€0 |
Five Requests withdrawn by Requester |
|
2013 |
56 |
3 |
€1,113 |
1 |
€63 |
1 |
€3,226 |
Excess Fees waived by Department on appeal. One other request refined and fees reduced. |
|
2014 |
84 |
4 |
€246 |
2 |
€84 |
0 |
€0 |
2 Requests withdrawn. |
|
2015 |
163 |
15 |
€483 |
2 |
€213 |
6 |
€770 |
Six requests refined and no charges applied. Seven requests withdrawn. |
|
2016 |
169 |
10 |
€606 |
1 |
€200 |
5 |
€928 |
Six requests refined and no charges applied. Three requests withdrawn. |
|
2017 |
158 |
10 |
€411 |
1 |
€120 |
2 |
€700 |
Five requests refined, four with no charges applied. Four requests withdrawn. One request refused. |
|
2018 |
242 |
7 |
€428 |
1 |
€298 |
1 |
€800 |
Four requests refined and no charges applied. Two requests withdrawn. |
|
2019 |
225 |
6 |
€272 |
0 |
€0 |
0 |
€0 |
Two requests refined and no charges applied. Three requests withdrawn. One under appeal. |
366. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an application by a group (details supplied). [15647/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that an application for a licence for archaeological excavations has been received in my Department in this case and that certain particulars have been requested from the applicant. I am advised that, on receipt of these particulars, the Department would expect to be in a position to issue the licence.
367. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth gur campaí samhraidh amuigh faoin spéir amháin atá ceadaithe ag an Roinn i mbliana, go mór mór ag togáil san áireamh na háiseanna breátha pobail atá ar fáil ar fud na Gaeltachta agus an drochaimsir atá coitianta in Éirinn; an raibh sé seo bunaithe ar chomhairle sláinte phroifisiúnta; má bhí, an bhfuil sí sásta an chomhairle seo a fhoilsiú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15659/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDe thoradh na paindéime, bhí sé idir dhá cheann na meá an mbeifí in ann dul ar aghaidh le reáchtáil campaí samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht i mbliana. Tar éis an cheist a bheith cíortha go cúramach ag an Roinn le páirtithe leasmhara eile, tógadh an cinneadh go bhféadfaí dul ar aghaidh le campaí faoin aer amháin agus cuireadh é sin in iúl do Mhuintearas, fóchomhlacht de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta, a dhéanann riar ar an scéim, ar 1 Iúil. Ina theannta sin, ar ndóigh, tá roinnt srianta eile iarrtha orthu a chur i bhfeidhm chomh maith ar mhaithe le cúram a dhéanamh de shláinte díobh siúd a bheidh ag freastal ar champaí agus ina bhfeighil chomh maith.
Níor mhiste a lua go deimhin gur iarradh ar Mhuintearas prótocal Covid a chur faoi bhráid na Roinne/an Údaráis sular tógadh an cinneadh agus gur mar chuid den phótocal sin a mhol an eagraíocht gur campaí faoin aer amháin a bheadh aitheanta an samhradh seo.
Is féidir leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte de go leanfaidh mo Roinn ag cur sláinte an phobail chun tosaigh thar aon ní eile sna cúinsí reatha.
Agus campaí samhraidh 2020 faoi chaibidil, dírim aird an Teachta ar an dá shraith teilifíse laethúil atá á gcraoladh faoi láthair ag TG4; Campaí Cúla4 a thosaigh ar 29 Meitheamh agus atá á chraoladh le tacaíocht mo Roinne agus Foras na Gaeilge agus ina theannta sin, Cúl Camps a chraoltar i gcomhar le CLG/Kellogs.
368. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will introduce a new grant scheme to support the renovation of old and derelict farmhouses or other buildings in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15701/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF), both of which accept applications for conservation works to eligible farmhouses and other buildings in rural areas.
This year 450 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a combined sum of over €4.3m under these schemes. This funding will support the owners and custodians of historic and protected structures as they carry out hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and safeguard our built heritage as well as providing vital support for local jobs in conservation, traditional skills and construction. Details of all projects approved for 2020 are published on my Department’s website as well as on each local authority website.
