Results 11,981-12,000 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The LEADER programme has made a huge contribution to supporting rural areas and rural communities for many years.  As is the case with many EU-funded programmes, certain procedures must be followed to ensure transparency and accountability.  However, I am committed to making the application process for LEADER in Ireland as efficient as possible for community groups. My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a number of measures for delivery by a range of Departments and other bodies to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages.  From my own Department's perspective, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key component in the revitalisation of rural towns and villages. In total, almost €53 million has been approved...

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

Michael Ring: A Pilot scheme to encourage people to return to living in town centres was launched in October 2018. The pilot is one of the elements being utilised by the Department to revitalise rural towns and villages.  There is no one-size-fits-all approach to rejuvenating towns and villages in rural Ireland.  The factors which attract people to live in particular...

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

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 257 and 258 together. As Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development I note the substantial progress made to improve the quality of life for persons and communities throughout Ireland, both rural and urban, and it is my intention that the supports available through my Department will continue to improve conditions in these...

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

Michael Ring: My Department administers the Walks Scheme which facilitates the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s walking trails. The scheme involves land-holders as key participants in the provision of high quality walking trails, by contracting them to undertake maintenance work on sections of National Waymarked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands. Participant...

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

Michael Ring: As Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development my primary focus is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country and crucial to that is the development of the modern, efficient services needed for such communities to thrive. My Department provides a wide range of supports to communities in rural Ireland, through programmes such as...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Post Office Closures (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has policy responsibility for the postal sector. However, I am acutely aware of the value placed by rural communities on services such as the local post office. Last month the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment launched a new Digital Assist pilot initiative with An Post. Ten locations across the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Comhairle na Tuaithe (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established on 19th July 2017. Since then, I met with the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 13th February 2018, and Comhairle met on two further occasions, 16th May 2018 and 5th July 2018. My meeting with Comhairle on 13th February was to hear directly from the members their views on the recommendations of the independent review of...

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. €55 million is allocated to the fund in Budget 2019. The objective of the Fund is to drive coordinated investment between...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in Ireland. On 28 May last, I launched the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: SICAP is managed locally by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with work being completed on the ground by Local Development Companies.  This structure ensures the flexibility to respond to local needs in each area.  When implementing SICAP, Local Development Companies assist individuals and community groups in different ways, including through the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Clár Forbartha Tuaithe (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: Glacann m’oifigigh páirt i meitheal - a bhfuil an Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála & Rialtais Aitiúil ag déanamh cathaoirleacht a uirthi - atá ag déanamh athbhreithnithe ar infhéistíocht i seirbhísí uisce tuaithe. Is eol dom gur thacaigh CLÁR le beartais ar nós grúpscéimeanna uisce agus séarachais san am...

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

Michael Ring: The response to the issue of rural isolation is delivered across a number of Government Departments and organisations. The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development includes a range of measures that will significantly contribute to addressing isolation and social inclusion in rural areas. Specific examples of actions in the Plan which will help those who feel isolated or...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key component in creating vibrant towns and villages at the heart of our rural communities and can play an important role in revitalising rural Ireland. The scheme was initially launched in the second half of 2016.  In 2017, as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development, an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched, with a focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Voluntary Sector Funding (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department has lead responsibility for developing the relationship between the State and community and voluntary sector and our vision for this sector is one which actively contributes meaningfully to supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. In line with this objective, my Department will shortly be issuing a call for inputs to a paper on...

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

Michael Ring: My Department is in ongoing contact with voluntary and statutory bodies under its aegis to identify the most appropriate actions in regard to all issues relevant to the work of the Department. Submissions are also encouraged from all such bodies, where appropriate, in relation to consultation processes held by my Department. We will shortly be issuing a call for inputs to a paper on key...

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

Michael Ring: Addressing the issue of isolation in rural and urban areas requires a combination of policy initiatives and actions to improve both economic development and to address gaps in meeting the social needs in these areas. Many of these initiatives form part of the Government's published Action Plan for Rural Development and Framework Policy for Local and Community...

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

Michael Ring: My Department provides a wide range of supports to communities in rural Ireland. The table below provides the details my Department currently has on the number of applications received from groups and bodies in County Kildare for funding or support in 2018. Where North Kildare-specific information is not available at this time, County Kildare totals are provided. 2018...

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

Michael Ring: My Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland and this involves providing a mixture of financial and policy supports that promote economic and social development within communities. Our Statement of Strategy, published earlier this year, lays out the ways in which we aim to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (13 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The 2018 CLÁR programme provided funding under the following measures: Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas Measure 3: First Response Support Measure...