Ba mhaith liom Ceisteanna Uimh. 30 agus 59 a thógáil le chéile.

Tuigeann an Teachta an cúlra maidir leis an athbhreithniú ar an Acht Teanga. Foilsíodh torthaí an athbhreithnithe i mí Aibreán 2014. Dréachtaíodh Bille leasaithe ag an am ach de bharr míshástachta le cuid de na leasuithe a bhí molta, níor foilsíodh é riamh. Agus mé ceaptha mar Aire Stáit, d’iarr mé athbhreithniú eile ar an mBille agus chuaigh oifigigh mo Roinne i mbun comhairliúcháin leis na Ranna Stáit ábhartha, grúpaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, An Coimisinéir Teanga agus páirtithe leasmhara eile le cinntiú go mbeadh an Bille is fearr, is éifeachtaí agus is láidre gur féidir a bheith againn le tabhairt os comhair an Oireachtais.

I mí Meitheamh 2017, foilsíodh Ceannteidil an Bhille nua agus, i mí Bealtaine 2018, d’fhoilsigh Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán a dtuarascáil ar an scéim ghinearálta.

Is iarracht í an Bille mar sin, tríd na ceannteidil éagsúla, an timpeallacht a chruthú ina mbeidh ról níos lárnaí ag an teanga in obair an Stáit, go mbeidh an teanga níos feiceálaí agus go mbeidh fáil i bhfad níos leithne ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge. Ní hamháin sin, ach go mbeidh tuiscint i bhfad níos fearr ag an tsaoránach ar na seirbhísí atá ar fáil dó nó di, agus ar chaighdeán na seirbhíse ar cheart a bheith ag súil leis.

Is é an bun-aidhm atá againn leis an mBille nua a chinntiú go leanfaidh an tAcht Teanga de bheith ina thacaíocht éifeachtach do gach duine ar mhian leis nó léi seirbhísí d’ardchaighdeán i nGaeilge a fháil ón Stát. Is iad príomhaidhmeanna an Bhille seo deireadh a chur le córas na scéimeanna teanga agus caighdeáin teanga a thabhairt isteach agus foráil nua a thabhairt isteach le hollsprioc go mbeidh 20% d'earcaithe nua chuig an tseirbhís phoiblí inniúil sa Ghaeilge.

Is ábhar casta í seo ach tá dul chun cinn suntasach déanta le déanaí san obair dhréachtaithe. Tá an Bille san áireamh i gClár Reachtaíochta an Rialtais le foilsiú le linn an téarma seo agus tá súil agam go bhfoilseofar an Bhille sna seachtainí amach romhainn.

On April 17th, I held a symposium to investigate the possibility of creative nightlife and cultural activity after hours as an alternative and complementary option to Ireland's existing rich night time experience.

This work has significant potential to create a family friendly vibrant cultural night life to add to cultural events already taking place and to complement existing night life across the country. This topic has been one of interest in Ireland in light of a demand for a more varied night landscape and a recognition of the cultural, economic and social value of Ireland's evening experiences. It is also building on the back of movements across Europe such as Museum Night and, for example, the appointment of a "night tzar" in London.

My Department has been working with key partners to develop an approach to support a sustainable and forward looking infrastructure to facilitate the development of after-hours cultural events. In addition to local pilot projects and a national forum to consider the matter of night time culture in a comprehensive way, I am finalising plans to engage with local authorities and arts groups with regard to a mapping exercise of existing venues and civic spaces which may be suitable for night time cultural events to identify both gaps and opportunities, building on work done in this area to date. The exact methodology and approach to this mapping exercise is also being finalised.

Officials in my Department have recently written to selected local authorities with a view to establishing local interest groups to examine the potential for night time cultural events.

The main goal of these local groups will be to produce a report on what supports and impediments are currently impacting on opportunities for creative and cultural activity at night, both positive and challenging. The report will also propose practical locally-based initiatives to improve night-time culture. This report will then feed into a National Forum which is envisaged to comprise relevant Government Departments and Agencies. It is intended that this National Forum will meet upon receipt of local reports to consider matters arising for referral to the relevant Government Department or agency.

While the allocation for 2020 has not yet been published I can confirm that the Heritage Council will receive funding of over €6.5 million under Budget 2020. This is similar to the amount it received in 2019.

The voted funding allocation to the Heritage Council each year is published in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Revised Estimates Volume. Funding for the Heritage Council has increased by almost 40% since 2015. The amounts published from 2015 to 2019 are as follows:

2015 - €4.743 million

2016 - €5.243 million

2017 - €6.254 million

2018 - €6.377 million

2019 - €6.588 million

The Heritage Council operates a range of programmes which impact positively on employment within the heritage and tourism sectors, on education and on promotion of heritage. The Heritage Council is independent in the performance of its functions and it is, therefore, primarily a matter for the Heritage Council itself to decide how its funding is allocated across the research, education and conservation programmes it supports. The Historic Towns Initiative (HTI), however, is a joint undertaking between my Department and the Heritage Council. It provides support to historic towns engaged in a programme of heritage-led regeneration. Earlier this year, along with the Heritage Council, I announced funding of €1 million, to be shared by six towns under the 2019 programme. This funding will be retained in 2020.

The Heritage Council is entering a new phase in its development with the appointment of a new CEO on the 1st of February. The new CEO will oversee the implementation of the Heritage Council’s Strategic Plan Heritage at the Heart 2018-2022.

The Heritage Council’s budget must also be viewed in its wider context. My Department is currently in the process of drafting Heritage Ireland 2030, a new national heritage plan, which will identify and assign priorities for the funding designated under Project Ireland 2040 for investment in our built and natural heritage. Heritage Ireland 2030 will provide an overarching framework of values, principles and strategic priorities to guide, inform and resource the heritage sector at all levels over the next decade.

My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.

There is significant work being carried out by my Department in this area in conjunction with a range of agencies, including by a number of local authorities. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department have prepared Management Plans for invasive species of EU concern and Priority Pathway Action Plans are also being developed to address the major routes of entry of invasive species into Ireland. My Department continues to work closely with colleagues in the UK and across the EU to manage the risks associated with Invasive Alien Species.

My Department has also worked closely over the years with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to fund and manage the Invasive Species Ireland Project. Information on general management approaches to invasive plant species is available from the Invasive Species Ireland website: invasivespeciesireland.com (http://invasivespeciesireland.com/toolkit/invasive-plant-management/)

In addition, the Management of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS), launched in 2016 and led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is a €5.5 million project aimed at managing invasive knotweed and other non-native invasive plant species on the national road network and its interactions with regional roads. The project involves collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS).

In 2018 my Department piloted a targeted grant scheme for local authorities to assist with the implementation of actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. This scheme included a funding stream to specifically target invasive alien species. The scheme was rolled out again in 2019 with increased funding and grants have been awarded to a range of projects across the 28 Local Authorities who applied.

While my Department does not collect data from local authorities on the incidence of specific invasive species in their areas, information on the distribution of invasive species in Ireland is available on the invasive species section of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) website at http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie.

In April 2018 I announced a €1.2bn capital investment in culture, language and heritage under Project Ireland 2040. The capital funding for built heritage under this plan will run from 2018-2027 and is focused on enhancing and safeguarding our built heritage throughout the country. Funding under both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund is made available under Project Ireland 2040.

While the primary responsibility to care for and maintain a protected structure rests with the owner, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund invest essential capital in our valuable built heritage and help the owners and custodians of historic structures in every local authority area across the country to safeguard their properties into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I allocated funding of €2.5m for this Scheme in 2019; this included €60,000 for 15 projects in County Clare. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is administered through the local authorities.

The Historic Structures Fund, (formerly the Structures at Risk Fund) is for conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership. I allocated €1.824m for the Historic Structures Fund in 2019, and this included €15,000 to one project in County Clare. The Historic Structures Fund is administered through the local authorities.

In 2019, 478 built heritage projects were successful in their application to the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. Details of all projects approved under both these funding schemes are published on my Department’s website as well as on local authority websites.

I will shortly be announcing details of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2020 and the Historic Structures Fund 2020. Details of the schemes, including the amounts to be allocated to each local authority, will be published on my Department’s website and local authority websites.

As the Deputy will be aware, RTÉ commissioned a report from independent consultants Helen Boaden and Mediatique on the RTÉ Orchestras entitled RTÉ Orchestras Ensuring a Sustainable Future. The Report made a number of recommendations including that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) be a national cultural institution in its own right or within the National Concert Hall (NCH).

My Department, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, the National Concert Hall and RTÉ considered the Report and were all of the view that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall and should not be established as a separate body.

The main reasons for this are as follows:

- The NSO has been located in the NCH since it opened in 1981 and it provides the backbone to the Hall's orchestral music programme.

- To the public at large the NCH and the NSO are already intrinsically linked and the aims of both are entirely compatible.

- The recently announced capital investment plan for the NCH includes enhanced and additional facilities for the NSO, incorporating a dedicated rehearsal studio.

- The support services for an orchestra and a concert hall significantly overlap: programming, education and outreach, finance, operations, marketing and communications, personnel, and fundraising.

- Finally a combined creative and imaginative overall programme strategy will greatly enhance the offering of both organisations to the public.

At its meeting on 5 July 2018 the Government agreed in principle that the NSO should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall. The Government also authorised the initiation of discussions on the implementation of the recommendations of the Boaden report.

The overall aim of the Government decision in relation to the proposed transfer of the RTÉ NSO is to enable the orchestra to be established as a world class orchestra which would, with the NCH, provide a creative and imaginative programme strategy that would greatly enhance the offering of the combined organisation to the public. I was pleased to secure funding of €1m as part of Budget 2020 towards the cost of the proposed transfer in 2020.

In addition to this there are currently a number of other musical organisations located at the National Concert Hall - the Chamber Choir Ireland, the Irish Baroque Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, Music Network and Music Generation. The work of these organisations complements that of the NSO and represents a broad spread of artistic output across the classical music spectrum that is at the core of the remit of the NCH.

In 2020, total funding for the arts and culture sector will increase by over 2 per cent from €189m to just under €193m composed of €153m in current expenditure and €39.7m in capital.

Primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council. Funding for the Arts Council has been increasing steadily in recent years and it will reach €80 million in 2020. This is an increase €5m or 6.7% over 2019. The Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003, operates within a published 10 year strategic framework entitled Making Great Art Work. This strategy prioritises support for artists throughout their careers, by the involvement of many agencies in cultural provision, by the impact of the arts on the creative economy, and by the depth and breadth of people's engagement with the arts. The additional funding will allow the Arts Council to enhance its support for all artists, arts festivals, street arts and family events.

In addition, over €7m will be available from my Department next year to support the European City of Culture, Galway 2020. This is a significant sum to support artistic and creative activities in 2020.

The remit of Culture Ireland, a division of my Department, is to promote and advance Irish arts worldwide thus strengthening Ireland’s cultural profile and global reputation. Strategic priorities include providing support for the international presentation of Irish artists and arts organisations, developing new and diverse international audiences and markets for Irish arts, and linking culture into the Government’s international promotion strategy in tandem with other relevant Government Agencies. Critically, the work of Culture Ireland is focused on increasing career opportunities for Irish artists.

This Budget has been framed in the context of Brexit and additional funding for our arts and culture, at a time of prudent budgetary management reflects the Government’s continued commitment to supporting Irish arts and artists. The Per Cent for Arts Scheme and the extension of the Social Welfare Scheme for Self Employed Artists in conjunction with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced earlier is further proof of our commitment.

My Department and I will continue to work with all of my Government colleagues towards delivering on the commitment to increase Government spending in the arts and culture sector on a trajectory that will see funding doubled by 2025. I am already delivering additional supports to the arts and culture sector, building on the €1.2 billion earmarked for culture, heritage and the Irish language under Project Ireland 2040, thus leading to increased activity and employment across all sectors under the remit of my Department.

My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. Work is also underway in my Department to implement the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (No. 1143/2014) in the national context and legislation to do this is at an advanced draft stage.

Under the current legislative framework, responsibility for invasive alien species rests, in the first instance, with landowners. Throughout my Department’s 87,000 hectare network of National Parks and nature Reserves, tackling invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum, Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed is an ongoing operational matter.

Since 2011, my Department has invested circa €1.4m to tackle rhododendron clearance in Killarney National Park alone. This is in addition to separate investments throughout Glenveagh, Connemara and Wild Nephin / Ballycroy National Park and in a number of Nature Reserves.

Clearance work is carried out across various NPWS sites directly by our staff and also in certain instances by contractors. With regard to combatting these invasive species, glyphosate is one of the most effective means of killing problematic invasive plant species, and it is an essential herbicide in the control of other noxious weeds. NPWS invasive species eradication programmes over many years have mainly focussed on injection of herbicide into the plant, or application onto cuts made in the stems, rather than spraying, both of which greatly reduce the quantity used and human contact with the herbicide.

Eradication of invasive alien species, once they become established, is usually difficult to achieve and resources are best used to promote awareness, prevent introduction of invasive alien species and, where a species has established itself, put in place effective and appropriate management measures to mitigate the effects of the species on native habitats and species.

Raising awareness of invasive alien species and the threat that they pose to native biodiversity is an important component of my Department's work in this area. In 2018, a new stream of grant funding for local authorities was piloted. This funding is to assist local authorities to support projects that support actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan, including those that target invasive alien species in their areas. In 2019, €500,000 was allocated to the 28 local authorities who applied. Grant funding of €700,000 will be available in 2020.

The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018 are the primary statutes designed to afford protection to the various species in the State and which set out the framework for dealing with wildlife crime. In addition, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 include provisions affording strict protection to a number of species and habitats.

Wildlife crime takes many forms ranging from persecution of badgers, illegal hunting of deer species, illegal hunting of hares with packs of dogs generally known as lurchers, trapping of wild birds such as native finches for illegal trade, wilfully disturbing or destroying the eggs or nests of wild birds, poisoning of raptor species and the illegal cutting of hedges during the nesting season for birds.

While much wildlife crime is local we should not underestimate the dangers involved in investigating it as many perpetrators have links with other more serious crime.

Within my Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has responsibility for the protection and conservation of Ireland’s natural heritage, including species protection and biodiversity at national level. The NPWS is therefore dedicated to looking after our species and habitats and NPWS frontline conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure. Some of their work entails scientific research and survey work and the monitoring of compliance with national and European law in relation to nature conservation and wildlife crime across the country. The team also conduct patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of national and EU legislation and investigate reports of breaches of legislation including the various types of wildlife crime I have already described. My Department works closely with An Garda Síochána who are also specifically empowered under the Acts to investigate alleged wildlife crime offences and to prosecute as they see fit.

In the period 2013 to date in 2019 some 80 prosecutions were taken by my Department for breaches of the Wildlife Acts. As far as counties Galway and Mayo are concerned thirteen individuals have been convicted of breaches of the Wildlife Acts since 2013 in these two counties. In fact there were two recent successful prosecutions this year for illegal hare lurching by individuals in county Mayo. While bringing perpetrators of crime to justice is important, the success of dealing with wildlife crime cannot be judged on this alone, as ensuring compliance in the first instance is clearly of critical importance.

Given the concerns that I have surrounding the apparent widespread nature of wildlife crime, an internal Wildlife Crime Group staffed by field staff and senior Departmental officials which meets regularly most recently last week. The Wildlife Crime Group has pursued many important initiatives including the organisation of a major Wildlife Crime Conference last year which was attended by An Garda Síochána and representatives from organisations in Britain and Northern Ireland dealing with wildlife crime.

I am also committed to ensuring that we continue our covert actions with other agencies, including An Garda Síochána and the I.S.P.C.A to counteract these illegal activities.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have recently announced a new €4.7m capital investment scheme for arts and culture centres across the country. Applications are now being invited for the Cultural Capital Scheme which will run from 2019-2022. The Scheme will focus on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres that operate as not-for-profit organisations throughout the country and that have a clearly defined arts and culture focus.

A particular focus of this scheme will be its emphasis on the reduction of carbon footprints to dovetail with the Government’s action on climate change. Projects providing additional capacity for artists and artistic production particularly in arts centres will also be favoured. The Scheme builds on the success of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 which saw grants allocated to 134 organisations in 26 counties to refurbish and enhance their facilities. This funding is provided from a €40m capital investment allocation for local arts and culture infrastructure contained in Project Ireland 2040 “Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage 2018-2027'.

This scheme has been informed by the recently published strategic Review of Arts Centres and Venues by the Arts Council & the County and City Management Association (CCMA) as well as the Arts Council's published Arts Centre Policy and Strategy 2019 which sets out its funding criteria for arts centres from 2020 onwards.

Applications must be made online at www.licences.ie. Organisations are required to register their details on www.licences.ie prior to application. Applications are being invited under three separate Streams as follows.

* Stream A will offer grants up to €50,000 for small enhancement/expansion/ refurbishment projects which may involve construction works to arts and culture facilities and/or upgrading of equipment.

* Stream B will offer grants from €50,000 up to €300,000 for larger enhancement /expansion/ refurbishment projects involving construction works to arts and culture facilities.

* Stream C will be a separate scheme aimed at the upgrading of visual artists’ workspaces. Applications for this Stream will be invited separately by Visual Artists Ireland.

Further information on the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019 – 2022 is available on my Department’s website.

Over the course of the last year I have listened very carefully to the extensive public debate on biodiversity loss and the threats to nature. The National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin this year, which I hosted, the development of the Seeds for Nature initiative, the wide ranging public debate on the Heritage Ireland 2030 Plan as well as the extensive engagement across Government on Climate Action were instrumental in my securing an overall 15% budget increase in the Heritage sector in Budget 2020.

Total funding for our Built and Natural Heritage sector in 2020 will amount to €62.5m, up from €54m last year – an increase of over €8m – comprising additional capital provision of €6.75m (up 44%) on 2019 and additional current funding of €1.623m.

This funding includes €7m in funding to embark on an accelerated programme of peatlands restoration and conservation works. This programme will result in 1,800 hectares of restored peatland in 2020, generating 100 jobs in the Midlands. It is part of a multi-annual programme which aims will ultimately lead to the storage of 28 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Restoration and rehabilitation of raised bogs will provide multiple additional ecosystem services such as water and air quality improvements, flood mitigation, enhancing biodiversity, opportunities for tourism development, and contribute to the social and economic well being of local communities.

Additional funding of €1m is also being provided to accelerate key nature conservation and biodiversity programmes under the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which includes the recruitment of front line conservation specialists.

The NPWS Farm plan scheme will also be enhanced in 2020 by doubling the fund available to €1m to support measures to protect biodiversity and assist farmers with lands designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas in their role as custodians of nature.

