Results 26,261-26,280 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As the matter is subject to legal proceedings, I am not in a position to comment.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Bodies (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Public Service Reform Plan, published by the Government on 17 November 2011, outlined a series of rationalisation measures relating to agencies and other public bodies, including measures related to bodies funded from my Department's Vote. In this regard, my Department conducted a critical examination of the structure and operation of the institutions included in the Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Archaeological Sites (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Measures to regulate the use of metal detectors were introduced in the National Monuments Act (Amendment) 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 the statutory provisions in relation to the general use of metal detectors to search for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Vacancies on State Boards (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table below. Appointments to State boards under the aegis of my Department are carried out using the procedures outlined in the Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments, announced last September by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It should be noted, however, that appointments to the boards of Foras na...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The sale of the artwork referred to in the Question is a matter for the Beit Foundation, which owns and operates Russborough House, and my Department has no role in approving such a sale. The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, has provided just over €2.1 million since 2002 for works to Russborough House. In 2005, the Heritage Council published the Conservation Plan for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 648 together. All birds, including the species referred to by the Deputy, are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Birds Directive. However, the hunting of certain game birds, such as the species in question, is allowed at certain times of the year under the Open Seasons Order for Wild Birds. In addition, the shooting of that species is...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Foreshore Issues (12 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Under Section 30 of the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended, I may grant permission to"hunt protected wild animals and wild birds on or over foreshore belonging to the State or on or over land belonging to the State and which is either covered by any inland waters or comprised in the lakeshore accretion from any lake, or accretion from the sea where such land is owned by the State". My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (7 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The inclusion of a monument in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 does not confer ownership or guardianship on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The RMP contains in excess of 130,000 monuments and places, the vast majority of which are privately owned. While St. Naul’s Well is of archaeological...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (7 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A summary of the number and aggregate value of increments awarded to staff of my Department in each year since its establishment in June 2011 is set out in the table. Year No of Increments Awarded Aggregate Value of Increments Awarded 2011 (2 Jun-31 Dec)* 74 €98,000 2012 269 €374,000 2013 279 €377,000 2014 187 €247,000*Does not include increments awarded...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Deer Cull (6 May 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. 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 carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as National Parks and I am aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The designation of Special Protection Areas, or SPAs, is a legal obligation placed on all Member States in the EU, and Ireland was found by the European Court of Justice in 2007 to have failed to designate a sufficient number of SPAs. It is essential, in my view, that, wherever possible, use is made of opportunities for co-funding from the EU in providing payments to farmers who own lands...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Sieve Bloom Mountains special protection area extends to parts of the counties of Laois and Offaly. The intention to designate this site was advertised in November 2007, along with five other Hen Harrier special protection areas. Landowners were advised that they could appeal against the proposed designation of the site as a special protection area. The appeals process has two stages: a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme which was launched by Government on 31st March clearly states how important it is that we the citizens come together in 2016 to celebrate and have pride in Ireland’s independence and to honour those who gave their lives, so that the dream of self determination could become a reality. It is important also that we do this in a way that is respectful...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Budgets (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Staffing requirements for Muckross House, and Killarney National Park in general, remain the subject of consideration in light of my Department’s overall business needs and the approved pay framework for 2015. My Department has recently secured approval for the recruitment of additional seasonal staff in Muckross for the 2015 season. As part of this, a new centrally located...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Rangers (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Bull Island is monitored regularly by officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. There are no plans currently to deploy additional staff resources to the site. My officials will, of course, continue to support the main landowner, Dublin City Council, which is working to raise awareness and address management issues generally at the site.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council Funding (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across its range of programmes, given competing priorities within the heritage sector. The Heritage Council’s Grants Programme is administered and assessed independently by the Council. As Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I have no role in this regard. I am aware, however, that...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Funding for the protection and conservation of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department in 2015 via a number of schemes, which may be directly administered, or delivered through local authorities or the Heritage Council. Yesterday (5 May, 2015), I announced grant funding of €624,000 to 22 local authorities under the Structures at Risk Fund 2015, which will...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Insurance Costs (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is aware of issues, such as higher premiums, surrounding insurance cover for historic buildings. I understand that officials of my Department have met with both the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Irish Insurance Federation (now Insurance Ireland) to discuss this matter. My Department is also engaging with local authority Architectural Conservation...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Library Services Provision (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Parliamentary Question 1005 on 24thMarch 2015. While I am aware that there are discussions taking place in relation to the future of Bolton Library, my Department does not have a direct role in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (6 May 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced the partial lifting of the embargo on recruitment to the public service as part of Budget 2015. Details of the operation of revised arrangements are being finalised between officials of my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In the interim, my Department and bodies under its aegis have continued to progress...