Results 11,201-11,220 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Other Questions: Voluntary Sector (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department provides a cohesive framework of supports for the community and voluntary sector. Additional information not given on the floor of the House In 2017, €3.5 million was provided under this programme to support volunteer centres in 21 areas nationwide, volunteer information services in areas not served by volunteer centres and a number of national organisations such as...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Project Ireland 2040 (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The overarching objective of the Atlantic Economic Corridor proposal is to maximise the assets along the western seaboard and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life. Project Ireland 2040 fully supports the development of the AEC and specifically highlights the contribution...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Voluntary Sector (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: Supporting the role of volunteers in our society is an important element of my Department's work in developing vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities. The Government recognises the importance and worth of every type of volunteering activity, irrespective of its scale or the sector involved. The ongoing and future development of volunteering is key to ensuring that the sector...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Project Ireland 2040 (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both commit to progressing the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. In line with this commitment, Minister Michael Ring established the Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce in March 2017, and I now chair this Taskforce. The overarching objective of the AEC proposal is to maximise the assets along the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dormant Accounts Fund (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Funds provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged people, and people with a disability. The principles underlying the allocation of funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund and the strategic objectives to be pursued by measures nominated for funding by...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The Action Plan for Rural Development contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential. The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in April last year, with a focus on projects which could stimulate and encourage...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (21 Feb 2018)

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 announced the reopening of the CLÁR Programme in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Service Provision (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Authority Funding (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: As part of the Government’s programme to support rural development, a number of initiatives including CLÁR, the Rural Recreation Scheme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) were launched during 2016.  In general, these initiatives were implemented through the Local Authorities. Payments of approximately €28 million were...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Banking (21 Feb 2018)

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. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to investigate the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 67 together. Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, local authorities are responsible for the registration, inspection and regulation of dog breeding establishments within their functional areas. Furthermore, the enforcement of welfare standards regarding all animals, including dogs, is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Service Level Agreements (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: Pobal is a not-for-profit company which works on behalf of the Irish Government and European Union (EU) in managing programmes that contribute to social inclusion, equality and reconciliation. The Company operates under the aegis of my Department, which has an oversight and co-ordination role in respect of the company. A comprehensive structure is in place to govern the relationship between...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dormant Accounts Fund (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Funds provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantage people, and people with a disability. The funding is allocated through a three-year Disbursement Scheme, underpinned by annual Action Plans which set out specific programmes to be funded each year. My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private/non public roads and has been funded in the past by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and subsequently by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.  There has been very little funding available for this scheme in recent years due to constraints on public...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme Administration (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private/non public roads and has been funded in the past by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and subsequently by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.  There has been very little funding available for this scheme in recent years due to constraints on public...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Leader Programmes Funding (21 Feb 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. The Funding...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dormant Accounts Fund Grants (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Funds provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged people, and people with a disability. The funding is allocated through a three-year Disbursement Scheme, underpinned by annual Action Plans which set out specific measures which may draw down from the Fund....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, local authorities are responsible for the registration, inspection and regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments.  Further, under the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for his or her own staffing and organisational arrangements, including for the inspection of dog breeding establishments.  My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The Action Plan for Rural Development contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme focuses on projects which could stimulate and encourage economic activity in our rural towns and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Recreation Scheme (21 Feb 2018)

Michael Ring: The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a series of measures to maximise Ireland’s rural tourism and recreation potential in recognition of the contribution that these sectors make to rural economies. Actions under this Pillar are implemented across a number of Government Departments and agencies. My own Department delivers a number of funding initiatives that support...