Results 1,561-1,580 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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

Heather Humphreys: I welcomed the recent announcement of the Alfred Beit Foundation that it had taken the decision to postpone the sale of paintings, in light of my request and the emergence of Irish donors who are considering the purchase of some of the artworks. I understand this would involve the donation of artworks to an Irish cultural institution using Section 1003 tax relief. This is a very welcome...

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

Heather Humphreys: The Music Capital Scheme is funded by my Department and managed by Music Network. I am currently considering the capital grant allocation for the Music Capital Scheme for 2015/16 and I hope to announce a decision shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Archives (9 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand from the National Archives that the presentation of the microfilm copies of the Ireland Australian Transportation records to Australia in 1988 was intended to serve the very purpose of stimulating an interest among Australians in their Irish ancestry and promoting visits by Australians to Ireland. The National Archives has further indicated that the individuals most interested...

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

Heather Humphreys: While it is certain that invasive species are having negative effects on biodiversity locally, through competition and complete or partial replacement of the native flora/vegetation communities, my Department does not currently consider that rare plant species are under imminent threat from such invasives. I am aware of much useful work by Inland Fisheries Ireland in controlling aquatic and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Action Plan for Jobs (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An Interdepartmental Group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies has been established to examine and report on recommendations to increase foreign and domestic investment in Ireland’s film and TV sound stage studio infrastructure in the face of growing demand for audio-visual content across multiple platforms. This builds on the process...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The apportionment of National Lottery funding to various lines of voted expenditure is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in accordance with the provisions of section 41 of the National Lottery Act 2013. However, for the Deputy’s information, expenditure on national culture and heritage (including the Irish language) is covered under Section 41 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Postcode System Implementation (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is undertaking a review of its name and address databases to identify the amendments required in those computer systems to accommodate the use of Eircodes. When this is completed, any necessary changes to procedures and systems will be implemented.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am considering a request for a meeting with the organisation in question and my Office will be in contact with it shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Metal Detectors (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Measures to regulate the use of metal detectors were introduced in the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 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 statutory provisions regarding the general use of metal detectors to search for...

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

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 to 960, inclusive, together. The number of successful prosecutions taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department in 2013 and 2014 relating to illegal hunting under various provisions of the Wildlife Acts are set out in the table that follows this reply. These prosecutions relate to the illegal hunting of deer, hares, badgers and wild...

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

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 961 to 963, inclusive, together. My Department is aware of concerns expressed by a number of organisations relating to the apparent increase in the hunting of certain migratory birds, including woodcock. I intend to hold a short consultation with relevant stakeholders on options to address concerns about woodcock to ensure their views are known to my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The average age of staff in my Department at the end of 2014 was 47, as against an average of 46 at the end of 2011, which was the year of its establishment. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows: Body Average age at the end of 2008. Average age at the end of 2011. Average age at the end of 2014 Arts Council 38 42 45...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network was published in January 2014 and concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitats 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...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, to delete line 37 and substitute the following:“(e) is, or is deemed to be, the subject of an order under section 160 of the Companies Act 1990 or a disqualification order within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 14 of the Companies Act 2014, or” The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that a person, the subject of a disqualification...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There have been developments in the past few months and staffing matters are no longer dictated by a moratorium. Staffing matters in the National Concert Hall can now be dealt with between my Department and the National Concert Hall under new delegated sanction arrangements. I see this increasing the flexibility of the National Concert Hall in regard to staffing.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 2:In page 16, lines 24 and 25, to delete “and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform” and substitute “, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Finance”. The purpose of these amendments is to clarify that the consent of the Minister for Finance is required as well as the consent of the Minister for Public...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 3:In page 16, line 26, to delete “or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform” and substitute “, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform or the Minister for Finance”.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I would like to indicate that I will table amendments relating to the proposed change of name of the Irish Film Board on Report Stage. I am also examining a potential Report Stage amendment on including a reference to the location of the National Concert Hall at Earlsfort Terrace. A potential timing issue exists between the time limit for submission of the annual report in section 17 and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (15 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has applied to part of Carrickynaghtan Bog national heritage area since 1 January 2014. 12 applications under the scheme for this site have been received and acknowledged by my Department. A total of 9 payments have been made in respect of the applications received. Turf cutting must cease by 1 January 2017 on the part of Carrickynaghtan...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Correspondence (15 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Following the receipt of the representation referred to of 9 June last, a designated land site pack, including the relevant maps, issued to the landowners referred to in the Deputy’s Question earlier this week. I have also been advised that officials from my Department will make contact with the landowners with a view to arranging a meeting with them.