Results 23,201-23,220 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: First, in regard to the spend at the latter half of the year, as Deputy Ó Cuív will be aware, a lot of work goes on during the year on projects and the bills come in during the latter half of the year. That is why I do not anticipate any significant underspend in my Department in 2017. Last year, and excluding the carryover, 99.86% of programme funding was spent in my Department....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The important point is that the funding was sanctioned for the projects. Permission was sought and received to do that. We discussed this issue previously. The Deputy referred to the Revised Estimates. Further Revised Estimates for 2017 will be published shortly, taking account of the new departmental structures. The Deputy knows that it takes time to set up a new Department. The Vote...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I think-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The funding has gone out to local authorities. In my county of Monaghan, a large amount of the funding that was granted has been spent. The Minister, Deputy Ring, today announced more than €20 million in another tranche of town and village enhancement projects. All of these projects have come in and the money has been allocated. That is more good news for rural Ireland. That...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I have maintained 2016's current funding levels in terms of the commemorations. As to capital funding, the projects had all been completed by that stage. There was considerable investment, for example, in the GPO and Kilmainham. There were a number of projects across the city and elsewhere in the country, for example, Pádraig Pearse's cottage in Galway. That capital funding was well...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I have asked the Ceann Comhairle to get the names of people who will sit on the committee. The meeting will be held shortly. Whenever I get those names, I will call a meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: No, they are not. The Creative Ireland initiative received €5 million. The Arts Council got an additional €5 million last year, which increased its funding to €65 million. The Irish Film Board received an extra €2 million.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: An extra €2 million.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Does the Chairman wish me to answer them separately?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: First, as members are aware, the Solas project started in 2007. In fairness to the people who led that project, it was in the interests of the arts in Galway. There is no doubt that it was a well intentioned project. I am sure that members know of some of the prominent figures who were involved in it at the time. An application came in during 2007 and my Department committed to providing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Solas has not benefitted from anything in this. It has gone into liquidation. The whole purpose of Solas was to build the Picture Palace and to provide the additional art space in Galway city. It was not a profit making organisation. As members are aware, Lelia Doolan put a huge amount of time and effort into trying to make this project happen. There is no doubt that the project was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Department is committed to the ongoing management of projects in accordance with the public spending code and relevant grant circulars. Measures are in place to ensure that staff are appropriately trained and supported in the appraisal and oversight of grant aided projects as part of the Department's annual quality assurance process. The Department intends to hold further training...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I do not have a problem with the relationship between the committee and the Department. I come here and I answer the questions. The committee serves a very important role. I acknowledge that I have received its report on the Culture 2025 - Éire Ildánach. A lot of work went into that. It is important that the Minister and the committee work together on progressing the interest of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: No, it has not. Culture 2025 is the framework policy document. I want to acknowledge the work done by this joint committee, particularly with regard to the report on the draft framework policy document. My Department is giving serious consideration to this report in preparing the final document. The committee has made some very helpful suggestions on the content and presentation of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: No. This is what we in the Department want to do. This committee came back with recommendations which we are now looking at. There will be some things that we can change in the overall policy document. Some of the things that have happened as a result of Creative Ireland can help inform us on the possibility of being more ambitious, perhaps, or of looking at different issues around the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There will, yes. My intention is that the final Culture 2025 document will be finalised before the end of the year, having taken the committee's report on board along with other submissions received on the draft document.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: We are working with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on a creative children programme which will be rolled out over a number of years through schools and youth groups. This is aimed at increasing young people's participation in the arts and at ensuring they get access to tuition in whatever form, be it in music, drama or coding. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Absolutely, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates For Public Services 2017: Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (4 Oct 2017)

Heather Humphreys: What can I say? The Senator will have heard the Minister for Finance outlining the fact that the budget will be very tight this year. Naturally, I will of course be making the case for all remits of my Department: the arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht. Last year we benefitted from considerable increases and the good news is that we will hold onto these. I will make the case and we will...