Results 3,861-3,880 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (9 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There is a capital underspend of approximately €7 million or 34% against profile within my Department's Vote for the year to 30th April 2017. The underspend has primarily occurred because of timing issues in relation to the quarterly drawdown of funding by bodies and institutions under the aegis of my Department and also some delays in the drawdown of funding in relation to a number...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Raised Bog Management Plan (9 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Ireland’s 53 raised bog special areas of conservation are primarily located in the midlands. The National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2017-2022, due to be published in the coming period subject to Government approval, will set out how these raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored. In November 2015 the European Commission approved...

Questions on Promised Legislation (10 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Leader programme is up and running in all areas and €40 million has been allocated towards it in my budget this year. I have arranged a meeting for next week with the CEOs of all of the Leader companies as well as various local action groups and local community development committees. I will meet the CEOs in order that they can outline...

Exchange of views with Mr. Michel Barnier: Motion (10 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I move:(1) That Dáil Éireann:(a) notes that the Treaty on European Union recognises the active contribution of National Parliaments to the good functioning of the Union through being informed and having the ability to express their views on matters of particular interest to them; (b) in view of the economic, political and social implications for Ireland of the decision of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (10 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Monitoring Committee for the Action Plan for Rural Development has been established and held its first meeting on 23 March 2017. The membership of the Monitoring Committee, which I chair, includes senior representatives from key Government Departments and agencies, other public bodies and rural stakeholders, as well as representatives from the business community. The full list of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Eligibility (10 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme is open to those affected by the cessation of turf cutting from 1 January 2017 on 36 designated raised bog natural heritage areas, which include 7 sites to be divided, with part to be conserved and part to be de-designated. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that: - The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Reports (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: It is my understanding that a report has been produced by a working group set up by the Firearms Consultative Panel of the Department of Justice and Equality which recommends best practice guidelines on the issue of shooting and hunting at night. The report is now with the Firearms Consultative Panel itself and it is a matter for that body to further consider the recommendations in the...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Is mór agam an deis seo a fháil inniu chun meastúcháin mo Roinne do 2017 a phlé. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to outline the 2017 priorities for my Department. The responsibilities of my Department are very broad and diverse. They include the facilitation of the economic development of Ireland's regions and the sustainable development of vibrant and...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I wanted to speak about my Department's heritage programme and go through the different figures. I will bring in the Ministers of State at various stages. Will I continue?

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, and I will make some introductory remarks on the heritage programme, for which funding of over €45 million has been made available. It includes €35.7 million for current expenditure, with a further €9.8 million in capital funding. A further sum of €2 million is available by way of a capital carryover. The protection of...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: If it pleases the Chair, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne, will now speak about aspects of the Estimates relevant to the Gaeltacht, the Irish language and the islands.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Turning to North-South co-operation, more than €38.6 million is made available to support the two North-South implementation bodies, An Foras Teanga, comprising Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, and Waterways Ireland. These allocations are also subject to the approval of the North-South Ministerial Council. In respect of Waterways Ireland, the overall allocation for 2017...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. First, I fought hard, as did my two colleagues, to get an increase in the budget for rural Ireland. I was delighted to do that in the 2017 Estimates. The Deputy is correct, I also want the money spent. At this stage, it is far too early to make definitive assessments of likely outturns. The real story around capital takes place in the summer. My Department is...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Yes.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: On the funding allocated to local authorities, I have made it very clear to them that funding for this year will be contingent on progress on projects funded in 2016. I agree with the Deputy that there is no point in central government providing the funding if it does not get out to the projects. We all know the projects nationwide and especially in our own constituencies that need to get...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising these issues and for her comments on the Creative Ireland plan. She was present at the two consultations in Monaghan and Cavan, which were very well attended. There is great interest in it and there was great feedback. We are going throughout the country to consult. We are listening to people's views and asking them what they think of this, how they can...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There is more to it than that. Only yesterday, I consulted the arts in education people. I attended another event on Saturday to do with enabling the creative potential of every child. I have consulted with the audiovisual sector. We have a number of high-profile events organised for later in the year. This is about putting culture and creativity at the heart of Irish society. We will...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Exactly. I want Creative Ireland to be able to have a space there, to get this engagement and to encourage more people to be involved in it.

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Yes, it is all coming out of the €5 million but it has not all been fully allocated yet. The matter is under discussion. There are some other-----

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The workshops have been completed. We have gone to every local authority and worked with them. We will help them develop their Creative Ireland plans for every county. That is broadly it. Obviously, there are administrative costs and we want to have a Creative Ireland forum towards the end of the year, where we will bring all of the stakeholders together. In terms of being a centre of...