Results 2,541-2,560 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: There are currently 155 natural heritage areas. 75 raised bogs, which are located mainly in the midlands, and 73 blanket bogs, mostly in western areas, have been designated as natural heritage areas. In addition 7 natural heritage areas, identified as of particular importance to birds, have also been designated. I have not recently made an order designating land as a natural heritage area....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Proposed Legislation (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Powers of search and arrest already exist in both the Wildlife Acts and in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. These powers may be exercised in a broad range of circumstances where offences are being committed.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: VAT Rebates (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: VAT refunds and other taxation related issues are a matter for individual grantees and the Revenue Commissioners. However, it is a standard condition of grant allocations from my Department that all monies provided by my Department are spent on the agreed project.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Process (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Heritage Bill 2016 passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 8 June 2016. I have requested that this Bill would proceed to the Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Proposed Legislation (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Provisions to amend the Canals Act 1986 in order to allow for the subsequent making of bye-laws to regulate boating on the canals and to manage the use of the canals are contained in the Heritage Bill 2016. This Bill passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 8 June 2016. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that there were no agency or locum staff hired by my Department for the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Websites (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: A new website for the then Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was launched in September 2015 which complied with all required accessibility standards. The website is currently being re-developed to accommodate the new functions of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and continued compliance with accessibility standards is being reviewed as part...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (13 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. All birds are subject to protection under the EU Birds Directive. As such, seagulls, the bird species in question, enjoy protection under this legislation. The population of herring gulls has greatly declined in Ireland (by about 90%) over the past 40 years, probably due to improvements in managing landfill sites as well as other...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Roads Maintenance (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I will instruct departmental officials based in the region to investigate this area with a view to resolving the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that there are 68 Conservation Rangers employed in the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is currently engaged with the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council Staff (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: While the Heritage Council is funded by my Department, it is a statutorily independent body and, as such, I have no role in respect to the matter referred to. Officials in my Department have clarified with the Heritage Council that the 70 jobs involved relate primarily to supports for existing heritage jobs and have requested the Council to make direct contact with the Deputy’s office...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The buildings referred to by the Deputy are the subject of ongoing proceedings in the Court of Appeal that relate,inter alia, to their monumental status under the National Monuments Acts. As the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate for me to act in any way or to comment further on the matter at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Investigations (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has looked into this matter and replied to correspondence last week. I consider that this matter is now closed.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Reports (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was established on 9June 2016. The Department has responsibility for all the matters that previously came within the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which was itself established on 2 June 2011, and in addition is also responsible for certain functions transferred from the Department of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Legal Cases (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 529, 531 and 532 together. I am advised that there is a confidential legal agreement in place with Meath Partnership which was entered into by the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. In terms of investigations, I understand that there is a Garda investigation ongoing but it clearly would not be appropriate for me to make any...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Contracts (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 534 together. I understand that Meath Partnership operates a number of programmes/initiatives on behalf of the State and also conducts its own business as a private limited company. Accordingly, my Department would not have details of the nature referred to by the Deputy nor would it have information on fundraising activities that Meath...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Data (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER funding agreement for County Meath was awarded to Meath Local and Community Development Committee (LCDC), of which Meath Partnership is an implementing partner, along with Meath County Council, which is the lead financial partner. On 8 July 2016, I launched the LEADER programme in Virginia, Co Cavan, where I signed funding agreements with 20 local action groups, including Meath LCDC.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: While Meath Partnership operates a number of programmes/initiatives on behalf of the State, it also conducts its own business as a private limited company. Accordingly, Meath Partnership is obliged to provide information relating to travel undertaken in respect of programmes under my Department’s remit only. In that regard, I am advised that travel and subsistence to the value of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I assume that the Deputy is referring to investment in arts culture. In this regard, the Programme for a Partnership Governmentcontains 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...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Plan (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to forward a draft of Culture 2025to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs later this week.