Results 20,041-20,060 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: It is important that this investment continues. It has been very successful in 2022. I will be considering its continuation in 2023 but no decisions will be made until the priorities for 2023 are decided on. The building acquisition measure has helped many towns across the country. We need to move with the times. Times are changing. These buildings are no longer being used for their...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Offshore Islands (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As is the case with the current LEADER programme, the subregional areas for the new LEADER programme will correspond in the main with county boundaries. The offshore islands will continue to be included with their relevant county for the delivery of the LEADER programme. While an island-specific area is not provided for under the new LEADER programme, any group delivering the new LEADER...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Offshore Islands (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Officials from the Department are in regular communication with island representative groups, such as Comhdháil Oiléain na hÉireann, and it is intended that this practice will continue. Department representatives attended the Irish Local Development Network, ILDN, council meeting, which was attended by Comhar na nOileán, on 2 September. Department representatives met...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Offshore Islands (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputies for raising their concerns. Alignment with the counties benefits some islands and there is no doubt about that. I was in Árainn Mhór and the communities there benefited not only from a roads programme but also from development under rural regeneration funding that came through, and was driven by, the local authority in Donegal. There is a fabulous theatre on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: May I come in? I thank my colleagues on the Opposition benches and wish everybody a happy Christmas. We will see what happens on Saturday. I thank the members of the Opposition. We have had good, constructive debates on issues relating to the Departments of Social Protection and Rural and Community Development. I thank them.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: At the outset, I would like to say that my thoughts are with Alejandro Mizsan and his family and friends following the horrific ordeal that he endured. I was utterly shocked at the awful events in Wexford last week. And in recent days we heard of a serious dog attack on sheep on a farm in Offaly, which is devastating for the farmer and his family. I believe that now is the time to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: On 28th November I was delighted to launch Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors2023 - 2027, the new five year National Outdoor Recreation Strategy in Castlecomer Discovery Park, Co Kilkenny. This Strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of Government...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has provided a range of supports over recent years which both Men's and Women’s Sheds have availed of. In 2020, under the Community Enhancement Programme,124 men’s sheds projects benefited and received funding to the value of €207,836, and 15 women's sheds projects benefited and received funding to the value of €23,956. In 2021, under the same...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Greenways Provision (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing infrastructure. In February 2020, Louth County Council was approved funding of €200,000 under ORIS to develop and enhance the Boyne Greenway. To date no funding has been drawn down on this project. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme is funded into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. As I outlined earlier, the scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. From 2017 to 2022, my Department has allocated over €100m to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established in December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders. In April 2022, we held a full meeting of the Taskforce with both State and Industry representatives. After this meeting the Terms of Reference and Work Programme for 2022-2023...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is fully aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations at the moment and I was delighted to secure €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund. The huge interest in this fund in 2022 shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, 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 into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. I am also committed to improving connectivity for rural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (15 Dec 2022)

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. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress on both developments. With regards to progress on the Inis Oírr...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 54 together. A vital part of my Department's mission is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. Budget 2023 provides a 4% increase in my Department’s allocation, which will deliver significant support for rural and community development next year. The increased budget provision for 2023 of over...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Education has primary responsibility for the provision of funding for school facilities. While the range of schemes operated by my Department are not targeted at upgrading school buildings per se, there may be limited instances where projects located on school grounds may be supported. Such projects need to be fully open and accessible to local communities in order to be...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million. Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a 10 year policy on island development with associated three year action plans. Indeed the Programme for Government includes a commitment in this regard and, as Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. The Deputy will be aware that an extensive consultation process...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (15 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund. This builds on the €15 million which was announced under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities...