Results 841-860 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Grant Payments (4 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that there is no specific condition specifying that persons who have been declared bankrupt may not apply to my Department for an arts grant. It may be noted, however, that, generally speaking, my Department does not make arts grants to individuals but to organisations. Such organisations are required to be not-for-profit and trading. In addition, grant payments by my Department...

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The single greatest challenge facing the Government when we took office in March 2011 was to bring the economy back from the brink. Members should cast their minds back to how bad things were. This country was in a bailout situation and the people were left with a legacy of debt that will take decades to eradicate. In January 2011, we were locked out of the international markets and our...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. In the context of the Government's public service reform plan published in November 2011, the Department conducted a critical examination of the structure and operation of a range of cultural institutions and bodies, including the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, the National Library, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The Department is in the process of updating legislation on the cultural institutions, which will include a provision that members of the boards will operate on a pro bonobasis. In the meantime the cultural institutions are implementing this on an administrative basis. My predecessor sought to move the Arts Council to a pro bonomodel on a voluntary basis and the advertisement issued on that...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Full details of the remuneration and expenses paid to the Arts Council in 2011 and 2012 are set out in the report. Details of the 2013 payments will be included in the 2013 annual report which will be published shortly and will appear on the website. Some have obviously decided to waive the fees and some are taking their payment.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: However, that is the way it is. As I said, my predecessor and the chair of the Arts Council subsequently agreed that while all members would be asked to waive their fees, it would be a matter for decision by each member whether to do so. The Arts Council was not included in the public service reform plan. The public service reform plan covered a number of cultural institutions, including...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: A comprehensive assessment has already been carried out as part of the application for consent under the National Monuments Acts for the proposed restoration of the buildings and the provision of a 1916 commemorative centre on the Moore Street national monument site. The methodology for the assessment was drawn up and agreed in advance by my Department's national monuments service and by the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to correct the record. I never used the words "heated exchange" because I did not have a heated exchange with anybody. My door has been open and I have met a number of the relatives - I will speak about that later. I have indicated that a detailed assessment has already been carried out and I am entirely satisfied with the quality and findings of the research done. In January...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I want to be clear that I am not abandoning the Moore Street project. As I said, I was disappointed when the decision was arrived at by the city council. I have met with both groups of relatives, one of which is entirely supportive of the proposals for the national monument. They are keen that it should progress. I have also met with Dublin City Council's Moore Street advisory committee...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Capital provision of €22 million will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship projects, including the development of a permanent exhibition space and interpretative centre at the GPO; the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse to enhance the visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol; the provision of a permanent visitor facility at Cathal Brugha Barracks for the military service...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Just to clarify, I think the Deputy is referring to the Arts Council budget, which has remained the same as last year. The €4 million allocated for commemorations is additional funding. I want to ensure that the arts are involved in our commemorations and for that reason, while the finer detail has yet to be ironed out, the four main headings will broadly focus on local communities,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: As the economy improves, it is my job to get additional funding for the arts and I will certainly be doing so. The Deputy mentioned the end of austerity and I will be seeking additional funding for the arts in particular. I was glad that we obtained an additional €2 million for cultural institutions which was only announced on Friday in the context of the upcoming revised Estimates....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Job Initiatives (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Whereas the arts strand of JobBridge was designed and brokered by the Arts Council, it is run by the JobBridge section of the Department of Social Protection with local authorities across the country. The gathering of statistics for the arts strand would, therefore, be a matter for that Department and the relevant local authorities. I understand that when an extension of the JobBridge...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Job Initiatives (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I do not accept that free labour is being used to replace staff. My experience of JobBridge is that it has been very successful. I know many people who have been on this scheme and who have moved into full-time employment. In regard to internships, young people go to work in businesses and they end up getting full-time positions as a result of their work on JobBridge or as an intern. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Job Initiatives (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The eligibility criteria for JobBridge is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the live register. There should be an arts strand to JobBridge. It is important that this continues to provide opportunities for those interested in careers in the arts, allowing them to gain hands...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In the recent budget I was pleased to be able to maintain funding for 2015 for the national cultural institutions, including the National Museum, at the same level as 2014. This brought to an end the cycle of unavoidable cuts that have taken place at all of our national cultural institutions in recent years. I was, of course, aware of particular...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I am very much of the opinion that they should continue to be open to the public free of charge. In England whenever they introduce charging into cultural institutions, the number of visitors drop by about 50%. I would not want that to happen here. That is why this additional funding is so important. I will publish a breakdown of the €2 million in due course. I intend to allocate...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy. The museum has received almost 1 million visitors this year, which is a tremendous achievement. Things have been difficult for all of the cultural institutions, because their budgets were cut and this is the first time in six years there were no cuts. I pay tribute to the great work they do. I absolutely agree with the Deputy they make a huge contribution to our...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Along with my Government colleagues, I am committed to ensuring the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful. I appreciate the concerns of the relatives of those who fought and those who died during the Rising. I am actively engaging with them to ensure they will have a central...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (9 Dec 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The Gathering.