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Dear all,
You may be aware that the recent budget saw the Heritage Councils budget reduced by 47% which on top of last year's cut amounts to a total of 77%.
In case there was any doubt in spite of the cuts National Heritage Week will go ahead in 2011 (20th to 28th August) and it's more important than ever that we create as much awareness and education as possible about the benefits of protecting our heritage. To view the Heritage Councils press release responding to the cuts and to comment on them click on the link below to the Heritage Week Facebook page. All comments are very welcome.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heritage-Week/127378071336
A link to the press release can also be found on the homepage of the Heritage Councils website www.heritagecouncil.ie
National Heritage Week
Become a fan on Facebook / follow us on Twitter
Rebecca Reynolds,
National Heritage Week Project Manager,
The Heritage Council,
National Heritage Week is co-ordinated in Ireland by the Heritage Council with support from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and is part of European Heritage Days, which is celebrated in over 40 countries across Europe.
For further information see http://www.heritageweek.ie email heritageweek@heritagecouncil.ie or CallSave 1850 200878
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Monday 13th December: Punitive cuts, announced in last Tuesday's Budget, will decimate the heritage sector and close many small enterprises that are dependent on it. This will have detrimental effects on both our national heritage and the quality of our tourism offering, according to the Heritage Council.
The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government's Heritage Unit, which has responsibility for protected structures, including world heritage sites, suffered a 77% budget cut. National Parks and Wildlife, whose remit includes the protection of our natural heritage and running all our national parks, suffered a 56% cut. The Heritage Council, whose role is to protect, preserve and enhance Ireland's national heritage, suffered a 47% cut. This is on top of a 30% cut in 2010.
Speaking about the situation, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Michael Starrett commented, "We are extremely concerned about the disproportionate nature of the cuts to the Heritage sector. While the heritage sector recognises that it must share the burden of the cuts required to tackle the country's economic crisis, the cuts announced last Tuesday are completely disproportionate in comparison to other Departmental cuts. As a result, the future of heritage initiatives nationwide which have created hundreds of jobs, empowered local communities and enhanced the value of heritage as a tourism resource, are severely threatened".
"In 2009, over three million overseas visitors engaged in cultural/historical visits while in Ireland, and spent an estimated €1.9 billion while here. In particular, 76% of tourists identified landscape and nature as the primary reason for visiting Ireland, and heritage is what defines the uniqueness of a country. Funding will now no longer be available to protect and manage our iconic buildings, unique and threatened species, landscapes, cultural collections and rare artifacts, or indeed to support local communities in taking care of their everyday heritage".
The majority of counties in Ireland have a County Heritage Plan which is prepared by Local Heritage Fora on behalf of the local people and the Local Authority. Research conducted in September 2010 by economist Jim Power examined the economic value of these County Heritage Plans. The implementation of these plans between 2004 and 2008 at a cost of € 6.15m supported the creation of 1,012 full-time jobs in small businesses across the regions, with an estimated return of €30.1 million to the economy. Between 2004 and 2008, the €6.15m that the Heritage Council invested over 26 local authority areas led to an additional investment of around €10 million from other sources.
Looking at the economic impact of an event such as the Irish Walled Towns Day held in Youghal during National Heritage Week, KPMG analysts found that support of €16,000 to the Irish Walled Towns Network for the day brought a return of €480,000 in to the local economy.
Our shared heritage is the country's inheritance that we only get to borrow for a time, enjoy, and benefit enormously from but we have an obligation as a people to pass it on to future generations, Mr. Starrett said. These punitive cuts put at risk, not just jobs which are critically important, but also vulnerable aspects of the nation's unique natural and cultural heritage which now may be lost for ever to the country.
"At this point, the day to day implications of the cuts are hard to fully estimate. What is clear from the Heritage Council's standing is that we will no longer be in a position to provide support for local community groups, non-governmental organisations, charities, individuals, small businesses, local authorities and others. This will make it extremely difficult for the survival of the wider heritage profession of conservators, thatchers, ecologists, archaeologists, conservation architects, museum curators and other specialist work such as researchers and data collectors.
We cannot talk about the importance of marketing our heritage and promoting tourism if we cut the funding to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for our heritage. The reality is that these unique heritage skills may now be lost to the nation along with the heritage assets and memory that these represent. We will all be poorer economically, environmentally and socially as a result", added Mr. Starrett.
