Results 5,061-5,080 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Numbers (27 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 200 together. Information in respect of the numbers of contract/agency staff employed in bodies/agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group in 2012 is set out in the table below. There has been no change to these numbers thus far in 2013. As the Deputies will be aware, my Department and the bodies under its aegis (other than North South...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff (27 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: As I have previously advised the House, Údarás na Gaeltachta employed two former members of staff on a temporary basis during 2012. A retired solicitor is currently engaged on a contract which is due to end on 30 April 2013 at a salary of €55,214 over fourteen months. The former CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta was also engaged as interim CEO of that body at a salary...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (28 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: Seals, dolphins and porpoises are protected under the Wildlife Acts. Special Areas of Conservation have been designated around our coasts for these species and a robust programme of scientific monitoring is in place, both for our seal species and for cetaceans. Furthermore, dolphins and porpoises have very strict protection under Article 12 of the EU Habitats Directive. In recent months,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Inland Waterways (28 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am advised by Waterways Ireland that, following the refusal of An Bord Pleanála to award planning permission for the extension of the Shannon Navigation towards Dowra, an assessment was undertaken by Waterways Ireland of the various issues raised in the planning process. Since that time, however, Waterways Ireland has reprioritised its work programme in the context of reduced...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Licence Applications (28 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Irish Masters of Beagles Association (IMBA) applied for a licence to my Department to hunt hares outside the dates provided in the Open Seasons Order for hares. Specifically, they applied for a licence to hunt hares from 1 March 2013 until 17 March 2013. My Department refused the application, which is consistent with previous years' requests. County Limerick Coursing Club, which is a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas (28 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: The intention to designate the site referred to by the Deputy was widely publicised in July 2011, through direct correspondence with landowners as well as by advertisement in local and national media. Officials of my Department have met with many landowners in this area to discuss the proposed designation. The officials will continue to facilitate requests from any individual, or group of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Bodies (28 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2nd June 2011 and the information requested is being provided from that date onwards. I wish to advise the Deputy that the Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan McMahon chaired a full day seminar on genealogy, on behalf of my Department, in September 2011 and the Honourable Mr. Justice John Quirke chaired the Peatlands Forum, on behalf...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Land Swap (5 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: Killarney Town Council has made a submission to my Department about this proposal. A meeting was recently held between the local authority and my Department to discuss the issue, which is now under consideration.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (5 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: In 2010, my Department commissioned a survey of breeding Hen Harrier in Ireland. The findings of this survey indicated that the national population of this species appears to be stable since the previous national survey in 2005, but significant regional declines were noted, including for the Special Protection Area (SPA) at the location referred to by the Deputy, which has experienced a 35%...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (5 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: Officials of my Department monitor compliance with the Wildlife Acts across the country on an ongoing basis, and carry out patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of these Acts, as required. They also investigate reports of breaches of the Acts. Members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the Acts to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute if they...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (5 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: Government policy is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life, and maximise the potential for cultural tourism. Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels, including drama throughout the country, is devolved under the Arts Acts to the Arts...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (5 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table. Board Number of members appointed March 2011 - Jan 2013 Appointments made following receipt of CV/expression of interest Appointments made directly by Minister Arts Council 4 4 0 Heritage Council 6 3 3 National Concert Hall 15 12 3 National Gallery 1 N/A - appointment in train prior to new...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (5 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: I intend to announce the names of the new seven person board of the Irish Film Board shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas (6 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: My Department utilised the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which is a database of claimants under the Single Payment Scheme supplied by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, for the identification and notification of possible landowners and users in the nine Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (SPAs) advertised in November 2007. These nine SPA sites covered six...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (6 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of the first year was made to this applicant in June 2012. A letter confirming same was sent to the applicant on 11 July 2012. My Department envisages...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas (6 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: Under the EU Birds Directive, six Special Protection Areas have been classified for the conservation of Hen Harrier. A recent survey recorded significant declines in some of these sites, which are considered to be traditional strongholds of this species’ breeding range. Under regulation 39 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, provision is made...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (6 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: In 2012, my Department provided €495,057 in grant assistance through a Structures at Risk Fund, administered by local authorities, to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. A breakdown of the grants provided is laid out in the table below. Local Authority Site Name Grant Offaly Former Estate Workers Cottage, Geashill...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (7 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts, the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction by other means of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches is prohibited during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife, from 1 March to 31 August subject to certain specific exceptions. Hedgerows are an important...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (7 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: I refer the Deputy to my reply to her Question No. 317 of 5 March 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (7 Mar 2013)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Service Reform Plan published by the Government on 17 November 2011 outlined a series of rationalisation measures, some of which related to a number of the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group. The Public Service Reform Plan is not solely focussed on monetary savings but also on creating...