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

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (20 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. The Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations, chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning, has met on 6 occasions to date in 2014. It has also held 2 public consultation meetings in Thurles and Dublin. I met with the group on 12 November last, when I conveyed to it the contents of the outline 2016 Commemoration programme. The outline programme...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (20 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: One officer is responsible for developing and implementing data protection policy in my Department as part of a wider remit in the Corporate Governance area. This officer's duties include ensuring that data is processed in line with data protection legislation and that my Department registers all relevant details of data processing with the Data Protection Commissioner in a timely manner. ...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: 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 Year 1 of 15 (2011), €1,500 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2012) and €1,518 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2013) have been made to this...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: 2016 Commemoration Programme (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: My Department will be working with the Department of Education and Skills to develop an education programme as part of the 2016 commemoration programme. Following the recent launch of Ireland 2016, a national initiative which includes a programme of events to mark the 100thanniversary of the Easter Rising, a period of consultation has now begun. In that context, suggestions and ideas from...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Famine Commemoration Ceremony (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Although the annual National Famine Commemoration ceremony retains a degree of continuity in its format, the date and the artistic/cultural elements of the commemoration may change from year to year. In 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014, it proved possible to hold the National Famine Commemoration ceremony on the second Sunday in May. However, it has been agreed that some flexibility should be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Waterways Ireland proposes to make new bye-laws which are intended to enhance its ability to manage the canals for the benefit of all canal users. There are over 14,000 registered boat owners on the seven waterways managed by Waterways Ireland. These waterways make a vital contribution to tourism, attracting visitors from Ireland and abroad. The proposed new bye-laws are intended to enhance...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is unable to see evidence of a discrepancy, as referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natura 2000 (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme was introduced in 2006, to incentivise farmers to manage Natura 2000 land in a manner that went above and beyond statutory requirements and where such necessary measures were not provided for in the national agri-environment schemes that were available at that time. The scheme effectively trialled agri-environment interventions...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Meetings (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has made contact with the Irish Farmers with Designated Lands in recent days with a view to convening a meeting with my officials. I understand that a meeting is expected to be arranged in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Contracts (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed that no payments have been made to the firm in question since my Department was established on 2ndJune 2011. With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, the Deputy will appreciate that the matter raised is part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: 2016 Commemoration Programme (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I have established a 2016 Commemoration Project Office within my Department, tasked with coordinating all activities relating to the commemoration of 1916. The relevant officials are now liaising with the Department of Defence in relation to matters regarding relatives, including the compilation of lists in this regard for other events that are organised to commemorate the centenary of 1916....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Thank you, Chairman. As the new Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am delighted to have the opportunity to address the committee today. I see this as a valuable opportunity to set out my priorities in coming year. In the time allotted I will deal with as many issues as possible. I will firstly address the committee’s report on utilising the arts to combat...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Two weeks ago, I met with local authority arts officers to discuss their concerns and their ideas for the future. Following on from that, I am looking for ways which would improve communication and linkages between the arts officers and other stakeholder bodies. I understand that the Arts Council is examining new, more informative and transparent ways of presenting information on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for his questions. Considerable work was put into the report Utilising the Arts to Combat Disadvantage. It is in my Department now and we will work with the relevant stakeholders in that regard. I agree with the Deputy that local authority arts officers play a major role in making the arts more accessible to everyone. They do a really good job. Last Monday week I met...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: That matter was fully investigated by the Arts Council and was all sorted out by it at the time. I do not want to say anything more about it here. It was sorted out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that board vacancies were advertised on a pro bonobasis. It could not be on a pro bonobasis until the legislation was changed because all members of the Arts Council had to be treated the same. I did not see the advertisement at the time but it was on the basis that the Government's intention was that it would be pro bono. However, we cannot treat board members differently, so...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The arts officers will play a crucial role in the 2016 commemorations, particularly, as Deputy Mulherin said, to bring it outside Dublin. It is not all about Dublin - it is about the whole country. The county councils have excellent databases of local historical societies, heritage groups and so on and we will use that medium to connect with all those organisations. Most councils are doing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Yes. We will work with the schools. We plan to connect with the schools through the Department of Education and Skills. Regarding the 1913 commemorations, we commemorated the Lock-out, and quite a number of events were organised. There was a huge programme of acts supported by my Department in that respect. On the international context of 1916, we will connect with all the embassies...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: It is capped at €50,000. Regarding the Ulster Canal, which stretches from upper Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson, we hope to get the project started on that section because that is the one part of the inland waterway system that has not been developed. If we get that done, the Ulster Canal will connect into Lough Neagh. That means we will have a complete network of waterways in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (25 Nov 2014)

Heather Humphreys: If I miss a question, I ask members to come back to me. I will start with the artists' exemption. It was good news to have it increased this year from €40,000 to €50,000. I accept fully what Senator Fiach Mac Conghail is saying about its aggregation over a five year term, given the drop in the incomes of artists. I agree with him and we will take up the matter with the...