Media Queries:
Michelle Guinan, MKC Communications 01 7038604 / 086 3846630
Isabell Smyth, Heritage Council, 0879676889
Note to editor:
The Heritage Council is the statutory body charged with identifying, protecting, preserving and enhancing Ireland's national heritage. National heritage includes Monuments, Archaeological objects, Heritage objects, Architectural heritage, Flora, Fauna, Wildlife habitats, Landscapes, Seascapes, Wrecks, Geology, Heritage gardens and parks, and Inland waterways.
Established under the Heritage Act 1995, and operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Heritage Council provides advice to the Minister, and partners and networks with Local Authorities and a wide range of other organisations and individuals to promote Ireland's heritage.
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NEWS RELEASE
December 2010
MORE YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS THAN EVER!
Still time to register for ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2011
The number of groups from around Ireland and Northern Ireland participating in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2011 has increased by an incredible 40% compared with last year. To celebrate this increased interest, and give even more young people the chance to get involved in what is set to be Ireland's biggest ever celebration of ECO-Action, ECO-UNESCO is keeping registration open until December 22nd and groups have until February 25th 2011 to complete their project.
The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards recognise and reward the achievements of young people in environmental protection and are open to any group of young people, aged 10-18, who want to take action on key environmental issues such as climate change, energy, waste, biodiversity, transport and more.
"Last year's awards saw some excellent environmental projects - from bug hotels to green transport campaigns, and even an ECO-fashion show and gig awareness raising extravaganza! We are looking forward to more great projects this year. It's fantastic to see the increased interest from young people from across the island of Ireland and because of this we are delighted to continue to accept registrations until December; there's plenty of time to carry out projects before the project submission deadline of the 25th February 2011" said Elaine Nevin, National Director of ECO-UNESCO.
Each May, ECO-UNESCO, Ireland's environmental education and youth organisation, hosts the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase and Awards Ceremony to honour the outstanding green achievements of young people from youth groups and schools across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The National Showcase, open to the public, attracts hundreds of young people who get an opportunity to show their environmental project work.
"The young participants of the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards programme concretely show what it means to act as agents of positive change and make a difference", commented Walter Erdelen, UNESCO Assistant Secretary General for Natural Sciences in a special message of support to the young environmentalists.
Participants in ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards have until February 2011 to complete their project in one of nine categories including climate change, biodiversity, energy, waste and transport. Once registered, ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards groups can avail of ECO-UNESCO's advice and support as their projects progress.
Teachers and youth leaders can register groups of 2-25 young people at www.ecounesco.ie or by contacting ECO-UNESCO at +353 1 6625491, yea@ecounesco.ie.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Daniel Meister, ECO-UNESCO Communications Officer communications@ecounesco.ie
Tel. +353 1 6625491
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Elaine Nevin, National Director of ECO-UNESCO is available for phone interviews on the environmental work of young people in Irish youth groups and schools. It may also be possible to speak with previous winning or shortlisted groups in your area.
Notes to Editor:
ABOUT ECO-UNESCO
ECO-UNESCO (www.ecounesco.ie) is Ireland's environmental education and youth organisation. The organisation aims to raise environmental awareness, promote the protection and conservation of the environment, and promote the personal development of young people. ECO-UNESCO is affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA).
ABOUT THE ECO-UNESCO YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALIST AWARDS
ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards is an awards programme that empowers young people to become better citizens, build awareness of environmental issues and promote simple lifestyle changes to improve the environment. The Young Environmentalist Awards is funded annually by the Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Government; Environment & Heritage Service Northern Ireland - An Agency with the Department of Environment; Office of the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs; Department of Transport, The Environmental Protection Agency; COMHAR Sustainable Development Council; and Dublin City Council.
KEY DATES:
Extended Registration Deadline: December 22nd 2010
Project Submission Deadline: February 25th 2011
National Showcase & Awards Ceremony: May 18th 2011
For more information on ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards visit www.ecounesco.ie
To get a look back at the journey to the ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards 2010, read our On the Road blog at http://ecounesco.wordpress.com
Irish Natural Forestry Foundation, Manch, Ballineen, Co. Cork
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th December, 2010
Demonstration of traditional hedge-laying will take place from 11am until
4pm.
This would be of interest to those in the farming community engaged in
R.E.P.S.
Please see our web site for further details: click here
<http://inff.ie/index.php?id=23>
Sorry - No dogs allowed.
