Results 1,541-1,560 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hare Coursing (1 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have received licence applications from the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of its affiliated clubs to facilitate the tagging and capturing of hares for the purposes of hare coursing for the 2015/16 coursing season. In examining these applications, my Department will take account of the various reports available to it in respect of coursing meetings carried out during the 2014/15 season. No...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In line with the Performance Management Development System, which identifies staff training needs and skills requirements to deliver on business plans and objectives, my Department supports the development of staff through formal training courses, in-house training, attendance at relevant conferences and seminars, refund of academic fees, and reimbursement of professional membership fees. My...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that if spending by my Department on all services that are subject to Professional Services Withholding Tax were maintained at the levels observed in 2014, then a reduction of 10% in the associated fees would result in a reduction in expenditure of the order of €300,000 per annum. As the Deputy will appreciate, expenditure of this kind is subject to considerable...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Both of my Special Advisors have been paid at the first point on the Principal Officer Scale since their appointment in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The total amount paid in fees in 2014 to members of State boards under my Department’s aegis was €200,207. On that basis, if fees were reduced by 25% it would potentially result in a saving in the order of €50,000. However, I am advised that expenditure on board fees is expected to fall in 2015, mainly because some board members who could claim fees have waived their...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Meetings (2 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A review of correspondence received by my Private Office indicates that, since my appointment as Minister last year, I have received 150 requests for meetings with a variety of individuals and groups, on foot of which I attended such 43 meetings. This figure includes meetings with representatives of those bodies under the aegis of my Department and with representatives of other...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (2 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: To the greatest extent possible, my Department encourages and facilitates visitor access to and appropriate use of our National Parks and Nature Reserves. Such access and use must, however, be consistent with the ethos of these internationally significant natural heritage properties as places of peace and tranquillity set in scenic landscapes, as well as being compatible with the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Expenditure (2 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Aggregate information in respect of expenses incurred by me since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in July 2014 is set out in the table below. 2014 €12,385 2015 to date €14,197 More detailed information on these expenses is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. All such expenditure relates exclusively to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Interdepartmental Working Groups (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Inter-Departmental Steering Group working on the development of the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan was established in July 2014 and has now met on five occasions: 24th July and 17th December 2014, and 31st March, 20th May and 17th June 2015. The membership of the Steering Group is made up of representatives of my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (7 Jul 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: Deer Hunting (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 606 to 608, inclusive, together. I am advised that the deer population in Ireland increased greatly between 1990 and 2010. There has been some reduction in the number of deer legally shot in recent years, as well as a decrease in the number of section 42 permits granted under the Wildlife Acts. However, there is no current evidence to cause concern about a...

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

Heather Humphreys: The National Library of Ireland is a statutorily independent body and the Board of the Library is responsible for making decisions in relation to the collections. While my Department provides funding to the national cultural institutions, including the National Library, the management and board of each institution are responsible for all operational matters and for determining spending...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is aware of the decline of certain species as referred to by the Deputy and has reported on these matters to the European Commission as part of its statutory obligations for monitoring and reporting. The species in question are largely dependent upon low-productivity grazing areas in uplands and bogs, and their reduced numbers reflect long-term changes in land use in a variety...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natura 2000 (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate that my Department has prioritised resources in this sector to meeting the requirements arising from adverse judgements against Ireland, under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. Against that background, my Department has not submitted any management plans for upland sites in our Natura 2000 network, to the European Commission for approval.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 612 and 613 together. As indicated in reply to Question No. 247 of 14 May 2015, the start of the closed period for hedge cutting was extended, under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, to 1 March, in recognition of the generally accepted nesting and breeding season in order to afford further protection to wild birds. While, as indicated in that reply,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 615 together. The process for the designation of sites as natural heritage areas is set out in the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. Under the provisions of section 16 of the Act, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht forms the intention to designate a natural heritage area, while the making of a natural heritage area order is carried out...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: International trade in specimens of wild animals and plants is governed by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. As the material referred to in the Question is considered a waste product, it is not covered by the provisions of the CITES Convention. There are provisions in the Wildlife Acts which relate to licensing requirements for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Correspondence (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The original correspondence was not received by my Department, due to an incorrect email address. It is now being examined by the relevant officials.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 255, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 710 on 30 June 2015, in which I indicated that all observations on the draft of the new Brú na Bóinne Management Plan are being examined in my Department and that a final draft of the Plan will be forwarded to the local Steering Committee as soon as possible,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A list of the grant programmes administered directly by my Department in 2015, together with details of expenditure under these schemes in previous years, as requested by the Deputy, is set out in the following table. Grant Scheme 2011 2012 2013 2014 Scheme to assist Local and Regional Museums €68,000 €58,000 €171,000 €111,000 Cooperation with...