Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she expects to publish an updated national heritage plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20106/16]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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It is good to see the Minister in the House. We have had quite a few outings this week. Please God we are coming near the end of it. When does the Minister expect to publish an updated national heritage plan, and will she make a statement on the matter?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for tabling this question. As outlined in A Programme for a Partnership Government, it is the intention to develop and publish an updated national heritage plan. I am currently considering how best to approach its development in the context of ongoing policy priorities across the heritage sector, both built and natural.

The National Heritage Plan 2002-2007 was the first integrated plan that sought to conserve and protect all aspects of our national heritage. Over the course of more recent years, my Department’s responsibilities for the protection and promotion of our built and natural heritage have been met by a range of policy developments that sought to respond to the challenges arising in different sectoral areas within my heritage remit.

Clearly, the scope for funding for the management of our built and natural heritage was constrained significantly by the major reduction in the public finances. Nonetheless, the competing priorities regarding the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage continue to be kept under ongoing review, having regard to the resources available to my Department.

As the Deputy will be aware, the heritage sector is composed of many different sub-sectors with differing needs. Given the breadth of the sectors involved and the ongoing resource constraints, initial consideration will focus on how best to develop the strategy with a view to availing of the opportunities and dealing with the challenges in the context prevailing. In this regard, work has been initiated by my Department regarding the scope and terms of reference for the process. A formal engagement with the Heritage Council will also commence shortly.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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When does the Minister hope to have a full board in place again? Fourteen out of the 15 positions on the board are vacant and if we are to have a national heritage plan, we must ensure there is strong strategic leadership in the sector.

We all know that the arts sector believes it has been neglected and undervalued. That feeling is shared on the heritage side also. The Minister will be aware of the strong case made by the Heritage Council which claimed that for every euro spent by the council, the Irish tourism industry generates €4.40 through an increase in tourism revenues. More than 75% of the Heritage Council's annual budget is allocated to creating and supporting employment in the heritage sector. Will the Minister pledge today that the national heritage plan will be accompanied by a multi-annual funding commitment, and will she commit to regular increases in funding for the council?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I was not in a position to make Heritage Council board appointments for a number of months this year due to the general election and the period that followed before a Government was formed. I have appointed boards to the National Concert Hall and to the National Museum of Ireland in recent weeks, and I will be appointing the new board to the Heritage Council very shortly.

Board appointments are only made after applicants have been vetted and short-listed by the Public Appointments Service. Some concern was expressed regarding four vacancies on the board that had not been filled for three and a half years, but it was agreed with the Heritage Council that 11 members would be appointed and I have put a Bill before the Oireachtas that is consistent with that view. That is the reason four vacancies were not filled, and the Heritage Council was consulted as part of that process.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I draw to the Minister's attention some challenges facing our national cultural institutions which it would be critical to address in the new heritage plan. I understand a significant portion of the National Library of Ireland lacks modern fire protection for its collections. Will the plan address that critical issue of protection?

The National Museum of Ireland is seriously understaffed, yet the collections continue to expand as it has legal responsibility for all retrieved and acquired archeological material. Does the Minister agree it is only natural that the staffing levels should rise accordingly? Are there any plans for the full implementation of the convention on architectural heritage?

Three pictures from the Alfred Beit collection are due to be auctioned at Christie's later today. Will the Minister ensure the new heritage plan addresses issues such as that?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the National Library of Ireland, earlier in the year I was delighted to announce a €10 million project in the National Library, which is a magnificent building but needs a good deal of upgrading. Those plans are under way and funding has been provided to the library.

Regarding the National Museum of Ireland, we work very closely with the museum and I was pleased that I was able to get a small increase in funding. It is what it is. As the economy continues to improve, I want to see further investment in our cultural institutions.

There is a major investment currently in the National Gallery of Ireland. We have the new Dargan and Milltown wings, which have been restored. A good deal of money has been invested in that and we are hopeful it will be open at the end of this year. We were also able to announce investment of €8 million to upgrade the facilities in the National Archives and increase its storage space.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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Question No. 2 is in the name of Deputy Peadar Tóibín. Is Deputy Cullinane taking this question?

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Yes.