Results 10,361-10,380 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Topical Issue Debate: Architectural Heritage (1 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: It was an issue of great concern. With regard to what the Deputy said earlier, I, too, was pleased with the outcome. I spent a year, as did the people of Westport, making sure that part of it was held in State hands but the rest of it by a family that is committed to Westport. Deputy Kenny asked me a question. I will give a straight answer. The State does not have €28 million....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Fisheries Protection (7 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The Regional Management of my Department are aware of anecdotal reports in the decline of salmon stocks in the Laune river. While seals are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and the Wildlife Acts, permits may be obtained under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to hunt seals where significant damage is being caused. This redress is available, for example, to individual fishermen to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Postal Services Provision (7 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together. The postal sector is undergoing significant change both nationally and internationally, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to a 38% decline in core mail volume for An Post from its peak in 2007. In recent years, there has also been a 17% decline in Department of Social Protection payments and a 20%...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (7 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. The programme was originally launched in 2004, but was closed to new applications in 2009. I recently re-opened CLÁR programme, with a focus on three...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Banking Sector (7 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: I can confirm that a submission was received by my Department from the organisation in question, seeking the investigation of the establishment of a particular model of public banking in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Governmentenvisages that An Post, the League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders will be asked to investigate and propose a new model of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Social Enterprise Sector (7 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The social enterprise sector in Ireland covers a wide spectrum of activities which are delivered by a range of organisations, from local community groups fully supported by the State, to companies operating on a commercial basis for a social return. A number of Government Departments currently provide supports to the social enterprise sector through a range of programmes and schemes. These...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Mountain Rescue Service (7 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI) operates on a voluntary basis, but has received State support for a number of years to help cover the organisation’s operating costs. I understand that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport currently provides an average grant of approximately €7,500 per annum for each MRI rescue team. This grant helps with the provision of health and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Post Office Network (8 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The report in question was prepared by an independent person on behalf of An Post. The report was submitted to An Post towards the end of December 2016 and it is now a matter for the management and Board of An Post to consider the report. The postal sector has been undergoing significant change both nationally and internationally in recent years, with the increased use of electronic...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: 221. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason a reply has not issued regarding a council loan query which had been marked as urgent (details supplied). [6691/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Land Acquisition (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 336 together. Given the scarce resources available for capital investment in our National Parks and Nature Reserves, I am mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands. It is for that reason, my Department could only consider the matter referred by the Deputies if the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. I have secured a budget of €5 million for CLÁR in 2017 and the measures to be implemented under the programme will be announced shortly. While I currently have no specific...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Land Acquisition (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The lands referred to will be managed as part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. While the lands will be primarily managed for Nature Conservation, other uses such as recreation will be considered where compatible with the Park’s Nature Conservation objectives. Given the high conservation value and sensitivity of the Blanket Bog and Heathland habitats, provision of high...

Topical Issue Debate: National Parks (21 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. While I agree with him sometimes, I totally disagree with him about Killarney. As far as I am concerned, the No. 1 place in Ireland, in Europe and in the world is a place called Westport in County Mayo. Anytime the Deputy wants to come down on holidays, he is very welcome to do so and he will see what is really happening down there. I must...

Topical Issue Debate: National Parks (21 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: I acknowledge Deputy Michael Healy-Rae's father may have raised the issue, but we have to give the former Minister, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, credit as well. The former Minister put a lot of work into this and put a lot of funding into it. In fact, I put more funding into Killarney House when I was in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Deputy should not doubt that I will be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The 2016 CLÁR programme included a measure to support the maintenance and development of local access roads to public amenities such as beaches and waterways, to facilitate the safe use of these resources by local communities and visitors alike. The Action Plan for Rural Development which was published recently includes a commitment to promote increased funding for Local Improvement...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: CLÁR is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. The 2016 CLÁR programme focused on three separate measures: - Measure 1: Safety Measures for Schools and Community/Sports Facilities - Measure 2: Playgrounds and Multi-Use Games Areas - Measure 3: Local...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: 165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will release his interest in a property (details supplied) in view of the fact that this former school closed 35 years ago and it is now derelict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9227/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: CLÁR is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. In 2016, the CLÁR programme funded over 650 projects under three separate measures which were administered by Local Authorities: - Measure 1: Safety Measures for Schools and Community/Sports Facilities...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: 354. To ask the Minister for Health if an operation for a person (details supplied) can take place in University College Hospital Galway, UCHG; and if there is the capability in UCHG for this procedure to take place. [9509/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: 363. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an AEOS 2 payment; when this will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9173/17]