Results 2,901-2,920 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Other Questions: Rural Development Policy (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Unemployment is down again today. The figures show that it is at its lowest in eight years, at 7.3%. Like Deputy Penrose, and as a rural Deputy, I want to see jobs in rural Ireland. Jobs are being created in rural Ireland, and we want to see more. Regarding broadband, as the Deputy knows, the national broadband plan is being rolled out. The plan falls under the remit of the Minister...

Other Questions: Rural Development Policy (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy knows, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, has established the post office hub working group to identify potential models under which the post office could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. This group has identified three potential options around the hub concept, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, expects to be in a position to report back to Government on...

Other Questions: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focus, protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out by 1 January 2017 of turf cutting on 36 existing natural heritage areas, which will remain designated. This...

Other Questions: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In November 2015, the European Commission approved funding for a €5.4 million project under the EU LIFE 2014-2020 programme for the restoration of active raised bogs in 12 special areas of conservation, SAC, sites in Ireland. This project will operate for five years and it commenced in January 2016. It is being implemented by a project team that will work closely with local...

Other Questions: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy mentioned Bord na Móna but that is under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, and his Department. I can raise the matter with him. The regional action plan for jobs outlines a number of initiatives to create employment in rural areas. With the Bill referred to in my reply, I am trying to find a balance that ensures...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including arts and disability, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is, of course, statutorily independent in relation to its funding and executive decisions. The significant additional funding that I secured for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017 will see an...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Programme (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 41 together. The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcontains a suite of commitments for delivery across Government relating to rural development. The measures detailed in the Programme include the provision of next-generation broadband, addressing the renewal of the post office network, supporting local jobseekers, and the provision of services in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Historical Records (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: There exist a number of historically important original documents in the possession of the State written by Pádraig Pearse during the 1916 Rising and during his subsequent imprisonment. Following consultation with the relevant institutions under the aegis of my Department, it is a shared view that the amount being sought for this one letter – between €1m and €1.5m -...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council Membership (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In line with the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, current members of the Arts Council have extensive knowledge of the arts, both as practitioners, in the areas of writing, theatre and the visual arts, and as arts managers. There are currently 6 vacancies on the Council. The Public Appointments Service, which operates a dedicated website, www.stateboards.ie, through which it advertises...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Concert Hall (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: An overall master plan for the redevelopment of the Earlsfort Terrace complex, including the National Concert Hall (NCH), is currently being prepared by the OPW in consultation with the NCH and my Department. These plans will consider the refurbishment and upgrading of the main auditorium, as well as the development of other performance spaces and ancillary facilities, and will assist in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Most of my Department's arts and culture budget is allocated to the agencies under its remit. Details of expenditure allocations made available by my Department, to bodies and State agencies under its remit, are published each year in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) and the Appropriation Account and these are published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at www.per.ie and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including arts and disability, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is independent in relation to its funding and executive decisions. In 2013, the Arts Council has published its Arts and Disability Policy 2012 -2016 to address issues of equity, access and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council.  In this regard, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017, amounting to an increase of €5m or 8%.  This will assist the Council in implementing its ten-year strategy Making Great Art...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Arts Council is the primary State agency for funding the arts and I was pleased to secure significant additional funding for it in Budget 2017. This will see an increase in the Council's allocation of € 5million, or 8%, and will allow the Council to enhance supports to artists and arts organisations. The Arts Council’s Strategy Making Great Art Worksets out the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the source of the reference to 0.6% of GDP quoted by the Deputy is a Council of Europe research project and that many European countries, including ten EU member states, are not included in the data. I understand also that the data is not standardised and is not comparable across countries. For example, local authority expenditure on the arts, the artists' exemption tax...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Programme Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Funding for rural development programmes within my Department’s Estimate for 2017 will amount to €79.27 million. This represents an €18 million (29%) increase on my Department’s 2016 baseline allocation of €61.2 million for those programmes. The funding for 2017 includes -A trebling of the funding for the Town and Village Regeneration Scheme, from a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The reopening of CLÁR a nd the launch of the Town and Village renewal scheme this year form part of the Government’s programme to support rural development. In the case of both initiatives, Local Authorities were invited to submit proposals in line with the terms of the relevant scheme. I recently announced the approval of just over €9.8 million to 172 towns and villages...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The 1916 centenary commemorations were inclusive, respectful and measured and sought to strengthen peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.  Official estimates indicate that over 1 million people were present to participate in and enjoy the commemorative, reflective and celebratory events that took place over the Easter weekend and which were a great source of pride for our...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Earlier this year, I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on securing and enhancing our arts and culture infrastructure. The scheme will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artis ts’ studios and creative spaces....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Creative Europe 2014-20 is the European funding programme for the audio-visual and culture sectors. There are Creative Europe Desks covering culture and media in Ireland, which provide information, advice and technical assistance to arts and heritage organisations in Ireland that are interested in applying to the Creative Europe Media and Culture Sub-programmes. The Creative Europe Culture...