My Department continues to provide grant funding for local authority projects that promote actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2017-2021. This funding includes a grant award made to Clare County Council to undertake a three year project aimed at enhancing biodiversity education and action within the County. My Department will continue too to support the Burren National Park in the context of progressing the Tourism Masterplan for the National Parks.

My Department is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018, the primary legislation underpinning the protection of biodiversity and nature in Ireland. The Wildlife Acts afford protection to a range of habitats and species and provide for regulation and control of activities that impinge on biodiversity, such as hunting and trade.

The legislative framework in place to protect our natural heritage is further strengthened by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 SI No 477/2011, which also fall under the remit of my Department. These Regulations transpose the EU Birds Directive and the EU Habitats Directive into national law, and provide for protection of certain habitats and species across the European Union, giving a framework for specific measures to be taken to target areas of concern in each Member State. The main instruments provided for are the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPA), aimed at the protection of threatened species of birds, and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), aimed at protecting other animal species and habitats.

Under Article 12 of the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), Member States report on the implementation of the directive and the trends in bird populations. My Department submitted Ireland’s 3rd assessment on the status of EU-protected habitats and species to the European Commission in April 2019. A summary report has just been published which provides an overview of the assessment methodologies and the main findings of the assessments are available on my Department's website (www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/NPWS_2019_Vol1_Summary_Article17.pdf).

These very thorough assessments were undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of this Department, Inland Fisheries Ireland and external experts.

The aim of the EU Habitats Directive is to contribute towards the conservation of biodiversity by requiring Member States to take measures to maintain or restore natural habitats and wild species listed on the Directive. They have been listed because they are considered vulnerable at a Union level. Ireland has 59 habitats and 68 species listed on the Directive. Ireland’s 3rd assessment on the status of listed habitats and species was submitted by my Department to the European Commission in April 2019. A summary report has also been published and is available on the NPWS website (www.npws.ie/publications/article-17-reports). In addition, detailed reports have been published, exceeding 2,000 pages of assessments. These assessments were undertaken by over 40 scientific experts.

My Department continues to drive targeted conservation work throughout the country and co-ordinates a number of EU-funded LIFE nature projects. KerryLIFE, a project worth over €5 million to support two local communities in the Caragh and Kerry Blackwater areas, for instance, is focussed on helping restore populations of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel.

The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme of my Department offers a mechanism for engaging with individuals in a joint conservation effort. The scheme will be enhanced in 2020 to support measures to protect biodiversity and assist farmers with lands designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas in their role as custodians of nature.

The funding allocated to Culture Ireland in 2017 was €3.5m, in 2018 €4m and in 2019 it was €4.6m. Funding for 2020 is being finalised in the context of the Revised Estimates to be published in December.

Culture Ireland provides support for Irish artists to travel and present their work internationally and in 2018 audience numbers of 5.5m were reached in 55 countries worldwide. In 2019 those numbers will increase which demonstrates success for Culture Ireland’s aim to broaden Ireland’s cultural reach and therefore our global footprint in keeping with the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 initiative. I am satisfied that sufficient funding will be available to Culture Ireland in 2020 to deliver on the programme's strategic objectives next year.

Total funding for the arts and culture sector in 2020 will increase from €189m to almost €193m. This funding will comprise €153m in current expenditure and €39.7m in capital investment. This Budget has been framed in the context of Brexit and additional funding for our arts and culture, at a time of prudent budgetary management reflects the Government’s continued commitment to supporting Irish arts and artists. The Per Cent for Arts Scheme and the extension of the Social Welfare Scheme for Self Employed Artists in conjunction with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced earlier is further proof of our commitment.

Tá an praghas chun Aerfort Chonamara a cheannach aontaithe idir mo Roinn agus Galway Aviation Services Ltd (ag trádáil mar Aer Árann) le tamall. Tar éis an praghas seo a bheith aontaithe, d'fhostaigh mo Roinn comhlacht le saineolas san earnáil eitlíochta chun an cás gnó a ullmhú i ndáil le riachtanais an Chóid Chaiteachais Poiblí a chomhlíonadh. Tá an cás gnó sin faighte ag mo Roinn agus tá na céimeanna chuí á dtógáil anois chun na ceadanna éagsúla a fháil ar mhaithe leis an aerfort a cheannach.

Ach gach rud a bheith in ord, táthar ag súil leis an bpróiseas seo a bheith críochnaithe roimh dheireadh na bliana.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 45 and 52 together.

As the Deputies are aware, the Moore Street Advisory Group (MSAG) was established to represent and work with all stakeholders (including the owner of the development site surrounding the State owned National Monument at Nos. 14 - 17 Moore St) to help broker regeneration solutions that can be supported by all concerned.

I received the report of the MSAG - Securing History 2 - in August and would like to sincerely thank the members for their invaluable contributions during their time on the Group. I am conscious of the huge voluntary commitment by all concerned.

Among the main recommendations of the report are that:

- there is an urgent need to secure the fabric of the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and that the MSAG confirms its support for the OPW to advance this process as soon as possible;

- my Department should develop a scoping document on the potential for an increased State and State supported heritage and culture presence in the area;

- an expert group should be appointed by Dublin City Council to lead the urgent regeneration of the Moore Street market; and

- the MSAG should be reconfigured to a smaller more focussed group in order to move the process forward as quickly as possible.

Work is in progress on all of these recommendations. My Department is liaising with the Office of Public Works with a view to progressing the completion of the conservation of the national monument buildings so that they can be opened for presentation to the public. The Irish Heritage Trust has been engaged to develop the scoping document referred to in the report and will have the full support of my Department's officials in this regard. I can also confirm that I have asked Dublin City Council to act on the recommendation for the expert group to lead the regeneration of the street market and I understand that this is in course of being set up. I would also shortly hope to appoint a chair to lead the next phase of the MSAG's work.

I regard the Securing History 2 report as a significant milestone in the revitalisation of this crucial part of our capital city. The proposals put forward by Hammerson are sympathetic to and embrace the history and heritage of O’Connell Street and the Moore Street area and can be aligned with the objectives of protecting the national monument at Nos. 14 -17, opening it to the public and resonating the mercantile, social and political heritage of the area as a 1916 commemorative quarter. I understand that a recent statement from the Moore Street Traders Association has expressed its members' full backing for the proposals which it sees as providing an important opportunity for their businesses to become viable again.

I welcome the prospect there now is for reviving the Moore Street area and its market and to give Dublin a national main street and historic area to be proud of.

In April 2018 I announced a €1.2bn capital investment in culture, language and heritage under Project Ireland 2040. The capital funding for built heritage under this plan will run from 2018-2027 and is focused on enhancing and safeguarding our built heritage throughout the country. Funding under both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund is made available under Project Ireland 2040.

While the primary responsibility to care for and maintain a protected structure rests with the owner, the schemes invest essential capital in our valuable built heritage and help the owners and custodians of historic structures in every local authority area across the country to safeguard their properties into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I allocated funding of €2.5m for this Scheme in 2019 including €60,000 for seven projects in County Carlow and €98,000 for fourteen projects in County Kilkenny. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is administered through the local authorities.

The Historic Structures Fund, (formerly the Structures at Risk Fund) is for conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership. I allocated €1.824m for the Historic Structures Fund in 2019, including €46,000 to two projects in County Carlow and €165,000 to five projects in County Kilkenny. The Historic Structures Fund is administered through the local authorities.

In 2019, 478 built heritage projects were successful in their application to the two schemes. Details of all projects approved under both these funding schemes are published on my Department’s website as well as on local authority websites.

I will shortly be announcing details of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2020 and the Historic Structures Fund 2020. Details of the schemes, including the amounts to be allocated to each local authority, will be published on my Department’s website and local authority websites.

The first meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee for Island Development took place on Tuesday 24 September 2019. Twelve Government Departments were represented at the meeting.

My Department is currently drafting, in conjunction with other relevant Departments, a consultation document that will form the basis for a comprehensive public consultation process among island communities and wider stakeholders.

In practical terms this will involve senior officials from my Department visiting the islands to meet directly with stakeholders to obtain island input into the deliberations of the committee. It is envisaged that these consultations will cover all relevant aspects of island life and that the end result will be a comprehensive cross-Government policy document which will inform the delivery of public services to island communities over the coming years.

I can, therefore, assure the Deputy that the island communities will have a central voice throughout this entire process.

My Department, has no role in the designation of national heritage parks, which are managed by the Office of Public Parks (OPW). Any queries in respect to such a designation should be pursued with OPW. Through its National Parks and Wildlife Service, my Department manages an extensive conservation and recreational property portfolio of some 87,000 hectares, which includes 6 National Parks. I have no plans at present to designate any further National Parks.

The IUCN, also known as the World Conservation Union which is affiliated to the United Nations, is the international authority which sets the criteria for the protected areas of the world. All of Ireland's six National Parks are managed as Category II National Parks under the criteria set out by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Under this Category, ownership and management should normally be by the highest competent authority of the State and there is a minimum size associated with such designations. Accordingly, all National Parks in Ireland are fully owned and managed by the State through the National Parks and Wildlife Service Division (NPWS) of the Department. It is the policy of my Department to abide by the criteria and standards for the National Parks laid down by the IUCN.

Our 6 existing National Parks account for circa 65,000 hectares with another almost 22,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites. The existing National Parks are managed from a conservation perspective, and attract in excess of 4 million visitors annually. Given the resources available for capital investment within our National Parks and Nature Reserves, I am ever mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands and have no plans at present to increase the number of National Parks in the country.

However, as part of my Department’s continuing commitment and contribution to protecting our heritage and improving our tourism and recreation product, we have been exploring ways to optimise the sustainable potential of heritage sites under our control in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives.

In this context, it should be noted that in late 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016 at a cost of €800,000. The purchase underpins the Government’s on-going commitment to the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.

In 2017 the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This creates a State – Owned wilderness project of over 11,000 hectares and aims to provide increased nature conservation benefits and biodiversity as well as enhanced recreational and social benefits through the ‘re-wilding’ of the forest which adjoins the National Park. Thanks to the acquisition, we will be returning the area to a natural wilderness state.

My Department, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, launched a strategic partnership in 2017 with a view to growing tourism revenues in the rural areas where the parks are located and increasing Ireland’s appeal as a recreation destination. One of the outputs from the partnership with Fáilte was “Experiencing the Wild Heart of Ireland”; an interpretative masterplan for the development of our National Parks and Reserves, which was published last year and sets out a road map for investment at these important nature conservation, public amenity and tourism sites and underpins the objectives of Project 2040.

The investment in our National Parks will create memorable and meaningful experiences of Ireland’s landscapes, wildlife and culture. This will be done though sensitive design and the development of authentic experiences, providing better access to nature and an increased understanding of society’s conservation responsibilities, as well as supporting significant investment in recreational facilities including upgrading and development of the trails network, increased visitor facilities and improved signage and branding. These will be designed and delivered with a strong emphasis on conservation and allow us protect and preserve our most fragile environments and investing in our culture, language & heritage provide a well-being benefit for all.

In this regard, a provision of some €5million in funding, for 32 individual projects across the network of NPWS sites, was announced earlier this year as part of the Rural Regeneration Development Fund. Therefore, while I have no plans to expand the Park network at present, my Department is actively ensuring the preservation, protection and presentation of the assets we already own.

I was delighted to officiate at the launch of the Galway 2020 cultural programme on 18 September last. It was wonderful to see Eyre Square come to life with the large crowd in attendance and the breath-taking performance by composer and musician Anna Mullarkey and the French aerialists Gratte Ciella.

As the Deputy is aware, the cultural programme that was launched that evening is arranged according to the old Celtic calendar with over 1900 events spread over the course of the year, starting with the opening ceremony in the first week of February, which will travel over six days from towns across the county to culminate in the city on 8 February.

Following the recent third and final review by the EU Expert Monitoring Panel, Galway 2020 was also recommended for the prestigious Melina Mercouri Prize of €1.5 million. The EU Commission will make an announcement on the award of the Prize early next year.

Under the terms of the Performance Delivery Agreement between my Department and Galway 2020, a quarterly financial and management report is received in advance of a formal monitoring meeting between the Department and senior management in Galway 2020. All aspects of Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture are discussed at both the monitoring meetings and in regular communication that takes place between my Department and Galway 2020.

At the most recent meeting in September, my Department was advised that the cultural projects are proceeding according to target; the major sponsorship drive is continuing with over the 500 companies contacted and over 130 meetings held; the monitoring and evaluation programme is in place; the volunteer programme is gathering pace; and a sub-committee of the Board has been convened to address the legacy of Galway 2020.

As we are now a little over 100 days out from the Opening Ceremony for Galway 2020, I am looking forward to a truly memorable, once in a lifetime year for all concerned.

Galway 2020 commenced the rollout of a largescale fundraising drive earlier this year with leading cultural production company, Artichoke, working with Galway 2020 to secure fundraising and sponsorship income in support of the European Capital of Culture project. Since their appointment, contact has been made with over 500 companies and over 130 meetings have been held. Recent additional appointments have been made to the fundraising team to further support the fundraising drive.

To date, over €1.7m has been secured in sponsorship. This includes both cash and in-kind support.

Notable amongst these was the announcement on 31 July last that Galway 2020 had entered into a significant corporate partnership with Medtronic. The partnership sees Medtronic become the official Health Partner of Galway 2020 and sponsor of the Wave Maker volunteer programme and the Wave Maker Health Hub, the first of its kind for a European Capital of Culture.

In addition to this, the current value of the fundraising and partnerships pipeline is €3.2m – this includes a combination of commercial as well as trusts and foundations, comprising funds proposals submitted and further partnerships that are under consideration.

Galway 2020’s fundraising team continues to engage with local, national and international businesses very positively and effectively, following up on pledges of support made as well as contacting new businesses, to determine their interest and capacity to support. As is normal for projects of this scale, it is envisaged that the fundraising drive will continue into and during 2020, with funding realised throughout the entire duration of the project.

The process to negotiate and agree packages with fundraising partners continues to take time to finalise for each individual business, however the overall feedback from partners is positive and there is great interest from the business community in getting involved. A series of cultivation and stewardship events have been held in Galway and these will continue to be organised in support of the Galway 2020 project in the coming months.

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, the Erne System, the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Shannon Navigation, the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal and the Barrow Navigation.

Waterways Ireland is co-funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The current expenditure of the body is funded 85% by my Department and 15% by the Department for Infrastructure which reflects the distribution of the navigable waterways in each jurisdiction. Capital expenditure is funded 100% in the jurisdiction in which the capital works are carried out. In addition to this, development work has been sustained through attracting third part investment from a wide range of sources

Waterways Ireland's work programmes are critical to providing a safe and high quality recreational environment for the public, whilst also preserving the industrial and environmental heritage of the waterways for future generations, balanced with the objective of increasing recreational activity across all our waterways.

The amount of capital funding allocated to Waterways Ireland from my Department's Vote for 2019 is €4,380,000 - an increase of €800,000 on the 2018 allocation.

Waterways Ireland anticipates spending the full allocation by year end.

The Estimates for 2020 provide for an allocation of €25,663,000 for Waterways Ireland, made up of €21,283,000 in Current funding and €4,380,000 in Capital funding. This is an overall increase of €546,000 on the 2019 allocation.

My Department is currently preparing a discussion document for consultation on a new National Policy on Architecture and I intend to launch the public consultation phase in the coming weeks. This open consultation process will allow plenty of opportunity for all communities, stakeholders and citizens to have their say. We will invite online and written submissions, and social media engagement, alongside a series of workshops and meetings to allow the public to become involved in the drafting of the new policy. It will also include engagement with key bodies and organisations representing those working in the area to ensure their views are heard.

The discussion document for the consultation phase was prepared by my officials of my Department in close consultation with a committee representing the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Education and Skills, the Office of Public Works, the Health Service Executive, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, the schools of architecture and the Irish Architecture Foundation. It will illustrate, and seek comments on, the main ways in which architecture and our built environment affect society, our health and wellbeing and our ability to prosper. These include climate adaptation and mitigation and sustainable development, the benefits for everyone of obtaining high quality in the built environment, the protection and reuse of our built heritage, ways we can demonstrate built environment leadership and the need to foster education about our built environment.

The Policy will be informed by the feedback we receive from the consultation phase as well as by a review of the previous policy, which placed an emphasis on sustainable development of the environment and urban design, incorporating architectural heritage in a holistic integrated manner, and supporting high quality modern architecture. The final report will be prepared in 2020.

It is my intention that a new National Policy on Architecture will play an integral part in implementing the Project Ireland 2040 vision, providing policy actions that will encourage best quality in researching, understanding, managing, enhancing and reusing our existing built environment assets as well as delivering sustainable new places and spaces.

I thank the Deputy for his ongoing interest in my Department's efforts to conserve, present and promote the unique range of cultural and heritage assets, both natural and built, that Ireland is fortunate enough to possess and that do so much to provide enjoyment and amenities for our people, to sustain and create identities for our communities and to generate tourism interest in our country throughout the world.

My replies to the Deputy's previous Question No. 65 on 16 January 2019, Questions Nos. 216, 217 and 220 on 10 April 2019 and Question No. 31 on 19 September 2019 provide a good insight into the work being done by my Department in this area and especially in relation to National Monuments.

My reply to Question No. 33 on 19 September 2019 highlighted the work being done in relation to our National Parks, including investment in Wild Nephin-Ballcroy National Park and Connemara National Park. It also referred to over 30 ongoing projects funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).

My Department frequently liaises with other relevant bodies and agencies on an ongoing basis to determine what potential projects could benefit from available funding schemes such as the RRDF, and Fáilte Ireland programmes. EU programmes are also considered as potential contributors to the enhancement, use and protection of Ireland’s heritage, taking into account the suitability and relevance of the recommended projects and timelines for such programmes.

My Department’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) assists the repair and conservation of protected structures - in public and private ownership - on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I allocated funding of €2.5m for the BHIS in 2019. The Historic Structures Fund (formerly the Structures at Risk Fund) is for larger conservation works to such protected structures. I allocated €1.824m for the HSF in 2019. Both the BHIS and the HSF are administered through the local authorities. Details of the 2020 schemes will be announced in the coming days. The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. The types of structures referred to in the Deputy’s question would have the potential to be covered under such schemes.