In addition, the Heritage Council, which is an agency of my Department, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, manages the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) for traditional farm buildings. The principal objective of this scheme is to ensure that traditional farm buildings and other related structures that contribute to the character of the landscape, and which are of significant heritage value, are conserved for active agricultural use. Grant amounts under this scheme vary between €4,000 and €25,000. I understand that the 2020 scheme closed for applications on 18th February , but further information can be sought from the Heritage Council directly.
While the primary responsibility to care for and maintain a protected structure rests with the owner, these schemes invest essential capital in our valuable built heritage and help the owners and custodians of historic structures in every local authority area across the country to safeguard their properties into the future for the benefit of communities.
369. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the events industry can expect guidelines on best practice for events in view of physical distancing; and if so, when they can expect to receive such guidelines. [15726/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the actions she plans to take following the meeting with art workers and freelance technicians represented by an organisation (details supplied). [15862/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 369 and 370 together.
The Government is aware of the unprecedented impact that the coronavirus is having on business and people’s livelihoods and particularly on the event industry. The Government operates two universal supports for all sectors.
- The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, (TWSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners, has been extended to 31 August 2020. The TWSS allows employers to retain the link with employees so that when this crisis passes, people can get back to work as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
- The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The PUP has been extended to 10 August 2020.
The third phase of lifting the public health restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus took effect from 29 June 2020, when museums, galleries, theatres, concert halls and other cultural outlets were allowed to reopen. Phase 4 of the Roadmap for reopening society and business is due to commence on 20 July, subject to government approval. If it proceeds as planned, pubs, bars and casinos can re-open and gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors will be permissible.
Reopening is subject to the Phase 3 and Phase 4 restrictions on numbers public health advice on social distancing. As the country continues to reopen, every step will be guided by scientific evidence and public health advice, including in relation to any restrictions in place. Updates to the roadmap can be found at www.gov.ie.
Before re-opening, every business and organization must prepare its own re-opening plan as laid down in the National Return to Work Safely Protocol to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. Further guidance is available from the Health and Safety Authority as the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol in the workplace. The HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.
My Department has responsibility for initiatives specific to the tourism sector and events and festivals. To this end, a Tourism Recovery Taskforce was set up to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023. Full details including updates may be accessed at this link www.gov.ie/en/publication/8f914-tourism-recovery-taskforce-news-and-updates/.
Fáilte Ireland recently published guidelines for the tourism sector in line with the Government’s Roadmap and which were prepared in consultation with the tourism industry and relevant authorities. These guidelines are intended to assist tourism businesses meet requirements in line with the Return to Work Safely protocol and based on the latest health advice. The report can be accessed at this link. https://covid19.failteireland.ie/business-supports/business-reopening/activity-providers/guidelines-for-reopening/.
The Government is preparing a July stimulus package which will set out additional supportive measures for a range of sectors to ensure that the economy is in a position to recover rapidly. Details will be announced by Government in due course.
372. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil i gceist aici méadu a dhéanamh ar mhaoiniú Fhoras na Gaeilge le gur féidir leis an bhForas a chuid a dhéanamh maidir le forbairt na teanga mar theanga phobail faoin Stráitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15864/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann, áfach, níorbh fhéidir cruinnithe CATT a eagrú ó lár 2016 i leith. Dá bhrí sin, cé nach bhfuil na buiséid i leith 2017 go 2020 ceadaithe go hoifigiúil go fóill, ó 2017 i leith, tá aontaithe ag na Ranna Airgeadais sa dá dhlínse go bhfeidhmeodh na Forais Trasteorann uile de réir na buiséid a cheadaigh an CATT ina leith don bhliain 2016.
