Results 25,001-25,020 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Harbours and Piers Development (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Harbour development projects may be eligible for funding under the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme, depending on the nature of the investment concerned. Applications for support for LEADER funding must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the LEADER areas concerned, and comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: There are two species of seals in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal. Both are included in a list of species protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Consequently, Ireland is obliged to monitor and report on their status, including in relation to their population, every six years. The most recent such report was completed in 2013 and can be accessed...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Capital Expenditure Programme (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Following a Government decision in December 2014, it was agreed that Ireland would submit a nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2020. On 15thJuly 2016 Galway was selected as the successful city by an independent expert European panel. As part of that Government decision of December 2014, it was noted that indicative Government support of the order of €15m, subject to such...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was published in April 2014. Initiatives that have emerged to date that can be directly related to the recommendations contained in the CEDRA report include the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) pilot initiative in 2015, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which I launched recently, and other smaller...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The original allocation for the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 was approximately €400m. The LEADER budget for the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme is €250m. LEADER funding for the 2007-2013 programming period was provided through individual Local Action Groups for the areas identified in their local development strategies and therefore was not...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The 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 derogate in the interests of public health and safety; air safety; to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 949 to 951, inclusive, together. No credit cards were issued to Ministers or Ministers of State in my Department in the period in question. Details regarding the number of credit cards held by officials in my Department and the amounts spent in 2014 and 2015 are set out in the following table. No interest was paid in either year. The controls in place to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has not received an application for funding in respect of St. Felim’s Workhouse. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The work referred to by the Deputy was undertaken by my Department in accordance with applicable procedures and in the context of proposals for extensive conservation works to the facades of the buildings, including any necessary repairs to long-damaged pointing, brickwork and capstones. The removal phase referred to was effected as part of an approved scheme of essential interim...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, is committed to promoting education, knowledge and pride in, and facilitating appreciation and employment of our heritage. The Heritage in Schoolsscheme is one of many heritage programmes supported by the Heritage Council. Last year my Department provided €205,730 for the Heritage in Schools scheme to support the work of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 957 and 958 together. The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcontains a number of important commitments in relation to the cultural sector. These include a commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts and the cultural sector as the economy continues to improve and to prioritise the publication of Culture 2025, the first national...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Digital Archiving (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Digitisation is a powerful tool to create new ways for people to interact with their cultural heritage. In recognition of the importance of the digitisation, the draft Framework Policy document Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 has Responding to the Digital Age as one of its seven pillars. I forwarded the document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Private support for the arts is an important funding source and the Government continues to support this through tax incentives and other initiatives. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to encourage strong, mutually beneficial links between the business community and the arts community to assist arts organisations to capitalise on sponsorship opportunities and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Programme (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 961 and 962 together. In 2015, the then Government announced plans for a fund of €30 million over a six year period for a Town and Village Renewal scheme. The current Government acknowledges the importance of town and village renewal as a way to revitalise rural Ireland and has included a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Inland Fisheries (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Inland Fisheries Ireland have been working intensively for some years on the control of Lagarosiphon majorin Lough Corrib with funding and other supports from the EU LIFE fund, my Department, the OPW and Galway County Council. Like most invasive species, especially aquatic species, it would be extremely difficult to eradicate Lagarosiphoncompletely, and continuing effective control is likely...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: As indicated in previous replies to the House, the inception of the National Famine Commemoration was announced by the then Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at an event held in the Custom House in Dublin in 2008. However, the first National Famine Commemoration to include both local input and formal State ceremonials was held in Skibbereen in 2009. Since then,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (16 Sep 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 last year to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Lease Agreements (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In general, matters relating to the acquisition and leasing of property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. However, I am advised that my Department is itself currently renting one property. This is the Burren Information Point in Corofin, owned by Clare Heritage Centre. The annual rent payable in each of the past three years is €8,370. In...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 972 and 973 together. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Ireland (16 Sep 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed by Waterways Ireland that a brick culvert under the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal collapsed suddenly early in the morning of July 11thlast. A survey of the culvert determined that it would have to be replaced as it was not possible to repair it due to the extent of the damage and the poor condition of the remaining brickwork. Following consultations with the Office of Public...