As the representative for the World Heritage Convention on behalf of Ireland, my Department is responsible for the submission of nomination documentation to UNESCO for inclusion of properties on the World Heritage (WH) List. Opening the 2020 Tentative List for WH earlier this year, the National Monuments Service has been working closely with Local Authorities and Stakeholders to guide the application process and subsequent preparation for eventual WH nomination, which includes the long term conservation and protection of such sites and the promotion of their national and international interest. Inclusion on the Tentative List is an opportunity for statutory, voluntary and community organisations to take stock of the naturally and culturally significant heritage resources in their locality.

The table below shows the funding allocated to the Arts Council in each of the four years 2017 to 2020.

The 2020 allocation to the Arts Council represents an increase of 6.7% for the Council. I am satisfied that this is a significant increase given that Budget 2020 has been framed in the context of the economic uncertainty relating to Brexit. Additional funding for our arts and culture, at a time of prudent budgetary management reflects the Government’s continued commitment to supporting Irish arts and artists. The Per Cent for Arts Scheme and the extension of the Social Welfare Scheme for Self Employed Artists in conjunction with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced earlier is further proof of our commitment.

With regard to my Department's function and remit, there is no such designation as a Special Amenity Wilderness Area. However, I understand that in 1999 the local authority, as part of the Planning and Development Act, designated Howth peninsula a “special amenity area”. Accordingly, the Deputy would need to refer this part of his question to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Nevertheless, the area the Deputy refers to is designated as both a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area (Howth Head SAC and Howth Head Coast SPA) and as such is afforded statutory protections in respect of developments within the designated areas in line with all such conservation areas nationally.

As previously outlined to the Deputy in my response to his parliamentary question no 8549/19 earlier this year, my Department has no plans to create a national park in the wilderness area of Howth. As I already indicated, all Irish National Parks are fully state owned and meet category II of the IUCN standard for national parks. There is a minimum size associated with such designations and it is unlikely that this area would qualify.

The table below shows the funding provided by my Department to arts and culture centres in counties Carlow and Kilkenny since 2016.

I am also pleased to state that I have just announced a new €4.7m capital investment funding scheme for arts and culture centres across the country. Applications are now open for the Cultural Capital Scheme which will run from 2019-2022 and focus on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country. It will also prioritise carbon footprint reduction in line with the Government’s action on climate change. Projects that provide additional capacity for artists and artistic production particularly in arts centres will also be favoured. The Scheme builds on the success of the former Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 which saw 134 organisations in 26 counties receive funding to refurbish and enhance their arts and culture facilities. The funding is part of my Department’s commitment to a €40m capital investment in local arts and culture infrastructure nationwide contained in Project Ireland 2040 “Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage 2018-2027.

Applications are being invited under three separate Streams as set out below.

* Stream A will offer grants up to €50,000 for small enhancement/expansion/ refurbishment projects which may involve construction works to arts and culture facilities and/or upgrading of equipment.

* Stream B will offer grants from €50,000 up to €300,000 for larger enhancement /expansion/ refurbishment projects involving construction works to arts and culture facilities.

* Stream C will be a separate scheme aimed at the upgrading of visual artists’ workspaces. Applications for this Stream will be invited separately.

Further information on the Streams A & B of the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019 – 2022 are available on my Department’s website at https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding/.

My Department has been allocated nearly €1.2 billion in capital expenditure over the course of the National Development Plan, 2018-2027, as part of Project Ireland 2040. To direct this investment, my Department has developed a detailed sectoral investment plan, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage, which sets the high-level, strategic capital priorities for the Department from 2018 to 2027. This plan involves three types of investment activity; capital investment and infrastructure programmes, capital grant schemes and major capital projects.

The plan provides for an allocation of:

- €725 million towards enhancing our cultural infrastructure, incorporating,

- A €460 million investment in our National Cultural Institutions and,

- €265 million for a national Culture and Creativity Investment Programme;

- €285 million towards a heritage investment programme; and,

- €178 million towards investment in our language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands.

Major capital projects under the National Cultural Institutions programme of the plan are appraised, planned, implemented and evaluated in line with the Public Spending Code and best practice guidance outlined in the Capital Works Management Framework published by the Office of Government Procurement.

While the majority of these capital projects are moving through the appraisal stage, we are currently providing support for two major capital projects: a four-year redevelopment of the National Library of Ireland involving the upgrading of the East and West Wings of the Library, and the provision of secure environmentally-controlled archival repository at the National Archives. The projects are being carried out by the Office of Public Works in partnership with the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives.

The first phase of the National Library of Ireland redevelopment project, comprising the development of a new book repository in the East Wing of the Library comprising 4,700 linear metres of storage and the movement of 350,000 volumes, was completed in June. The final outturn for phase 1 of the National Library of Ireland project is currently being prepared.

Enabling works to prepare for the construction work at the National Archives were completed in June. It is intended to undertake the tender for the National Archives Repository Redevelopment in the coming months.

My Department is also progressing a range of other initiatives under the other two strands of investment activity (grant schemes and investment programmes) which are delivering improved cultural, heritage and linguistic infrastructure and investment to communities across Ireland. These other initiatives currently underway include the investment in new trails and way paths across our network of National Parks and Nature Reserves, delivery of local arts and cultural facility enhancements under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme, and the upgrading of community and childcare facilities in Gaeltacht areas. Partnership and collaboration are core principles underpinning these and other initiatives under the programme, and the Department is currently working with the Heritage Council, Waterways Ireland, Screen Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland and local authorities to deliver on its investment programme.‘

I refer the Deputy to my reply to her earlier Priority Question No. 19.

The centre to which the Deputy refers was awarded a significant capital grant for the enhancement and refurbishment of this cultural venue in 2017. This grant was awarded under the Arts and Culture Capital scheme 2016-2018.

Officials in my Department are in active correspondence with the project developers in relation to the progress on the project, which is currently at planning and tendering stage. As with all capital grants from my Department, the allocation is managed under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the project promoter. The SLA sets out a number of conditions around the management of the project including the period of time for drawdown of grant.

Is faoin Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna amháin atá sé na critéir a leagan síos maidir le díolúine ó staidéar na Gaeilge.

Is straitéis thras-Rialtais í an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 a bhfuil an fhreagracht ar an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta i ndáil lena feidhmiú a chomhordú i gcomhar le páirtithe leasamhara. Níl aon ról, dá réir, agamsa mar Aire Stáit don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin maidir leis an ábhar.

Chuaigh an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna i gcomhairle le mo Roinn sa ghnáth bhealach i dtaca leis an gceist seo, mar a rinneadh leis na ranna Rialtais go léir, tríd Mheamran don Rialtas i mí na Samhna 2018.

In April last year, I launched my Department's sectoral Plan - Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 in which the Abbey Theatre's redevelopment project is included. The plan sets out significant investment on a phased basis over the next 10 years prioritised across 3 areas - €785m for Culture; €295m for Heritage and €178m for our Language. The scale of the investment in our cultural infrastructure is unprecedented and will deepen our cultural and heritage foundations. It will also allow us to create world-class cultural institutions.

This capital investment is especially important in relation to the Abbey Theatre, as the building in which the National Theatre is housed is over 50 years old and is widely recognised as deficient in the facilities it provides for artists, audiences and staff and in terms of its energy efficiency. The redevelopment will also honour the theatre’s history and legacy, whilst matching the national theatres of other European capital cities while the Abbey Theatre’s additional aim is to accelerate regeneration of the Theatre’s neighbourhood to transition into an even more attractive destination for leisure, eating, drinking and shopping.

Last week, I was delighted to announce the progression of the Abbey Theatre Redevelopment Project to detailed appraisal stage. The €80m indicative investment in the project will facilitate a fitting redevelopment, contributing to Ireland’s reputation as a centre for theatre as well as revitalising a key area in Dublin city centre. The planning and construction of a facility as large as this has a significant lead-in time.

The project is still at an early stage but the Abbey Theatre will now engage experts to prepare the detailed appraisal documentation required under the Public Spending Code, which will include economic and financial reviews as well as risk assessments. On completion of a positive Business Case, the project will move to design and a future vision for the theatre. It is expected that the Business Case will be completed in mid-2020.

Having a world-class cultural and heritage infrastructure will strengthen our international reputation and I look forward to seeing the Abbey Theatre Redevelopment Project progress over the coming months and years.

Fógraíodh i mBuiséad 2020 go mbeidh ardú €1m á chur ar fáil do chiste caipitil Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2020. Fágfaidh sé seo go mbeidh ciste €10m ar fáil don eagraíocht agus is ionann sin agus méadú de bhreis agus 11% le hais an tsoláthair atá ann sa bhliain reatha.

Chomh maith leis sin, cuirfear €200,000 breise in airgead reatha ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta don bhliain seo chugainn le dáileadh ar na heagraíochtaí pobalbhunaithe agus comharchumainn Ghaeltachta. Is ionann seo agus ardú 25% le 3 bliana anuas ar an gciste seo. Fágann sé sin go mbeidh soláthar iomlán de €4.05m ar fáil don Údarás in 2020 le dáileadh ar na heagraíochtaí pobalbhunaithe agus comharchumainn Ghaeltachta.

Ina theannta sin, beidh teacht ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar chiste faoi leith sa chás go dtarlóidh Breatimeacht gan ord gan eagar.

Is fiú dom a mheabhrú don Teachta chomh maith go mbeidh soláthar €9.602m.san iomlán ar fáil don eagraíocht in 2020 le haghaidh cúrsaí riaracháin.

Ag cur gach rud san áireamh mar sin, táim sásta nár tugadh neamhaird ar éileamh an Údaráis ar mhaoiniú breise agus go mbeidh sé ar chumas na heagraíochta clár oibre a chur i bhfeidhm go rathúil i 2020 ar leas na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge.

Under Project Ireland 2040 - the National Development Plan, €1,188 million in capital expenditure has been allocated to my Department for 2018-2027. The detailed breakout of this investment programme is set out in my Department’s sectoral capital plan, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage. Under this plan, €460 million is being provided to support an ambitious programme of redevelopment and renovation projects across all of our National Cultural Institutions (the ‘NCIs’).

Capital projects undertaken by bodies under the aegis of my Department are appraised, planned, designed, implemented and evaluated in line with the Public Spending Code and best practice guidance outlined in the Capital Works Management Framework published by the Office of Government Procurement.

My Department is working with the NCIs to progress individual capital projects through the project life-cycle of the Public Spending Code. Decisions with regard to sequencing of investment in the NCIs are subject to the progress of each project through the project life-cycle of the Public Spending Code and are managed in the context of the multi-annual capital allocations available to my Department.

In July 2007, the North South Ministerial Council agreed to a proposal to restore a 13km section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. This project is important for the border region with potential to stimulate economic activity, giving a much needed boost to job creation and with the growth in water based tourism helping to attract significant numbers of visitors to the area.

Government approval for Phase 1 of this project, to restore a 2.5 km stretch of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson near Belturbet in Co. Cavan, was secured in February 2015.

Work on Phase 1 is nearing completion and includes dredging works to the River Finn, construction of a new navigation arch at Derrykerrib Bridge and installation of a new mooring facility at Castlesaunderson.

Waterways Ireland anticipates expenditure in 2019 of €53,500 to complete payment for works at Derrykerrib and €100,000 for construction works for Castlesaunderson public moorings.

The expenditure to date, including commitments amounts to €3,960,000 which is fully funded by my Department.

Waterways Ireland has worked with Cavan County Council in relation to recreational amenities at the Council site at Castlesaunderson, including a public jetty. A contract for the construction of this new floating jetty was substantially completed in October 2019. The jetty will be operational for the 2020 boating season. This capital investment in navigational infrastructure will create a welcome new destination for waterway users of both the Erne System and the Shannon – Erne Waterway. It is expected to bring a new awareness, interest and additional visitors to the river and to the border area around Castlesaunderson.

In relation to the Ulster Canal Phase 2 - Restoration of Ulster Canal Lough Erne to Clones – The Clones Terminus Project is under development with anticipated cost of €433,000 of which 75% is funded from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, with 25% funded by my Department. Currently Waterways Ireland is in preparation for planning, if required, with a tender process completed for a feasibility study relating to a sustainable water supply. In addition Waterways Ireland, supported by Monaghan County Council, is preparing a tender for identification of optimum methods of delivering recreational and broader benefits from the proposed investment in the canal in Clones. It is currently planned to spend this funding during 2019 and 2020.

Waterways Ireland is also continuing work with the partners Monaghan County Council, Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, East Border Region Ltd. and Mid Ulster District Council to develop 22km of greenway along the Ulster Canal towpath from Smithborough, Co. Monaghan and Middletown, Co. Armagh, funded through the successful application to the Interreg VA sustainable transport measure (circa €5.0m). An Integrated Consultant Team was appointed in June 2019 and work is progressing on preparation for planning.

Public consultation events were held in three locations in August and September 2019. Waterways Ireland and partners have also produced an Ulster Canal Greenway strategy which sets out how this greenway could become the spine of a robust network of off-road greenways across this rural border region.

I refer the Deputy to my reply given to her earlier Priority Question No. 21.

Plans are well underway to mark the significant forthcoming centenaries over the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries, which include the Struggle for Independence, the Civil War, the Foundation of the State and Partition.

My particular focus at this time is to ensure that the significant historical events that occurred during 1920 and related themes, are remembered with a rich diversity of commemorative initiatives that are historically authentic, measured, respectful, and appropriate. While plans are still evolving, I expect to be in a position to publish a substantive commemorative programme for 2020 in January and indicative plans for subsequent years. I have allocated current funding of €2 million to support the Decade of Centenaries programme in 2020, which is a funding increase of €900,000 above the 2019 allocation.

My Department has built significant partnerships with key stakeholders, including local authorities, the national cultural institutions, institutions of learning and custodians of records, the trade union movement and creative communities. All of these will have an important role in supporting the national conversation about the events of this period and encouraging respectful public discourse and debate.

The approaching centenaries present particularly sensitive and complex challenges. I firmly believe that the cultural heritage and stories of all traditions on the island of Ireland must be preserved and told. My primary objective in developing plans for the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries, is to ensure that we promote peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland by encouraging a deeper understanding of the significance of this period, which accepts that the shared historical experiences of those years gave rise to very different narratives and memories.

My plans for the forthcoming period will continue to be informed by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations and developed in consultation with the All Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta gur chuir Foras na Gaeilge plean teanga do Chathair na Gaillimhe faoi bhráid mo Roinne ar 24 Deireadh Fómhair 2019 i gcomhréir le forálacha ábhartha Achta na Gaeltachta 2012.

Tá an plean sin á bhreithniú ag oifigigh mo Roinne faoi láthair.

The attached table shows the strength of the Defence Forces; the ranks across the three services and gender breakdown of same, as at 30th September 2019, the latest date for which such data is available.

Recruitment and inductions will continue throughout 2019 to ensure the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles.

Table - Strength by Rank September 2019

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).

The effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR), as of 30 September 2019, is set out below:

Table 1

The breakdown of females the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve for the same period is as follows:-

Table 2

The substantive strength of the First line Reserve for the same period is as follows:-

*The gender breakdown of the FLR is not available

The Government appreciates the service of the Reserve Defence Force and recognises its importance in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.

The table below illustrates the number of general service recruits the Permanent Defence Force have inducted to date in 2019 with regard to all three services and the gender breakdown of same.

* As at 31 Oct 2019

Continuous General Service recruitment is taking place with further inductions anticipated before the year end.

I am advised by the military authorities that, as of 31 October 2019, 102 new members have been inducted into the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve, broken down as follows:

The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the RDF. A recent open competition for recruitment to both the AR and NSR closed on 20 October 2019 and it is anticipated that further recruitment will arise from this.

Civilian Employees are appointed to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces. There are currently 126 Civilian staff, including maintenance personnel, employed in the Defence Forces Training Centre. Recruitment of Civilian Employees in military installations is an on-going process, vacancies are identified and filled on a priority basis. 2019 has seen an active approach towards recruitment of maintenance personnel. 9 electricians were recruited across a number of installations including the Defence Forces Training Centre. A competition is currently underway for recruitment of carpenters and plumbers, again across a number of installations including the Defence Forces Training Centre.

In relation to the built environment within the Curragh, I am committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military installations throughout the country. The Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme, is compiled on a priority needs basis by my Department in conjunction with the Military Authorities. This year some €28m was allocated towards the maintenance of and the development of new building projects for the Defence Forces. This represents an increase of over €10m compared to 2018 and I can confirm to the Deputy that it is intended that the budget allocation will be matched in the coming years to ensure that the level of building activity is in line with Defence Force requirements. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that works on the upgrading and refurbishment of Plunkett Block 7 in the Curragh Camp, Defence Forces Training Centre has commenced. This project involves the refurbishment of the existing accommodation for 58 personnel.

Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs both in HQ and in our Embassies abroad are continuously engaged on Brexit related matters. I receive briefings from and meet with these officials on the wide range of Brexit issues on a regular basis. My officials and I also remain in on-going contact with representatives from other EU Member States and the EU Institutions on a range of EU issues including Brexit.

In situations where a couple is cohabiting, rather than married or in a civil partnership, each partner is treated for the purposes of income tax as a separate and unconnected individual. Because they are treated separately for tax purposes, credits, tax bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other.

The basis for the current tax treatment of married couples derives from the Supreme Court decision in Murphy vs. Attorney General (1980). This decision was based on Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution where the State pledges to protect the institution of marriage. The decision held that it was contrary to the Constitution for a married couple, both of whom are working, to pay more tax than two single people living together and having the same income.

To the extent that there are differences in the tax treatment of the different categories of couples, such differences arise from the objective of dealing with different types of circumstances while at the same time respecting the constitutional requirements to protect the institution of marriage. Cohabitants do not have the same legal rights and obligations as a married couple or couple in a civil partnership which is why they are not accorded similar tax treatment to couples who have a civil status that is recognised in law. Any change in the tax treatment of cohabiting couples can only be addressed in the broader context of future social and legal policy development in relation to such couples.

I have been advised by Revenue that from a practical perspective, it would be very difficult to administer a regime for cohabitants which would be the same as that for married couples or civil partners. Married couples and civil partners have a verifiable official confirmation of their status. It would be difficult, intrusive and time-consuming to confirm declarations by individuals that they were actually cohabiting. It would also be difficult to establish when cohabitation started or ceased. There would also be legal issues with regard to ‘connected persons’. To counter tax avoidance, ‘connected persons’ are frequently defined throughout the various Tax Acts. The definitions extend to relatives and children of spouses and civil partners. This would be very difficult to prove and enforce in respect of persons connected with a cohabiting couple where the couple has no legal recognition. There may be an advantage in tax legislation for a married couple or civil partners as regards the extended rate band and the ability to transfer credits. However, their legal status has wider consequences from a tax perspective both for themselves and persons connected with them.

