Results 26,041-26,060 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Action Plan for Jobs (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An Interdepartmental Group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies has been established to examine and report on recommendations to increase foreign and domestic investment in Ireland’s film and TV sound stage studio infrastructure in the face of growing demand for audio-visual content across multiple platforms. This builds on the process...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The apportionment of National Lottery funding to various lines of voted expenditure is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in accordance with the provisions of section 41 of the National Lottery Act 2013. However, for the Deputy’s information, expenditure on national culture and heritage (including the Irish language) is covered under Section 41 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Postcode System Implementation (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is undertaking a review of its name and address databases to identify the amendments required in those computer systems to accommodate the use of Eircodes. When this is completed, any necessary changes to procedures and systems will be implemented.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am considering a request for a meeting with the organisation in question and my Office will be in contact with it shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Metal Detectors (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Measures to regulate the use of metal detectors were introduced in the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987 to protect our archaeological heritage from the irreparable damage and loss which results from indiscriminate use of metal detectors to search for archaeological objects. The 1987 Act sets out statutory provisions regarding the general use of metal detectors to search for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 to 960, inclusive, together. The number of successful prosecutions taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department in 2013 and 2014 relating to illegal hunting under various provisions of the Wildlife Acts are set out in the table that follows this reply. These prosecutions relate to the illegal hunting of deer, hares, badgers and wild...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 961 to 963, inclusive, together. My Department is aware of concerns expressed by a number of organisations relating to the apparent increase in the hunting of certain migratory birds, including woodcock. I intend to hold a short consultation with relevant stakeholders on options to address concerns about woodcock to ensure their views are known to my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The average age of staff in my Department at the end of 2014 was 47, as against an average of 46 at the end of 2011, which was the year of its establishment. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows: Body Average age at the end of 2008. Average age at the end of 2011. Average age at the end of 2014 Arts Council 38 42 45...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (14 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network was published in January 2014 and concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitats through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Archives (9 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand from the National Archives that the presentation of the microfilm copies of the Ireland Australian Transportation records to Australia in 1988 was intended to serve the very purpose of stimulating an interest among Australians in their Irish ancestry and promoting visits by Australians to Ireland. The National Archives has further indicated that the individuals most interested...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage (9 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: While it is certain that invasive species are having negative effects on biodiversity locally, through competition and complete or partial replacement of the native flora/vegetation communities, my Department does not currently consider that rare plant species are under imminent threat from such invasives. I am aware of much useful work by Inland Fisheries Ireland in controlling aquatic and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: International trade in specimens of wild animals and plants is governed by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. As the material referred to in the Question is considered a waste product, it is not covered by the provisions of the CITES Convention. There are provisions in the Wildlife Acts which relate to licensing requirements for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Correspondence (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The original correspondence was not received by my Department, due to an incorrect email address. It is now being examined by the relevant officials.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 255, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 710 on 30 June 2015, in which I indicated that all observations on the draft of the new Brú na Bóinne Management Plan are being examined in my Department and that a final draft of the Plan will be forwarded to the local Steering Committee as soon as possible,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A list of the grant programmes administered directly by my Department in 2015, together with details of expenditure under these schemes in previous years, as requested by the Deputy, is set out in the following table. Grant Scheme 2011 2012 2013 2014 Scheme to assist Local and Regional Museums €68,000 €58,000 €171,000 €111,000 Cooperation with...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sale of Artworks (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I welcomed the recent announcement of the Alfred Beit Foundation that it had taken the decision to postpone the sale of paintings, in light of my request and the emergence of Irish donors who are considering the purchase of some of the artworks. I understand this would involve the donation of artworks to an Irish cultural institution using Section 1003 tax relief. This is a very welcome...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (8 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Music Capital Scheme is funded by my Department and managed by Music Network. I am currently considering the capital grant allocation for the Music Capital Scheme for 2015/16 and I hope to announce a decision shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Interdepartmental Working Groups (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Inter-Departmental Steering Group working on the development of the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan was established in July 2014 and has now met on five occasions: 24th July and 17th December 2014, and 31st March, 20th May and 17th June 2015. The membership of the Steering Group is made up of representatives of my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that I have received the correspondence from the community group in question. This matter is under consideration in my Department and I hope to be in a position to issue a reply shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (7 Jul 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 606 to 608, inclusive, together. I am advised that the deer population in Ireland increased greatly between 1990 and 2010. There has been some reduction in the number of deer legally shot in recent years, as well as a decrease in the number of section 42 permits granted under the Wildlife Acts. However, there is no current evidence to cause concern about a...