Results 12,061-12,080 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes Administration (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: As the Deputy knows, spending under the LEADER programme takes a while to ramp up. To date, €35.5 million of the programme budget has been spent since it commenced. I am expecting that by the end of this year, a total of €24.5 million of that funding will be spent. Every LEADER programme takes a while to ramp up because the local action groups, LAGs, or LEADER companies have...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes Administration (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I am monitoring this closely. To be fair, my Department is not holding back progress. When the Department gets receipts, it pays out the funds as quickly as possible. In response to the Deputy's specific questions, some of the LEADER companies around the country have done very well. In Mayo, for example, 88 projects have been approved with a total value of €3.689 million and to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: Substantial progress continues to be made in improving the quality of life in communities throughout Ireland, both rural and urban. As the Minister with responsibility for rural and community development, it is my intention that the many supports available through my Department will continue to improve conditions in these communities into the future so that they are attractive places in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: As I said earlier, a total of €50.5 million of funding has been approved for 1,525 LEADER projects. Under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, SICAP, for disadvantaged areas, a total of €38 million was provided in 2018. That programme will help more than 110,000 individuals and assist over 5,000 local community groups. Under the community service...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: In fairness, over the past few years the local authorities have begun to engage with communities, and communities are beginning to work with the local authorities. On some of the schemes I mentioned, one can see there are good community groups in every corner of the country . One issue I encounter in all the schemes, however, is applications from groups which are well able to draw down...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Data (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The Deputy lobbied hard for the scheme, which did not exist for many years. The LIS is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas. It is funded by my Department and administered through the local authorities. As the Deputy may be aware, there was no dedicated funding for the scheme for a number of years due to constraints on public expenditure....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Data (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I am currently considering the LIS scheme, along with all of my schemes. I receive much criticism of the LIS scheme from certain sections of the Dublin-based media, but they will never have to worry about an LIS road or look for private funding because Dublin City Council, Dublin County Council or whatever the case may be will address the matter for them. As the Deputy knows, people in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Data (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I am reviewing, and will continue to review, the scheme, and I will examine the point the Deputy raised. When I came into office, I reduced the local contribution to 15% for five houses or more, while I reduced it to 10% for five houses or fewer. The Deputy raised an important point that causes a significant problem in many areas where there are large roads but there may be only one or two...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: CLÁR is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and focuses on areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. It is a programme that provides modest amounts of money for small scale initiatives in rural areas, but the impact of the funding for these areas is huge. CLÁR was effectively closed for new applications in 2010....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The CLÁR programme is one of the better programmes introduced over the years. While I have differences with my colleague across the floor, it was one of the better schemes introduced. It was closed from 2010. I am reviewing the schemes and I am looking to identify schemes that will be supportive of rural areas and of communities that are not able to get the support they need from...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The Deputy mentioned the outdoor recreation scheme and the town and village scheme, which have all worked very well. I must be careful that other Departments do not see this as a mechanism to allow them not to do what they should be doing. Deputy Neville is correct: I need to get my Department to act. I have asked my officials to meet with other Departments. I am already aware that some...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The town and village renewal scheme is a key part of the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development. The plan contains more than 270 actions for delivery by Departments, State agencies and other organisations to help rural Ireland achieve its full economic and social potential. The Government launched the town and village renewal scheme in 2016, with funding of €10 million to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for his comments. The town and village renewal scheme is probably one of the better schemes the Department administers. It is amazing what communities, towns and villages can do when they get a lift through a small allocation of funding. I was in Wicklow recently to visit a public realm project we had funded in the centre of the town. On foot of that, the HSE decided it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: One of the worries people had about the €1 billion being allocated over ten years is that the existing departmental schemes would not continue. I assure Deputy Burke that the town and village renewal scheme, the CLÁR programme, the outdoor recreation scheme and all the other schemes will continue next year. I have funding in the Department's budget for all of them. Deputy Burke...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Closures (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: My colleague, 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. Investment in rural Ireland is taking place right across Government. The Action Plan for Rural Development is a comprehensive cross-Government plan...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Closures (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I am sorry I have only a minute to reply. I wish I had more time because I have a list of all the post offices that Fianna Fáil closed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Closures (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I would be here for 25 minutes-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Closures (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: It is a pity-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Closures (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I did not interrupt the Deputy. I let him talk. If his Government had been as concerned about post offices when this country was awash with money, and if it had given them the services they needed, we would not have any closure of post offices.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Closures (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The Government did not close any post offices in the past few months.