Results 1,341-1,360 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Funding for the protection and conservation of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department in 2015 via a number of schemes, which may be directly administered, or delivered through local authorities or the Heritage Council. Yesterday (5 May, 2015), I announced grant funding of €624,000 to 22 local authorities under the Structures at Risk Fund 2015, which will...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Insurance Costs (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is aware of issues, such as higher premiums, surrounding insurance cover for historic buildings. I understand that officials of my Department have met with both the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Irish Insurance Federation (now Insurance Ireland) to discuss this matter. My Department is also engaging with local authority Architectural Conservation...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Library Services Provision (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Parliamentary Question 1005 on 24thMarch 2015. While I am aware that there are discussions taking place in relation to the future of Bolton Library, my Department does not have a direct role in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced the partial lifting of the embargo on recruitment to the public service as part of Budget 2015. Details of the operation of revised arrangements are being finalised between officials of my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In the interim, my Department and bodies under its aegis have continued to progress...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (7 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The inclusion of a monument in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 does not confer ownership or guardianship on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The RMP contains in excess of 130,000 monuments and places, the vast majority of which are privately owned. While St. Naul’s Well is of archaeological...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (7 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A summary of the number and aggregate value of increments awarded to staff of my Department in each year since its establishment in June 2011 is set out in the table. Year No of Increments Awarded Aggregate Value of Increments Awarded 2011 (2 Jun-31 Dec)* 74 €98,000 2012 269 €374,000 2013 279 €377,000 2014 187 €247,000*Does not include increments awarded...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my earlier replies in this matter. Bull Island is monitored regularly by officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. There are no plans currently to deploy additional staff resources to the site. My officials will, of course, continue to support the main landowner, Dublin City Council, which is working to raise awareness and address...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As the matter is subject to legal proceedings, I am not in a position to comment.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Bodies (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Public Service Reform Plan, published by the Government on 17 November 2011, outlined a series of rationalisation measures relating to agencies and other public bodies, including measures related to bodies funded from my Department's Vote. In this regard, my Department conducted a critical examination of the structure and operation of the institutions included in the Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Archaeological Sites (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Measures to regulate the use of metal detectors were introduced in the National Monuments Act (Amendment) 1987 to protect our archaeological heritage from the irreparable damage and loss which results from indiscriminate use of metal detectors to search for archaeological objects. The 1987 Act sets out the statutory provisions in relation to the general use of metal detectors to search for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Vacancies on State Boards (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table below. Appointments to State boards under the aegis of my Department are carried out using the procedures outlined in the Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments, announced last September by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It should be noted, however, that appointments to the boards of Foras na...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The sale of the artwork referred to in the Question is a matter for the Beit Foundation, which owns and operates Russborough House, and my Department has no role in approving such a sale. The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, has provided just over €2.1 million since 2002 for works to Russborough House. In 2005, the Heritage Council published the Conservation Plan for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 648 together. All birds, including the species referred to by the Deputy, are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Birds Directive. However, the hunting of certain game birds, such as the species in question, is allowed at certain times of the year under the Open Seasons Order for Wild Birds. In addition, the shooting of that species is...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Foreshore Issues (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Under Section 30 of the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended, I may grant permission to"hunt protected wild animals and wild birds on or over foreshore belonging to the State or on or over land belonging to the State and which is either covered by any inland waters or comprised in the lakeshore accretion from any lake, or accretion from the sea where such land is owned by the State". My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment (13 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have been informed by the agency concerned that the position in question was advertised on , in the newspaper referred to by the Deputy and on the agency's own website. The position was also advertised internally to all the staff of the agency. As the leading recruiter for public service jobs, the website of the Public Appointments Service, , is the main access route for candidates...

Seanad: Cultural Institutions: Motion (13 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am delighted to have the opportunity to address the House on the important contribution that our culture and heritage make to Irish society. I believe that our cultural heritage, which encompasses the arts, our cultural institutions and our natural and built heritage, is vital to our national identity and well-being. As well as being of vital intrinsic importance and a great source of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (14 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 prohibited the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 15 April to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. The start of the closed period was extended under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 to 1 March in recognition of the generally accepted nesting and breeding season...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natura 2000 (14 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department’s focus in recent years has been on the production of detailed, site-specific conservation objectives for the Natura 2000 network and, to date, 72 have been published for Special Areas of Conservation and 37 for Special Protection Areas. These are available on In addition, my Department is currently preparing a Threat Response Plan for the Hen Harrier, a species for which...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (14 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My role, as Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of architectural...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Consultancy Contracts Data (14 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2 June 2011. The table below lists the consultants engaged by my Department from that date in 2011 to 2014, together with the associated payments made from my Department's Administrative Budget. Spending on consultants is kept to a minimum and fell over the period 2012 to 2014. Where consultants are engaged, value for money...