Results 3,121-3,140 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (19 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There are 101 native species of bee in Ireland. This includes the honeybee, 20 species of bumblebee and many more species of solitary bee. They are significant pollinators of wild species of plants, but also crops and garden plants. Honeybee colonies in Ireland are mostly artificially maintained and the species does not fall under the remit of my Department. However, the problems affecting...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (19 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Action Plan for Rural Development will be published on 23 January 2017. The Plan takes a whole-of-Government approach to the economic and social development of rural Ireland and will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives across Government Departments and other public bodies.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Brexit Issues (19 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Meetings at Ministerial level with our counterparts in other Members States of the European Union are purposely scheduled in the context of European Council activities, for practical reasons as the Deputy will appreciate. I have not had bilateral engagements with counterparts from other Members States in relation to Brexit outside that context. The programme of engagement by the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (24 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together. There is one Secretary General in my Department. I am advised that the rate of pay for the Secretary General is €167,300. There are four Assistant Secretaries in my Department. The pay scale for Assistant Secretary is €119,572 - €124,917 - €130,706 - €136,496. Under the provisions of the Financial...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland Grant Scheme (24 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: My Department’s Culture Ireland programme promotes Irish arts worldwide by creating and supporting opportunities for professional Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. Culture Ireland operates three major grant rounds throughout the year according to the following timeframe: Grant Round Grant Deadline Timing...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (24 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 4 of 15 (2015)...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I was talking about Castleblayney.

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There is a cross-Government approach to this. Every Minister and Department is focused on rural Ireland. It is about working together and investing in rural areas. The €60 million to which the Deputy refers is focused on regenerating towns and villages. There are many communities across the country that have good ideas on how best they can improve their towns and villages. We are...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: It is about asking them to come forward with the suggestions. We want to support them and help them. That is only one aspect of it. For example, there is €50 million for sports capital grants and rural regeneration, there is investment in blueways and greenways and there is investment-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: -----in 18 new primary care units. There is a lot of investment in the plan-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy should read the plan. Regarding the rates-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts in Education Charter (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know she has a particular interest in it. A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the arts in education charter and my Department is working closely with the Department of Education and Skills and the Arts Council to deliver the objectives of the charter. The work of the two Departments and the Arts...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts in Education Charter (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Yes, it is in the programme for Government. Also, a key priority in 2017 will be the advancement of the Creative Ireland programme, in particular pillar one, which is enabling the creative potential of every child element. A key feature will be the launch of "Creative Children", which will be an integrated implementation plan, and the creative schools programme in September. My Department...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts in Education Charter (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding the local arts in education partnership, the Arts Council has got additional funding and it is now taking the lead in rolling out the actions in the arts in education charter. That came about as a result of that charter. It was a very useful pilot in Monaghan, and the Deputy is very familiar with it, which highlighted the benefits of working together. However, having succeeded in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Rural Development Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: We launched the Government's action plan for rural development, which includes town, villages and rural areas, in Ballymahon, County Longford last Monday week. The action plan will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government, which will benefit rural Ireland. Supporting towns and villages is only one element of a much more...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Rural Development Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I certainly do not want to push anybody out of rural areas because I would be the first person to be pushed out. I live in a one-off house in Aghabog, a rural parish in County Monaghan. I am very much aware of the community ethos to which the Deputy referred. Far from seeking to damage our rural parishes and communities, this action plan will support them. The CLÁR programme is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Rural Development Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I do not accept that. I am very familiar with planning guidelines and there are some areas in which people cannot build one-off houses in rural Ireland, under planning legislation brought introduced in 2008 or 2009. People are sometimes not allowed to build in areas under strong urban pressure but there is an alternative, which is to live in the centre of towns. If you have vibrant towns...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Rural Development Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: This action plan was developed as a result of widespread consultation and comes on foot of the CEDRA report, chaired by Pat Spillane. One of the first recommendations of the commission was that the Government reinvigorate its approach to support for rural economic development by preparing a clear and committed rural economic development policy statement. That is what the action plan is....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: On 23 January , the Government's action plan for rural development, Realising our Rural Potential, was launched in Ballymahon, County Longford. The plan is a whole-of-Government initiative and contains over 270 actions across five thematic pillars, to be delivered by Government Departments, State agencies and other groups. The action plan contains a number of measures which have the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I never said there was an application process.