Results 26,361-26,380 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (28 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: While St Naul’s Well is included in the Record of Monuments and Places established under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, it is not in my ownership or guardianship, as Minister. My Department, therefore, has no role under the National Monuments Acts in relation to either maintenance or provision of public access. As a consequence of its inclusion in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Property Registration Authority (28 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The designation of an area of land as a nature conservation site, whether it is a special area of conservation or special protection area, does not create a burden on a land folio for that area. The actual imposition of a burden on land folios is a matter for the Property Registration Authority of Ireland. Provision is made under regulation 14(6) and regulation 18(9) of the European...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (28 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: At the centre of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme are the State Ceremonial Events, which represent the formal and solemn remembrance of the events of 1916 by the citizens of Ireland as the seminal event in our modern history, which led to our independence. The proposed calendar of State Ceremonial Events was published as part of the Centenary Programme on 31 March. Consideration...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (28 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have asked my officials to consider the matter without delay and to make arrangements for a meeting with the relevant parties.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service (23 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will be aware that all wild birds, including white tailed sea eagles, are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Birds Directive, and should not be disturbed during the breeding season. My Department is working with its partners on the white tailed sea eagle reintroduction project, the Golden Eagle Trust, with a view to ensuring the conservation needs of our population of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (23 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department does not provide funding for the day-to-day operation of theatre companies. Primary responsibility for the promotion and financial support of the arts at all levels, including theatrical organisations, is devolved to the Arts Council. A grant of over €58 million has been provided to the Council in 2015 for this purpose. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff (22 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure. There are currently two Conservation Rangers based in County Tipperary, and their assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: All wild birds, including seagulls, are protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and the European Union's Birds Directive. However, there is a facility under the legislation for a person to obtain a permit, under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, to take certain actions, including the scaring, capturing or killing of birds where they are causing serious damage to buildings and other...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 893 and 894 together. The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is found throughout the country. It is classified as a “protected species” under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012, as well as being listed in Annex V of the EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Under Article 17 of the Directive, Member States are obliged to report to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Criteria (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The criteria for selecting sites eligible for identification as Sites of Community Importance and designation as Special Areas of Conservation are set out in Annex III of the EU Habitats Directive. The Lough Corrib area was surveyed on a number of occasions for habitats and species listed in that annex. The intention to designate the Lough Corrib special area of conservation was...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Properties (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 896 and 921 together. The property referred to by the Deputy is a fine example of a Palladian villa of the 18th century and is considered of significant architectural importance. My Department, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, may acquire heritage properties of national significance and in exceptional circumstances. However, given the many...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Properties (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Staffing requirements for Killarney House remain the subject of consideration in light of my Department's overall business needs and the approved pay framework for 2015. The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is currently ongoing and, accordingly, the nature and extent of posts required, including their budgetary implications, have yet to be finally...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: World Heritage Sites (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: UNESCO sets out a formal process for State signatories to the World Heritage Convention to nominate properties for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The nomination process is initiated by the State authorities drawing up a Tentative List of what they consider to be the most important heritage sites within their national boundaries. A particular criterion is that a site must be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Under my Department's Irish Language Scheme 2012-2015, a range of measures are in place with regard to the provision of services through Irish. These measures include the promotion of Irish within the Department. My Department is currently undertaking a public consultation process in relation to its next language scheme and interested parties are encouraged to forward submissions by 6 May. ...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: State Land Ownership (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Some 163 hectares of bog are registered with the Property Registration Authority of Ireland (PRAI) as being in the ownership of the State in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question. Ownership of a further 8.18 hectares of bog on this site is in the process of being registered with the PRAI on my behalf as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 908 and 911 to 915, inclusive, together. Compensation has been paid under a number of schemes administered by my Department in respect of raised bog habitat nominated for designation as special areas of conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. In 1999, a voluntary bog purchase scheme was introduced under which domestic turf cutters could sell their...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 909 and 910 together. Some 98 applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received and acknowledged by my Department in respect of Clonmoylan Bog. Of these, 7 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. To date, none of these applicants have been...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Ireland Staff (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the post of Regional Manager, Western Region, was advertised indicating an annual leave entitlement of 32 days, which was inadvertently based on the leave entitlement that previously applied to this post. I am also advised that, in line with the current arrangements governing annual leave entitlement in the civil service, the annual leave...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council Applications (15 Apr 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 and, as Minister, I have no role in this regard.