Results 2,801-2,820 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that the total number of staff currently working in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is 283. In addition, my Department recruits a number of seasonal staff each year to meet demand during the busy tourist season at the National Parks. A number of fixed-term contract workers are also employed by my Department at present on two EU LIFE projects -...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, which is the main channel of State current expenditure on the arts. The mandate of the Arts Council includes traditional music. The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of artforms and arts practice, including all forms of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Arts Council is the primary State agency for funding the arts, and in this regard, I was pleased to secure significant additional funding for it as part of Budget 2017. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation of €5m, or 8%, and will allow the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations. The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Following the completion of a Departmental review of an objection to the proposed designation of a site as a special protection area or special area of conservation, landowners and occupiers may opt to take their cases to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board. This is an independently chaired Board, which makes recommendations to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Canals Act, 1986, (Bye-laws) 1988 set out the tolls and charges for use of the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation. Waterways Ireland has developed draft amended bye-laws for the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation which propose changes in the charging for moorings in key locations.  The maximum charge under the current bye-laws for use of a boat on the canals...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Wild mink are not a protected species and they can be controlled by farmers, landowners, game shooting clubs and others. A study commissioned by my Department, published in 2009, estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Funding (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: An independent Selection Committee was established to review and select the LEADER Local Development Strategies submitted in each of the 28 sub-regional areas covered by the LEADER programme. The Local Development Strategy submitted for County Longford was developed by Longford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), with Longford Community Resources CLG as its implementing partner,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Directives (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 266 and 267 together. As indicated by my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 27 September 2016, applicants may apply to my Department for derogation licences to control certain bird species, which are considered on a case by case basis. Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department would assess each such application,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Directives (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 to 265, inclusive, together. The work of the Ornis Committee, which was an advisory committee, has been assimilated into the Expert Group on the Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department is represented by appropriate officials at these meetings, depending on the agenda. The Birds Directive is implemented in Ireland under the Wildlife Acts and the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: On 9 August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million in capital funding. A sum of €380,000 has been made available to each of the 26 counties, including Tipperary, under this initial phase of the scheme. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Following a competitive process for the implementation of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme in Co. Galway, a Local Development Strategy submitted by Forum Connemara was selected for delivery by an independent Selection Committee. The selected strategy covers the municipal district of Connemara, including Inisbofin and the Aran Islands. A Funding Agreement was signed by Forum Connemara on 12...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Legal Costs (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that no expenditure was incurred from my Department's Administrative Budget in respect of external legal advice for the period 2013 to 2015. For completeness, I would bring to the Deputy's attention that , from time to time, my Department makes payments to the Chief State Solicitor's Office in respect of legal services provided to my Department by that Office.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the provisions of the Public Spending Code, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, a cost benefit analysis is required for projects with a total cost of €20 million or more. Given the financial parameters involved, a requirement for such an analysis does not arise in the project referred to by the Deputy. The onus to ensure compliance with the Public...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Programme (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all Deputies who contributed to the debate and I acknowledge that their contributions have been practical and helpful. I emphasise that the main objective of the 2014 natural heritage areas, NHA, review was to consider how the network could contribute to our conservation objectives for raised bog habitats while avoiding unintended impacts on the traditional rights of landowners and...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Referral to Select Committee (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Public Holidays (Lá na Poblachta) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: When this Bill was originally brought forward in October of 2015, preparations were under way for the Ireland 2016 centenary programme. Now, one year on, we are in a position to assess the commemorations to date, and to consider whether introducing an additional bank holiday on 24 April every year is necessary or advisable. My view is that it is neither. The response and engagement from...

Public Holidays (Lá na Poblachta) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I have listened to the arguments made by Deputies on the draft Bill. However, I remain convinced that the proposal to introduce an additional bank holiday on 24 April every year is neither necessary nor advisable. The Ireland 2016 centenary programme has met with widespread support across the political, academic and community sectors. It has engaged communities at home and abroad in an...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hedge Cutting Season (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will be aware that the 2016 National Famine Commemoration, led by President Michael D. Higgins, was held in Glasnevin in September. As in previous years, this was a solemn and dignified event. Also, in October, I was pleased to attend the International Famine Commemoration, which this year was held in Philadelphia. Arrangements for the 2017 events will be considered by the...