The issue raised by the Deputy's question arose during the Committee Stage debate on the Finance Bill yesterday (5 November 2019). Following on from this, my Department is to prepare a report in advance of the Report Stage of the Bill.

The pension fund levy was introduced in 2011 in the wake of the financial crisis and at a time when the economy was in serious difficulties. The levy was designed to claw back a small amount of the very generous tax reliefs that those contributing to pension arrangements had benefitted from over many years. The levy went to fund the tax reductions and expenditure measures introduced in the Jobs Initiative, including lowering the VAT rate for the tourism sector to 9%.

The levy was successful, as reflected in the increased activity and employment in that sector. The trustees of pension schemes affected by the levy had the option of adjusting current or prospective scheme benefits to take account of the levies, which included the possibility of reducing future retirement benefits.

For the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 the rate was 0.60% of the pension scheme assets. For the year 2014 the rate was 0.75% of the assets and for the year 2015, the final year of the levy, the rate was 0.15%. The levy has ceased since 2015.

The value of the funds raised by way of the levies have been used to protect and create jobs and this has helped to create the improving financial and economic position of the State. Taxpayers to whom the impact of the levy may have been passed onto will have since benefited from tax reductions in the last number of Budgets.

Individuals will continue to pay Universal Social Charge (USC) as normal up to the age of 70. Reduced rates of USC apply for those aged over 70 with total annual income of less than €60,000. This ensures that the highest rate of USC paid on income is 2%.

There is no charge to PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) for those aged over 66.

Additionally, a person aged 65 and over is fully exempt from income tax where his or her total income from all sources is less than the relevant exemption limit. For 2019, the exemption limits are €36,000 for a married couple or civil partners and €18,000 for a single individual. Where an individual exceeds the exemption limit, he or she is liable to tax based on the normal system of rate bands and tax credits, subject to marginal relief where relevant.

Other tax supports for individuals in this age group include the Age Tax Credit which is available to all individuals aged 65 or over who do not qualify for an exemption from income tax. This credit is currently set at €245 for single individuals or €490 for a married couple or civil partners.

I would also note that the State Contributory Pension and the State Non-Contributory Pension are not chargeable to Universal Social Charge (USC) or Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI).

In the context of limited resources, I am satisfied that the current USC system is fair and equitable to individuals who are over the age of 66.

My Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. Once the application has been assessed the school authority will be informed directly.

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).

In accordance with Department Circular 31/ 2011 and 44/2019, which are available on the Department’s website under www.education.ie, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired. These measures were taken in an effort to increase employment opportunities for unemployed teachers.

Circular 44/2019 sets out that there shall be no unreasonable delay between the notification of the vacancy, insertion of the advertisement and the filling of the post.

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments. (SCPA).

In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.

This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.

I would advise therefore if there are concerns in relation to the educational or social and emotional development of the child, the subject of the Deputy’s question, that these should be raised by her parents, in the first instance, with the Principal of the school she is attending, with a view to that Principal discussing the situation with the assigned NEPS psychologist or local NEPS service.

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2018/2019 school year over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €200m in 2018.

As a sibling of the child referred to by the deputy is availing of an individual Special Educational Needs transport service, the child referred to can be facilitated with school transport on that service for this school year 2019/20.

However, this arrangement will be reviewed annually. In the event that another child with special educational needs seeks to avail of the service, then it will not be possible to allow the child referred to by the Deputy remain on the service.

Bus Eireann will liaise with the family directly in regard to transport arrangements.

The 2018 annual report of the independent appeals officer appointed to consider appeals against decisions of Caranua (the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board) for the period 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 16 October 2019.

Persons making an application for a certificate of naturalisation are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and nationality. This is usually in the form of a current valid passport and may include other original supporting documents, such as a previously held or out of date passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate.

In rare circumstances where an applicant cannot produce their current passport, or a previous passport, birth certificate or other supporting documents, the applicant will be required to provide a full explanation. Such explanation should, where possible, be supported by satisfactory evidence that they have attempted to obtain such documentation and correspondence from the relevant authorities or embassy responsible for the issuing of passports and birth certificates in their country, clearly stating the reasons the documentation cannot be provided.

My Department will consider the explanation given and, if satisfied that it is for reasons genuinely beyond the applicant's control, may suggest alternative means to the person to assist in establishing their identity and nationality.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 87 and 94 together.

It is a requirement under the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) that applicants submit detailed business plans. The Plans for Investment projects involving construction set out, in detail, the number of units to be constructed.

In 2017, 5 nursing home projects and 566 social housing units were approved. In 2018, 4 nursing homes and 884 social housing units were approved. In 2019, 5 nursing homes and some 560 social housing units were approved. There is no record of any primary care centre applications being received in the years mentioned by the Deputy.

However, my Department is aware that projects evolve to reflect changed circumstances. Accordingly, to ensure continual compliance with the objectives of the scheme, my Department introduced a rolling review process, whereby applicants and projects that have received funding undergo a review at the year 2 and year 5 stages, and occasionally at the year 3 stage.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department has engaged directly with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and has sought guidance form them on the applications received under the Immigrant Investor Programme for new build social housing units. My officials also exchanged information with that department relating to the projects seeking funding. My officials have requested a meeting with the Department of Health in respect of those applications that are proposing new build nursing homes.

As part of the assessments process my Department interacts with the relevant government departments and agencies regarding various aspects of proposed projects.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.

I am aware that the recent judgment of the High Court relating to continuous residency under Section 15(1)(c) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 (as amended) has given cause for concern. The matter remains before the courts, with the Court of Appeal reserving judgement on the appeal on 8 October, and the matter, therefore, remains sub-judice. We await an outcome from the Court of Appeal which will, of course, have a bearing on whether or not legislative change is required. Should it be necessary, I intend to introduce a Bill in the Oireachtas as soon as possible this term.

I know that colleagues of all parties are concerned with the difficulty that has arisen and I am hopeful that, if legislative change is necessary, the Oireachtas will give the Bill early and positive consideration.

My Department is doing everything possible to develop a legislative solution. At the end of July, I obtained Cabinet approval for a proposed Bill to address the matter and my department continues to work with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office to finalise the draft Bill.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the scheduling of citizenship ceremonies will be very much influenced by both the judgement of the Court of Appeal and the introduction of any necessary legislation. My officials are currently engaged in contingency planning to ensure those most affected by current circumstances are invited to a naturalisation ceremony at the earliest possible opportunity. As soon as the legal issues are resolved, my officials will make all necessary arrangements for the next Citizenship Ceremony. Invitations will issue four weeks in advance of the ceremony to ensure everyone has adequate notice.

In the interim, my Department is advising those who are planning to apply for citizenship to continue to collect all of the necessary proofs that support their application and to submit a comprehensive application form. Once a solution is in place, if any additional information is required, applicants will be contacted as part of the processing of their application.

The ruling of the High Court is not considered to have consequences for anyone who has already obtained citizenship under the Act.

The Family Law Act 2019 was signed into law by the President on 25 October 2019 and makes a number of amendments to existing laws in relation to divorce in Ireland. The Act comprises 3 Parts in all, with Part 1 pertaining to the short title and commencement of the Act.

Part 2 of the Act provides for amendments to Acts relating to family law. The main provision in Part 2 is section 3. Section 3 amends section 5 of the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996. This reduces the minimum living apart period specified in that Act to two years during the previous three years. Previously the minimum living apart period was four years during the previous five years.

Part 3 of the Act makes provision for the recognition of divorces, legal separations and marriage annulments granted under the law of the United Kingdom, in the event that the United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union without an agreement that applies to this area of law. I will bring Part 3 into operation only if and when the United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union without such an agreement.

It is my intention to make a commencement order to bring all sections of Parts 1 and 2 of the Family Law Act 2019 into operation on 1 December 2019. At the heart of the Government’s reforms in this area of the law is a desire to ease the burden on people whose marriages have broken down. This legislation will ensure that the process for obtaining a divorce is fair, dignified and humane.

Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 specifies that, not later than 3 years after its commencement, the Minister for Justice and Equality shall cause a report to be prepared on the operation of Section 7A of the Act and cause this report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

This report is required to include information as to the number of arrests and convictions in respect of offences under Section 7A of the Act during the period from commencement of that section and an assessment of the impact of the operation of that section on the safety and well-being of person who engage in sexual activity for payment.

My Department is at present undertaking the groundwork for the preparation of this report. The approach to be adopted, including the means for consultation with stakeholders, will be announced and the report, when complete, will also be published in due course.

The information requested by the Deputy is provided below in two separate tables.

Applications for each of the options under the Immigrant Investor Programme made in the years 2017 and 2018.

Applications received for each of the options under the Immigrant Investor Programme in each application window in 2019.

The statistics requested by the Deputy are detailed in the table below. The Deputy should note that these figures are based on the date that a decision on the application was made and will include applications made in the preceding year.

Number of grants made from 1 January 2017 to 31 August 2019

I take it that the Deputy's reference to visas refers to a permission to reside in Ireland rather than a permission to travel to Ireland. A visa would normally be placed in a person's passport by an Irish consular official outside the State to allow that person to travel to Ireland for a stated purpose. It may be necessary to issue a visa to a potential investor prior to the completion of the investment in order that the person travel to Ireland to complete the legal and other requirements of the investment and to register for permission to reside here.

However, as of 1 January 2019 my Department introduced new control measures to allow for the verification of the investment prior to the granting of a residence permission. A successful applicant is now invited to make their investment and on completion of this process and on the provision of evidence of the investment they will be granted a residence permission. An applicant is given 90 days in which to complete their investment. Failure to do so will result in the application being deemed withdrawn.

Prior to 2019 the applicant was required to provide this evidence when they were registering for their permission to reside. They had to provide a letter from their legal representative confirming the investment was made, a letter from the beneficiary stating that they had received the investment and documentary evidence based on the investment type e.g. a share certificate from the investment fund confirming the investment.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department introduced enhanced due diligence checks in 2018 on all applicants to the Immigrant Investor Programme. This involved the utilisation of best in class compliance databases including politically exposed person checks. Further control measures were introduced from 1 January 2019 . All applicants must now provide a third party due diligence report from a risk management company. Additionally, all personal documentation must be apostilled or dually legalised in the country of origin before it will be accepted.

In 2019 a data sharing agreement was signed with the Revenue Commissioners which allows for the sharing of certain applicant information with the Revenue Commissioners for onward sharing with both the OECD and the applicant's country of origin. This measure was adopted to support the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard. The data will be shared once an applicant has made their investment in Ireland.

The payment of fees by a charity or enterprise is a commercial matter to be decided upon by the responsible parties of the organisation and the policing of this is not a matter for this Department. The Charities Regulator is the competent authority with responsibility for the charities sector.

My Department has, however, made it clear through information updates and engagement with the charity sector that any funding received through the endowment option of the Immigrant Investor Programme is to be solely utilised for the purposes for which it was sought and that there can be no deductions of fees from the amount being donated. This goes against the entire purpose of this option which is that of a donation to a good cause. My Department will take the necessary steps to ensure this is the case, up to and including removing the residence permission from an applicant found to have engaged in such practice.

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, and this includes the provision of information on the courts system.

I have referred this question to the Courts Service. The Courts Service have advised they are compiling the requested information and will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

If the Deputy has not heard from the Courts Service in 21 days, please contact my office.

There are currently four vacancies in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE), the post of Corporate Compliance Manager and three vacancies for Forensic Accountant (AP Equivalent – Accountant Grade 1). The three Forensic Accountant vacancies became vacant on 8th May, 2019, 19th May 2019 and the most recent on Monday last 4th November, 2019.

In relation to the post of Corporate Compliance Manager, the current Director is considering this as part of a significant restructuring of the ODCE that he has undertaken to better reflect the organisation’s needs in the context of both its strategic shift towards deploying resources towards more serious indications of wrongdoing and the increasingly complex environment within which the ODCE operates. As such, the Director is of the view that it is preferable to allow that process to fully bed down before filling the Corporate Compliance manager vacancy. The Director is further conscious of the fact that the transition of the ODCE to an independent Agency will give rise to additional expertise requirements and, as such, is of the view that it is prudent that those considerations should be factored into developing the role, and associated skill set, required of the appointee.

The total no. of staff assigned to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) at the beginning of January 2018 was 35 staff in total (32 full time equivalent). The breakdown by grade is set out in Tabular form below:

The number of Gardaí assigned to the ODCE at the beginning of 2018 was 7.

Improving our competitiveness and ensuring that Ireland is an attractive location to do business remains a key economic priority for this Government. We continue to monitor Ireland's competitiveness and analyse the factors that are crucial to attracting further investments in the country.

The World Bank Ease of Doing Business 2019 report compares the ‘ease of doing’ business in 190 economies using quantitative indicators. The report assesses the impact of 10 areas of business regulation: starting a business; dealing with construction permits; getting electricity; registering property; getting credit; protecting minority investors; paying taxes; trading across borders; enforcing contracts; and, resolving insolvency.

In the latest report, Ireland is ranked 24th globally (and 6th in the euro area). While these rankings represent a fall of one place from the previous year, the World Bank report also suggests that Ireland has become a better place to do business in the past 12 months, as Ireland’s ‘doing business’ score improved. The primary reason Ireland fell one place in these rankings was because other countries improved relatively more than Ireland over the past year.

However, as competitiveness is a broad term, it is important to look at a range of indicators to ensure we have a holistic view of Ireland’s competitiveness. My Department considers a range of competitiveness indicators, including: (i) two other international competitiveness rankings - the IMD Competitiveness Yearbook (where Ireland is ranked 7th globally), and the WEF Global Competitiveness Report (24th­). My Department also consider hard indicators such as the Harmonised Competitiveness Indicator (HCI) and Nominal Unit Labour Costs, which both suggest that Ireland is becoming more competitive.

Given Ireland’s performance in these, and a wider selection of indicators, my view (one shared by the National Competitiveness Council) is that Ireland remains a competitive economy.

However, the fall in the World Bank rankings underline the fact that there is no room for complacency. The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) will issue recommendations on the actions needed to improve competitiveness in its forthcoming Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2019 report before the end of the year. These recommendations will be brought to the attention of Government and responded to in due course.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.

Ireland remains a global leader in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) with 1,444 multinational companies from over 40 countries choosing to invest here. Companies headquartered in the United States of America account for 766 of these firms. While North America remains the principal source of FDI into the country, the IDA continues to diversify its portfolio of investors here. In 2018 alone, for example, 24 investments were secured from growth markets, representing an increase of 14% on 2017.

I am particularly encouraged by the progress made by IDA Ireland in attracting first-time investors from Asian markets. Last year, for example, saw notable investments from Chinese, Indian and South Korean firms. This shows that the concerted effort that the IDA has made to target Asian investors is now producing results in terms of new jobs here on the ground in Ireland. Last month, I led a Trade and Investment Mission to Japan with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland where I attended a series of engagements with industry leaders and met with Japan's Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry. This trade mission highlighted the important work of the IDA and our enterprise agencies in deepening and broadening out trade and investment links to the Asia-Pacific region and other new markets.

While much has been accomplished in this context, the Government remains conscious of our need to continue attracting FDI from as many different countries as possible. To diversify investment here further, we need to build awareness of Ireland as a preferred investment destination in target countries, as well as improve competitiveness and consolidate Ireland’s traditional strengths in terms of talent, productivity and ease of doing business. I am confident that this approach will help boost further the number of investors here from non-traditional markets and that we will continue to see greater geographic diversity across the IDA's client portfolio. The Agency's efforts in this context are already being reinforced and supported by the Global Ireland strategy, which will build and deepen Ireland's footprint all over the world in the period up to 2025.

While we will continue to focus on strengthening FDI from growth markets, we must also not neglect the importance of our traditional source markets. Ireland's strong track record with companies from those markets - which employ tens of thousands of people across the country - has been hard-won and is the product of decades of hard work. That is why the IDA will continue to do everything possible to sustain and grow investment levels from North America and Europe while also seeking to increase investment from growth markets.

The Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition was not held during 2018. The 2019 budget allocation and participant data in respect of the IBYE is set out in the tables below:

2019 Participants

Individual LEO IBYE allocations:

As Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I am acutely aware of the importance of SMEs to the Irish economy and I want to ensure that small firms are at the heart of my Department’s business supports and strategies. That is why my Department has been engaging with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) since late 2017 towards the completion of a comprehensive Review of SME and Entrepreneurship Policy in Ireland.

I was delighted to launch the Review of SME and Entrepreneurship issues and policies in Ireland with the Secretary General of the OECD Ángel Gurría on 8 March 2018.

This has been a concentrated and collaborate 18-month project with my Department having played a central role supporting and facilitating the OECD during this process. The focus of the review provides tailored analysis and recommendations to DBEI and the Irish government on how to improve the design and implementation of national SME and entrepreneurship policies and programmes, based on an assessment of the country’s current SME and entrepreneurship performance, framework conditions and policies based on international comparisons.

Areas covered include taxation, the regulatory environment, productivity challenges, skills and regional development. It also includes an assessment of the main SME-targeted programme areas, including SME workforce skills, standards adoption, internationalisation, financing and innovation.

My officials have organised and officiated at stakeholder events throughout the process to facilitate detailed engagement between my Department, other Government Departments, agencies, academia, business representatives and small businesses themselves. This engagement has enabled the OECD to gain insightful understandings from stakeholders in Ireland and to develop an independent assessment of the Irish SME and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the various critical stages of the review. The OECD review draws together a wealth of expertise and analysis from across the key policy Directorates of the OECD, together with the OECD's independent assessments of Ireland's key programmes and schemes and supports for SMEs and entrepreneurs. The extent of the international good practice identified by the OECD will also provide valuable inputs to my consideration of further changes and improvements to our policy mix and supports in Ireland.

Testament to the culmination of the 18 month’s intensive engagement between my Department officials and the OECD secretariat, I welcomed the OECD Deputy Secretary General Knudsen to Dublin last week, where, together we launched the Review and the accompanying SME Strategy Roadmap on Thursday 31st October.

The task at hand now through my Department, is to ensure the development of a SME Strategy which will inform Government’s Future Jobs Initiative on how best to support and foster our indigenous ecosystem into the future.

The total cost associated with commissioning the OECD to carry out the review was €300,000, made in three separate instalments over the 18-month period:

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.

Section 949(3) of the Companies Act 2014 provides that the Director of Corporate Enforcement shall be independent in the performance of his statutory functions. I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation have no direct function in such matters.

