Results 4,001-4,020 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: In January 2007, the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street under the National Monuments Acts. The order was made on the grounds that No. 16 is a monument, the preservation of which is of national importance by reason of its historical significance as the site of the final council of war and final headquarters...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: Due to the current national economic difficulties and the significant contraction in the capital allocations provided to my Department, the Deputy will appreciate that the resources available for the provision of grants for the protection of the built heritage are limited at this time. In 2011, the operation of the Local Authority Conservation Grants Scheme and the Civic Structures...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 to 394, inclusive, together. Coolrain Bog is a site of considerable conservation significance comprising as it does an active raised bog, a rare habitat in the EU and one that is becoming increasingly scarce and under threat in Ireland. Active raised bog is listed as a priority habitat on Annexe I of the EU Habitats Directive. Priority status is given...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I have appointed a civil servant at Executive Officer grade as my private secretary. The private secretary is paid in accordance with the Executive Officer pay scale and the post also carries a gross annual allowance of €20,685. The Secretary General of my Department receives a gross annual salary of €188,640.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together. The information sought by the Deputy concerning appointments to State boards in the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group is set out in the following table. In relation to the re-hiring of retired public servants, in common with other Government Departments, my Department does, from time to time, engage the assistance of retired...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 to 401, inclusive, and 407 to 410, inclusive, together. In 2011, I announced a compensation package for turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting in certain designated raised bogs. The package consists of a payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, for 15 years, or their relocation to non-designated bogs to continue to cut turf. Qualifying...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: As indicated by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in his reply to the Questions referred to by the Deputy, my Department is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Marine Institute, in the programme of work enabling assessment of licensing applications for aquaculture in Natura sites. My Department received the data reports on Valentia Harbour...

Written Answers — Departmental Initiatives: Departmental Initiatives (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I welcome the Gathering initiative of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Gathering will be an important event for the tourism sector and one that my Department and the national cultural institutions which operate under its aegis will be very pleased to participate in. In that context, officials from my Department work closely with their colleagues in the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The operation of REPS and other Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine schemes is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My Department has been in touch with the Department of Finance to clarify the tax treatment of compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme and with a view to addressing any issues arising in the forthcoming Finance...

Written Answers — Heritage Sites: Heritage Sites (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 to 413, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for the legislative framework, general policy development and promotional awareness of Ireland's unique national heritage. My Department provides some limited funding for the built heritage. However, the management and delivery of conservation projects is generally carried out through bodies such...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: My Department does not operate a formal application scheme to cater for groups involved in the performance of the arts. As the Deputy is aware, primary responsibility for funding for the arts rests with the Arts Council. The Council is independent in its decision-making process. Details of the Council's successful applicants are available on the Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie, as...

Written Answers — Arts Policy: Arts Policy (31 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (2 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together. For the purposes of this reply, I am referring to the most recent proposed Special Protection Areas put forward by my Department in Donegal and Mayo, that is, those proposed for designation in 2011. In Donegal, some 260 valid informal, or Stage 1, objections were received from landowners and others concerning the proposed Special...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (2 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The individual referred to in the Question received payment under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme, administered by my Department, on the condition that he would permanently cease turf cutting on sites included in Special Areas of Conservation. The individual has submitted an application for compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme, announced by the Government in...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (2 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: In April 2011, the Government announced a redress package for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation. The package offers qualifying turf cutters the option of a financial payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, over 15 years or, where feasible, relocation to non-designated bogs, where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (2 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The land referred to by the Deputy is located in a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) designated in 2004. In 2010, the then Government decided that turf-cutting should come to an end on raised bog NHAs at the end of 2013. However, the current Programme for Government contains an undertaking to review the situation with regard to turf cutting on NHAs. On 15 April 2011, the Government made a number of...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (7 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am satisfied that the Centenary commemoration of the Easter Rising in 2016 requires a comprehensive programme that will also present the economic, social and cultural history of the period. The development of the commemorative programme is therefore orientated towards the entire Decade of Centenaries 2012 to 2022 with official consideration currently being focussed on the period 2012 to...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (7 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The individual referred to in the question applied to sell his interest in land under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme, administered by my Department. The relevant land has been inspected and found to be partially within a site designated as a Special Area of Conservation. A letter of offer has issued to the applicant and when the contracts are received, they will be forwarded to the Chief...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (7 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Deputy will be aware that, as Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring on behalf of the Government that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine with an annual memorial day. It has been agreed that this year's National Famine Commemoration will take place on Sunday, 13th May in Drogheda, County Louth. Full...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (7 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The individual referred to in the Deputy's Question has applied to sell his interest in land under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme administered by my Department. Processing of applications on hand under this scheme has been slower than anticipated, due to capacity constraints in undertaking the work involved. In 2011, the Government announced a compensation scheme for those affected by the...