Results 24,781-24,800 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: On 9thAugust this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million in funding for this year. A sum of €380,000 was made available to each of the 26 counties for 2016 under this initial phase of the scheme. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Arrangements for the 2017 National Famine Commemoration will be considered shortly by the National Famine Commemoration Committee, which I chair. Details of the venue and location will be announced early in the New Year.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: At present, there are three species of invasive plants identified within the boundaries of Connemara National Park. These are Lesser Knotweed (Persicaria campanulata), Giant Rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) and Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum). Each of these poses its own particular challenge and requires a specific plan of action to control, manage and, where possible and practicable,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Foras na Gaeilge (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: As I indicated in my reply to Questions Nos 285, 287 and 288 on 8 November 2016, the budget for Foras na Gaeilge is subject to approval by the North South Ministerial Council, given its status as an agency of An Foras Teanga, which is a North South Implementation Body co-funded by my Department and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. An indicative provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hare Coursing (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Staff of my Department were present at this coursing event to monitor it and I have asked for a report on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Records (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that while contingent assets are provided for in international accounting standards, they only apply to entities that use the accruals basis of accounting. The Vote for my Department is accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts on a cash basis in accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act. Notes to the annual accounts are provided on foot of policies...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tax Code (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is a scheme of tax relief for the donation of heritage items to the National Collections. Under the scheme, heritage items that are considered outstanding examples of their type and that are pre-eminent in their class, whose export from the State would constitute a diminution of the accumulated cultural heritage of Ireland, or whose import...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Lough Bane and Lough Glass (Site Code 002120) is a candidate special area of conservation and as such is a legally protected site. Ireland is required, under the EU Habitats Directive, to formally designate its special areas of conservation and a project is in place within my Department to oversee this process. This involves the adoption of a Statutory Instrument for each site. The making...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Policy (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government has placed a strong focus on supporting all communities in rural Ireland, including rural communities in north Co. Dublin. The LEADER programme is an important component of the funding provided by my Department to support rural development. Under the 2007-2013 LEADER programme, €4,399,216 was provided to Fingal LEADER...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 284, inclusive, together. The EU Birds Directive is implemented in Ireland under the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Under the terms of the Directive, all Member States of the EU are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats. Under Article 9(a), Member States may...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Strategy Statements (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has prepared a Draft Statement of Strategy as provided for under Section 5 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. I am currently considering this document with a view to finalising it before its submission to Government. My Department is not directly responsible for the provision of services specifically targeted at persons with disabilities. However, the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Maritime Salvage (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The recent recovery of a telegraph from the wreck of the RMS Lusitania was undertaken with my Department's approval by the holder of a dive license granted by the Department’s National Monuments Service under the National Monuments Acts. The telegraph is currently being conserved and its recovery and location has, I understand, been notified to the National Museum of Ireland by the...

Public Holidays (Lá na Poblachta) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I have listened to the arguments made by Deputies on the draft Bill. However, I remain convinced that the proposal to introduce an additional bank holiday on 24 April every year is neither necessary nor advisable. The Ireland 2016 centenary programme has met with widespread support across the political, academic and community sectors. It has engaged communities at home and abroad in an...

Public Holidays (Lá na Poblachta) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: When this Bill was originally brought forward in October of 2015, preparations were under way for the Ireland 2016 centenary programme. Now, one year on, we are in a position to assess the commemorations to date, and to consider whether introducing an additional bank holiday on 24 April every year is necessary or advisable. My view is that it is neither. The response and engagement from...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Referral to Select Committee (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all Deputies who contributed to the debate and I acknowledge that their contributions have been practical and helpful. I emphasise that the main objective of the 2014 natural heritage areas, NHA, review was to consider how the network could contribute to our conservation objectives for raised bog habitats while avoiding unintended impacts on the traditional rights of landowners and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hedge Cutting Season (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will be aware that the 2016 National Famine Commemoration, led by President Michael D. Higgins, was held in Glasnevin in September. As in previous years, this was a solemn and dignified event. Also, in October, I was pleased to attend the International Famine Commemoration, which this year was held in Philadelphia. Arrangements for the 2017 events will be considered by the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Thatching Grants Expenditure (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My role, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Wild mink are not a protected species and they can be controlled by farmers, landowners, game shooting clubs and others. A study commissioned by my Department, published in 2009, estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink...