Results 26,521-26,540 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In July 2012, a Steering Group involving representatives of the key stakeholders in the project referred to by the Deputy was convened and charged with the planning and development of the project. The Steering Group meets regularly and good progress is being made on bringing this complex multifaceted project to fruition. Because of the associated ecological issues, the task of delivering...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The project referred to by the Deputy commenced in July 2014. The European Union has agreed to provide almost 50% co-funding for this €5 million project, which is being led by my Department in partnership with relevant stakeholders. The project team was appointed late last year and is now established in offices at the location referred to in the Deputy's Question. The team will...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There are two species of seal in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal. Both are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is obliged to monitor their populations and report to the European Commission on their conservation status. A standardised monitoring programme has been in place for both species since 2009. The most recent report on their...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Correspondence (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand officials of my Department facilitated an initial meeting with the group in question in May of last year in order that the group could outline their proposals. The group were advised to submit a formal proposal for my Department's consideration. My Department awaits receipt of this proposal, and remains wiling to engage with the group should they wish to progress the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Planning Issues (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is not currently considering any application in respect of the development in question. It is my view that such a development would require planning consent in accordance with the Planning and Development Acts. Under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, I am precluded from exercising consent functions where such functions fall under the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has been charged with the co-ordination of commemorative events constituting the centenary programme, which is a comprehensive exploration of the period from 1912 keeping pace with the centenary timeline. These have focused on events commemorating for example, aspects of the Irish Revolutionary Period including the Home Rule Bill; Cumann na mBan; the Howth gun-running, the 1916...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme Expenditure (19 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: On 9 February last, I announced an allocation of €624,000 for the Structures at Risk Fund 2015,to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This Fund, which will be administered through the local...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Protection Areas Designation (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am very aware of the situation because among the areas designated for the hen harrier across the country there is one in my county. The role of farmers in effectively managing important conservation sites has always been recognised and this is evident through the frequent contact between my officials and farmers and their representative groups. Unfortunately, under the last RDP it was too...

Topical Issue Debate: Special Protection Areas Designation (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The hen harrier is an endangered species protected under EU nature directives. The objective of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is to ensure that important species are protected while ensuring in parallel that the work of farmers and other landowners in managing the habitats which support these species is recognised. Hen...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Grant Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 232 together. The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme commenced in 2006. This was not a compensation scheme, but rather a proactive incentivisation scheme to trial approaches to farming for conservation in some of Ireland's most important biodiversity areas, where there were no specifically targeted measures in national...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: From the information provided in the Deputy's Question, I assume that the reference is to the intention to designate six special protection areas selected for the protection of Hen Harriers, in particular, which were advertised in November 2007. I am advised that a total of 17 applications to appeal the designations were received after the closing date for receiving such applications. As...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Grant Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate the constraints that apply in replying to a "details supplied" Question of this nature. The scheme to which the Deputy appears to be referring commenced in 2006 and was closed to new applicants in April 2010. The scheme was entirely funded by the Exchequer and at its peak had an annual allocation of circa €5 million per annum. Plans approved under the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Communications (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Delivering a high standard of service to our customers is a key priority for my Department. In that regard, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) 'plain speaking' guidelines have been published internally for reference and guidance. In addition, my Department also plans to produce guidelines for its staff in relation to adhering to the NALA principles. These guidelines will promote a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (18 Feb 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: Grant Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 232 together. The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme commenced in 2006. This was not a compensation scheme, but rather a proactive incentivisation scheme to trial approaches to farming for conservation in some of Ireland's most important biodiversity areas, where there were no specifically targeted measures in national...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: From the information provided in the Deputy's Question, I assume that the reference is to the intention to designate six special protection areas selected for the protection of Hen Harriers, in particular, which were advertised in November 2007. I am advised that a total of 17 applications to appeal the designations were received after the closing date for receiving such applications. As...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Grant Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate the constraints that apply in replying to a "details supplied" Question of this nature. The scheme to which the Deputy appears to be referring commenced in 2006 and was closed to new applicants in April 2010. The scheme was entirely funded by the Exchequer and at its peak had an annual allocation of circa €5 million per annum. Plans approved under the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Communications (18 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Delivering a high standard of service to our customers is a key priority for my Department. In that regard, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) 'plain speaking' guidelines have been published internally for reference and guidance. In addition, my Department also plans to produce guidelines for its staff in relation to adhering to the NALA principles. These guidelines will promote a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (18 Feb 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: Wildlife Regulations (17 Feb 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...