Results 1,081-1,100 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Staffing requirements for Killarney House remain the subject of consideration in light of my Department's overall business needs and the approved pay framework for 2015. The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is currently ongoing and, accordingly, the nature and extent of posts required, including their budgetary implications, have yet to be finally...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Grant Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 232 together. The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme commenced in 2006. This was not a compensation scheme, but rather a proactive incentivisation scheme to trial approaches to farming for conservation in some of Ireland's most important biodiversity areas, where there were no specifically targeted measures in national...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: From the information provided in the Deputy's Question, I assume that the reference is to the intention to designate six special protection areas selected for the protection of Hen Harriers, in particular, which were advertised in November 2007. I am advised that a total of 17 applications to appeal the designations were received after the closing date for receiving such applications. As...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Grant Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate the constraints that apply in replying to a "details supplied" Question of this nature. The scheme to which the Deputy appears to be referring commenced in 2006 and was closed to new applicants in April 2010. The scheme was entirely funded by the Exchequer and at its peak had an annual allocation of circa €5 million per annum. Plans approved under the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Communications (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Delivering a high standard of service to our customers is a key priority for my Department. In that regard, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) 'plain speaking' guidelines have been published internally for reference and guidance. In addition, my Department also plans to produce guidelines for its staff in relation to adhering to the NALA principles. These guidelines will promote a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Staffing requirements for Killarney House remain the subject of consideration in light of my Department's overall business needs and the approved pay framework for 2015. The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is currently ongoing and, accordingly, the nature and extent of posts required, including their budgetary implications, have yet to be finally...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sport and Recreational Development (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Waterways Ireland is currently pioneering the development and promotion of Blueways on the inland navigations which it manages. Having formulated design specifications and standards with the National Trails Office in 2012/2013 for the development of Small Vessel Trails, and having adopted the design standards for the development of walking and cycle trails, Waterways Ireland, together...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: On 9 February last, I announced an allocation of €624,000 for the Structures at Risk Fund 2015, to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration and are protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended. This Fund, which will be administered through the local...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In July 2012, a Steering Group involving representatives of the key stakeholders in the project referred to by the Deputy was convened and charged with the planning and development of the project. The Steering Group meets regularly and good progress is being made on bringing this complex multifaceted project to fruition. Because of the associated ecological issues, the task of delivering...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The project referred to by the Deputy commenced in July 2014. The European Union has agreed to provide almost 50% co-funding for this €5 million project, which is being led by my Department in partnership with relevant stakeholders. The project team was appointed late last year and is now established in offices at the location referred to in the Deputy's Question. The team will...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There are two species of seal in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal. Both are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is obliged to monitor their populations and report to the European Commission on their conservation status. A standardised monitoring programme has been in place for both species since 2009. The most recent report on their...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Correspondence (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand officials of my Department facilitated an initial meeting with the group in question in May of last year in order that the group could outline their proposals. The group were advised to submit a formal proposal for my Department's consideration. My Department awaits receipt of this proposal, and remains wiling to engage with the group should they wish to progress the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Planning Issues (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is not currently considering any application in respect of the development in question. It is my view that such a development would require planning consent in accordance with the Planning and Development Acts. Under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, I am precluded from exercising consent functions where such functions fall under the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has been charged with the co-ordination of commemorative events constituting the centenary programme, which is a comprehensive exploration of the period from 1912 keeping pace with the centenary timeline. These have focused on events commemorating for example, aspects of the Irish Revolutionary Period including the Home Rule Bill; Cumann na mBan; the Howth gun-running, the 1916...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme Expenditure (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: On 9 February last, I announced an allocation of €624,000 for the Structures at Risk Fund 2015,to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This Fund, which will be administered through the local...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (24 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I, together with my Government colleagues, am committed to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful. The relatives of those who fought and those who died during the Rising will play a key role in the Ireland 2016programme and I am actively engaging with them to ensure that will have a central involvement in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (24 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department does not administer a funding scheme specifically for thatched structures. However, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government administers a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs of owner occupied houses. I refer the Deputy to that Department for details of eligibility criteria for that scheme. A number of State financial supports provide...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (24 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. This is a legal obligation and a number of EU Member States, including Ireland, have been subject to adverse judgements of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) in relation to failures to fully comply with the Directives. The Hen Harrier was a key issue in the judgment of the CJEU in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Programmes (24 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Whilst my Department provides funding to the agency referred to by the Deputy, the board and executive of that body are responsible for all operational matters and I have no direct function in that regard. My Department has had no direct involvement in the project referred to. However, my Department has been advised by the body in question that it has decided to withdraw from an EU-funded...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (24 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In response to notice given to my Department under the National Monuments Acts, Kildare County Council was informed on 25 August 2014 that, apart from a small number of sites that did not include the specific location referred to by the Deputy, there was no objection to the Council’s proposals to carry out a series of works to graveyards around the county.