Results 25,721-25,740 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Noxious Weeds (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am aware that there is a growing public awareness and concern about the impact of invasive species here, including Japanese Knotweed. In this regard, I wish to advise that my Department is responsible for the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. In general,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.I am advised that a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2014) has been made to this applicant. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that: - The claimant must have a legal interest in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Fisheries Protection (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer to the reply to Question No. 44 of 12 November, 2015. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Forestry Sector (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is investigating this matter and I will write to the Deputy when I have received a report.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has no role in relation to this proposal. It may be a matter for the local authority.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will be aware that various types of seating (appropriate to the locations) are available to visitors at a number of locations throughout the Park. The need for additional seating is kept under review and my staff will assess the locations mentioned to determine the feasibility of providing additional seating, subject to health and safety and operational requirements.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. In carrying out these functions, my main focus is to ensure that the victims of the Irish Famine are respectfully and appropriately remembered and also to raise awareness of current food security issues worldwide. The Great...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Raised Bog Management Plan Publication (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In the context of Budget 2016, I announced that funding of €9 million will be available under the Exchequer Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021 for the programme of peatlands restoration. The proposed programme of conservation measures for raised bogs is set out in the draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. The final Plan is scheduled to be published early next year. In...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Legal Cases Data (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There are three cases currently before the Irish courts against the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht relating to the functions of my Department. Between 2011 and 2014 a further seven legal actions were completed against me, as the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in the courts. Four of these were ended by way of settlement, with legal costs totalling...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (1 Dec 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that my Department has one member of staff employed on a Contract of Indefinite Duration and receiving incremental salary payment. I am further advised that 74 staff are employed on Contracts of Indefinite Duration within the bodies under the aegis of my Department, 73 of whom are receiving incremental salary payments.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (26 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence issued by my Department. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer. My Department has no record of granting deer hunting licences to the gun club in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Agencies (25 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to Question Number 274 of November 19th, in which I confirmed that no agencies or State bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group have been established since 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Concert Hall (25 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The National Concert Hall has curatorial independence in relation to its programming. The Deputy should note that the National Concert Hall recently launched a full programme of events to mark next year’s centenary of the 1916 Rising. Details can be found on .

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (25 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Festivals which encompass arts or heritage programming may qualify for grants from certain bodies under the aegis of my Department. Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council has a Festival and Events Scheme and there are two calls for applications each year. Information on the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Built Heritage (24 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 607 together. Funding is provided by my Department through a number of schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings. This funding is either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and certain agencies. My Department is currently operating a Structures at Risk Fund to enable conservation works to heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (24 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: From 2007 to 2012, a major conservation programme of the Asgard was undertaken by the National Museum at Collins Barracks. An expert team, led by Master Shipwright and Ship Conservator, John Kearon, set out to conserve the Asgard, while retaining the structural integrity of the vessel and preserving as much of the existing original material as possible. The historic yacht is now on...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Forestry Sector (24 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Afforestation licences and the terms, conditions and timing of the Locally-Led Agri Environment Scheme are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. An Inter-Departmental Steering Group was convened in July 2014 to assist in the development of a Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan. The Group is examining all of the issues at hand, including forestry and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry Development (24 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am not aware of any European Regional Development Fund monies available for the development of the film industry either nationally or on a regional basis.The European Union's financial support programme for the creative, cultural and audiovisual sectors is Creative Europe. The MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe supports European audiovisual industries in the development, distribution...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turbary Rights (24 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 to 612, inclusive, together. A natural heritage area is considered important for the habitats present or for the species of plants and animals it holds whose habitat needs protection. Natural heritage areas are designated under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 and are legally protected from negative impacts from the date they are formally proposed for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (24 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I can assure the Deputy that, together with my own officials and officials across other relevant Government Departments, I am working closely with the relatives of those who took part in the events of 1916, including in particular the 1916 Relatives Association, to ensure, inter alia, fair and balanced representation of relatives at official commemoration ceremonies during 2016. In this...