Results 10,801-10,820 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Leader Programmes Funding (17 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The total amount of funding provided for the LEADER Programme over the period 2014-2020 is €250 million. LEADER is a multi-annual programme and the €250 million will be drawn down over the full lifetime of the programme. The original allocation for LEADER for 2017 was €40 million, as reflected in the Vote for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Development Programme Funding (17 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: My Department's allocation under the recently published Expenditure Report 2018 has increased by €19.3 million to €212.3 million, compared to 2017.  Additional details and information in relation to the programme allocations will be contained in the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2018, which will be published in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dormant Accounts Fund (17 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: Earlier this year, I approved €1.65 million in funding under the 2016 Dormant Accounts Action Plan for 42 social enterprise projects, to enhance their capacity to deliver services and generate traded income. My Department also this year published the 2017 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan which contains details of specific programmes and projects across Government which will be...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (18 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments (DBE) is a matter for each local authority in whose functional area the establishment is located. The local authority is required to maintain a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area, which must include details of applicants for inclusion on the register and the maximum number of breeding bitches that may be kept at the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Banking (18 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The Programme for a Partnership Government envisaged that An Post, the Irish League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders would be asked to investigate and propose a new model of community banking, such as the Kiwibank model in New Zealand, which could be delivered through the post office network. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to investigate the German...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (18 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 to 197, inclusive, together. The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities. Following the assessment of all proposals received, I recently approved a total of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (19 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The development of town and village plans are eligible for support under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which is operated by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities. Local Authorities are required to develop proposals under the scheme in consultation with local communities. I recently approved funding of €21.6 million to 281 rural towns and villages under the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (19 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. Each Local Authority was invited to submit up to 15 applications to the Department for consideration under the scheme, following consultation with local communities in their respective areas. I recently approved funding of €21.6...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme Administration (19 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: In the past, Local Improvement Schemes were mainly run towards the end of the year when the main public roads programmes were winding down. The LIS roads were completed through a concentrated effort over a relatively short period of time. In September of this year, I re-launched the Local Improvement Scheme, with an allocation of €10 million for 2017. Funding was allocated to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Resettlement Scheme (24 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The Government has committed to the revitalisation and rebuilding of rural areas. Equally the Government’s housing strategy, Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, includes a range of measures support of the regeneration and renewal of towns and villages across rural Ireland. Grant assistance was provided to Rural Resettlement Ireland until 2012 by the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Recreational Facilities Provision (24 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The application in question was submitted under the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme which was launched last April 2017.  The scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland. Applications were invited under three separate...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme (24 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: On 21st September this year, I announced the provision of €10 million for a Local Improvement Scheme to support improvement works on private and non-public roads.  Local Authorities were notified that the scheme was primarily subject to the rules laid out in the Local Improvement Scheme Memorandum issued by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in 2002. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (25 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The regulation of dog breeding establishments is a matter for local authorities in accordance with the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010. The Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Leader Programmes Data (26 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: LEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development.  Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the programme over the period 2014-2020, including both national and EU funding.  The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been produced for each LAG...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Grant Payments (26 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: The CLÁR scheme previously provided funding to support micro enterprises to convert from single phase to three phase electricity. However, the scheme was closed for new applications in 2009. In addition, the former Farm Electrification Grant Scheme (FEGS) provided support for the installation of three phase electricity supply on farms. I understand that this scheme ceased operation...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Ring: My Open Library is an initiative under Opportunities for All, the national public library strategy 2013-2017, which seeks to extend access to library services and facilities at times when they would be otherwise unavailable. In this regard, My Open Library provides additional opening hours for library members between 8am and 10pm, seven...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Agencies Funding (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Ring: Whilst my Department has responsibility as the lead and funding Department for a number of programmes and schemes administered by Pobal, issues relating to employee terms and conditions, including salaries, are a matter for the employer and employees concerned, subject to compliance with employment legislation.  My Department has no role in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Seniors Alert Scheme (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1138 to 1140, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personalised monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Websites (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Ring: The Department's website went live in August 2017 following the establishment of the Department in July 2017.  There is no external company undertaking an audit of my Department's website.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Ring: I am aware of the issues regarding the transitional funding arrangements in place since 2015 for the organisation concerned. I am also aware of the timelines involved and my Department is liaising with relevant stakeholders in the matter.