Results 10,921-10,940 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Foireann Roinne (16 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Bunaíodh an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail ar an 19ú Mí Iúil, 2017, chun fócus athnuaite agus comhdhlúite a sholáthar ar fhorbairt tuaithe agus pobail in Éirinn. Níl aon poist sa Roinn agus baint riachtanach ag an nGaeilge leis, áfach, aithníonn an Roinn an cúram chun seirbhísí áirithe a chur ar fáil don...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Senator Craughwell for tabling the amendment but, as I indicated in the House on Monday, I will not be able to accept it. I am happy to consider it and will certainly ask my officials to look at the matter. Senators Ardagh, Higgins, Lombard, Wall, Seery Kearney, Chambers, Carrigy and Crowe have spoken and I understand and appreciate the points that all of them have made. It is...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Senators for their courtesy and co-operation in ensuring that the Bill was passed in good time in order that it could go to the President for signature. A good number of the amendments in the Bill will make a difference to people's lives. Social protection is here to help people and to give them that helping hand whenever they need it. It is the support mechanism that we have as a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Since 2016, my Department has been investing in the improvement of rural towns and villages through the town and village renewal scheme. A total of €78 million has been allocated through the scheme to date, and this investment has been augmented by the rural regeneration and development fund, which supports larger-scale town revitalisation...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The town and village renewal scheme very much has a bottom-up approach, as the Deputy knows. It is about working with the communities and local authorities to identify projects that will make a difference in their towns. On vacant properties, I have the extra €2 million in the budget. That is to support the development of the master plans in about 50 towns and villages...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy is correct about ownership. Sometimes it is difficult to find owners but it is important that local authorities use their powers to step in, if necessary, and purchase a vacant property compulsorily before it becomes an eyesore or danger. I would like to see some of the extra €5 million made available under the town and village scheme this year to develop remote working...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is a matter in which he has a genuine interest, as do many rural Deputies. The LEADER programme has contributed greatly to all our regions and communities. As the Deputy knows, due to delays at EU level, there will be a delay between the end of the current LEADER programme, which was due to conclude at the end of this year, and the next EU...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: An initial allocation of €20 million is being made available for the delivery of the programme and 75%, or €15 million, of the funding is being allocated to new project activity, with the remaining 25% or €5 million available for administration and project animation costs. The funding will be distributed between the local action groups, LAGs, on a pro ratabasis...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: A lot of work has been done by my officials in the Department, my predecessor, Deputy Ring, and Deputy Canney, as a former Minister of State. I met with representatives of the LEADER companies and heard their concerns. I have addressed those concerns in this transitional programme. The Deputy is right about Galway, which has an impressive record in this regard. As of 13 December, the LAG...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 16, 25 and 26 together. I thank the Deputy for raising the question. Broadband connection points, BCPs, are among the first deliverables of the national broadband plan, NBP, and will provide high-speed broadband connectivity to publicly accessible sites in rural and isolated areas of the country, including a number of our offshore islands. These sites...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputies. Every one of us is aware of the importance of broadband in rural areas. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. In response to Deputy Stanton, the fact we are talking about it this morning creates awareness around what is happening. The local authorities have been doing a good deal of work on this. There are local broadband officers in every local authority....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I tried to have more questions grouped, but I was told the most I could take with the first question was five, or perhaps it was four. I am not sure which. I agree with Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and I know what it is like. I live in an amber area and my daughter is working from home. She has my head turned about the broadband speed. I told her there was not much we could do about...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy has submitted another question on remote working, digital hubs and so on. He is right about the project in Kiskeam. He brought it to my attention and is passionate about it. I have spoken to An Post about it, as the proposal is for a digital hub being provided as an added service at a post office. It is an innovative idea and I am happy to work with the Deputy on the project....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. My Department is charged with progressing the development of a new policy for the islands. Prior to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, my officials had been engaged in a process of consultation with island communities on the policy's development. This consultation, which was a key element in informing the policy, was carried out through...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: A policy process was set up. The Deputy will appreciate that I took responsibility for the islands just a few months ago. I managed to visit an island this summer as well as last summer. Even in the short time I have had responsibility, I have shown my commitment to supporting our islanders. I increased the weekly island allowance from €12.70 to €20 in the budget. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. We will have a policy and we will deliver it. Much work has been done and, in fairness, Senator Seán Kyne was involved in that work as well. He and Deputy Ó Cuív are committed, as the Deputy is, to delivering for the islands. I am also committed to doing that. We have done a considerable amount of consultation. A few more meetings need to be held. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this matter. The rural regeneration and development fund established under the national development plan and managed by my Department supports large-scale investment in projects which can deliver sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. To date, 63 category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €131 million and 76...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I know the Deputy is committed to this project. He has told me this fits the criteria because he and the project promoters are trying to breathe life back into and energise the town centre. We want to support innovative projects like that which make a difference and make a change. In fairness, Cork North-West has a good record in terms of submitting applications. The Kanturk...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I look forward to going back to County Cork at some stage. I would love to go back to see how they are getting on with that Banteer project. It was quite an amazing project they put forward. They had wonderful plans for the area and I had a lovely day there. As I said, the Charleville project mentioned by the Deputy will be assessed by an independent panel of experts. I have no doubt...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Remote Working (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 30 together. The increased shift to remote work in the last nine months as a result of Covid-19 has given us all an opportunity to reimagine the possibilities for a greater regional distribution of jobs and for transforming rural Ireland. Remote working supported by appropriate infrastructure and facilities has the potential to encourage more people...