Results 3,161-3,180 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Local Authority Funding (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Government recently launched the Creative Ireland Programme – Clár Éire Ildánach 2017 – 2022. This is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. This will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Gorse Burning (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Built Heritage Investment Scheme (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), which I launched in 2015, is one of a number of State financial supports that provide for the conservation and preservation of heritage structures. The scheme was developed to assist with the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). In certain cases, the scheme is also...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Tourism is of key importance to the economic wellbeing of rural Ireland and the sector supports many thousands of jobs in rural areas. The Action Plan for Rural Development recognises the further growth potential that tourism presents for rural communities. It sets out 50 distinct actions designed to maximise our rural tourism and recreation potential. These actions will support the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry Development (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The facility to which the Deputy refers is owned jointly by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with other private entities. My colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, has responsibility for Enterprise Ireland. However, I am aware of the issue and my Department is keeping in contact with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has had no interactions with the parties referred to by the Deputy or Dublin City Council with regard to matters relating to the Dublin Central/Carlton site. Any other interactions with some of the parties noted would have been necessitated by issues relating to the separate discharge of my functions as Minister with regard to the State owned National Monument in Moore Street...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Centres (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Last 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 artists’ studios and creative spaces. I hope to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, was launched in Ballymahon, Co. Longford on the 23rdJanuary 2017. The objective of the Plan is to unlock the potential of rural Ireland through a framework of supports at national and local level which will ensure that people who live in rural Ireland have increased opportunities for employment locally, and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Artists' Remuneration (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Last month, I announced that my Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection would devise a mechanism during 2017 to assist self-employed artists who have applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance. I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection on the matter and officials of our two Departments have already begun working on this initiative in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council Membership (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There are currently no vacancies on the Council. Last year I appointed 6 people to the Council to fill existing vacancies. They are: - Damien Downes - Loughlin Deegan - Paddy Glackin - Martina Moloney - Pádraig Ó Duinnín - Helen Shaw In line with the provisions of the Arts Act 2003 board members are required to have a special interest or knowledge in relation to the arts or...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Intellectual property rights, including copyright law, are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Minister Mitchell O'Connor is reviewing copyright legislation at present and my Department is engaging with this review. In relation to the arts and culture more generally, on December 8thlast, the Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Help-To-Buy Scheme Administration (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the new Help to Buy (HTB) incentive that was announced as part of Budget 2017 by my colleague the Minister for Finance. This initiative is designed to help first-time buyers of newly built homes to assemble the required deposit. It also applies to once-off self-build homes. I can confirm that my Department has not sought the extension of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Data (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER programme plays a central role in the rejuvenation of rural communities throughout Ireland. LEADER 2014-2020 became fully operational last year following the completion of Funding Agreements with Local Action Groups for the delivery of Local Development Strategies in 28 sub-regional areas of Ireland. In addition, a second strategy selection process is underway in Galway in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is aware of this Italian initiative which was discussed at the Cultural Affairs meeting in Brussels. The Italian representative had flagged this incentive in the on-going discussions in the context of the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018. The Government’s priorities in relation to cultural engagement with young people are set out in The Creative Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Government's Action Plan for Rural Development which was launched on 23rd January will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government which will benefit rural Ireland. The Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies. The Plan includes details of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Action Plan for Rural Development recognises that strong regions provide the basis for improving economic opportunities and jobs potential in rural areas. In this context, the regional Action Plans for Jobs, which are co-ordinated by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, will play a key role in improving the operating environment for businesses so that enterprises throughout...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: As indicated in my response to Questions Nos. 403 and 404 on 13 December 2016, conditions associated with dive licences under the National Monuments Acts are subject to review and input from the relevant professional archaeological services of my Department, are structured to reflect the particular nature, circumstances and objectives of the licensable activity and, consequently, will vary...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Maximising our Rural Tourism and Recreation Potential is one of the key pillars of the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development. The Plan will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government which will benefit rural Ireland. Tourism is of key importance to the economic wellbeing of rural Ireland and the sector supports...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Expenditure (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review and resources required to meet my Department's business needs are assessed through the workforce planning process, having regard to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform directives, guidelines and circulars on staffing, as well as to emerging business priorities and the availability of payroll...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, takes a whole-of-Government approach to the economic and social development of rural Ireland. The Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies. An objective of the Plan is to support sustainable communities through the enhancement of local...