Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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814. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; the reason it was not delivered by the timeline committed to; the revised timeline by quarter and year for delivery of this action; if no revised timeline has been set to date, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37117/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that they are currently working with the Marine Spatial Planning Section of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in relation to the action referred to by the Deputy.

Over the coming period, An tÚdarás will continue to liaise with that Department and support the research and consultation phase of the new Marine Spatial Plan, with a view to integrating the overall marine development objectives for Gaeltacht regions within the overall National Spatial Strategy.

I would also refer the Deputy to the relevant measure as set out under action 8.8 in the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022 which was launched following Government approval in June 2018. The action in question relates to the development of Páirc na Mara in Connemara as a world-class low-carbon Marine Innovation Park. It is intended that this marine park will become a flagship project for the marine sector. In that regard, I understand that consultants have been engaged to undertake an Environmental Impact Statement which will assist in advancing the overall project.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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815. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; the hubs that have and have not been constructed, respectively; the timelines for uncompleted hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37118/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that in line with Action No. 85 contained in Realising Our Rural Potential - Action Plan for Rural Development, the four innovation hubs referred to under the action and to which he refers have been developed and are now in operation. The locations of the hubs are set out in the following table.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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816. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; the amount of capital expenditure expended to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37125/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Between 2016 and 2017, my Department invested in excess of €7m capital in the Development of Ireland’s network of 6 National Parks and more than 80 Nature Reserves and other conservational/recreational heritage properties. Key highlights of this capital investment include:

- The on-going management, development and operation of our 87,000 hectare National Park and Nature Reserve Network.

- The expansion of Wicklow Mountains National Park with the purchase of 4,900 acres (or 1,983 hectares) of the Dublin Uplands, in the area known popularly as the Featherbeds. This land increased the total size of the National Park to over 22,000 hectares. The Department completed the purchase in December 2016 for €800,000.00

- €390,000 was spent in 2017 on consolidating National Parks property. The Department purchased an OPW property in Corofin for future use in respect of the Burren National Park, and purchased 800 acres at Altnabrockey in Mayo to consolidate its holding in the Wild Nephin.

- Trail maintenance continued with on-going upgrades to the popular Diamond Hill in Connemara National park, the resurfacing of the Blue Road at Shrahduggan in Ballycroy National Park and on-going clearance of scrub and invasive species in a number of National Parks and Nature Reserves.

- Upgrading of the road network in Killarney National Park and the restoration of the historic windows and essential maintenance and restoration works to the roof of Muckross House.

With regard to 2018 expenditure by my Department, the Deputy will be aware, that such expenditure is presently on-going and subject to internal verification and monitoring processes. Adjustments may fall to be made between subheads as part of this process and all figures are subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. 2018 expenditure will include the conclusion of the multi-million euro investment in the restoration Killarney House and Gardens. Following on from the successful opening of the restored ornamental gardens in April 2016 and the opening of the 3 Historic Rooms of Killarney House in July 2017 the Department’s phased completion of the Killarney House & Gardens project at Killarney National Park will conclude with the formal opening of the 18 Room Visitor Centre and Exhibition on the 28th of September, 2018. Roughly 55,000 people have visited the rooms since their opening in July 2017 with more than 375,000 visitors to the Garden since their opening in April 2016.

In addition to such direct investments by my Department, the Deputy will also be aware that the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has been proactively working in partnership with other State agencies, to further develop the Park and Reserves Network and support marketing initiatives such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East

In December 2017, the Department announced the expansion of Ballycroy National Park with the addition of the Wild Nephin area, expanding the total size of the National Park to over 15,000 hectares. This was the culmination of constructive engagement between Coillte and the Department addressing a long-standing strategy to align key environmental assets. The National Parks and Wildlife Service will now manage this transfer of land and a public amenity conversion plan will be put in place. Overall, the project reflects the on-going commitment of all stakeholders to improve the recreational potential of this area whilst ensuring the highest standards of nature conservation. Work in this regard is on-going.

In January 2017, the Department entered into Strategic Investment Partnership with Faílte Ireland, aimed at enhancing and promoting the tourism offering at Ireland’s National Parks and also conserving and protecting the natural environments of the National Parks for the enjoyment of future generations. Since then, more than €400k has been expended on scoping and feasibility studies for the development of capital projects. In July of this year, as part of this partnership, we published Experiencing the Wild heart of Ireland – A Tourism Interpretative Masterplan for the National Parks and Nature Reserves. The Plan sets out a framework that will guide the phased development of enhanced visitor experiences and improved visitor facilities at our National Parks and Reserves, taking into account our conservational objectives and based upon research into international best practice.

