Results 26,961-26,980 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (7 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The overall spending allocations for my Department for 2015 will be announced in the forthcoming Budget and, accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time on the issue raised by the Deputy. I can assure him, however, that I will continue to maintain, to the greatest extent possible, my Department's core functions and the range of services provided to the public in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (7 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 16 July last. The commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme in place since 2012, commemorating the events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster parliament, the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (7 Oct 2014)

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) and a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) have been made to this applicant. In addition, a once-off...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hedge Cutting Season (7 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibit the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. While this period is recognised as the nesting and breeding season for birds, vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is also important as wildlife habitat generally and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity. ...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (7 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: While expenditure under my Department's programme areas (details available at )takes place countrywide, it is not possible to give a county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. A number of the programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies, which operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no detailed breakdown on a county basis held by my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Museum Projects (7 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Since 2008, my Department has operated a scheme of funding support for small and medium-sized museums across all of the regions to promote and enhance the marketing of these institutions, and to further programmes established to attract the aged, young, and socially disadvantaged to visit these institutions. Cultural events held in museums to attract a local and tourist audience, and/or to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: IBEC Membership (7 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that 9 bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group are, or have been, members of IBEC. Amounts paid to IBEC in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 (to date), as advised by those bodies to my Department, are set out in the following table. Body Current Membership Amount paid in 2011 Amount paid in 2012 Amount paid in 2013 Amount paid to date in 2014 Foras na Gaeilge Yes...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (2 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 213 together. The processes involved in selecting candidates for vacancies on the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group is set out as follows. In the case of certain bodies, board appointments may be made by the bodies themselves or on an ex-officio basis. In 2012, my Department used the Public Appointments Service to identify...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (2 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: As my Department was established on 2 June 2011, the information sought is being provided in respect of the period since then. Details concerning the appointments of board members to bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group since 2 June 2011 (both currently serving members and those no longer serving) and their qualifications/experience are set out in the following tables....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications (2 Oct 2014)

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 (2011) has been made to this applicant. The qualifying criteria for the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme are that: - The...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Budgets (1 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: My Department was established in June 2011. Details of the annual funding allocation to my Department are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume for each of the years since 2011 and are available on the website of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, for the Deputy’s convenience, details of the total allocations for my Department for the years 2011, 2012,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (1 Oct 2014)

Heather Humphreys: In making the appointment referred to by the Deputy, I was cognisant of the balance of talent, experience and skills amongst existing board members and the overall skills needs of the institution in question, and I am satisfied that the person was appointed on the basis of merit. I am arranging for a copy of my recent statement in the matter to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (30 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together. My Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticumin Killarney National Park. The extent of the problem varies from area to area within the National Park and the programme and the control methods used are regularly reviewed and refined to respond to the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (30 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Although in private ownership, Granard motte and bailey is a national monument in the guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. As such, it enjoys the full range of protections afforded by those Acts, including a requirement that any works at, or in proximity to it, are subject to my prior written consent. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Agencies (30 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: A list of the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group along with details of the individual websites is contained in the following table. These websites contain details on the core duties and functions of these bodies and agencies and also the details relating to the date of establishment and, where applicable, any relevant legislation from which they derive their powers....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (25 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 291, inclusive, together. Deer hunting licences are issued by my Department on an annual basis under the Wildlife Acts. On average just over 4,400 such licences have been issued each year in the past five hunting seasons. The hunting season for deer is regulated by the Open Seasons Order, which prescribes the periods for hunting different deer...

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (24 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for raising this matter. I agree with her that our national cultural institutions, including the National Library, are doing fantastic work even though they have unavoidably suffered cuts in their allocations in recent years. Every publicly funded body has had to deal with this difficult reality during the economic crisis. I assure the House that the...

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (24 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: As I have said, it is unfortunate that all the national cultural institutions, including the National Library, have unavoidably suffered cuts in their allocations in recent years. I accept that it has been very difficult for them. As Minister, I will try do my utmost to minimise any future budget cuts to the cultural institutions. I will do what I can to that end, while being cognisant of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (24 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Following receipt in my Department of an application for payment in the case referred to by the Deputy, it was ascertained that the individual in question was not fully in compliance with their contract. My Department has now processed the application and I am advised that the deduction is considerably smaller than the amount referred to by the Deputy. Payment should issue to the individual...

Seanad: Appointments to Board of Irish Museum of Modern Art: Statements (23 Sep 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all speakers for their contributions. I have absolutely no role in selecting candidates for the Seanad by-election, as this is a matter for Fine Gael and its executive council. However, it is my responsibility to ensure that people appointed to the boards which fall within the remit of my Department are capable of doing the job, have the relevant experience and are capable of making...