I am informed that figures for cases investigated, by year received, and convictions in the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019 are as set out in tabular form below:

The number of investigations per se does not represent the totality of the work of the ODCE; firstly because of the volume of liquidation cases and secondly because not all investigations result in a prosecution. As will be seen from the ODCE’s Annual Reports, complaints are not always relevant to the remit of the Office; where they are within the remit the matter is investigated. It should be noted that not all investigations are of a criminal nature and the ODCE policy is to seek rectification of breaches in the first instance (where the matter is appropriate for such action).

The ODCE also exercised its right to make certain compliance applications to the High Court under Section 371 of the Companies Act 1963, now Section 797 of the Companies Act 2014, to secure compliance with Orders sought.

However, it should be borne in mind that, working within the context of a rectification policy, many issues can be addressed by exercise of powers without the necessity of bringing issues to the Courts for determination, for example: production of registers; directing the holding of Annual General Meetings; production of minutes of meetings; and regularising breaches of the director loan provisions which, in 2018, secured the rectification on a non-statutory basis, of suspected infringements of the Companies Act 2014, in relation to Directors’ loans in 18 cases, to an aggregate value of €6.1m approximately.

The ODCE took a decision in recent years to concentrate its resources on more serious and complex investigations, the result of which is usually the submission of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consideration, as opposed to a summary prosecution. It is important to appreciate that the purpose of a criminal investigation is not to secure a conviction. Rather, the purpose is to establish the facts. Thereafter, it is a matter for the DPP to determine, having regard to the facts and to potentially relevant offences, whether the direction of charges is appropriate and in the public interest.

In terms of prosecutions, the Director of Corporate Enforcement is only statutorily empowered to initiate summary prosecutions (i.e. prosecutions of relatively minor offences in the District Court).

More serious alleged breaches of company law are prosecuted on indictment in the Circuit Court and only the Director of Public Prosecutions (“DPP”) can direct that charges be preferred on indictment.

Under section 9(13) of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009, the Minister for Health was obliged to carry out an annual review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rates set by regulation under the Act.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the 2016 review recommended that rates set in the regulations should be left unchanged at that point.

The review also noted that any changes to remuneration structures should be linked to Government priorities for the health service and service or contractual developments.

Between 2016 and 2018, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), with the co-operation of Revenue’s Customs Service and An Garda Síochána, has detained over 1.8 million dosage units (tablets, capsules, vials, etc.) of medicines bought over the internet. These can be broken down as follows:

Online supply of prescription medicines into or within Ireland is illegal. The HPRA is aware of many illegal websites that purport to be pharmacies and offer to supply a range of prescription medicines direct to the public. Medicines bought from these sites may be falsified. They may contain no active ingredient, too much or too little of an active ingredient, or the wrong ingredients altogether. There is no way to be certain how or where the medicine was made, the quality of the active ingredient(s) or fillers (inert ingredients) used and the medicine may not have been packaged, labelled or stored correctly and could be out of date.

The HPRA continually and strongly recommends patients do not seek to purchase prescription medicines that have not been prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and dispensed by a registered pharmacy as there can be no guarantee as to their safety, quality or efficacy, in addition to the health risks for persons seeking to self-medicate. As Minister for Health, I strongly urge patients to follow this recommendation.

The HPRA continues to work with Revenue’s Customs Service and An Garda Síochána to monitor and investigate instances of illegal supply of medicines, through retail sales in Ireland and via online sources, and actively enforces against suspected breaches of the law.

For further information, consumers are urged to access the HPRA leaflet ‘Dangers of Buying Prescription Medicines Online’, which is available on its website at www.hpra.ie and to report concerns to reportacase@hpra.ie

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 117 together.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 129, inclusive, together.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

A clear governance and accountability framework was identified as a key building block of Sláintecare by the Committee on the Future of Healthcare. As part of its recommendations in this area, the Committee called for the HSE to become a more strategic and patient-focused ‘national centre’ carrying out national level functions, and the establishment of regional bodies with responsibility for the planning and delivery of integrated care at a regional level.

I intend to return to Government next year with detailed proposals regarding the roles and responsibilities of the new regional areas. This will also detail the consequently revised role and function of the HSE ‘national centre’, which will determine any impact on management and administration requirements, both at central and regional level. These proposals will also outline a timeline for the establishment of regional organisations and any legislative changes required to realise the Sláintecare vision.

In the meantime, my Department will work closely with the HSE to continue to improve management and accountability of the health system. At the same time, there will be continued engagement with all key stakeholders to ensure that the reform process does not cause disruption to services and accountability.

Finally, I want to make clear that the proposed changes to health structures are only one element among many of the broader reform plans arising from the Sláintecare report. These proposals must be seen as part of the broader proposals in the 2019 Sláintecare Action Plan to support and develop a better health and social care service based on clinical and service integration, enhanced service capacity and delivery and improved governance, accountability and patient safety arrangements.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.

In line with the 2013 Act and the National Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines with industry, if a company would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE, it must submit an application to the HSE to have the medicine added to the reimbursement list. Reimbursement is considered for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, including on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).

In August 2018, the NCPE recommended a full health technology assessment (HTA) for erenumab (Aimovig), indicated for the treatment of chronic and episodic migraine in adults who have at least 4 migraine days per month when initiating treatment with erenumab.

On 30 September 2019, the NCPE completed its review and gave the following recommendations for erenumab:

- For chronic migraine, the NCPE recommended that erenumab be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments.

- For episodic migraine, the NCPE recommended that erenumab not be considered for reimbursement.

The final decision will take into consideration the NCPE's recommendation and the statutory criteria contained in the 2013 Health Act.

In April 2019, the NCPE recommended a full HTA for fremanezumab (Ajovy), indicated for prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have at least four migraine days per month. On 26 September 2019, the NCPE received a submission from the manufacturer and its assessment is ongoing.

As outlined in the Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines, and in line with the 2013 Act, the HSE will decide, within 180 days of receiving the application (or a longer period if further information is sought from the company), to add the medicine to the reimbursement list, agree to reimburse it as a hospital medicine or refuse to reimburse the medicine.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Maternity Patient Safety Statement for March 2019 for the National Maternity Hospital may be viewed on the website of the Health Service Executive, at the following link:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/maternity/mpss/2019/march-2019/march-2019-maternity-patient-safety-statements.html

Section 23 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the offences under the legislation. The investigation or prosecution of offences under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 are criminal matters for An Garda Síochána and, if prosecution is warranted, the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Minister for Health has no role in the investigation or prosecution of offences under the Act.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.

As the House will be aware, a termination took place at the National Maternity Hospital in March of this year on the grounds that a condition incompatible with life was present. The couple involved have requested a review of their case.

My overriding concern as Minister for Health is for the couple involved and ensuring that questions regarding this incident are appropriately answered. As such, I support an independent and external review into this case. I have been advised that the National Maternity Hospital has commissioned such a review. I am sure that the Deputy would agree it is important to await the outcome of that review process, which will allow for a better understanding of what has occurred. It will also allow for any learning that may emerge to be disseminated throughout the health system. I can assure the Deputy and the House that any recommendations made by the review panel will be actioned by my Department, as well as the HSE in order to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again. My Department has also sought assurances from the National Maternity Hospital with regard to the safety and operation of the termination service, and it in turn has confirmed its compliance with the relevant legislation.

I have also met with the family to hear directly of their experiences. A note of that meeting was provided directly to the couple on 23 October last by email. My officials are currently working on a response with regard to the other two notes which the Deputy has referred to.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

As this is a service matter I have again asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

My Department has fully processed the transfer of entitlements with land for the person named and his 2019 BPS payment has issued.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

The parties to the agreement were Meat Industry Ireland and the farm bodies represented at the talks.

Meat Industry Ireland (MII) have confirmed that the company named is not a member of MII, and that this company does not buy or process cattle.

The independent chair of the Beef Taskforce is currently working with all stakeholders to progress the commitments in the agreement of 15th September.

As I have previously stated, it is in the interest of all involved in the beef sector that the work of the Taskforce be allowed to progress.

The persons named have submitted an application for grant aid under tranche 15 of the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme which closed for applications on 4 October 2019. All applications received in any given tranche of TAMS II are subject to an initial administrative check. All of the applications that pass this initial check, are then subject to the ranking and selection process as provided for in the terms and conditions pertaining to each of the seven measures available under the scheme.

The administrative checking of the tranche 15 applications is currently proceeding and it is expected that the ranking and selection process will commence shortly. The persons named will be informed directly, in writing, of the outcome of their application.

The Climate Action Plan, which set a target of 936,000 electric vehicles to be on the road in Ireland by 2030, includes a range of actions to support the uptake of electric vehicles. These actions include developing the charging network to stay sufficiently ahead of demand.

There are currently over 650 standard public charge points and 96 fast chargers (the majority of which are operated by the ESB) in Ireland. A real-time map showing the ESB charge point locations, including the status and availability of these charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars.

Under the first call for applications from the Climate Action Fund, I approved funding of up to €10 million which will support the ESB to develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network, with the ESB also investing €10 million. This project includes the installation of 140 fast chargers consisting of 90 150kW chargers (each of which will be capable of charging two vehicles simultaneously) and upgrading 50 existing standard chargers to 50kW chargers The project will also involve replacing over 500 existing standard charge points with next generation high reliability models.

This is a multi-annual project and is expected to be fully completed by 2022. The locations of the chargers that will be installed as part of this project have not been finalised. However, a provisional map of the planned network, showing indicative locations, was developed by the ESB and has been published on my Department’s website.

Budget 2020 provided €36 million in funding to my Department to support the uptake of electric vehicles and supporting charging infrastructure. In August, I announced funding to support the rollout of on-street public charge points for electric vehicles. A total of €2 million has been provided in Budget 2020 to support the installation of up to 400 on-street chargers in 2020. All Local Authorities can now apply for funding to the SEAI for this support to develop on-street charging infrastructure.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 174 together.

The two engagements with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment referenced by the Deputy reflect the position set out in the National Broadband Plan procurement documents, most notably the Project Information Memorandum (PIM) published by my Department. The PIM states clearly that there is no obligation to reimburse any Bidder, regardless of whether or not the procurement results in the award of a contract. The procurement process is ongoing and continues until contract award.

The Government Decision of 7 May 2019 means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract for the NBP to the Bidder. This award is subject to the completion of the final stage of the procurement process, including finalisation of financial and legal documents.

I understand my officials, in the course of their detailed and comprehensive engagements with the Joint Oireachtas Committee, sought to provide the maximum amount of information, including with regard to the status of the preferred bidder.

The roll out of 5G services across Ireland will be important to meeting the country’s future connectivity needs; 5G will offer improvements in services and unlock new opportunities to businesses, communities and citizens across the State.

Ireland is a front runner in supporting the adoption of 5G services and exploring its potential capabilities. The State’s early allocation of the 3.6Ghz spectrum in 2017, (the first in Europe) and the actions to remove commercial barriers to 5G rollouts, undertaken through the Government’s Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce are both key enablers to ensuring 5G becomes a reality in Ireland at the earliest opportunity. The recent announcements by a number of commercial operators to launch 5G services is therefore a welcome development.

The future connectivity needs of citizens will be met by a combination of solutions, that will include 5G along with a range of complementary services including 4G and 3G, together with fixed high speed broadband services, such as those that will be provided under National Broadband Plan. ComReg's report on Meeting Consumers' Connectivity Needs (https://www.comreg.ie/improving-connectivity-in-ireland-challenges-solutions-and-actions/) highlights this point.

In order to deliver on the ambition set out in the Climate Action Plan, my Department is developing the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The RESS has been designed within a competitive auction-based, cost effective framework and the scheme will provide for a renewable electricity (RES-E) ambition of 70% by 2030. The draft National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (NECP) sets out contributions, targets and objectives at national level in emissions and energy including renewable energy to 2030 and the planned policies and measures to achieve these based on the actions set out in the Climate Action Plan. The final NECP will be published before the end of 2019.

EirGrid has recently published its Tomorrow's Energy Scenarios 2019 which sets out a range of pathways for delivering Ireland's energy transition, with specific focus on the electricity system over the next twenty years. This document is framed against government targets at national and European level for decarbonisation of the energy sector and a large increase in electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030.

The Tomorrow's Energy Scenarios are a matter for EirGrid as transmission system operator and the Minister has no function in their evaluation.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 168, 175 and 176 together.

As a State intervention, the NBP must comply with the requirements of the European Commission’s Guidelines on the application of the State aid rules on broadband. The Guidelines require, amongst other things, that Member States carry out a detailed mapping exercise to identify as far as reasonably possible those areas where intervention is required.

Since July 2013, the Department has engaged in an extensive process of mapping broadband availability in Ireland in order to identify premises requiring State intervention. The mapping exercise has been supported by a number of public consultations which have elicited significant response from industry and the public. The most significant changes to the NBP Map took place in 2017. The Department added a further 84,500 premises to the Intervention Area where commercial investment plans previously provided to the Department had failed to materialise. The update also removed 300,000 premises from the intervention area on the basis of what was then a planned infrastructure build, that eir entered into a Commitment Agreement in respect of. An updated NBP Map was then published in April 2017 encompassing 540,000 premises in the intervention area for the purposes of the NBP procurement.

A further consultation on the NBP Map was held in January 2018. Responses from industry were limited and the NBP Map remained unchanged for the purposes of Final Tender in September 2018.

My Department recently conducted a public consultation to close the ongoing mapping exercise, seeking submissions from operators who wish to have their existing high speed broadband networks, or who have developed plans to invest in high speed broadband networks over the next 7 years, to be included on the Department’s High Speed Broadband Map. That consultation was extended twice at the request of operators, resulting in a total nine week period for submissions and it closed on 30th September 2019.

As part of the consultation, over 180 submissions were received from a variety of stakeholders, including 30 from large and small commercial telecommunications operators, with the remainder from local authority broadband officers and members of the public.

Operator submissions are assessed against the Department’s published assessment criteria. Operators submitting planned investments are required to sign a declaration that they will enter into a Commitment Agreement with the Department if their plans satisfy the assessment criteria and are accepted by the Department as being concrete and credible.

The findings of the consultation, which will be available in the coming weeks, will ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and that it reflects commercial operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, in advance of a contract being signed later this year. This will be an important element in concluding the State Aid approval process with the European Commission.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together.

My Department recently conducted a public consultation to close the ongoing mapping exercise, seeking submissions from operators who wish to have their existing high speed broadband networks, or who have developed plans to invest in high speed broadband networks over the next 7 years, to be included on the Department’s High Speed Broadband Map.That consultation was extended twice at the request of operators, resulting in a total nine week period for submissions and it closed on 30th September 2019.

My Department received over 180 responses from a variety of stakeholders, including 30 from large and small telecoms operators, with the remainder from local authority broadband officers and members of the public.

Operator submissions are assessed against the Department’s published assessment criteria. Operators submitting planned investments are required to sign a declaration that they will enter into a Commitment Agreement with my Department if their plans satisfy the assessment criteria and are accepted as being concrete and credible.

The findings of the consultation, which will be available in the coming weeks, will ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and that it reflects commercial operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, in advance of a contract being signed later this year. This is an important element in concluding the State Aid approval process with the EU Commission.

The NBP contract provides a mechanism for National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to apply for compensation for encroachment where other commercial operators have deployed a future proofed high speed broadband service in advance of NBI's own deployment in the intervention area.

This subsidy is capped and can only be applied for where my Department determines a commercial deployment of high speed broadband meets the requirements set out in the NBP contract, specifically a deployment of a fibre or equivalent high speed broadband technology, and that this deployment has had a negative impact on NBI's business case. The mapping consultation, which will confirm the intervention area prior to contract award, will reduce the risk of this element of contingency subsidy being required.

The specific capped subsidy for such operator encroachment, should it arise, forms part of contingency funding of €480 million (excluding VAT).

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

According to my Department’s high speed broadband map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, the premises referred to by the Deputy are ones which are in the BLUE area.

BLUE areas are parts of the country where commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. The Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.

Where a citizen living in a Blue area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would encourage them to email my Department at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with their Eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted and the issues encountered in respect of accessing high speed broadband.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I welcome the publication of the Transport Omnibus 2018 by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and note its findings. I have not met with my officials to discuss it but they will review the statistics and trends contained in it as standard.

Primary responsibility for prevention and detection of migrant smuggling/human trafficking rests with An Garda Síochána. As such, the introduction of the use of detectors falls under the responsibility for the Minister for Justice and Equality.

The categories of vehicles are set out in the EU Driving Licences Directives which form the framework for our national legislation. Small commercial vehicles fall into either Category B or C depending on the weight of the vehicle. Category B covers vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) not exceeding 3,500kg. This is the average car category. Category C covers vehicles, other than buses, with a MAM exceeding 3,500kg and can be combined with a trailer where the MAM of the trailer is no greater than 750kg. Category CE covers Category C vehicles where the trailer is greater than 750kg. Category C1 covers Category C vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 7,500kg and can be combined with a trailer where the MAM of the trailer is no greater than 750kg. Category C1E covers Category C1 vehicles where the trailer is greater than 750kg but the combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12,000kg.

Vehicle are grouped into categories as it is not possible to have categories for every individual type of vehicle.

Separately you may be interested to know that one of the proposals in the Mobility Package currently being finalised at European level is to bring vehicles with a permissible laden mass in excess of 2.4 tonne (i.e. light commercial vehicles) into scope for road transport operator licensing for international road transport. Currently only vehicles with a permissible laden mass in excess of 3.5 tonne are licensed for international road transport of goods for hire or reward.

The frequency of periodic roadworthiness testing for commercial vehicles is governed by Article 5 of Directive 2014/45/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014. Member States cannot exceed the testing intervals for different categories of vehicles laid down by the Directive.

The testing intervals for commercial vehicles registered in Ireland are set by Regulation 6 of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (as amended). The Vehicle Testing Regulations transpose into Irish law, many of the obligations set by Directive 2014/45/EU.

The roadworthiness standards for a vehicle can deteriorate when it is declared off the road as not only can the vehicle continue to be used on private property, some components such as tyres will degrade naturally over time. For these reasons it is not anticipated that vehicles that are declared off the road will have their due dates for periodic roadworthiness testing extended in any way.

The overriding concern of my Department and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which has responsibility for aviation safety regulation, is to ensure that aviation safety is a priority. Concerns with regard to aviation safety, arising from the two tragic accidents involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, has resulted in the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It is of paramount importance that any and all aviation safety concerns are addressed, and time must be permitted for this very important work to be completed. This is a matter for the Aviation Safety Authorities worldwide, including the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the United States and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), of which Ireland is a Member.

