Written answers

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Departmental Funding

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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414. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the rationale for the allocation of €2.175 million for the building of a centre (details supplied); her views on whether the allocation of funds represents good value for money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37715/16]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The project to which the Deputy refers is a project being promoted by a local authority.  In July 2015, my Department received a formal request for a grant from the local authority in question. In February 2016, my Department offered a capital grant in principle to the local authority of up to €2 million as a contribution towards the cost of construction of the building. The offer is subject to the standard conditions that apply to all capital grants and these must be met in advance of payment of the grant.  Under the provisions of the Public Spending Code, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the onus to ensure compliance with the Code, including obtaining value for money, falls in the first instance on the project promoter, in this case the local authority. I can assure the Deputy that my requirements of the Code before releasing any funding.

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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415. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available in 2017 for the development of new walking routes; the method by which this will be disbursed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36890/16]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department administers the Walks Scheme, under which landholders receive modest payments to maintain sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands.

A total of 39 trails are currently covered by the scheme, and the number of participants receiving payments under the scheme currently stands at 1,912.

Payments in 2016 to participants who maintain sections of trail that traverse their lands will be in the region of €1.8 million. These payments are disbursed through the Local Development Company network.

The Programme for a Partnership Governmentincludes a commitment to double the number of walks and to increase the number of walks covered by the Walks Scheme. My officials will be working towards this objective in 2017. However, due to the consultations required with landholders, the significant increase in the number of walks covered by the scheme is more likely to come to fruition in 2018. I would, therefore, anticipate that the funding required in 2017 will be in the order of €2 million.

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