Results 3,981-4,000 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Planning Framework (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The development of a new National Planning Framework (NPF), which will set out a new strategic planning and development context for Ireland out to 2040, is being led by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. A public consultation process on the NPF was launched last February and ran to 16thMarch. I met with the outgoing Minister for Housing, Planning and Local...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: In September 2015, I published the first value for money policy review of the Arts Council. It was undertaken by the Department’s Evaluation Unit under the guidance of an expert Steering Committee chaired by Dr. John O’Hagan, Professor of Economics at Trinity College. The review commended the Arts Council for its response to the economic crisis by significantly reducing...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Western Development Commission Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Western Development Commission was established in 1999 to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region, defined as the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare. The Commission has achieved a lot for the region since its establishment. However, there have also been a number of important policy and operational...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that Ireland has a very strong presence in the international music arena. There are a number of organisations in receipt of state support whose remit is to build and develop the career of musicians, grow their audiences at home and working with Culture Ireland, a division of my own Department develop their careers internationally. Similar to Iceland...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I, along with Minister Michael Ring T.D., met with the Ballinrobe Town Hall Committee in April last at their request. During the meeting, the Committee presented its vision for a new town hall in Ballinrobe and outlined the business plan underpinning the venture. The Committee was interested in exploring whether any funding options were available from my Department which could support their...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2017-2022, due to be published in the coming period subject to Government approval, will set out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. Within the framework of the Plan, my Department is considering the available options in terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts in Education Charter (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 109 together. The Creative Ireland Programme, which the Taoiseach and I launched in December, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children - to enable every child in Ireland to access...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Dormant Accounts Fund (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post), and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. The Dormant Accounts Fund is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. The Acts...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: My role, as Minister, 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 as regards heritage assets. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) is a State initiative to identify, record, and evaluate the post-1700 built heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Policy Functions (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Last July I published the draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach, which was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. I understand that the Committee is currently finalising a report on the draft framework policy which I will consider when received. I have also received submissions from various...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hen Harriers Threat Response Plan (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Officials from my Department are working with the key Departments to finalise the draft Plan very soon. It will be shared for discussion with the Stakeholder Consultative Committee and will then undergo a public consultation and screening for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. Substantial work has been, and is being, carried out by my Department, and the other...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 113 together. The LEADER programme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and has the capacity to deliver significant outcomes for rural areas. I am committed to implementing the LEADER 2014-2020 programme as effectively and as efficiently as possible. However, I am also aware of concerns regarding some of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Animal Welfare (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Officials of my Department monitor compliance with the Wildlife Acts across the country on an on-going basis and carry out patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of these Acts, as required. Many of these officers carry out work in more than one county. They also investigate reports of breaches of the Acts including illegal snaring or “digging out” of badgers...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Action Plan for Rural Development (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Action Plan for Rural Development provides a framework for the coordinated delivery of over 270 actions across a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support the economic and social development of rural areas. These actions will see a multi-million Euro investment in schemes, programmes and projects which will benefit rural Ireland. Details of expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Recreation Promotion (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Action Plan for Rural Development acknowledges the increasing popularity of recreational and activity tourism and includes a series of actions to maximise Ireland’s rural tourism and recreation potential. The 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme was launched on 28thApril 2017 and will provide funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am aware of public concern about the impact of Japanese Knotweed. In this regard, I wish to advise that my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. In law, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I understand from my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, that the elected members of each local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget and the allocations thereunder, and my Department has no role in this regard. It should be noted, however, that local...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Indemnity Scheme for Landowners (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Occupiers Liability Act 1995 provides significant protection in circumstances referred to by the Deputy. In addition, an insurance policy held by the National Trails Office provides indemnity where inspection and approval has been carried out by that Office. Nonetheless, my Department is working closely with the State Claims Agency in relation to the development and implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that the following tables show the number of staff employed in my Department and in each State agency under the aeg is of my Department by county. Dept. Boord o Ulster- Scotch* Crawford Art Gallery Foras na Gaeilge* Heritage Council Irish Film Board Chester Beatty Library National Library of Ireland National Gallery of Ireland National Concert Hall Arts Council...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (20 Jun 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I recently announced details of grants of over €9 million in capital funding for arts and culture centres across the country. This capital scheme is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and...