My Department and the IAA are actively monitoring the ongoing work by Boeing, the FAA and EASA and the aircraft will only be returned to service when all safety concerns have been comprehensively addressed and resolved.

Expressway services are operated by Bus Éireann on a commercial basis in a similar fashion to any other commercial licensed bus service. Commercial licensed bus services do not receive any taxpayer funding, in contrast to those socially necessary but financially unviable services which make up the Public Service Obligation (PSO) network. Decisions regarding commercial licensed bus services, including fares, are matters for the operator concerned, subject to the licensing arrangements of the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The NTA has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to PSO public passenger transport services. I have, therefore, referred that part of the Deputy's question relating to PSO services to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing capital funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the upgrading, improvement and development of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycle and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including the management of public bike schemes.

Decisions regarding contracts, operation and expansion of existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Noting the NTA's statutory responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management, including noise abatement measures, for individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

The PSO funding provided to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Eireann and Bus Átha Cliath in 2009 is as follows:

Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. I have, therefore, referred the part of the Deputy’s question which relates to 2010 onwards to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

As the Deputy is aware, I announced last week Government's approval for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the proposed purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars to increase capacity across the Greater Dublin Area rail network.

This project, which will increase capacity by around 34% on the Kildare, Maynooth and Northern lines in the morning peak time, will cost approximately €150 million and the first of the carriages are expected to commence entry into service by end 2021.

Obviously, expenditure of this nature involving the investment of considerable taxpayer resources, must comply with the Public Spending Code which sets out the roles and responsibilities of public authorities in relation to public expenditure generally. For this project, Iarnród Éireann is the Sponsoring Agency and the National Transport Authority (NTA) exercises the role of the Sanctioning Authority.

Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy question to the NTA for further details and direct reply on the specific issues raised. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The procurement and or refurbishment of rolling stock is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance who, in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), continue to examine how best to source additional rolling stock as efficiently and effectively as possible and ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.

In this regard and as the Deputy is aware, an option considered by Iarnród Éireann / NTA to increase fleet capacity was the proposed refurbishment and reintroduction of older train sets back into service. This option was ruled out following market consultations which returned costs far in excess of those originally expected and which meant the option did not represent value for money.

Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA, for direct reply regarding the issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The attached table sets our the meetings I have had involving Chairpersons of agencies and companies under the aegis of my Department from my appointment as Minister, to date.

The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund opened for applications on 19th November 2018 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 17th April 2019.

72 applications were received in total. Details of all applications received have been published on the Department's website. The detailed evaluation process has also been published on the Department's website.

As set out in this evaluation process, applicants were given an opportunity to provide corrected and amended documentation, where necessary, in support of applications. This part of the process is now complete and detailed assessment work of the applications has commenced. In view of the detailed information contained in each application I expect that it will be towards the end of this year before any allocations are announced.

As the Deputy will be aware, this is primarily a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have forwarded this question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

I understand that the Deputy is referencing a report that appeared in the Irish Examiner on Thursday, 31 October, which referenced an inspection by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency of the service in question.

Matters relating to inspections of services are an operational matter for Tusla. I have requested that Tusla respond to the Deputy directly on this issue.

So far, €32,759.81 (inc. VAT) has been spent on social media posts to raise parental awareness of the National Childcare Scheme and the entitlements it will provide. One third of this spending (€10, 919.93) went to Instagram, and two thirds (€21,839.88) to Facebook.

These posts were targeted towards the 18-40 age bracket as well as the HKWK (House Keepers with Kids) demographic.

Entirely separate to this, Department officials maintain a dedicated National Childcare Scheme Facebook page which the Department uses to publicise the latest news on the Scheme to both providers and parents. Our following and engagement on this platform has been completely organic and all work on it has been internal within the Department, with no payments to external or third party providers.

The Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Capital Funding Programme is administered by Pobal, on behalf of my Department.

I understand that Pobal are in on-going contact with the applicant to resolve outstanding issues with her application, including Tusla registration. I understand that Pobal expects these issues to be resolved shortly.

Officials in my Department are currently compiling the information as requested by the Deputy. This information will be supplied to the Deputy in no later than 10 working days. I have asked my officials to follow up on this to ensure delivery as a matter of urgency.

The announcement of successful projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2019 took place in Killawalla Community Hall, Co. Mayo on 30th October 2019. On foot of the announcement, 156 rural towns and villages across the country are set to benefit from €15 million in funding under the scheme.

Officials from my Department worked with Mayo County Council and the local community to stage the event in Killawalla. Other than €455.78 incurred in relation to photography services, my Department incurred no expenditure in relation to the event.

My Department was established in July 2017 with an important mandate to promote rural and community development and help to build vibrant sustainable communities across the country.

My Department is achieving this through a range of funding schemes and initiatives and has, as outlined in its published Statement of Strategy, prioritised communicating with the general public in relation to the range of supports available to assist communities and those in rural Ireland.

For example, my Department administers the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, a €1 billion investment by government in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027. We are also delivering schemes such as the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme (€250 million) and Community Development Programmes, to which my Department will allocate €158 million in 2020 alone.

As part of my Department’s ongoing communications strategy, we have undertaken a number of measures to meet our communications objectives, including:

- The staging of a series of Rural Opportunity events held across the country in early 2019, attended by the public and community and voluntary representatives, with a view to raising awareness of the supports available across Government; and

- The delivery of a complementary supporting programme of workshop events entitled "Helping Hands” held in regional locations which set out to assist less experienced community groups and organisations in accessing funding schemes and programmes.

In order to build on this progress, my Department recently commissioned a series of videos detailing 10 case-studies which highlight key rural and community schemes and programmes operated by this Department. The video referred to by the Deputy is the first in that series.

The videos were funded directly by my Department at a cost of €26,610 with a further €5,000 allocated (€500 per video) for online promotion. Production services for the videos were sourced through a tendering process overseen by the Office of Government Procurement. No other Departments were involved directly in the preparation, production or promotion of the videos.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred on 27 September 2019 to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

I am pleased that the Government recently approved significant elements of my design for an automatic enrolment retirement savings system. These include key decisions in relation to the target membership, the contribution rates, the policies in relation to opting-out and re-enrolment, the administrative arrangements and organisational approach and the investment options.

As stated in the 'The Roadmap for Pensions Reform', the Government proposes to begin implementation of a supplementary retirement savings system, known as Automatic Enrolment (AE), by 2022. AE will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. The saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out.

In relation to an early drawdown option for a mortgage deposit, while such an approach may appear reasonable and improve the attractiveness of AE for some people, the core policy objective of AE is to ensure adequate retirement savings. Therefore, facilitating early access to pension savings could potentially compromise overall retirement adequacy. In this regard, it is worth bearing in mind that early access to pension funds for house deposits or for other similar reasons is not currently possible for those with existing supplementary pensions in Ireland.

Given that allowing people to access their pensions early is contrary to achieving the policy goal of pension adequacy, the Government has decided that a limited number of ‘Savings Suspension periods’ will be facilitated in the AE system for members who wish to temporarily cease making contributions. These savings suspension periods could be used when a person wishes to save for a house deposit, for instance. In such cases, employer and State contributions will also cease.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 203 and 211 together.

I am pleased that the Government recently approved significant elements of my design for an automatic enrolment retirement savings system. These include key decisions in relation to the target membership, the contribution rates, the policies in relation to opting-out and re-enrolment, the administrative arrangements and organisational approach and the investment options.

As stated in the 'The Roadmap for Pensions Reform', the Government proposes to begin implementation of a supplementary retirement savings system, known as Automatic Enrolment (AE), by 2022. AE will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. The saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out.

There are five main areas where work is on-going so as to produce design options for Government to consider. These areas relate to: the scope and role of the Central Processing Authority; the design of the State financial incentive; the nature and functions of the Registered Providers; the investment framework and funds to be offered by Registered Providers, including the design of the default fund, and also the pay-out phase; and the phasing of implementation.

In relation to the operational arrangements of the CPA, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection was successful in obtaining technical support from the EU-Structural Reform Support Service (EU-SRSS). This European Commission service provides targeted support to member states implementing administrative and institutional reforms. In this regard, my officials are being assisted by the EU-SRSS in developing proposals on the design, scope, governance, and financing costs of the CPA, which will be prepared for Government before the end of the year. Thereafter, once the CPA design is selected and approved by Government, legislation will have to be drafted and enacted. The intention is that work on the legislation will commence in 2020.

With regard to the issue of a State financial incentive, while the issue of tax incentives within wider supplementary pensions is under the remit of the Department of Finance, the issue of financial incentives for private pensions formed part of the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Groups (IDPRTG) Consultation on Supplementary Pensions Reform. On the basis of the findings from this review, the responses to the Strawman consultation, and ongoing research and consultation with experts from around the world, a set of options on the design of a State incentive for AE will be brought to Government in the first quarter 2020.

In relation to the nature and functions of the Registered Providers, the wider investment framework for AE and the pay-out phase, a set of proposals on these will also be submitted to Government for its consideration in the first quarter of 2020.

In terms of the resources allocated to achieve this commitment, a full time ‘Automatic Enrolment Programme Management Office’ (PMO) has been established within my Department. In addition, an Inter-departmental ‘Automatic Enrolment Programme Board’ has been set up to provide the strategic direction for the development of the AE system. Furthermore, as the AE system is implemented, additional resources will be put in place as and when required and appropriate.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputies.

The new social inclusion strategy "Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2019-2025", is being finalised and I expect that it will be published shortly.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 213 together.

I am pleased that the Government recently approved significant elements of my design of an automatic enrolment retirement savings system which will commence in 2022.

It has long been recognised that supplementary pension coverage in Ireland among private sector workers is too low. It is estimated that just 35% of private sector workers have supplementary pension coverage through either occupational or private pension schemes. This can lead to these workers being reliant solely on the State Pension in retirement, which may result in a significant and unwanted reduction in their living standards.

In order to address this challenge, the Government has committed to begin implementation of a supplementary retirement savings system, known as Automatic Enrolment (AE), by 2022. AE will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. The saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out. Moreover, the AE system is being designed to complement existing private pension provision, and in no way conflicts with the current private pension landscape.

Key decisions have now been made in relation to the target membership, the contribution rates, the policies in relation to opting-out and re-enrolment, the administrative arrangements and organisational approach and the investment options.

In relation to the target membership, employees aged between 23 and 60, who earn more than €20,000 a year (across all employments) and are not already contributing to a workplace pension, will be automatically enrolled. Employees who are existing members of a pension scheme/contract that meets prescribed minimum standards and contribution levels will not be automatically enrolled for the employment to which that pension relates.

The introduction of AE will help to ensure that workers in the private sector are enrolled in quality assured pension schemes which, by supplementing the State Pension, will provide an adequate income in retirement.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputies.

The Community Employment Scheme (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

The programme is delivered through independent Community Employment Sponsoring Bodies. The contract agreement between the Department and the Community Employment Sponsoring Body establishes their role as an independent contractor, responsible for or all purposes and all persons recruited by them.

CE Supervisors have always been employees of Community Employment Sponsoring Bodies which operate in the community and voluntary sector. The Community Employment Sponsoring Body receives public funding.

The Department received the Adjudication Officer’s Decision on Monday 4th November. It is reviewing the Decision at present and is seeking legal advice on it.

The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 8 August 2019. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that this lady was substantially restricted in taking up employment. She was also deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for her circumstances.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 24 October 2019 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). No request for an appeal or review has been received to date.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 28 August 2019.

Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 2 November 2019.

Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

As there has been no decision on this application to date, there is no decision to appeal and therefore no appeal in process.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 2 September 2019.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 9 September to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

CA was awarded to the person concerned on 2 November 2019 with effect from 5 September 2019. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 7 November 2019.

Arrears of allowance due from 5 September 2019 to 6 November 2019 will issue to her nominated bank account on 7 November 2019 also.

The person concerned was notified on 2 November 2019 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

To qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, the person concerned or their late spouse or civil partner must have a certain number of PRSI contributions. The person concerned applied for widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's Contributory Pension in June 2018. The application was disallowed as the minimum contributions required were not met.

Widowed persons aged under 66 with dependant children, who do not have sufficient contributions paid to qualify for the contributory pension, are eligible to apply for One Parent Family Payment. The person concerned is in receipt of this payment at the maximum rate, together with an allowance for each of their dependant children. They have also qualified for the fuel allowance which is payable during the winter months.

The person concerned was awarded a Widowed Parent Grant of €6,000 in July 2018, a once off grant for widowed parents with dependent children who are in receipt of a qualifying payment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

I am pleased that the Government recently approved significant elements of my design for an automatic enrolment retirement savings system. These include key decisions in relation to the target membership, the contribution rates, the policies in relation to opting-out and re-enrolment, the administrative arrangements and organisational approach and the investment options.

As stated in the 'The Roadmap for Pensions Reform', the Government proposes to begin implementation of a supplementary retirement savings system, known as Automatic Enrolment (AE), by 2022. AE will see a transition from the current and purely voluntary system to one which will, subject to certain parameters, automatically enrol employees into a quality assured retirement savings system. The saver will maintain the freedom of choice to opt-out.

There are five main areas where work is on-going so as to produce design options for Government to consider. These areas relate to the design of: the State financial incentive; the scope and role of the Central Processing Authority; the nature and functions of the Registered Providers; the investment framework and funds to be offered by Registered Providers, including the design of the default fund, and also the pay-out phase; and the phasing of implementation.

With respect to a State financial incentive, the Strawman proposal gave the illustrative example that the State could contribute €1 for every €3 contributed by the individual to their pension fund. However, the level of the State incentive and its interaction with the existing marginal rate of tax relief scheme for occupational pensions was one of the issues that generated much debate in the consultation process.

While the issue of State incentives within wider supplementary pensions is under the remit of the Department of Finance, it formed part of the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Groups (IDPRTG) Consultation on Supplementary Pensions Reform. On the basis of the findings from this review, the responses to the Strawman consultation, and ongoing research and consultation with experts around the world, a set of options on the design of a financial incentive for AE will be brought to Government in the first quarter of 2020.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was received from this lady on the 30th September 2019. Applications received mid August 2019 are currently being finalised. The application will be considered by a deciding officer in due course and the decision notified to her as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

Ballymore Eustace is currently producing water in compliance with water quality standards, it does not feature on the EPA’s remedial action list and is not subject to any water use notices or restrictions.

Leixlip water treatment plant is operated by Fingal County Council through a Service Level Agreement on behalf of Irish Water.

I am extremely concerned that this plant has been the subject of two boil water notices in quick succession, albeit for different reasons.

Following the October boil water notice incident, Irish Water and Fingal County Council have implemented automatic plant shutdown on high turbidity if there is a failure to respond to an alarm within 15 minutes.

In the case of the current (November) Boil Water Notice, the plant operators reacted quickly, before alarms were activated, and shut down the ‘Old Plant’ at Leixlip. Irish Water’s engineering team are currently assessing the plant in detail to determine the actions necessary to return the plant to full production and to ensure that the plant is resilient into the future.

The turbidity issues now arising are linked to the need to upgrade the older part of this treatment plant to improve the performance of the plant. In particular, the EPA has identified in its audits that the filters at the plant need to be upgraded.

It is a matter for the EPA and the HSE as regulators – and for Irish Water as the water utility, working with the local authority, to ensure that national standards are complied with.

I have spoken to the Managing Director of Irish Water and the CEO of Fingal County Council and will be meeting with them to discuss the issues in detail. I have also requested that the EPA provide me with a full report on that incident.

Our water and wastewater systems both require substantial and sustained investment: to bring the systems up to the standards of a modern service; to provide for population growth and to build resilience in the face of climate change.

The Government has approved the Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024 comprising of a €6.1bn investment in infrastructure and assets and €4.9bn in operating costs.

Both Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council have prepared a Vacant Homes Action Plan for their administrative areas.

In August 2017, I requested all local authorities to designate vacant home officers to co-ordinate local actions to address vacancy and also to undertake local vacancy surveys in order to identify - through their Vacant Homes Action Plans - priority "vacancy hot-spot areas" and properties that can be quickly brought back into residential use.

The role and range of duties of the Vacant Homes Office within each local authority includes (but is not be limited to) establishing a co-ordinated approach towards the implementation of the Action Plans, i.e. developing appropriate referral and feedback systems between relevant sections who may be dealing with vacant homes/properties in each local authority, undertaking initial vacancy assessment exercise (drilling into available vacancy data), and carrying out or co-ordinating visual inspections / assessment of residential properties in their administrative area, with a view to identifying possible vacant recoverable homes.

Where local authorities identify a potentially long term vacant residential dwelling, and the owner can be identified the local authority attempts to engage with the owners on the options available to assist in bringing their properties back into use for in the liveable housing stock.

Since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland, in the region of 553 vacant homes have been re-introduced to the liveable housing stock, primarily through our Repair and Lease, and Buy and Renew initiatives. Local authorities are also working hard to bring homes back into use by acquiring dwellings in unfinished estates, liaising with financial institutions on their vacant property portfolios and utilising CPO powers to acquire empty properties. These recovered properties aid us in the ongoing effort to meeting our commitments under Pillar 5 of Rebuilding Ireland, which sets out a range of measures to assist in meeting Ireland’s housing needs by ensuring that Ireland’s existing housing stock is used to the greatest extent possible.

My Department has also made legislative amendments in support of the reactivation of the optimum number of vacant residential properties. New exempted development Regulations which came into operation in early 2018, allow for the change of use, and any related works, of certain vacant commercial premises to residential use without the need to obtain planning permission. We also introduced Regulations late last year to provide clarity on the application of Disability Access Certificates to existing buildings when brought back into reuse.

Having regard to potentially vacant space above retail space, my Department has recently launched the Bringing Back Homes – Manual for the reuse of existing buildings, to help property owners, the public, local authorities and the construction industry to developing vacant buildings and space over commercial property. Bringing Back Homes aims to help increase housing supply as well as rejuvenate town centres and city streets. Publication of the manual was a commitment under Action 5.21 of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness and is also referenced in the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy. Amongst other things, the manual provides a suite of reuse options for common building types and elaborates on the complexity associated with each option giving an overview of the technical requirements associated with creating ‘over the shop’ space into residential units.

In order to more accurately determine the levels of long-term, vacant but recoverable dwellings that can be re-introduced into the liveable housing stock, the Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency, the CSO and the local government sector, developed a survey methodology in relation to locating vacant housing and a pilot field-based survey was undertaken across six local authorities (Cork City Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Limerick City and County Council, Mayo County Council, Meath County Council, Waterford City and County Council.)

