Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Both the Minister of State, Deputy Ring and I will make some introductory remarks on the heritage programme B. Funding of some €44 million has been made available from my Department's heritage programme. This includes €35.4 million allocated for current expenditure with a further €8.6 million in capital funding. Total gross expenditure for programme B up to 30 June 2016 was €5.086 million, 23% of the 2016 programme allocation. By 31 August 2016, this had increased to €8.479 million or 38% of the 2016 programme allocation. In addition, approval has been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to apply capital savings of €6 million to subhead B5, natural heritage, National Parks and Wildlife Service. This additional funding is being used in part to meet the costs arising in 2016 of Government-agreed compensation for turf cutters affected by measures implemented to support compliance with the EU habitats directive as well as to provide for essential repair works required on foot of the considerable damage caused by the severe flooding of last winter at a range of locations. The Minister of State, Deputy Ring will expand on the positive developments of our national parks in 2016.