Results 24,941-24,960 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: We will get that information. We have done some of that work and we will forward the information to the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In terms of outputs, there are visitor numbers on one of the documents that we provided to the committee but I do not have it to hand. We will provide the committee with the information. The Solas project started nine years ago. When I came into the Department in 2014 the project landed on my desk. I was left with a situation whereby €6 million had been spent on the project in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Yes. The building remains in the control of Solas pending transfer to Element Pictures. That is a condition of the additional funding - it has to be transferred. I am working in conjunction with Galway City Council. Funding that is paid out will be paid through Galway City Council but I must be satisfied that all the checks and measures are in place and that the project will be completed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Element Pictures will run the facilities. It has an outstanding track record in running arthouse cinemas and one of its very successful projects is the Light House Cinema in Smithfield. The cinema in Smithfield had run into difficulties. Element Pictures has a particular expertise and it did a very good job in Smithfield. Therefore, we are satisfied that Element Pictures has the ability...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Is the Chairman referring to the High Court appeal related to Moore Street?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The case relates to Moore Street. The legal costs have not materialised yet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: No, there has not been an amount set aside for it so it has to be met out of current funding.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Subhead B.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The matter is under review at present. Costs have not materialised. When it is finalised it should come out under subhead B at A.15, which is a subhead for commemorations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Yes, A15.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: To be fair, the case was appealed on the basis that the judgment had much wider implications across the country. I received submissions from various Departments on the need to appeal the case because of the wider issues, in terms of infrastructure projects on which it could have an impact throughout the country.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The spend has improved considerably up to the end of August. Most of the underspend is in capital and many of the capital projects take place during the summer months. A large amount of work takes place at that stage, so I expect there will be much more money spent in the latter half of the year. As we go into the months of October and November, the capital spend will increase considerably.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I heard the chairperson of the National Museum speak to the committee earlier about that. She is putting structures in place and setting up committees. In the first instance, however, this is a matter for the board and the management of the National Museum and is not something in which I can get involved, in terms of the daily running of the National Museum. I was glad to hear her say that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy about the local authorities. I am a great believer in the bottom-up approach and I took that decision in 2014 when we launched the consultation process for an overarching plan for the 2016 commemorations. Local authorities are the key to local communities and I believe in that approach. I am anxious to see arts and culture supported in every local authority area. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The funds have to be made available to pay the court case. A decision was taken on the advice of the Attorney General to appeal that case. The funds to do so have to be provided for if and when it arises.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Both the Minister of State, Deputy Ring and I will make some introductory remarks on the heritage programme B. Funding of some €44 million has been made available from my Department's heritage programme. This includes €35.4 million allocated for current expenditure with a further €8.6 million in capital funding. Total gross expenditure for programme B up to 30 June...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Níl.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am familiar with the N59 and I understand the Deputy's concerns. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, is also very familiar with the case. He speaks to me regularly about it. I have no problem with my officials briefing the committee on the wider issue and on the specific issue of the N59. I agree with the Deputy that we need to put protocols in place. In terms of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: We would be happy to deal with specific examples. I understand that if my Department wants to make a submission on a planning application, it must do so within the same timeframe as anybody else. Is the Chairman referring to another issue?