Each participating local authority visually inspected approximately 1,200 homes each, recording the location of potentially vacant properties, and where possible, recording apparent reasons for vacancy and categorising each vacant home (with a view to prioritising those which are seen as most likely to be re-introduced into the liveable housing stock). To identify long-term vacancy, the pilot requires two visual inspections, six months apart, with those houses occupied between the two inspections disregarded.

The participating local authorities have completed their work on the pilot vacancy identification survey and my Department are analysing the results of the pilot survey and is currently considering the outcomes to determine whether there would be significant value in rolling out the survey on a national basis.

While neither Cavan County Council nor Monaghan County Council were involved in the pilot vacancy survey, both have requested access to the GIS application that was used during the pilot, which will allow them visually inspect and log potentially long-term vacant properties in their administrative area, which could be re-introduced into the liveable housing stock.

Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of persons who are entered in the register of electors, including electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability.

Section 66(2) of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that the receipt sent with the ballot paper to postal voters must be in the form directed by the Minister and must have printed thereon the instructions to the voter. For a postal voter with a physical illness or disability the receipt requires the signature of the postal voter and not that of a Garda. The signed receipt, together with the marked ballot paper is then returned to the returning officer in the ballot paper envelope provided.

While some applications for entry onto the supplement to the register of electors require Garda verification, this is not the case for application for entry onto the supplements to the register of electors or the postal voters list by persons with a physical illness or physical disability.

The Government is firmly committed to public water services remaining in public ownership, as reflected in the Water Services Acts and in the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025. This position is consistent with the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services (April 2017) which supported the concept of a referendum, while recommending that the status of group water schemes and private wells remain unchanged.

Provisions for a referendum are contained in the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016, a Private Member's Bill initiated by Deputy Joan Collins, and currently at Dáil Committee Stage. Detailed examination of the Bill, undertaken in consultation with the Attorney General, has highlighted a number of unacceptable risks which I have shared with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government (the Committee). The Office of the Parliamentary Legal Adviser has separately advised the Committee in relation to the Bill.

My response has been to seek to bring forward appropriate amendments to the Bill. In November 2018, I received Government approval for the priority drafting of proposed amendments which will focus on retaining the entity charged with the provision of public water services in public ownership.

Good progress on a revised wording proposal continues to be made by the Attorney General’s office in conjunction with my Department. On 15 July 2019 I advised the Committee that I am working towards concluding a revised wording proposal. I will write to the Committee again shortly to update it on this matter.

I am not aware of any social housing units funded under the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), which have been sold by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).

AHBs in general operate as providers of social housing, and their approach is set out in their own internal rules (including Memorandum and Articles of Association). Accordingly, I do not expect that the disposal of their social housing stock would ordinarily arise.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.

Both our water and wastewater systems require substantial and sustained investment: to bring the systems up to the standards of a modern service; to provide for population growth and to build resilience in the face of climate change.

The Government has approved the Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024 comprising of a €6.1bn investment in infrastructure and assets and €4.9bn in operating costs and Irish Water will be able to meet any requirements for improvement works at Leixlip from this funding.

This significant multi-billion euro investment plan will support the continued operation, repair and upgrading of the country's water and wastewater infrastructure to support social and economic development across the State and protection of the water environment and public health.

Cuireann mo Roinn idir chúnamh chaipitil agus reatha ar fáil i dtaca le clár leathan a chuidíonn leis an nGaeilge agus an nGaeltacht. Áirítear anseo an maoiniú do scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge faoi seach, maoiniú d'Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge agus maoiniú d'Oifig an Choimisnéir Teanga.

Ina theannta sin, ar ndóigh, tá ciste pleanála teanga faoi leith ann faoina ndéantar maoiniú ar bhonn leanúnach ar chur i bhfeidhm an phróisis pleanála teanga agus bearta faoi leith atá dlúthbhainteach leis.

Maidir leis an gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga atá á riar ag mo Roinn ar leas na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht go príomha, beidh €7.37m ar fáil in 2020. Bainfear leas as an gcistíocht seo chun an trí scéim faoi leith a thagann faoina scáth a mhaoiniú eadhon: Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga agus Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh. Ina theannta sin, bainfear leas as an gciste reatha seo chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil do thuairim is 12 eagraíocht Ghaeltachta ar leas na gclár oibre comhaontaithe atá á gcur i bhfeidhm acu go bliantúil ar son an phróisis pleanála teanga sa Ghaeltacht.

Comhthreomhar leis an gcúnamh reatha, tá cistíocht ar fiú €2.322m á cur ar fáil faoin gclár in 2020 a mbainfear leas as chun cabhrú tuilleadh le forbairt áiseanna pobail agus teanga sa Ghaeltacht.

Foilseofar sonraí iomlán an chaiteachais seo ar shuíomh mo Roinne ag deireadh na bliana ina ndéanfar rianú beacht ar an gcaoi a chaitheadh an soláthar airgid iomlán atá luaite faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga agus an próiseas pleanála teanga faoi seach.

Mar a bhaineann le réimse gnímh Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, leanfar ar aghaidh ag maoiniú na n-eagraíochtaí agus tograí céanna in 2020 agus atáthar ag mhaoiniú i mbliana, tograí a bhfuil obair leanúnach ag baint leo. Maoineofar eagraíochtaí atá gníomhach sna réimsí gnó agus cultúrtha agus sna réimsí teicneolaíochta agus digitithe.

Leanfaidh mo Roinn ag cur maoinithe ar fáil d’institiúidí idirnáisiúnta agus clár Fulbright agus ICUF ar mhaithe le teagasc na Gaeilge agus dea-thoil i leith na Gaeilge agus an chultúir Ghaelaigh i gcoitinne a spreagadh agus a chothú trasna na hEorpa, sna Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, i gCeanada agus níos faide ó bhaile. Faoi láthair, tá maoiniú á dhéanamh ar cúrsaí in os cionn 40 institiúidí tríú leibhéal thar lear agus tá súil againn cur leis seo sna blianta amach romhainn.

Leanfaidh mo Roinn leis an maoiniú do thionscnaimh a thacaíonn le stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil agus oibre den Aontas Eorpach. Áiríonn na tionscnaimh sin, mar shampla, forbairt bhunachar sonraí téarmaíochta an AE i nGaeilge atá á dhéanamh ag Fiontar, Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath agus scéim intéirneachta i réimse an aistriúchain sna hinstitiúdí Eorpach.

Sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, Éire 2040, fógraíodh ciste caipitil de €13m a bheidh ar fáil go dtí 2027 ar mhaithe le hionaid Ghaeilge a fhorbairt ar fud na tíre, agus béim ar leith ar na Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta, na Líonraí Gaeilge agus na ceantair sin ina bhfuil feidhm le Scéim Phobail Ghaeilge de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge. Tá mo Roinn ag plé le cúig eagraíocht faoi láthair maidir le hiarratis caipitil, agus súil againn go mbeidh borradh faoin obair seo de bharr na dtograí seo agus tograí eile a thiocfaidh chun cinn an bhliain seo chugainn.

Anuas air sin, tá tacaíocht an Rialtas d'fhorbairt Ionad Gaeilge agus Cultúir i lár chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath leagtha amach sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, Tionscadal Éire 2040. Tá coiste stiúrtha curtha ar bun agus staidéar féideartheachta maoinithe ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le 6 Sráid Fhearchair, Ceannceathrú Chonradh na Gaeilge, a fhorbairt mar lárionad Ghaeilge. Tá i gceist iarratas ar chead pleanála don fhorbairt a chur isteach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo.

Oifig an Choimisnéir Teanga

Leanfaidh an oifig seo lena ról thábhachtach maidir leis an nGaeilge ó thaobh monatóireacht, imscrúduithe, comhairle agus tuairisciú tríd an maoiniú atá curtha ar fáil di ó mo Roinn do 2020.

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Maidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, fógraíodh sa Cháinaisnéis le déanaí, go mbeidh €1m breise in airgead caipitil á fháil ag an eagraíocht in 2020 chun a leithdháileadh ar bhun-chaipiteal a thabhairt suas go dtí €10m, méadú de bhreis agus 11% le hais 2019. Is cinnte go gcabhróidh an chistíocht bhreise sin leis an Údarás poist a choinneáil ina gcliantchuideachtaí sa Ghaeltacht agus tuilleadh infheistíochta a mhealladh go ceantair Ghaeltachta.

Ár ndóigh fógraíodh sa cháinaisnéis chomh maith go gcuirfear €200,000 breise in airgead reatha ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2020 le dáileadh ar na heagraíochtaí pobalbhunaithe agus comharchumainn Ghaeltachta atá á maoiniú ag an eagraíocht. Sin ós cionn €1m nó méadú de 25%, in airgead breise atá curtha ar fáil don earnáil thábhachtach seo le trí bliana anuas.

Straitéis Fiche-Bliain Don Ghaeilge 2010 - 2030

Is é an Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 a d’fhoilsigh mo Roinn i mí Meithimh 2018 an mapa bóthair atá leagtha amach chun cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú na Straitéíse 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge don tréimhse cúig bliana ó 2018 go dtí 2022. Is ann a leagtar amach cad atá beartaithe a dhéanamh sa tréimhse sin chun tuilleadh cúraim a dhéanamh den Ghaeilge agus den Ghaeltacht mar a bhaineann sé leis na naoi réimse gnímh faoi leith atá luaite sa Straitéis.

Mar atá ráite agam go minic roimhe seo, ag croílár an Phlean Gníomhaíochta, tá na bearta comhaontaithe a leagtar amach ann. Tá breis agus 180 díobh ann, a chuirfear i bhfeidhm i gcomhar le os cionn 60 páirtí leasmhar. Leagtar an bhéim is mó ar an méid a dhéanfar go sonrach ar bhonn comhpháirtíochta thar 5 bliana. Tá tráthchlár ama luaite le gach beart agus luaitear chomh maith, ar ndóigh, na páirtithe a bheidh freagrach as na bearta a chur i bhfeidhm.

Tá an próiseas pleanála teanga a fheidhmítear faoi réir fhorálacha Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, lárnach do chur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise. Tá maoiniú suntasach á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn don phróiseas seo le hardú de €0.5m slánaithe trí bhuiséad 2020. Tríd seo, leanfaidh mo Roinn ag maoiniú eagraíochtaí atá gníomhach i gcur i bhfeidhm an phróisis ar an talamh.

An Foras Teanga

Faoin Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann 1999, tá ról reáchtúil ag Foras na Gaeilge chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar bhonn uile-oileáin. Is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn an buiséad d’Fhoras na Gaeilge mar áisíneacht den bhforas trasteorann, An Foras Teanga. In éagmais CATT, tá Foras na Gaeilge ag feidhmiú faoi réir socraithe eatramhaigh ag leibhéal buiséid a ceadaíodh i 2016. Seachas maoiniú bliantúil a chur ar fail, níl aon bhaint ag mo Roinn le riaradh scéimeanna Fhoras na Gaeilge.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service was asked by representatives of the local community to endorse the installation of cattle grids at Glenasmole, Co. Dublin and issued a letter of support in this regard in January of 2016.

The sites in question are at the location of previously existing, now defunct, commonage gates. Such systems were designed in an Ireland where there was very little traffic so the presence of a gate across a road was not a big issue. The gates were used in the past to ensure that sheep remained grazing the open hill rather than returning to the fields lower down.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has no issues with the installation of cattle grids at these sites. The area is designated a Special Area of Conservation for its mixture of heathland types. This is a habitat which requires management by grazing. The presence of a suitable number of sheep on the hill is positive for the favourable conservation of this habitat.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 to 228, inclusive, together.

The legislative base for both parkland and open hare coursing is the Wildlife (Wild Mammals) (Open Seasons) Order 2005 which allows the hunting of hares, including coursing with dogs for “coursing at regulated coursing matches”. The Wildlife Acts defines a regulated coursing match as follows:

"regulated coursing match means a coursing match held in accordance with the rules for such matches which are for the time being both published and approved by the Irish Coursing Club pursuant to the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.”

The majority of coursing meetings organised by the Irish Coursing Club relate to regular park coursing where hares are captured under licence, are kept in a hare park, are released to course over a designated track and then re-released back into the wild. It is my understanding that in open coursing hares are not captured but are already present in the countryside. Clearly, a licence to capture hares is not required for Open coursing events where hares are not captured and as such there is no requirement for all such events to be listed on the schedule to the licence issued to the Irish Coursing Club.

In its opening statement delivered to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 9 July 2019, the ICC made a distinction between Affiliated Clubs and Associated Clubs. My Department was not aware of the distinction. It is a matter for ICC to clarify the legal status of such Associated Clubs and my Department is pursuing this matter with the ICC.

The total funding for my Department allocated in Budget 2020 is €354m – an increase of 5% on 2019 – which represents a cumulative increase of 17% for our culture, language and heritage over the last 2 years. The total funding increase for 2020 is €7.2m in capital expenditure (an increase of 10% on 2019) and over €8m in current expenditure (an increase of 3% on 2019).

Total funding for our Built and Natural Heritage sector in 2020 will amount to €62.5m, up from €54m last year – an increase of over €8m or 15.5% on 2019 – comprising additional capital provision of €6.75m (up 44%) on 2019 and additional current funding of €1.623m.

I have allocated €7m in funding to embark on an accelerated programme of peatlands restoration and conservation works. This programme will result in 1,800 hectares of restored peatland in 2020, generating 100 jobs in the Midlands. It is part of a multi-annual programme which will ultimately lead to the storage of 28 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Restoration and rehabilitation of raised bogs will provide multiple additional ecosystem services such as water and air quality improvements, flood mitigation, enhancing biodiversity, opportunities for tourism development, and contribute to the social and economic well being of local communities.

I have also provided for an additional €1m to accelerate key nature conservation and biodiversity programmes under the National Parks and Wildlife Service to include the recruitment of front line conservation specialists.

The Biodiversity Grants for Local Authorities scheme which I introduced in 2018 will continue in 2020 with €700,000 allocated to assist local authorities with projects that support actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan, including those that target invasive alien species in their areas.

The NPWS Farm Plan programme will also be enhanced by doubling the fund available to €1m to support measures to protect biodiversity and assist farmers with lands designated as Special Areas of Conservation in their role as custodians of nature.

I have also ensured that funding is available to continue to support Ireland’s national parks and reserves including the Tourism Interpretative Masterplan under which the Government is investing to enhance visitor centre experiences and facilities.

Over the past year, I have listened carefully to the extensive public debate on biodiversity loss and the threats to nature. The National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin in February, which I hosted, the development of the Seeds for Nature initiative, the wide ranging public debate on the Heritage Ireland 2030 Plan as well as the extensive engagement across Government on Climate Action were instrumental in my securing significant additional resources for this area.

My Department fully supports the appropriate conservation of Ireland’s rich portfolio of heritage sites, both as important assets in their own right and to optimise their contribution to economic development and tourism promotion. It is in regular and ongoing contact with the Office of Public Works and Fáilte Ireland to agree and devise shared priorities and policy approaches with respect to the management of national monuments and their presentation to visitors from home and abroad.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 233, inclusive, together.

My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which underpin the legislative and policy framework for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage. In particular, the 2011 Regulations transpose two key pieces of EU nature legislation: the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.

The main aim of the Habitats Directive is to contribute towards the conservation of biodiversity by requiring Member States to take measures to maintain or restore natural habitats and wild species listed on the Annexes to the Directive at a favourable conservation status. These annexes list habitats (Annex I) and species (Annexes II, IV and V) which are considered threatened in the EU territory. The listed habitats and species represent a considerable proportion of biodiversity in Ireland and the Directive itself is one of the most important pieces of legislation governing the conservation of biodiversity in Europe.

Under Article 11 of the Directive, Ireland is obliged to undertake surveillance of the conservation status of the natural habitats and species in the Annexes and, under Article 17, to report to the European Commission every six years on their status and on the implementation of the measures taken under the Directive.

In April 2019, Ireland submitted the third assessment of conservation status for 59 habitats and 60 species (including three overview assessments of species at a group level). A further 8 species are considered to be vagrant in Ireland.

The Article 17 report for 2019 is published in 3 volumes: An overview report (Volume 1), released in August 2019, provides more detail on the methodologies, an easy-to-read summary of the results and a list of contributors to the assessments. Volume 2 (Habitats) and Volume 3 (Species) contain the detailed reports and relevant scientific information. The report is available on the NPWS website (https://www.npws.ie/publications/article-17-reports).

While many habitats are still considered to be in unfavourable status, the picture for plant and animal species is substantially better, with over 70% reported as stable or increasing.

Article 12.1 of the Birds Directive states that “Member States shall forward to the Commission every three years, starting from 7 April 1981, a report on the implementation of national provisions taken under this Directive.” In 2008 a new system of bird reporting was developed similar to the reporting format under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive. This also included a transition from a three-year to six-year reporting cycle, synchronised with the reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive. The first report under the revised format covered the period 2008 – 2012 and reported out on Ireland’s regularly occurring breeding species as well as those wintering and passage species that trigger SPA classification.

As part of this reporting obligation Ireland submitted, on schedule, 209 season specific assessments, including assessments for all of Ireland’s regularly occurring breeding species and a large proportion of those species’ populations that occur here during the non-breeding period, to the European Topic Centre on October 31st 2019. Additionally a general report was also transmitted. The 209 ‘species-seasons’ figure can be broken down into:

- 142 assessments of breeding birds (including a short report on one species, Corn Bunting, that went extinct after the Birds Directive came into force);

- 63 wintering accounts with the vast majority related to wintering waterbird populations; and

- four accounts of birds using Ireland’s coastlines or her offshore waters on passage (i.e. three tern species and one shearwater).

Approximately 30% of the breeding species assessed are estimated to have remained stable or increased in abundance over the long-term. This cohort includes those relatively recent colonists with strong population growth including Little Egret, Great Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Bearded Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as our re-introduced raptor species of Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle and Red Kite (along with other raptor species Buzzard and Peregrine). These recent additions to Ireland’s breeding bird community need to be viewed in the context that almost 20% of Ireland’s breeding bird species, and where available data allows, are considered to be in long term decline.

The majority of Ireland’s breeding seabird species’ long term population trends are now reckoned to be either stable or increasing and this follows through to quite consistent population increases within the breeding seabird group (where the available data allows) over the short-term period as well. Gannet continues to increase in abundance and breeding range with a relatively new colony established on Lambay Island off the east coast. In relation to the recorded short term population increases and with regard to the many short term breeding distribution increases it is possible that the increased level of breeding seabird survey effort over the last four years or so may be partially responsible for some of these recorded gains.

