Results 11,021-11,040 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Banking Sector (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 76 together. 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 for Ireland, based, for example, on the Kiwibank model in New Zealand. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The Local Improvement Scheme supports improvement works on private, non-public roads, to improve access for people who live or work along those roads. There has been very little funding available for this scheme in recent years due to constraints on public expenditure.  However, I was very conscious of the underlying demand for the scheme in rural areas throughout the country....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both contain a commitment to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor.  The concept was proposed in February 2016 by a group involving a number of Chambers of Commerce in the Western region and the American Chambers of Commerce of Ireland. The overarching objective of the Atlantic...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: In January 2017, Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was launched.  The Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland.  The Action Plan contains measures across a range of policy areas which will help...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: Depending on the precise details of the proposal, a project such as the one described by the Deputy could be eligible for funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which is administered by my Department. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme forms part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding on a competitive basis for the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in April last year, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. In October 2017, I approved funding of €21.6 million for 281 projects in rural towns and villages under the scheme.  Details of the projects funded are available on my Department’s website at:...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The Revised Estimate for Public Services 2018 provides for gross expenditure of €231.5m, comprising €144m current expenditure and €87.5m capital expenditure in respect of the Department of Rural and Community Development. My Department will continue to work with key stakeholders including local authorities, community and voluntary groups, and dedicated agencies to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The 2017 CLÁR programme provided total funding of just under €7 million for 230 projects across four Measures as follows: Measure 1:Support for School and Community Safety Measures Measure 2:Play Areas Measure 3:Targeted Community Infrastructure Measure 4:First Responder Supports I propose to launch a further round of the CLÁR programme in 2018 and I will be considering...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The 2017 Communities Facilities Scheme was launched in March 2017.  The scheme is administered on my Department's behalf by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) under the remit of the Local Authorities. Under the scheme community and voluntary groups can apply for grants for capital projects which benefit the local community.  Applications must...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department supports a range of initiatives in the community and voluntary sector and has lead responsibility for developing the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary sector. The Scheme to Support National Organisations which has been in place since 2008 is a key element in the State's support for the role of the sector...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020, with a total budget of €250 million over that period.  €220 million of this funding has already been allocated to the Local Action Groups throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme.  The remaining €30 million is available for schemes which will be delivered at a national level. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dormant Accounts Fund (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings.  The Dormant Accounts Fund is managed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Noise Pollution (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The following legislation and arrangements are in place to deal with the issue of noise pollution caused by barking dogs. Under Section 25 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, the District Court may act on a complaint by any person where a nuisance has been created by excessive barking by a dog. A copy of the form used for complaints to the Courts regarding barking is available from local...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dormant Accounts Fund Grants (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: Statutory responsibility for the Dormant Accounts Fund transferred to my Department in July 2017.  The legislation governing the Fund provides for disbursements to be made from the Fund to projects and programmes which benefit economically, socially or educationally disadvantaged people, and people with a disability. My Department’s role is to prepare a Disbursement Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1520 and 1526 together. 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 health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Administration (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The SICAP programme ended on 31 December 2017 with the next iteration, SICAP 2018 – 2022, rolling out 1 January 2018.  As with the previous programme, the delivery of SICAP in 51 different geographical areas from 2018 onwards was tendered for by way of a public procurement process. This was conducted by the Local Community Development Committees, in accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Charities Regulation (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department is responsible for the Charities Regulatory Authority ("the Charities Regulator") which was established on 16 October, 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act, 2009. The general function of the Regulator is to regulate charitable organisations operating in Ireland, in order to increase public trust and confidence in their management and administration. Under the Charities Act, 2009,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: The Local Improvement Scheme supports improvement works on private, non-public roads, to improve access for people who live or work along those roads. There has been very little funding available for this scheme in recent years due to constraints on public expenditure.  However, I was very conscious of the underlying demand for the scheme in rural areas throughout the country....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Charities Regulation (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: Under the Charities Act, 2009, the Charities Regulatory Authority is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions. The general function of the Regulatory Authority is to regulate charitable organisations operating in Ireland, in order to increase public trust and confidence in their management and administration. Under Section 41 of the 2009 Act, it...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Services Programme (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1525 and 1544 together. The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model.  Funding is provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and a specified number of full time equivalent positions.  The CSP contribution is based on a 39-hour working...