Results 2,321-2,340 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Capital Expenditure Programme (22 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In terms of capital investment in the arts, I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding, which is being made available as part of the Government's Public Capital Investment Programme "Building on Recovery: 2016-2021", will be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas (22 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Inis Meáin Island forms part of the West Donegal Islands special protection area (Site Code: 004230). A site pack was sent to the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question when this site was proposed for designation in July 2011. I understand that this individual has had his appeal, in relation to the inclusion of his land within the special protection area, referred to...

Animal Protection (in relation to hares) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased to respond to the Deputy's Bill. For the record, I am the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht until an order is made to change the name and heritage has been part of my Department's remit for the past five years. In saying that the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has responsibility for hare coursing, there are other responsibilities within my Department...

Animal Protection (in relation to hares) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I have listened to the concerns raised during the course of the debate and I appreciate that this is a sensitive and emotive topic for many. People have sincerely held views on the matter and they are entitled to them. Coursing is not a sport involving a hunt to kill. More than 99% of hares involved are released back into the wild. Last year, for example, 5,348 hares were used during...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (23 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Two applications have been received in my Department from the individual in question for permits under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to hunt deer out of season. These applications are currently under examination by my Department and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (23 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. A reduction of 10% in pay rates and fixed term allowances was introduced for new entrants to the public service effective from 1 January 2011. Under Section 2.31 of the Haddington Road Agreement those grades which were subject to reduced pay scales in 2011 were assimilated to revised scales effective from 1 November 2013. ...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Museum (23 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Last Friday, 17 June 2016, I announced the appointment of a new board to the National Museum of Ireland (NMI). I made the appointments following a public advertising and assessment process managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in line with Government guidelines. Other than the nominees of the RDS and RIA, and the staff representative, all of the appointments were from applicants...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (23 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels, including music and musical performance, is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions in funding the arts. Full details are available on the Council's website...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Plan (23 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Significant progress has been made in drafting the first National Cultural Policy - Culture 2025. This followed a major public consultation process in 2015, including a national cultural workshop held in October at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Work by my Department, the expert steering group and a wider expert committee continued on the document in early 2016 and is currently on-going....

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: This day last week, I travelled to Castlewellan in County Down to speak to a group of local farmers about the EU-UK referendum, which was just three days away. They were unified in their opposition to a "Leave" vote. They were concerned about their livelihoods and their incomes because EU payments account for 87% of income for farmers in Northern Ireland. I thought of that group of farmers...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Measures (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My role, as Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as is the role of local authorities. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for the protection of architectural heritage and gives local planning authorities primary responsibility to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Funding (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My Department issued Funding Agreements for the delivery of the LEADER programme to the first 18 Local Action Groups in the week beginning 20 June 2016. Applications for LEADER funding can commence in these areas from 8 July, provided that the Funding Agreement has been signed by the respective Local Action Groups. Contracts will issue in each of the remaining 10 sub-regional areas as the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ulster Canal Restoration Project (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Government approval to restore a 2.5km stretch of the Ulster Canal from the Shannon-Erne Waterway to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson, Co. Cavan was granted on 24 February 2015. The project, which comprises three work phases, is being undertaken by Waterways Ireland. Phase 1, the site investigation work, has been completed. I have been informed by Waterways Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 357 together. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Significant progress has been made in drafting the first National Cultural Policy - Culture 2025. This followed a major public consultation process in 2015, including a national cultural workshop held in October at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Work by my Department, the Steering Group and a wider Expert Committee continued on the document in early 2016 and is currently ongoing. The...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together. Details of the funding allocations made to my Department are published each year in the Revised Estimates Volume with the outturn published in the annual Appropriation Account. These publications are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and on the website of the Office of the Comptroller and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Capital Expenditure Programme (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together. In terms of capital investment in the arts, I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding is being made available as part of the Government’s Capital Investment Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council Funding (28 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358, 359 and 361 together. Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of the arts at all levels is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions and in funding the arts. The Arts Council publishes...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (29 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has prioritised the designations required by the EU Nature Directives. While the Curragh was included on a list of proposed Natural Heritage Areas in the 1990s and a review of this network is foreseen, this will not take place in the immediate future, having regard to the available resources.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Fisheries Protection (30 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the KerryLIFE Project Team has asked farmers to provide certain details to my Department, in order for it to administer aspects of the programme, both effectively and efficiently. I am advised that the process being followed involves the project team carrying out a farm walk with each individual farmer. During the farm walk, the project team talks through the farm plan...