Results 21-40 of 16,260 for are speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...2022 fund, over €45.8 million has been committed for improvement and refurbishment works to more than 860 existing community centres. I am happy to confirm that approximately 600 of these projects are now complete or have submitted their final progress reports. These progress reports are currently being reviewed in advance of final payment. Project extensions have been provided...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The short answer is "Yes", as I am considering another round of funding. This is an issue that the Deputy has raised with me several times. Sports capital grants are successful and popular and have been on the go for a long time, but we had no dedicated fund for community centres. During Covid, we saw how they did not have the same opportunities to raise money. Like a house, if you do not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...needed community centres. I was delighted to be able to announce that funding. There will be another round. I am considering having a round for existing community centres. In the meantime, there are other funding options available to communities under, for example, LEADER, CLÁR and the town and village renewal scheme. They should watch out for announcements about when those...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Recreation Policy (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...from the 40 trails that were on the scheme in 2019 and demonstrates the level of interest in the sector. Once approved, there is a process involved in bringing individual landowners onto the scheme. To date, 73 trails are now fully on the scheme supporting 2,427 land-holders. Landowners on 4 more trails will be joining the scheme very shortly and work is ongoing to bring the remaining...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...for 2024, of which €221 million is current funding and €210 million is capital funding. Given the nature of the funding programmes and schemes operated by my Department most funding approvals are made on a multiannual basis. With regard to current funding programmes, such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, and the Community Services...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. In July 2023, I gave approval to Galway County Council to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...Ireland. It is an approach that helps to ensure that major policy initiatives take full consideration of rural perspectives and issues at formulation stage. This means that across Government we are considering the impact that proposed policies may have on rural areas, but also that we are fully aware of the opportunities that exist in rural areas in relation to particular policies. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 34 and 42 together. Community centres are a vital resource for any community. They are where we go for community activities and events, and for social supports and social interaction. They are home to many of our cultural and sporting clubs. They are also where communities come together in times of difficulty and in times of celebration. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, I launched Our Living Islands - the National Island Policy 2023-2033 in June of last year. Our Living Islands is a substantial document – a ten-year policy backed up by rolling three year action plans. It has time-bound commitments so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held to account for its implementation. Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands, including Inis Meáin. There are regular meetings between officials from my department and Galway County Council to discuss and monitor the pier development in Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. The last meeting was held on 16 April....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands, including Inis Meáin. There are regular meetings between officials from my department and Galway County Council to discuss and monitor the pier development in Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. The last meeting was held on 16...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together. My Department operates a range of programmes and schemes that support economic and community development in urban and rural areas throughout the country. The targeted investments and supports which my Department provides to regional, rural and local communities through a wide range of initiatives promote social inclusion, rural, town and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Government's 5 year rural development policy to 2025, commits to developing an effective rural proofing approach to ensure the needs of rural communities are fully considered in the development of Government policies. Last year, my Department published a body of research including the international experience of rural proofing which is available on the Department’s...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future. I recently announced over €40 million in funding for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes, having secured an additional once off funding in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future. I recently announced €40 million in funding for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes. This announcement brings the total amount of funding provided for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts including licensing and enforcement. Local Authorities are well placed to target measures in their areas. My Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Water Safety (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...(WSI) is the statutory, voluntary body and registered charity established to promote water safety and reduce drownings in Ireland. WSI has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of water safety; advancement of education related to the prevention of accidents in water; instruction in water safety; and the establishment of national standards for lifeguards. In...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...delivery by government departments and their agencies. These measures support the economic, environmental, cultural and social development and wellbeing of rural communities. Policy updates are provided through six-monthly Progress Reports and annual Work Programmes. The development of each Annual Work Programme allows for new measures and actions. These are added in light of any...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, the land on which the Inishbofin airstrip is located is currently owned by Galway County Council. These lands were acquired by way of a Compulsory Purchase Order by Galway County Council on behalf of the Department. Part of the site is intended for eventual use by the HSE for a primary care centre. The transfer of these lands to my Department has been an ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Youth Services (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: ...responsibility for this commitment and has established a Rural Youth Assembly under the umbrella of the National Youth Assembly of Ireland. The Assembly provides a valuable forum for young people from rural areas to discuss issues of importance to them, including the challenges and opportunities associated with living, studying and socialising in rural Ireland. The inaugural Rural...