Results 1,381-1,400 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council Grants (26 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 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 am precluded by law from interfering with or reviewing any decisions of the Council in relation to funding. It may be noted that the Arts Council operates an appeals and complaints...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (26 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 553, 554, 555 and 556 of 19 May 2015 in relation to my Department’s approach to commemorative events.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Beit Foundation (26 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's Question No 549 of 19 May 2015, the administration of the Beit Foundation, which owns and operates Russborough House, is a matter for the trustees and my Department has no role in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Recruitment (26 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There were a total of 4 appointments to permanent civil service positions in my Department during 2014. A further 26 staff were appointed to public service positions in those bodies under the aegis of my Department in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Redeployment (26 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A total of 16 staff were on secondment from my Department to other Government Departments or public service organisations in 2014. In addition, one member of my Department's staff was assigned to Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels. A total of 5 public servants were seconded to other organisations from the bodies under the aegis of my Department in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Retirements (26 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that a total of 31 public servants retired from those bodies under the aegis of my Department in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (28 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding the conservation of heritage buildings is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department in 2015 via a number of schemes, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies....

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the establishment of the commission of investigation into transactions at IBRC. I welcome the fact that the Government has reacted to public concerns on the issue. A commission of investigation is the best way to establish the facts and outline the full details of transactions which were undertaken on taxpayers' behalf by IBRC. The commission of investigation will have a broad...

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It is important to consider that before we had IBRC, we had Anglo Irish Bank. It is important to consider how this Government was left to clean up the mess of Anglo Irish Bank. It is important to remember how the previous Fianna Fáil Government pumped €34 billion of taxpayers' money into a dead bank and how the policies adopted by that Government allowed Anglo Irish Bank to get...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 1055 and 1056 on 26 May, 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on the 1 June 2011. In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 my Department operated a Structures at Risk Fund to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, where an urgent need for works to such structures had arisen and had been demonstrated. In 2014 my Department was...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I received correspondence recently from the Deputy on behalf of the committee referred to in the Question. A reply has now issued in relation to the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network waspublished in January 2014and concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Correspondence (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that I have received the correspondence from the community group in question. This matter is under consideration in my Department and I hope to be in a position to issue a reply shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope to provide funding for the Built Heritage is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances. While there is no specific funding mechanisms for the area referred to, my Department is currently operating the Structures at Risk Fund 2015 to support the conservation and repair of heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1196 and 1197 together. My role, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with regard to the protection and management of our built and natural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of the architectural heritage. The Act gives...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Festivals which encompass arts or heritage programming may qualify for grants from certain bodies under the aegis of my Department. Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council has a Festival and Events Scheme and there are two calls for applications each year. Information on the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (9 Jun 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), €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have been made to this...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In 2007, a capital grant of €2 million was approved in principle for Tullamore Arts Centre. My Department continues to maintain contact with Offaly County Council in relation to this project having regard to the conditions of the approval.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Exports Controls (9 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1202, 1203, 1205 and 1208 together. My Department did not receive any application or grant any licence in respect of the recent export of paintings by the Beit Foundation, as applications for licences to export paintings and drawings within the European Union, under the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945, are issued by the National...