Of particular note are the very strong population increases with several of our breeding tern species (e.g. Roseate Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern and Common Tern). At the site level it is evident that targeted conservation measures in the form of wardened tern colonies is resulting in direct and effective conservation positives. However several of these particular species’ estimated long-term breeding range trends are in decline or stagnant which not only reinforces the need for such conservation management interventions but also clearly sets out the on-going obligation that such conservation initiatives are maintained or where necessary (especially with regard to the management of predators) improved.

Robust and contemporary population estimates have been produced for approximately 85% of our breeding seabird species. Work is on-going in my Department with surveys of burrow nesting seabirds (e.g. Puffin, Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel and Leach’s Storm Petrel) located on offshore marine islands.

Due to a lack of available data we have not provided contemporary population estimates for several species, some of which trigger SPA classifications (e.g. Chough, Kingfisher) and others that we have reported in the previous Article 12 round as having undergone significant long-term declines (e.g. Red Grouse, Woodcock with both of these species on Ireland’s Open Seasons Order). Plans to increase the monitoring effort for these species are to be prioritised over the coming years.

Some of our breeding farmland songbirds have been flagged in recent decades as being particularly vulnerable to the modernisation and intensification of agricultural practices. This ongoing change in agricultural practices has led to the extinction of Corn Bunting as a breeding bird in Ireland and has caused significant long term declines to species such as Yellowhammer, Whinchat and Twite for example. The latter two species’ estimated populations are now considered to be both less than 100 pairs.

Countryside Bird Survey data for two ground nesting songbird species which are still relatively abundant and widespread, namely Meadow Pipit and Skylark were used for this reporting round. Their preferred breeding habitats include peatlands and unimproved grasslands, and both populations are in decline with the estimated short term abundance of Meadow Pipit declining by over 12% and for Skylark by almost 11%. Over the last 40 years or so the estimated breeding range of the latter has decreased by almost one quarter. Such estimated declines are of particular concern as both Meadow Pipit and Skylark make up significant proportions of the prey base of some of Ireland’s raptors of conservation concern including Merlin, Kestrel and Hen Harrier. The estimated short term declines for the latter two raptors are estimated to be circa 28% and 10% respectively.

Breeding waders as a group continue to suffer significant declines in both population and breeding range, in both the short- and long-term. Species such as Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Dunlin have declined by 93% or more in the long term. Certain breeding duck populations are also of concern with numbers of breeding Common Scoter continuing to decline to critically low levels. While this species’ range is stable, the population has declined 21-54% in the short-term and 61% in the long-term. The latest assessment of breeding Red-breasted Merganser (which was reproduced from the 2008-2012 reporting period due to a lack of contemporary data) estimates that this breeding population has declined 62% in the short-term.

The vast majority of those wintering populations assessed as part of the Article 12 Reporting process relate to wintering waterbirds. This group includes ducks, geese, swans and waders among others. Due to its geographical location, climate and wetland habitats, Ireland is an important host for hundreds of thousands of visiting waterbirds during the non-breeding/wintering seasons. Due to the relative sizes of their respective biogeographic populations, Ireland is of international importance for several waterbird species including Whooper Swan, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Brent Goose, and Black-tailed Godwit among others. The Article 12 reporting process does not seek information on the wintering range of these species.

Other birds that are not water-birds visit Ireland during the winter but good data to describe them precisely is not currently available.

More detailed data, with regard to the numbers of winter migrant water-birds, is available in the recent Irish Wildlife Manual number 106 published by my Department's NPWS: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM_106_Irelands_Wintering_Waterbirds.pdf.

Information concerning Ireland's Article 12 report can be found at the NPWS website: https://www.npws.ie/status-and-trends-ireland%E2%80%99s-bird-species-%E2%80%93-article-12-reporting

In addition, NPWS and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency are working together with national experts and with the National Biological Data Centres North and South to produce regional Red Lists for the island of Ireland. The production of Red Lists is an action under our National Biodiversity Plans. Red Lists are published on an irregular basis, as datasets and the necessary national expertise for taxonomic groups become available.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) developed the standard Red List approach for dealing with the presentation of information on rare and threatened species. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria were developed in the early nineties to further objectively assess and prioritise species for conservation purposes at a global scale.

Ireland's Red Lists are available on the NPWS website: https://www.npws.ie/publications/red-lists

My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.

In this instance I understand that the Deputy is asking primarily about supports provided by my Department for buildings of historical significance. My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF), administered by the local authorities. This year, my Department awarded €2.5 million to 408 projects under the BHIS and €1.824 million to 70 projects under the HSF.

I will shortly be announcing details of the Historic Structures Fund 2020 and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2020.

Details of these schemes, including the amounts being allocated to each local authority are published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites.

In 2019, my Department has provided €350,000 of funding to the OPW to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. My Department’s National Monuments Service works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. Grant schemes are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website, www.heritagecouncil.ie.

Details of eighty six round towers are included in the records maintained by my Department under the National Monuments Acts. Those that form part of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship, as Minister, are conserved and managed on a day-to-day basis by the Office of Public Works which ensures their long-term preservation and protection. Round towers that comprise national monuments in the ownership of local authorities are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Works at or in their vicinity of any national monument may only be conducted with the formal consent of the Minister under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended).

Other round towers may also be in local authority ownership, or may be in the ownership of other organisations or individuals. The upkeep of such structures is the responsibility of the relevant owners and anyone proposing works to them must give my Department two months' notice prior to commencement. My Department also provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through grant schemes which are generally administered by the local authorities. The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of our architectural heritage.

As they are a distinctively and primarily Irish monument type, round towers have attracted study and care from antiquarian times. I am advised that, because of this longterm interest in and commitment to their conservation, the condition of round towers generally is amongst the best of all monument types.

Total funding for the arts and culture sector in 2020 will increase by over 2% from €189m to almost €193m.

Primary support for the Arts is delivered through the Arts Council. Funding for the Arts Council has increased in recent years and will reach €80 million in 2020. This is an increase of €5m or 6.7% over 2019. The Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003, operates within a published 10 year strategic framework entitled Making Great Art Work. This strategy prioritises support for artists throughout their careers, by the involvement of many agencies in cultural provision, by the impact of the arts on the creative economy, and by the depth and breadth of people's engagement with the arts.

The cumulative impact of these funding increases is further testament to the commitment to double Government spending in the sector. In this context, I am already delivering additional supports to the arts and culture sector, building on the €1.2 billion earmarked for culture, heritage and the Irish language under Project Ireland 2040, thus leading to increased activity and employment across all sectors under the remit of my Department.

The Creative Ireland Programme is a five-year all-of-government, culture-based initiative, led by my Department, that emphasises the importance of human creativity for individual, community and societal wellbeing. The vision of the Creative Ireland Programme is to position creativity at the heart of public policy, to enable, encourage and enhance collaboration and innovation, and to create opportunities for all citizens to engage with all forms of creative activity.

In encouraging new ways and means to explore, express and engage with our natural creativity, the Creative Ireland Programme aims to give autonomy to partners (such as local authorities, community groups and schools) to decide on the creative activities that speak to their strengths, preferences and local traditions.

Under Pillars 1 and 2 of the Programme, a range of creative activities and pursuits are supported - whether that be in what can be considered traditional artforms (such as drama, music of the visual arts), through embracing new and innovate forms of creativity (such as coding) or through new ways to engage with and explore our traditional and heritage craft activities.

The main source of funding for local community events and activities under the Creative Ireland Programme is Pillar 2 - 'Enabling Creativity in Every Community'. In 2019, total funding of €3m has been allocated to all local authorities to enable them to support an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county. Each local authority has established a Creative Ireland Co-ordinator and a local Culture Team to manage and allocate this funding in accordance with local needs and in line with their own, individual 5-year Culture and Creativity Strategy. The projects funded cover a broad range of topics including archaeology, architecture, biodiversity, crafts, heritage, drama, dance, literature, music, storytelling and the visual arts.

In addition to this core funding, the Creative Ireland Programme has also allocated €15,000 to each local authority outside of Dublin and €75,000 each to the four local authorities in Dublin to develop a special programme of events for Cruinniú na nÓg – the national day of creativity for children and young people. Cruinniú na nÓg took place on 15th June 2019 and included a range of arts based activities for all ages. Already this year, nearly 1,400 projects have been supported by the Creative Ireland Programme.

In July of this year, I announced the completion of a review of the Percent for Art scheme. The outcome of this review led to changes to the scheme’s bands and limits which will make significantly increased funding available to the creative community. The new limits and bands will apply from 1st January 2020 and details may be seen on my Department’s website.

I will shortly be re-establishing an inter-agency group to improve information gathering and collation and sharing of best practice on Percent for Art schemes. This group will also link in with the Arts Council and seek to enhance the Council’s existing advisory role in relation to the Scheme.

I have recently announced a new €4.7m capital investment scheme for arts and culture centres across the country. Applications are now being invited for the Cultural Capital Scheme which will focus on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres that operate as not-for-profit organisations. This new scheme places an emphasis on the reduction of carbon footprints to dovetail with the Government’s action on climate change. Projects providing additional capacity for artists and artistic production particularly in arts centres will also be favoured. The Scheme builds on the success of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 which saw grants allocated to 134 organisations in 26 counties to refurbish and enhance their facilities. This funding is provided from a €40m capital investment allocation for local arts and culture infrastructure contained in Project Ireland 2040 “Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage 2018-2027'.

This scheme has been informed by the recently published strategic Review of Arts Centres and Venues by the Arts Council & the County and City Management Association (CCMA) as well as the Arts Council's published Arts Centre Policy and Strategy 2019 which sets out its funding criteria for arts centres from 2020 onwards.

Applications are being invited under three separate Streams as follows.

Stream A will offer grants up to €50,000 for small enhancement/expansion/ refurbishment projects which may involve construction works to arts and culture facilities and/or upgrading of equipment.

Stream B will offer grants from €50,000 up to €300,000 for larger enhancement /expansion/ refurbishment projects involving construction works to arts and culture facilities.

Stream C will be a separate scheme aimed at the upgrading of visual artists’ workspaces. Applications for this Stream will be invited separately by Visual Artists Ireland.

All information on the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019 – 2022 is available on my Department’s website.

Support for the arts is a key focus of the supports provided by my Department and its agencies. I will outline some key initiatives of relevance to 2019 in this reply.

The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my Department designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.

Under Pillar 2 - 'Enabling Creativity in Every Community' of the Programme, in 2019, my Department allocated a sum of €2m and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government allocated a sum of €1m to all 31 local authorities including Kildare County Council (€96,000 each approximately) to enable them support an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county.

The types of projects advanced by individual Local Authority Culture and Creativity Teams and supported by the Programme include arts projects, grant schemes, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, festivals, outreach projects, publications, research programmes, and workshops among other activities. They cover topics such as dance, film, music, poetry, storytelling, theatre and the visual arts. Further information is available on https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/creative-communities.

As well as this core support for local Creative Ireland programmes, each local authority is also provided with additional funding to support activities on Cruinniú na nÓg – the national day of creativity for children and young people which takes place in June. This year each local authority including Kildare County Council was provided with €15,000 (and in the case of each of the four Dublin local authorities, a sum of €75,000 reflecting their larger populations) to activate Cruinniú na nÓg in their respective administrative areas.

Cumulatively, the above funding streams supported over 1,200 projects nationally in 2018 and it is expected they will fund a similar amount of projects in 2019. However since processing of 2019 events is ongoing, such information will not be fully available to my Department until the end of 2019 whereupon it will be made publicly available on https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/creative-communities.

Also under the Creative Ireland Programme, the 2017 Creative Youth Plan commits to specific actions to increase and enhance access to a range of creative and cultural activities and practices for young people, including drama and music. As part of this commitment, my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills has in 2019 increased funding to Music Generation aimed at a national roll-out of the programme. Earlier this year, Kerry, Tipperary, Kildare, Meath and Longford were announced as the next five counties to join the Music Generation programme. Each of these counties will receive funding to create access to affordable performance music education for children and young people in their communities.

In addition, Action 8 of the Creative Youth Plan commits to “measures will be developed to expand participation in drama/theatre outside of school, primarily by expansion of youth theatre”, and recognises the importance of youth theatre in supporting and developing young people’s mental wellbeing, critical and active citizenship, imaginations, and creative thinking. Youth Theatre Ireland (YTI) is the national development organisation for youth theatre, supporting a network of youth theatres who deliver year-round programmes of drama workshops and performance opportunities to young people aged 12-21. Indeed, I note that YTI currently list five such theatres in County Kildare.

The YTI project, supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, seeks to achieve the following:

- Establish a range of new local partnerships and build key relationships to expand YTI in new areas. The YTI Development Officer will identify potential leaders and participants.

- Provide a structured training programme (including accredited training in youth drama facilitation practice) to support the development of quality youth theatre practice.

- Provide seed-funding to new youth theatre groups as well as ‘taster’ workshops for young people in local youth service and other appropriate settings.

- The pilot project seeks to support the establishment of 3 new youth theatre groups (in target counties where no YTI-affiliated group currently exists).

Also under Action 9 of the 2017 Creative Youth Plan there is a commitment to “a strategy to develop and extend choral singing will be developed. The Creative Ireland Programme will work with key partners to develop a programme aimed at encouraging creative and sustainable engagement with singing and choral music for young people”. The Creative Ireland Programme has partnered with Sing Ireland whose mission is to develop and support all forms of group singing in Ireland, by providing quality experiences through activities and by supporting the work of their members and the wider choral sector to progress this action. I note that Sign Ireland has ten membership organisations listed within County Kildare.

Phase 1 of the project was undertaken in 2018, which sought to consult and build the case for YouthSing Ireland – this included commissioning of a piece of research now available in the library section of www.creativeireland.gov.ie. YouthSing Ireland, supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, seeks to achieve the following:

- Deliver enhanced Continuous Professional Development (CPD) offering to Primary and early secondary school education;

- The development of new resource material in Irish or of traditional Irish origin and an on-line resource for teachers (this element will be progressed in tandem with the Gaeltacht division of the Department of Culture, Heritage & Gaeltacht); and

- Develop a Sing Space which will bring young people and children, teachers and musicians together from the formal and non-formal settings to work collaboratively in a creative space locally.

The Arts Council which is funded by my Department also has a number of schemes and initiatives around the support of music and drama. Details of these can be accessed on its website at the following link: www.artscouncil.ie. Funding for the Arts Council has increased in recent years and now stands at €75 million in 2019, an increase of €6.8m or 10% over 2018. Much of this is invested by the Council through its Strategic Funding programme which includes grants to key arts organisations across the country. Additional funding is invested in projects and programmes, including Arts Grant Funding, Project Awards, Open Call, and grants for hundreds of productions, touring and festivals nationwide and details can be viewed on the Arts Council's website on its funding webpages.

I also announced in the context of Budget 2020 that funding of €250,000 for the amateur theatre sector across Ireland will be made available next year. Details of this funding arrangement will be announced shortly.

The Creative Ireland Programme is a 5-year initiative which places creativity at the centre of public policy. The Programme is a high-level, ambitious, all-of-government initiative to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation. The core proposition is that participation in cultural and creative activity promotes individual, community and national wellbeing.

The programme seeks to support each citizen – whether individually or collectively, in our personal lives or in our institutions – to realise our full creative potential, by encouraging, facilitating and supporting collaboration in order to cultivate a diverse, accessible & creative cultural ecosystem that sustains wellbeing for all.

Under the Creative Ireland Programme, I launched a Creative Youth Plan with the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in December 2017. This aims to give every child practical access to tuition, experience and participation in art, music, drama and coding by 2022. This Plan works across:

- Schools: Enhancing arts and creativity initiatives in schools and early years settings.

- Teacher CPD: Increasing and enhancing teacher continuing professional development opportunities across primary, post-primary and early years settings.

- Out-of-School: Improving cross-sectoral collaboration to support creativity for children and young people in the community.

My Department, through the Creative Youth Plan of the Creative Ireland Programme, and in collaboration with the Departments of Education and Skills, and Children and Youth Affairs as well as the Arts Council has invested heavily in the promotion of arts in schools and encouraging schools to participate in arts-based activities. The principal initiatives within the formal/school setting are Creative Schools and Creative Clusters and further information on these programmes is included below. A number of other pilots and initiatives have been developed and/or supported to help deliver the Creative Youth Plan and some further information on a selection of individual initiatives is also outlined below.

1.The Creative Schools pilot is one of the flagship projects of the Creative Youth Plan, which seeks to enable the creative potential of every child and young person. Creative Schools aims to understand, develop and celebrate the arts and creativity as a core aspect of school life. It strives to foster children and young people’s creativity, potential and participation in the arts as an integral part of their education. The initiative recognises that the arts are a powerful means through which children and young people can explore communication and collaboration, stimulate their imaginations to be inventive, and harness their boundless curiosity.

1.Schools selected to participate in the programme do so on a two-year cycle - the first to support them in developing a feasible creative plan for the school, and the second to enable them to implement this plan. Each participating school is provided with access to a Creative Associate, who are essential in embedding inspirational and sustainable creative practices in teaching and learning. Creative Associates are a mixture of practising artists and teachers with an understanding of creativity and its potential to transform the lives of children and young people. In addition, each school is allocated an annual grant of €2,000 to implement their plans.

1. Creative Clusters are groups of 2-5 schools, within an education centre, coming together to work on a Creative Project. A facilitator provided by the Education Centre will help them formulate the plan and €2,500 is provided to each cluster to put this plan into action. Projects include coding, drama, Green Forest and Wellbeing.

1.Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for teachers and for artists working in partnership with teachers is crucial to the long-term success and sustainability of the overall Creative Youth Plan. In order to achieve the long-term objective of cultural and creative education, it’s necessary to build a critical mass of education and arts professionals who are versed in the theoretical frameworks of arts and creativity education, and equipped with the skills and techniques for delivering programmes. CPD programmes continue to be rolled out across Early Years, Primary and Post-Primary settings.

1. National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) – a representative body for Principals and Deputy Principals – operates the Creative Engagement programme in Post Primary settings. Under the programme, grants up to €2,000 are awarded to schools for art education under clearly set criteria and undertaken on a jointly funded basis with the school involved. The projects involved allow art practitioners to work with students in schools to allow students to produce work in visual art, music, theatre, dance, film and poetry. This programme strives to encourage creativity and initiative, and complements curricular learning in the arts, heritage and culture. NAPD envisions an education system energised through the arts and where creativity is a core activity in the post primary curriculum.

1. Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that aims to transform the lives of children and young people through access to high quality performance music education in their locality. Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation has been co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. The national roll-out of Music Generation is one of the actions being implemented in the Creative Youth Programme.