I mbliana, íocfaidh mo Roinn €11,087,184 (75% den ollbhuiséad ceadaithe ag CATT) d'Fhoras na Gaeilge. Anuas air sin, cuirfidh mo Roinn maoiniú breise ar fáil d'Fhoras na Gaeilge i ndáil le nithe imfhálaithe mar a bhaineann le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (€1,061,165) agus Colmcille (€118,519). Is fiú a nótáil freisin go ligtear d'Fhoras na Gaeilge an t-ioncam breise a ghintear ó dhíol leabhar agus eile a choinneáil le caitheamh ar a chuid gníomhaíochtaí.
Agus an CATT ag feidhmiú arís, déanfar na buiséad 2017 - 2020 a cheadú go foirmeálta agus beidh deis ann gach gné de chúrsaí oibre an Fhoras Teanga a phlé, cúrsaí buiséid do 2021 san áireamh.
373. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtógfar mná tí a bhí le scoláirí a choinneáil faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge den chéad uair i mbliana san áireamh sa scéim cúitimh atá ar fáil do na mná tí de bharr Covid 19; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15865/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, fógraíodh le gairid ciste éigeandála aon uaire ar fiú €4.7m chun tacú le cobhsú earnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht.
Is beart aon uaire é a bhfuil mar aidhm aige inmharthanacht leanúnach na hearnála a chinntiú agus dá réir, ligean don earnáil leanúint ar aghaidh chun cur leis an iarracht chórasach atá á déanamh chun tacú leis an nGaeilge agus leis na réigiúin Ghaeltachta de réir chuspóirí uileghabhálacha an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030 agus an Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018–2022 lena mbaineann.
Faoin gciste cobhsaithe atá fógartha, cuirfear tacaíocht ar fiú suas le €3.1m é i dtreo údaráis na gcoláistí le cur ar a gcumas táillí/éarlais a aisíoc le tuismitheoirí agus cuirfear €1.6m ar fáil chun tacú leis an 700 teaghlach Gaeltachta incháilithe a chuireann lóistín deimhnithe ar fáil dóibh siúd a fhreastalaíonn ar cheann de na 42 coláiste samhraidh Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a bhfuil aitheantas acu faoin scéim.
Tagann an tionscnamh seo tar éis gur fhógair mo Roinn ar an 20 Aibreán 2020 nach reáchtálfaí aon chúrsa foghlama Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht an samhradh seo de bharr na paindéime Covid-19, ar mhaithe le sláinte phoiblí a chosaint.
Is é an ráta caighdeánach a bheidh iníoctha i leith lóistín ná suas le 40% den íocaíocht laethúil a bhíonn iníoctha ag mo Roinn go hiondúil faoin scéim (ie €10 an scoláire do na teaghlaigh), is é sin €4 an scoláire an oíche do na teaghlaigh cháilithe atá aitheanta ag mo Roinn.
Beidh iomlán na híocaíochta do gach teaghlach bunaithe ar líon na scoláirí ar íocadh Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ina leith don tréimhse ó Aibreán go Lúnasa 2019.
Is féidir le teaghlaigh nach raibh páirteach i Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoir Gaeilge in 2019 iarratas a dhéanamh faoin gciste agus, ach an t-iarratas a bheith bailí, beidh an íocaíocht faoin scéim bunaithe ar an líon foghlaimeoirí a bhí i gceist ag an gcoláiste a chur ar iostas leis an teaghlach in 2020. Déanfaidh an Coláiste an líon foghlaimeoirí seo a dheimhniú don Roinn. Ní thabharfar aitheantas sa chás seo, áfach, d’aon teaghlach nua a bhfuarthas iarratas ar aitheantas uathu tar éis 1 Aibreán 2020.
Anuas air sin, dóibh siúd a raibh foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge le bheith ar iostas leo den chéad uair in 2020, is féidir leo iarratais ar chúnamh breise d'iarratasóirí nua a dhéanamh chomh maith i.e., deontas aon uaire €2,000 (nó 50% den chostas, cibé acu is lú) i leith na gcostas a thit orthu maidir le oibreacha/ábhar a bhaineann le sábháilteacht dóiteáin.
374. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the recent destruction in the Mealagh Valley, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15894/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department investigated an incident in Mealagh Valley, Bantry, Co. Cork in relation to potential breaches of the Wildlife Acts. As the matter is still subject to a live investigation by my Department I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
There are a number of other agencies who may have an interest in the works carried out at this site and it is my understanding that both Inland Fisheries Ireland and Cork County Council have also made visits to the site.
375. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of prosecutions relating to wildlife crimes under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and the European Communities Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 from January 2014 to May 2020, inclusive, in tabular form. [15895/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of successful prosecution cases taken by my Department in the period 2014 to date in 2020 under the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 to 2015 is set out in tabular form below. These prosecutions cover various types of offences ranging from the persecution of badgers, illegal hunting of deer species, illegal hunting of hares with packs of dogs generally known as lurchers, poisoning of raptor species and the illegal cutting of hedges and clearance of vegetation.
|
Year |
Number of successful prosecution cases |
|
2014 |
5 |
|
2015 |
13 |
|
2016 |
11 |
|
2017 |
8 |
|
2018 |
8 |
|
2019 |
21 |
|
2020 |
12 to date |
377. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Famine Commemoration will take place on the third Sunday in May 2021 in Buncrana, County Donegal. [16032/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to the response of my predecessor Minister Madigan to Parliamentary Question No. 943 of 23 June 2020 and Parliamentary Question No. 1272 of 3 June 2020, in which she confirmed that the National Famine Commemoration Day is due to be held in May 2021, in Buncrana, Co. Donegal.
Officials of my Department and Donegal County Council will resume preparations for the 2021 event later in the year. Further announcements in relation to the details of the arrangements for the National Famine Commemoration Day 2021 will be made in due course.
378. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of tribunals, public investigations and commissions of investigations in process; the length of time each has been under way; when each will conclude; the cost to date of each; and the estimated cost of each at completion. [16143/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that there are no tribunals, public investigations and commissions of investigations currently open in respect of my Department.
379. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the three-month rates waiver scheme for businesses forced to shut due to the Covid-19 crisis announced on 2 May 2020 will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14926/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, commits to reviewing the treatment of commercial rates for the remainder of the year, as a priority action. This process is underway in my Department in the context of the forthcoming July stimulus. The previously announced waiver forms part of this consideration, with a view to a single communication with local authorities and ratepayers in the near future.
380. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will review restrictions on planning permissions for dwellings on the national secondary road network in instances in which the proposed dwelling would be located in an area of reduced speed limit such as 80 km/h (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy may be referring to the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines 2012 issued by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The Guidelines were prepared in consultation with the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, local authorities and the National Roads Authority (NRA - now Transport Infrastructure Ireland - TII).
Planning authorities are required to have regard to the Guidelines in the performance of their functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Guidelines set out planning policy considerations relating to development affecting national roads (including motorways, national primary and national secondary roads) outside the 50-60 kmh speed limit zones for cities, towns and villages.
The Guidelines state that local authority Development Plans must include policies which seek to maintain and protect the safety, capacity and efficiency of national roads and associated junctions, avoiding the creation of new accesses and the intensification of existing accesses to national roads where a speed limit greater than 50 km per hour applies. Planning authorities must also ensure that they consult with TII in preparing any local area plans or other non-statutory plans where there may be material implications for national roads. I would also note that planning authorities are strongly recommended to identify, as part of the development plan process, those stretches of non-national roads outside the 50-60 kmh speed limit zones where it would also be appropriate to apply the Guidelines.
The Guidelines do state that, in certain circumstances, planning authorities may identify stretches of national secondary roads where a less restrictive approach may be applied as part of the process of reviewing or varying the relevant development plan. This includes the form and suitability of development, the volume of traffic to be generated and the implications for safety, capacity and efficient operation of national roads including any future upgrades and consistency with other planning guidelines issued under section 28 of the Act such as the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012 and Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines 2005.
381. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the necessary works can be completed in the property of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15290/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdministration of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, including the assessment, approval and payment of individual grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. I understand that the local authority in question is awaiting the submission of cost estimates in order to progress the referenced application further.
