Results 4,001-4,020 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Schemes (18 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: A cumulative allocation for Heritage of some €30.178 million has been provided in the 2019 Estimates provisions for my Department. In 2018 the equivalent expenditure figure was €26.287million  and in 2017, the figure was €29.75million.  Through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, my Department manages some 87,000 ha across our national parks and...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (18 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 36 raised bog natural heritage area sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that: - The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Properties (18 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 686 and 687 together. In general, matters relating to the acquisition and leasing of property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. However, I am advised that my Department has also leased a small number of properties over the period in question, the details of which are shown in the relevant tables below. My Department owns...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (13 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: My Department ran a Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools funding scheme, applications for which closed on 19th April 2019. €75,000 was allocated to this scheme with maximum funding of €5,000 available per applicant.  Grants are awarded on a competitive assessment basis. There as unprecedented demand for this scheme in 2019 with 109 applications received (there...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation (13 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Following a successful pilot phase in 2018, on 24 April this year, I announced that applications were open for the 2019 peatlands community engagement scheme.  The scheme, which is administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, aims to encourage local communities, groups, schools and other interested parties to engage with my Department in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Biodiversity Plan (13 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: My Department is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Act, the primary legislation underpinning the protection of biodiversity and nature in Ireland. The Wildlife Act affords protection to a range of habitats and species and provides for regulation and control of activities that impinge on biodiversity, such as hunting and trade.   The legislative framework in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Coastal Protection (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for bringing this to our attention. Salt marshes are widely distributed across Ireland, and are concentrated in the larger estuaries such as Bantry Bay, which the Deputy mentioned, as well as Dundalk Bay, the Shannon Estuary, inner Galway Bay and as far north as Inishowen in County Donegal. There are several smaller salt marsh areas in Wexford harbour too. Perhaps, when...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Arts and Culture Capital Scheme (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I understand the importance of the Briery Gap theatre to the Deputy, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, and the county in general. Deputy Moynihan is correct when he states that €3.9 million was spent in 2018 from a total of €10.214 million. Another €7.6 million is to be paid out. The Deputy may have noticed that I mentioned that we are...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Arts and Culture Capital Scheme (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Taking Deputy Moynihan's question first, the Arts Council, in conjunction with local government, via the CCMA, commissioned an independent strategic review of the network of venues and arts centres throughout the country. I am waiting on that report. This point also addresses Deputy Calleary's question. That report will inform the type of cultural capital scheme that we will put in place....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Coastal Protection (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I congratulate Deputy Wallace on his election to the European Parliament. He will be missed in the Dáil but I wish him all the very best. My Department is the lead Department responsible for implementing EU nature legislation in Ireland, including the habitats directive. Under Articles 11 and 17, Ireland is required to carry out scientific monitoring of habitats and species and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Heritage Sites (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I agree with the Deputy. We have to ensure that our national monuments are protected and preserved. As the Deputy knows, I am the owner or guardian of almost 1,000 national monuments ranging from prehistoric burial monuments to medieval fortifications and religious sites. Under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts, my Department has established and maintains the record of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Heritage Sites (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: As the Deputy says, conservation and protection of our monuments is important, as is the enjoyment of those monuments in so far as we can enjoy them without jeopardising their structure. There is a fine balance there. In respect of supports, my Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through the build heritage investment scheme...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Arts and Culture Capital Scheme (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I have a soft spot for Macroom since my grandfather was born just outside it at Carrigaphooca, as I have told the Deputy before. Nevertheless we have to look at all of this from an impartial perspective. Project Ireland 2040 has given explicit recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage. It sets out the Government's objectives for capital investment in Ireland's...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Performing Arts (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: I am acutely aware of the decades-long difficulties faced by those who wish to engage in artistic pursuits, be it on a global stage or domestically. The Government is committed to increasing funding for the arts. In the past two years, I have secured a significant increase in funding for artists, primarily through the Arts Council, which the Deputy will be aware has experienced an increase...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Performing Arts (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The Deputy is correct that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and my Department are running a pilot project. We are currently engaged in positive discussions to amend the system to encompass some of the people delineated by the Deputy. However, it is a work in progress, which I hope to expedite as soon as possible. Employees in every industry and sector are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Performing Arts (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Recent changes to section 481 address bullying and other such issues. From 28 March, all applicants for section 481 funding, including producer companies and the qualifying companies, are required to sign an undertaking that they have in place written policies and procedures on grievances, discipline and dignity at work, which includes harassment, bullying and equal opportunity. That means...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (Resumed): Heritage Sites (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: First, I will take this opportunity to say a herzlich willkommen und schönen Aufenthalt in Irland to the German delegation. My role with regard to the protection and management of our built heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners. As Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waterways Ireland Funding (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of 1,000 km of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island - principally for recreational purposes, including the lower Bann navigation, Erne system, Shannon-Erne waterway, Shannon navigation, Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow navigation. Waterways Ireland is co-funded by my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waterways Ireland Funding (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: The figures I have given are the correct ones for capital and current funding. The Deputy mentioned the Ulster Canal. In July 2007, the North-South Ministerial Council agreed to a proposal to restore the section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. Planning approvals for the project have been secured from the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions. Government approval...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waterways Ireland Funding (12 Jun 2019)

Josepha Madigan: Deputy Brendan Smith mentioned Lough Erne and some of the other works he would like carried out. Waterways Ireland officials met the chief executive officer of Cavan County Council and its elected representatives in 2017 and earlier this year in the context of the Ulster Canal advisory forum. I note the comments of Deputies Ó Snodaigh and Burton on pollution. I can come back to...