Results 3,541-3,560 of 4,673 for speaker:Seán Canney

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Telecommunications Infrastructure (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 on foot of a Programme for Government commitment to identify solutions to alleviate telecommunications deficits, particularly in rural Ireland, prior to full build and roll-out of high speed broadband in the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan. The Department of Rural and Community Development and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Broadband Scheme (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: As Minister of State for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development, I work across both the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. I also chair the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, a cross-Government body co-ordinated by officials of the two Departments. I am keenly aware of the importance...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Broadband Scheme (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 94 together. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has overall policy responsibility for the National Broadband Plan.  However, my Department, through the Unit responsible for regional telecommunications development, works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and with Local...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: Last year, following a public consultation process, my Department published new Guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments. These were put in place under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, and came into effect on 1 January of this year. Having published the new Guidelines, my Department is now identifying any necessary legislative changes that may be required to further improve...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regional Development Initiatives (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: The Programme for a Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both commit to progressing the Atlantic Economic Corridor initiative to create an economic area of scale along the western seaboard. The initiative aims to maximise the assets of the region and to better utilise the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the area to attract investment, support job...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Mobile Telephony Use (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: In 2017, officials from my Department, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and a small number of Local Authorities met to examine the potential for mapping mobile phone blackspots in Ireland. On foot of these meetings, an invitation was issued in late 2017 to all Local Authorities to provide data on 5 or 6 prioritised local blackspots, with a view to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: The Western Development Commission has achieved much since was it established in 1999.  It now has an important role to play in supporting the Government's objectives for more effective regional development through initiatives such as the National Planning Framework, the new Regional Enterprise Plans, the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, and the Atlantic Economic...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: I refer to the reply to Question No. 574 of 12 February 2019. I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that payments have, so far, issued to 90 applicants who have communicated, in writing, formal acceptance of the offer and confirmation of an undertaking to adhere to the conditions of the scheme and their individual letter of offer. Payments will issue to other eligible applicants...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Scheme to Support National Organisations (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi annual funding to national organisations in respect of core costs associated with the provision of their services. The current scheme commenced on 1 July 2016 and runs until 30 June 2019.  The scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Scheme to Support National...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Voluntary Sector Funding (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: My Department's Community and Voluntary Supports and Programmes unit provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. €3.5 million is being provided in 2019 under this programme to support 21 Volunteer Centres, eight Volunteering Information Services and a number of volunteer-supporting organisations, such as Volunteer Ireland. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Participation Networks (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: The 2014 Working Group Report on Citizen Engagement with Local Government  recommended that a Public Participation Network (PPN) be set up in each local authority area in order to enable the public to take an active formal role in relevant policy making and oversight committees of the local authority.  It also recommended that the work of the PPNs should be monitored and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Broadband Scheme (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: The availability of a high quality, high speed broadband network and of reliable mobile phone coverage are essential components underpinning the connectivity and development of rural communities in Ireland. In this context, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 to identify solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and to investigate how...

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: I am pleased to join the committee in considering the 2019 Further Revised Estimate for the Department of Rural and Community Development. My responsibilities include oversight of the work of the Western Development Commission, functions related to the Department's input in regional development and rural broadband provision, oversight of a number of the funding schemes under the community...

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: The Atlantic economic corridor. The collaborative work of the Department, the Western Development Commission and the local authorities will ensure there is a much enhanced resource working on the AEC project and that there is a co-ordinated approach to its development. With regard to rural broadband provision and mobile phone coverage, the role of the Department is to support the local...

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: To clarify demarcation lines on what the Department does about broadband and mobile phones, a task force called the mobile phone and broadband task force has been set up and I chair it. The Deputy mentioned getting everybody into the room but everybody is in the room for that task force. There are local authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, the Department of Transport, Tourism...

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: Regarding Deputy Ó Cuív's point about the meeting with Galway County Council, one tranche of the money from the previous round of the rural regeneration and development fund went to Dunmore. Deputy Fitzmaurice did a great deal of work on getting this project to the stage where we could get funding for it. That is in a small town and it be a real game changer. Without this fund,...

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: Could the Deputy let me finish? What I was about to say is that it involved Clonbur, which is another small town. Not all the money went to Athenry. It was provided right across the county and that will continue. Tuam and Ballinasloe could apply for the urban funding if they have projects that are large enough.

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: I will make two or three comments before answering the question on the Dormant Accounts Fund. The Dormant Accounts Acts provide the framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts. The main purpose of the legislation is to reunite account holders or policyholders with their funds but, in order to utilise the unused funds, the legislation also introduces a scheme for their...

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: I take the Deputy's points. In November of last year, we launched the charities governance code. It consists of six principles of governance: advancing charitable purpose; behaving with integrity; leading people; exercising control; working effectively; and being accountable and transparent. One of the main points the code has recognised is diversity in the sector. It aims to be...

Select Committee on Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (3 Apr 2019)

Seán Canney: In taking on board what the Deputy is saying, one must ask why there is governance at all. If one notes what happened with some charities, one realises there ought to be governance and transparency. The money is coming from the public purse to help the charities. I understand what the Deputy is saying about the smaller organisations but we have to protect the public and have governance....