The plan recommends a suite of capital projects of varying size (from smaller scale interventions such as installation of viewing platforms to larger projects such as the development of new boardwalks and trails, to the construction of new visitor centres). From these proposals, projects will be funded jointly by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Fáilte Ireland through a multi-million Euro investment package over the coming years. The first such project, a €2.1m investment in Wild Nephin- Ballycroy National Park was announced on the 31st of August, 2018 to develop a continuous 53km walking cycling trail from Newport to Ballycastle on the Wild Atlantic Way through the National Park. At present a section of the waymarked Western Way (200km linear trail from Galway to Mayo) runs north-southwards through the eastern portion of Wild Nephin providing a continuous 53km walking cycling trail from Newport to Ballycastle on the Wild Atlantic Way. This project will eliminate the need to walk the busy R312 by creating a spur which will provide a more direct and safe route on quiet tracks through bogland and forests. The outcome of this project will be an off road continuous cycling and walking trail in challenging terrain which will link the popular Great Western Greenway with the Wild Atlantic Way. This 56km section of the Western Way has potential to be walked/cycled for its full 56km and be promoted internationally as a unique, off road Grade 3 trail of scale to meet the rising demand for challenging outdoor recreational activity that is away from it all. The funding will provide opportunities for existing and new private sector operators in bike hire, guiding, outdoor recreation and will in time, support the accommodation and food sectors. The experience will appeal to domestic and international visitors that seek an off-road, wild experience on the western edge of Europe. Importantly, the project will ensure that the area is accessed in a sustainable way, protecting the habitat and directing tourists through a managed route.

In addition to its interactions with Faillte and Coillte, the Department has successfully operated a joint management arrangement the Trustees of Muckross House since the early 1980s. As part of the Department and the Trustees ongoing commitment to the development, conservation and presentation of Killarney National Park, a regular programme of jointly funded capital projects are undertaken. A restoration of the of the Victorian Servants’ Dining Hall and Laundry Room in the basement of Muckross House was commenced last year and is due to finish shortly. It is estimated that the total costs associated with this restoration project will be in the order of €400,000. This latest project at Muckross House follows on from the significant investment in refurbishing the original metal-framed windows, which also included repairs to the roof, chimneys, gutters and downpipes, during 2016 and 2017. These capital investment projects at Muckross House, derive directly from the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department and the Board of Trustees, providing tangible evidence of the cooperation of a Government Department and a locally based not-for-profit body.

Under "Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage, 2018 – 2027" capital investment of some €50m has been earmarked for the National Parks and Nature Reserves. This investment ensures long term protection of the National Parks and Reserves and my Department is delighted to have this opportunity for investment and implementation of measures to protect our habitats, landscapes and wildlife.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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817. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development was not delivered by the timeline committed to; the revised timeline by quarter and year for delivery of this action; if no revised timeline has been set to date, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37126/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Significant progress has been made in the consultations with key stakeholders on the new National Heritage Plan for Ireland (Heritage Ireland 2030). This critical phase is now nearing completion, the Steering Group having facilitated inputs by all important partners by extending the original closing date for submissions. The resulting engagement has identified additional priorities and opportunities across the broad built and natural heritage space, building on the key investment targets set out in Investing in our Culture, Heritage and Language launched earlier this year.

The development of Heritage Ireland 2030is a unique opportunity to rethink how we care for our habitats, landscapes, wildlife, historic buildings and monuments, so they can be celebrated and enjoyed long into the future. To gather the views of the wider community, a public consultation document informed by the stakeholder engagement, is now being drafted by the Steering Group and will be published shortly as part of a national consultation process.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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818. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development was not delivered by the timeline committed to; the revised timeline by quarter and year for delivery of this action; if no revised timeline has been set to date, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37127/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to the commitment set out in measure 5.47 in the Government Action Plan 2018-2022 for the Irish Language which was launched in June 2018 in relation to the action detailed in his question.

Work on this measure has already commenced with the establishment of a Working Group consisting of representatives from Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, TG4, the Arts Council and my Department. My Department, in consultation with its aforementioned partners, is currently finalising terms of reference for the work of the group and work on development of the strategy will commence shortly with a view to completion in 2019.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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819. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; the counties, cities, towns and villages that the techspace as Gaeilge initiative has been rolled out in to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37128/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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TechSpace is a national network of digital media spaces in youth centres and schools and this network helps young people to create digital and technological material as they engage in activities such as digital film, web design, mobile app development and robotics, among others. Under the direction of trained instructors and mentors, young people can enhance their computer competency, while improving their self-confidence and social skills.

The Irish medium Clár Techspace is being funded under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. The project aims to impact the lives of young Irish speakers by becoming Ireland's leading creative technology network for outcome focused youth development through the medium of Irish.

The Clár TechSpace team is currently working with schools and youth clubs in the Connacht and Munster regions, as outlined in the table, creating digital media and STEM material. Initial steps will commence this autumn to extend the project to the Ulster and Leinster (excluding Dublin) regions, with the Dublin region to follow later.

Clár TechSpace

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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820. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; the Gaeltacht region in counties in which an Dioplóma sa Chultúr Dúchais has been rolled out to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37129/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The programme, Dioplóma sa Chultúr Dúchais is delivered by NUIG through blended learning, a combination of online learning and workshops. The Department understands that three cycles of the programme have been delivered to date. Details regarding participation per county etc are provided as follows:

I would also refer the Deputy to another relevant measure as set out under Action 5.34 of the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022 which was launched, following Government approval, in June 2018. The action in question relates to the online course to graduate level in the Irish Language and Irish Culture which is being provided on Dublin City University's Fáilte Ar-Líne platform and, in respect of which, my Department has approved funding of €833,084 since 2015.