Results 26,621-26,640 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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

Heather Humphreys: To-date 3,057 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received and acknowledged by my Department. A total of 6,437 payments and 650 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of the applications received. In addition, 1,330 once-off incentive payments of €500 have been made to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (5 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Government has agreed a Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments to State Boards, which provides a more structured approach to ensurethat vacancies on State Boards are populated in a transparent way by the high-calibre personnel required to successfully implement their mandates. My Department is now implementing this revised model in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (5 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that no staff of my Department or any agency under its remit are currently working out of the location specified by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (4 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised by Waterways Ireland that, as the Barrow Navigation is wholly situated within the River Barrow and River Nore Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due regard must be given to the provisions of the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. These require a rigorous assessment to be carried out to assess the impacts of any work on the protected species and habitats, prior to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Inland Waterways Development (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Waterways Ireland proposes to make new bye-laws which are intended to enhance its ability to manage the canals for the benefit of all canal users. There are over 14,000 registered boat owners on the seven waterways managed by Waterways Ireland. These seven waterways make a vital contribution to tourism, attracting visitors from around Ireland and from abroad. The proposed new bye-laws are...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 653 to 655, inclusive, together. As my Department was established on 2nd June 2011, the information sought by the Deputy is not available for the earlier periods in question.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am aware of the concerns of farmers about the designation of Special Protection Areas for Hen Harrier and I have met with representatives of farmers to discuss these matters. In relation to land value, farmers are able to draw down financial supports under the Basic Payment Scheme on farmed land in these SPAs and I understand that they will also be afforded priority entrance to the new...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together. As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. While there has been a degree of continuity in the format and scheduling of the National Famine Commemoration ceremony, the date of the ceremony, as well as the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014)...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is currently considering the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage in 2015 in the context of its overall allocation and I will publish details of funding schemes for 2015 as soon as these are finalised. As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 638 of 30 September 2014. My Department and Longford County Council have agreed to a joint approach to the potential acquisition of this national monument for the State. My Department has requested the Office of Public Works to enter negotiations with the landowner to establish if agreement could be reached on the proposal. These negotiations...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hedge Cutting Season (3 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....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Management (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that the works referred to in the Deputy’s Question have been undertaken by Kerry County Council within the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour candidate special area of conservation and within the Tralee Bay Complex special protection area. Under regulation 27(2) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, any public authority having or...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Plan (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 665 to 668, inclusive, and 671, 672 and 674 together. My Department is committed to implementing the priorities set out in the Programme for Government and the Statement of Government Priorities 2014 – 2016, published by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on 11 July 2014. This forms the underlying basis of the work of my Department for the remainder of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the allocation to the Arts Council in 2015, as set out in the recently published Revised Estimates Volume, was €58.893 million, an increase on the provisional outturn of €56.668 million for 2014. Allocations to the Council in 2016 and beyond will be determined by the emerging budgetary situation and estimates processes at the time....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts in Education Charter (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Arts in Educations Charter was launched in January 2013 and both the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and I are very committed to its implementation. A High Level Implementation Group, chaired by Professor John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus at NUI Maynooth, was established to oversee the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The Group meets regularly...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Culture Ireland Division of my Department promotes Irish arts worldwide, creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. I am satisfied that this promotional work continues to make a significant impact through Culture Ireland's regular grant rounds and showcase programme. Since its...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council, although funded by my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (29 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is ongoing. A contract for the interpretation phase had been awarded and this is now advancing. Work is continuing apace with the landscaping works to the grounds and ornamental gardens too. I expect that the various elements of works will be completed at different stages during the year and it is intended...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Projects (29 Jan 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The granting of consent for this road project was subject to a number of conditions by the relevant planning authority, including the requirement for the Construction Stage Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and all method statementsto be approved by Galway County Council and agreed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, as well as Inland Fisheries Ireland. My...