Results 11,961-11,980 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I met representatives of LEADER companies recently. My officials meet them on a regular basis. We are prepared to iron out any difficulties they might have. I understand they are fairly satisfied with the procedures that are in place. They are fairly satisfied that the changes we have made have streamlined the LEADER programme. As a former Minister, Deputy Smith will be aware that checks...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: That is right.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Deputy and I want the money allocated by the Department to rural communities under the LEADER programme to be spent. It is in the interests of every Deputy in this House for these funds to be spent in rural areas. The Deputy is quite correct when he says that a balance is needed. Although the application process has been streamlined, there continues to be a need to ensure taxpayers'...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I need to find the answer to this question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I would rather not go through the same speech again.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The amount of money spent under the LEADER programme so far in 2018 is €17.6 million.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: We hope that the drawdown by the end of the year will be €26 million. The drawdown to date is €17.6 million.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I will read the reply that has been prepared by the Department. The level of project activity under the LEADER programme has ramped up significantly this year. Some 1,450 projects have been approved for funding of more than €46.3 million since the programme commenced. A further 329 project applications, requesting an additional €22.1 million, are at various stages in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: -----compared to just under €700,000 in 2017. I will provide the Deputy with a table with a breakdown of the project expenditure incurred in 2018 in each local action area. The progress being made by the local action groups will result in a continued increase in project approvals and payments under the programme for the rest of this year and beyond. This progress has been assisted...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: As I outlined to the Deputy in an earlier reply, the first call for applications for the rural regeneration and development fund closed at the end of September, with 290 applications received. Of these, 125 were for category one shovel ready projects, while the other 165 were for category two projects, which need development funding to become potential category one applications in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The project advisory board is going through the applications. There are two categories. The Deputy is correct - one of them is projects which are shovel ready. I expect the board to come back with recommendations on projects that are shovel ready.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I do.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: My definition of "shovel-ready" is that when a project is ready the planning permissions would be in place. I would expect the application to be ready to go if funding is secured for it. That is what I determine to be a shovel-ready project. If those concerned get approval in November and can start drawing down that funding from the first day of January, I would expect them to start that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I do not expect all projects will be ready in terms of having their quotations and tenders done but the scheme refers to shovel-ready projects. If a project is shovel-ready I would expect in a very short period that it would be ready to go. The evaluation team will examine these schemes. We have more projects and I referenced in my reply the number of applications that have been received....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: CLÁR was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The Cooley Peninsula was also included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by foot and mouth disease. The average...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for the comments. She is correct in what she said about CLÁR funding. It is not always big money that creates an impression. It is often small money that makes a major difference to small communities. As I said in my reply, I am doing a review of the CLÁR programme and it is time there was a proper review of it. I will put that review out at the end of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: With the CLÁR programme one of the better schemes that I oversaw was the safety scheme for outside schools. It is an important scheme. We have supported many schools throughout the country. We have made schools safer with signage, access and car parking. If there is a specific case, Deputy Smyth may take it up with me. I am satisfied with the CLÁR programme. At this stage,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Development Policy (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: Rural Ireland makes a huge contribution to our national identity, our society and our economy and it will continue to play an important role in our national development.  That is why support for rural development and rural communities was prioritised in Budget 2019. The budget greatly increased the funding allocation for my Department, from €231 million in 2018 to €293...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September.  €1 billion is committed to this fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. There was a great response with 290 applications received. Of these 125 were for category 1 "shovel ready" projects and the other 165...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Urban Renewal Schemes (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: In October I announced a funding allocation of €5.5m for 2019 for the Dublin North East Inner City area. This will support the social and economic regeneration of an area which is at the heart of our capital city. It will benefit not only the local community but the city as a whole. The funding underlines the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the recommendations of the...