Results 26,481-26,500 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Data (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 276 and 280 together. Some 99 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 Barroughter Bog. A total of 316 payments and 13 turf deliveries have been made in respect of the applications received. In addition, 41 once-off...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (5 Mar 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: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question has been received by my Department and has been acknowledged. This application is being assessed and once the assessment is completed my Department will be in contact with the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our built and natural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. Given the many competing priorities for funding the national heritage, resources are not available from my Department at this time to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Data (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 99 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 the bog referred to in the Deputy’s Question. Of these, 33 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. To date, none of these applicants have been relocated to a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Data (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 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, including Barroughter Bog. In 1999, a voluntary bog purchase scheme was introduced under which domestic turf cutters could sell their plots at agreed rates. These rates were subsequently...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that a signatory to the document referred to by the Deputy has recently written to my Department. My officials are currently considering the matters raised within the context of my Department’s management of Killarney National Park and its amenities.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Eligibility (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, administered by my Department, are that: - The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right; - The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010; - The turbary on the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In 10 cases relating to the raised bog special area of compensation referred to in the Deputy’s Question, compensation has been paid under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to the land owner/turbary right holder and to another applicant who has been cutting turf on the same bog plot. One applicant has received turf deliveries and turf has also been delivered to 2...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (5 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As set out in my reply to the Deputy's Question no. 1747 on 17th September 2014, a grant of €10 million to Cork City Council was approved in 2013 to assist in the provision of a Multifunctional Events Centre in Cork City.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (4 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is currently considering the issues regarding the ratification of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ireland must ratify the Convention before applications can be submitted to obtain recognition for those aspects of the cultural heritage for which application is made. I have now decided to set up an expert group within my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Properties (4 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Matters relating to the acquisition and leasing of property for the Department are generally the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). Independent of these arrangements, my Department leases three properties. These are the Burren Information Point in Corofin; storage premises located at Shanacloon, Ballymakeera, Co. Cork and a part of the National Museum storage premises in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (4 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No civil servant who has retired from my Department since 2nd June 2011 has been appointed to a State Board under the aegis of my Department.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (3 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Is mór agam an deis seo a fháil Meastacháin mo Roinne do 2015 a phlé inniu. My Department has responsibility for the conservation, preservation, protection, development and presentation of Ireland's heritage and culture. It also seeks to promote the Irish language, support the Gaeltacht and to assist the sustainable development of island communities. A gross provision...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (3 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for his comments, particularly in regard to the increased budget for the cultural institutions. The Arts Council is funded by my Department and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations. Therefore the arm's length principle applies. It is independent in its decision on who it funds and the amounts it allocates. As a public body the Arts Council is required...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (3 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No, I did not. I was happy to watch it on television. Having said that, it is a great story for Kilkenny. There are 50 people employed there with plans for more employment. That is one of the opportunities the film industry produces. A high-level expert group is examining the film industry to determine how to create the right environment for the industry to thrive. We had the section...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (3 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It was a once-off stimulus programme in 2014. As for the other part, the €3.7 million is actually a carryover from the previous year. It was added back in this year and that makes up the difference. Although there appears to be a reduction, in fact, it stays the same. I was asked about Moore Street. I am satisfied that I have fulfilled my statutory responsibility with regard...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (3 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, the build heritage jobs leverage scheme was a one-off €5 million stimulus package in 2014. It was very successful and leveraged another €10 million in private funding, meaning €15 million was invested in heritage throughout the country. Many projects benefited from it. As things improve I will put the case forward as to why another stimulus package should be...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (3 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I was delighted to be in Sligo and I enjoyed the hospitality and great welcome I got. It was a pleasure to visit Lissadell House which is owned by Mr. Edward Walsh and Ms Constance Cassidy. She could not be there that day, but he was there, along with his family, and it was great to see the major work they have carried out in the house. It is important that people are living in our...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (3 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As the economy improves, I hope to be in a position to provide more money for historic houses. In the meantime, our staff are always very willing to give advice and provide whatever supports we can, because sometimes a bit of advice is of huge help in restoring some of these properties. We are very happy to engage and work with owners of these houses. Tax relief is available for work on...