Results 3,721-3,740 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service was asked by representatives of the local community to endorse the installation of cattle grids at Glenasmole, Co. Dublin and issued a letter of support in this regard in January of 2016. The sites in question are at the location of previously existing, now defunct, commonage gates. Such systems were designed in an Ireland where there was very...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hare Coursing Regulation (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 to 228, inclusive, together. The legislative base for both parkland and open hare coursing is the Wildlife (Wild Mammals) (Open Seasons) Order 2005 which allows the hunting of hares, including coursing with dogs for “coursing at regulated coursing matches”. The Wildlife Acts defines a regulated coursing match as follows: "regulated coursing...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Budget 2020 (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The total funding for my Department allocated in Budget 2020 is €354m – an increase of 5% on 2019 – which represents a cumulative increase of 17% for our culture, language and heritage over the last 2 years. The total funding increase for 2020 is €7.2m in capital expenditure (an increase of 10% on 2019) and over €8m in current expenditure (an increase of 3%...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Promotion (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: My Department fully supports the appropriate conservation of Ireland’s rich portfolio of heritage sites, both as important assets in their own right and to optimise their contribution to economic development and tourism promotion. It is in regular and ongoing contact with the Office of Public Works and Fáilte Ireland to agree and devise shared priorities and policy approaches with...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Data (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 233, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which underpin the legislative and policy framework for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage. In particular, the 2011 Regulations transpose two key...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners. In this instance I understand that the Deputy is asking primarily about supports provided by my Department for buildings of historical significance. My Department provides...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Details of eighty six round towers are included in the records maintained by my Department under the National Monuments Acts. Those that form part of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship, as Minister, are conserved and managed on a day-to-day basis by the Office of Public Works which ensures their long-term preservation and protection. Round towers that comprise national...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Total funding for the arts and culture sector in 2020 will increase by over 2% from €189m to almost €193m. Primary support for the Arts is delivered through the Arts Council. Funding for the Arts Council has increased in recent years and will reach €80 million in 2020. This is an increase of €5m or 6.7% over 2019. The Arts Council, which is independent in its...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Support for the arts is a key focus of the supports provided by my Department and its agencies. I will outline some key initiatives of relevance to 2019 in this reply. The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my Department designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (6 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The Creative Ireland Programme is a 5-year initiative which places creativity at the centre of public policy. The Programme is a high-level, ambitious, all-of-government initiative to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation. The core proposition is that participation in cultural and creative activity promotes individual, community and national wellbeing. The programme seeks to...

Report on the Arts: Motion (7 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion and I thank Deputy Niamh Smyth for introducing it. We are all in agreement that arts and culture are of the utmost importance in the life and well-being of our country. I share the objectives of the Oireachtas joint committee to develop the arts and cultural sectors. Arts can be a great driver of social change and they confer great benefits...

Report on the Arts: Motion (7 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I will try to deal with some of the contributions of Deputies. I appreciate the comments they have made. I am delighted to inform Deputy Smyth that the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, through Creative Ireland and the Department's Gaeltacht division, is supporting Ealaíon na Gaeltachta and the Irish-language arts policy. That kicked off last week with advertisements...

Report on the Arts: Motion (7 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: It is important to note that figure included €6 million of capital funding, whereas the funding figure for the Arts Council for 2020 does not. There is a distinction to be drawn in that regard. One must bear in mind the €1.2 billion in capital investment. I acknowledge Deputy Ó Snodaigh's comments regarding the doubling of arts funding. The Taoiseach made that...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hedge Cutting Season (7 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: 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. There is provision in the section for some strict exemptions from the prohibition during the closed period, for example, for works undertaken in the ordinary course or agriculture or forestry, for health and...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (7 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) was developed under the UN Convention on Migratory Species. Ireland signed up to the Agreement in 2003. The agreement includes a commitment that “Parties shall endeavour to phase out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands as soon as possible in accordance with self-imposed and published...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (7 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I refer the Deputy to the response that I gave on 5th November 2019 to his previous parliamentary question concerning plans to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Colmcille (PQ44379/19). I am aware of the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St. Colmcille in December 2020. My officials have had initial discussions with Foras na Gaeilge to explore how this anniversary might be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Reports (12 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No 282 of 10th October last and wish to confirm that the position is unchanged from that time.  For the Deputy's convenience, the relevant details in respect of the six Acts brought forward by my Department that been signed into law since 2011, are again set out in the following table.  Name of Act ...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (12 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: In 2003 Ireland signed up to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) which commits Ireland to phasing out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands. This is to combat the slow accumulation of lead from shot in wetlands where hunting occurs.  The lead is harmful in the environment and can also be consumed by wildfowl.  Additionally,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Built Heritage Investment Scheme (12 Nov 2019)

Josepha Madigan: My Department operates two schemes to assist in the conservation of our built heritage which may include thatched structures. These schemes are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). While the primary responsibility to care for and maintain a protected structure rests with the owner, these schemes invest essential capital in our...