Results 1,801-1,820 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Heritage Council Funding (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is considering the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage in 2016 in the context of its overall allocation and I will publish details of funding schemes for 2016 as soon as these are finalised. Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes which will be either directly...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Heritage Council Funding (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I acknowledge the work of the Heritage Council and the great work it does with communities. In its pre-budget submission the council requested additional funding to invest in heritage-based initiatives, including an extended walled town network. While this investment would be well spent, the reality is we are still living within constrained budgets and we have responsibility to manage the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Heritage Council Funding (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have announced an extra €2 million for heritage investment, similar to the jobs leverage programme in 2014. This is direct investment in heritage which will be rolled out through local authorities and community groups, and individuals will have an opportunity to apply for funding. It is a 50:50 project, so if someone comes up with 50% of the funding, the other 50% will be provided...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My predecessor, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, placed a preservation order under the National Monuments Acts on Nos. 14-17 Moore Street on the premise that No. 16 was the final headquarters of the 1916 Rising and the location of the last council of war by the 1916 leaders when the decision to surrender was taken. Nos. 14, 15 and 17 Moore Street were included...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am satisfied we are preserving what is the national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street. As the Deputy is aware, work has started on that site and it will be a lasting tribute to the memory of the rebels in the 1916 Rising. On the issue of the relatives, I am aware how passionate they are about this. We have been working with the relatives and have had numerous meetings with them. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Their report included an inspection, assessment and fabric investigations of an area incorporating the block from Moore Street, O'Rahilly Parade, Moore Lane and Henry Place and some of the areas south of Henry Place extending back towards Henry Street.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The decision to add structures to the record of protected structures is a matter for the local authority, in this case Dublin City Council. My responsibility is for Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, the national monument. We have been speaking to the traders. I have been down there and have met them and consulted them. They are very happy with the proposed development for Moore Street in terms of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Government decided to acquire the national monument at Nos. 14–17 Moore Street because of its historical association with the events of Easter 1916. This decision demonstrates and acknowledges the historical importance of the site in a clear and substantive way and ensures that the long-term future of this historic landmark will be preserved and safeguarded. Bringing the monument...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: On the last question, I am certain that it will be done according to best international practice. A steering committee is being established to oversee the project. It will include officials from my Department, the National Monuments Service, the Office of Public Works, the OPW, the National Archives, the National Museum and Dublin City Council. I am very satisfied that the steering...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The €4 million figure has been in the public realm since 31 March 2015 when I announced the Government decision to acquire the national monument. This figure was arrived at in the usual commercial manner. The Deputy will recall that before the Government stepped in, Dublin City Council had turned down a deal involving the acquisition of the Moore Street national monument in part...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I congratulate the author Kevin Barry on winning the Goldsmiths Prize for literature for his new novel, Beatlebone. This follows his IMPAC award for City of Bohane.Kevin is truly one of our great contemporary writers and I am delighted for him. At a meeting on 20 June 2014, the Government approved the drafting of a national cultural policy, Culture...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Our cultural policy will encompass both our built and natural heritage, because it is all part of what we are. We can look at cultural hubs because it is something that will probably come through the consultation process. I have not had an opportunity yet to look at all the submissions as the process finished at the end of October 2015. It has been a very open process and we have gone...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It is something we can look at. A cultural hub relates to a specific area. The Deputy is moving into the area of tourism, where we have the Wild Atlantic Way and now Ireland's Ancient East. Perhaps we can have something along those lines, given that different areas have unique connections to culture that other areas do not have. We can certainly look at it.

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue again. The Government is supporting eight flagship capital projects for the 1916 centenary year. These will create a lasting legacy of 1916 and will be of huge interest to members of the public. Dublin City Council is overseeing the Richmond Barracks project. It is anticipated that a six-month programme of works will lead to completion of the...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: To be fair, this is a great project with three different stakeholders: the community, Dublin City council and the Government. Great work has been done by the community and the committee, of which Deputy Byrne and other Deputies are members. That great community engagement and buy-in is what makes this project so successful. I was at the opening day, which was a powerful event. What is...

Other Questions: Deer Culls (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for raising this matter. With regard to Killarney National Park, every year, as part of the ongoing management of deer populations within the park, deer numbers need to be reduced. It is intended to commence culling later this month once the rut has finished. This work will be undertaken by qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service...

Other Questions: Deer Culls (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The cull is part of the ongoing management of deer populations in Killarney National Park and deer numbers may need to be reduced every year. The proposed cull is no different from what has taken place in previous years. Sika deer numbers in the park are not out of control and are at much lower densities than can be found Wicklow National Park. As I stated, the National Parks and Wildlife...

Other Questions: Deer Culls (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I will raise the Deputy's proposal with my officials. I do not know if relocation is possible and if or how red deer would integrate with the herd in another location. I will consider the issue, however. As the Deputy noted, Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of deer causing traffic accidents on roads in Killarney. I will raise these issues with officials and revert to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Value for Money Reviews (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A comprehensive review of the Arts Council's activities and operation over the period 2009 to 2012 was recently published by my Department. It was undertaken by my Department’s Evaluation Unit under the guidance of an expert Steering Committee chaired by Dr. John O'Hagan, Professor of Economics at Trinity College. The review commends the Council for its response to the economic crisis...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Built Heritage Investment Scheme (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Built Heritage Investment Scheme, which I recently announced, is a new €2m investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures. It seeks to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation...