Results 961-980 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (21 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Any change to that period would require amending legislation. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (21 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A Government Decision in 1997 approved the inclusion in budgets for all Exchequer-funded capital construction projects of up to 1% as funding for an art project, subject to an overall cap of €64,000. While my Department has responsibility for the promotion of the Per Cent for Art Scheme, it does not have a budget for it. It therefore does not provide funding for the individual art...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (21 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A number of landowners had objected to the designation of their lands within the Inishboffin, Omey, Turbot Islands proposed special protection area. Following a Departmental review the landowners opted to take their cases to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board, an independently chaired Board which makes recommendations to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on such...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Visual Artist's Workspace Scheme (27 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Visual Artist's Workspace Scheme is administered by the Arts Council. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions in funding the Arts. As Minister, I cannot, therefore, review decisions of the Council in relation to such matters.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Appeals (27 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Following the completion of a Departmental review of an objection to the proposed designation of a site as a special area of conservation or special protection area, landowners may opt to take their cases to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board, an independently chaired Board which makes recommendations to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on such cases. The...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (28 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am committed to the delivery of the country's first ever national cultural policy - Culture 2025- and will be initiating a wide-scale consultation process to ensure that all stakeholders and members of the public can make their views know. With this in mind, a draft discussion paper is currently being finalised, which I hope to publish shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Concert Hall (28 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together. My Department provides funding to the National Cultural Institutions, including the National Concert Hall (NCH). However, the board of the NCH is responsible for all operational matters, including fundraising, and I have no direct function in these matters. In this regard, I understand that the board decided not to proceed with the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Concert Hall (28 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 148 together. An independent review, commissioned by the board of the National Concert Hall (NCH), regarding the programming, marketing, financial and operational performance of the NCH was carried out by CHL Consulting Company Ltd in association with IMD Group and completed at the end of 2013. A copy of the report was furnished to my predecessor,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Concert Hall (28 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A number of changes took place on the board of the National Concert Hall during April 2014. Ms Margaret Ryan stepped down as both Chair and member of the board, while four ordinary members also stepped down. Ms Ryan had already indicated her intention of stepping down was to focus entirely on her role with Fáilte Ireland, while I understand that the four ordinary members stepped down...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Grant Payments (28 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department does not provide bursaries or grants to a start-up enterprises providing spinning and hand weaving classes or demonstrations.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (29 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is ongoing. A contract for the interpretation phase had been awarded and this is now advancing. Work is continuing apace with the landscaping works to the grounds and ornamental gardens too. I expect that the various elements of works will be completed at different stages during the year and it is intended...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Projects (29 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The granting of consent for this road project was subject to a number of conditions by the relevant planning authority, including the requirement for the Construction Stage Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and all method statementsto be approved by Galway County Council and agreed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, as well as Inland Fisheries Ireland. My...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Projects (29 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As this project is at preplanning stage, it would not be appropriate to comment on specific matters at this time. However, my Department is engaging with the relevant authorities on an ongoing basis with regard to ecological matters.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Projects (29 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It is my understanding that this portion of the development of the N59 is presently before An Bord Pleanála. As such, this matter falls under the responsibility of that authority and it would not be appropriate for my Department to comment on the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Appointments (29 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has received no representations seeking persons to be appointed to positions on boards or elsewhere from the Member referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Inland Waterways Development (3 Feb 2015)

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 seven waterways make a vital contribution to tourism, attracting visitors from around Ireland and from abroad. The proposed new bye-laws are...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 653 to 655, inclusive, together. As my Department was established on 2nd June 2011, the information sought by the Deputy is not available for the earlier periods in question.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am aware of the concerns of farmers about the designation of Special Protection Areas for Hen Harrier and I have met with representatives of farmers to discuss these matters. In relation to land value, farmers are able to draw down financial supports under the Basic Payment Scheme on farmed land in these SPAs and I understand that they will also be afforded priority entrance to the new...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together. As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. While there has been a degree of continuity in the format and scheduling of the National Famine Commemoration ceremony, the date of the ceremony, as well as the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (3 Feb 2015)

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 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014)...