Results 25,061-25,080 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Recruitment (19 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the information sought on the number of staff who entered the civil service in Professional, Technical and Administrative grades is being provided to the Deputy by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In relation to State Industrial staff, I am advised that a total of two were recruited to work in my Department since it was originally established in June 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Roads Maintenance (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I will instruct departmental officials based in the region to investigate this area with a view to resolving the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that there are 68 Conservation Rangers employed in the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is currently engaged with the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council Staff (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: While the Heritage Council is funded by my Department, it is a statutorily independent body and, as such, I have no role in respect to the matter referred to. Officials in my Department have clarified with the Heritage Council that the 70 jobs involved relate primarily to supports for existing heritage jobs and have requested the Council to make direct contact with the Deputy’s office...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (14 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The buildings referred to by the Deputy are the subject of ongoing proceedings in the Court of Appeal that relate,inter alia, to their monumental status under the National Monuments Acts. As the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate for me to act in any way or to comment further on the matter at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (13 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. All birds are subject to protection under the EU Birds Directive. As such, seagulls, the bird species in question, enjoy protection under this legislation. The population of herring gulls has greatly declined in Ireland (by about 90%) over the past 40 years, probably due to improvements in managing landfill sites as well as other...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Museum (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together. My Department is liaising with the OPW and the National Museum of Ireland regarding a request by the Oireachtas to use some space in the National Museum premises on Kildare Street on a temporary basis while essential works are being carried out to the Seanad Chamber in Leinster House. This request is being considered by the Board of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Funding (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In terms of Programme expenditure, my Department received €3.923 million in pre-financing for the LEADER programme in December 2015. None of this amount will be reimbursed to the EU Commission and further funding will be drawn down based on actual expenditure (at the rate of 63%) over the course of the programme which is due to run until 2020. My Department also received...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Agencies Board Appointments (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The information sought by the Deputy is provided in the following Table. It may be noted that the National Archives of Ireland has an Advisory Council, rather than a Board. The Public Appointments Service operates a dedicated website, www.stateboards.ie,through which it advertises vacancies on State Boards. Arrangements are currently in train in co-operation with the Public Appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Funding (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Last Friday 8th July 2016, I launched the LEADER programme in Virginia, Co Cavan, where I signed funding agreements with 20 local action groups. The delivery of LEADER may commence immediately in those areas where funding agreements have been signed and the local action groups can now receive applications for funding. I am also confident that funding agreements will shortly be in place...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Directives (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate the constraints applying in the case of a ‘details supplied’ Question. Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the relevant Directive in this case. There are circumstances under which Member States can derogate from certain provisions of the Directive in cases where there is no other satisfactory solution. Such...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: There are currently 155 natural heritage areas. 75 raised bogs, which are located mainly in the midlands, and 73 blanket bogs, mostly in western areas, have been designated as natural heritage areas. In addition 7 natural heritage areas, identified as of particular importance to birds, have also been designated. I have not recently made an order designating land as a natural heritage area....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Proposed Legislation (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Powers of search and arrest already exist in both the Wildlife Acts and in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. These powers may be exercised in a broad range of circumstances where offences are being committed.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: VAT Rebates (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: VAT refunds and other taxation related issues are a matter for individual grantees and the Revenue Commissioners. However, it is a standard condition of grant allocations from my Department that all monies provided by my Department are spent on the agreed project.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Process (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Heritage Bill 2016 passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 8 June 2016. I have requested that this Bill would proceed to the Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Proposed Legislation (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Provisions to amend the Canals Act 1986 in order to allow for the subsequent making of bye-laws to regulate boating on the canals and to manage the use of the canals are contained in the Heritage Bill 2016. This Bill passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 8 June 2016. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that there were no agency or locum staff hired by my Department for the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Websites (12 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: A new website for the then Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was launched in September 2015 which complied with all required accessibility standards. The website is currently being re-developed to accommodate the new functions of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and continued compliance with accessibility standards is being reviewed as part...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (7 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy about the schools programme. This was a very successful programme where our national flag was delivered to every primary school in the country by a member of the Defence Forces. I acknowledge the role the Defence Forces played in the commemorations. There was a great sense of pride on Easter Sunday when we saw our Defence Forces march down O'Connell Street. They...

Other Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Jul 2016)

Heather Humphreys: It is my intention to develop and publish an updated national heritage plan. I am looking at how best to do this. The plan has a number of different components and a lot of work has gone into it, including the national landscape strategy, the peatlands strategy and the national biodiversity plan. I will consult stakeholders and I want to work very closely with the Heritage Council in terms...