Results 12,221-12,240 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Expenditure (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: We have made 32 changes to the existing scheme and we have made it easier to make applications and improved supports for groups that apply for the LEADER programme. The scheme works better because of the changes we made, as can be seen in the number of allocations made as well as those coming down the line. I am happy that the scheme works better than it was. As Minister, I have made all...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Enhancement Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: In 2018 I launched the community enhancement programme which helps community groups to improve facilities in their area.  Some €4 million was originally available for the programme within my Department's budget for 2018. The community enhancement programme supports a range of investment in all areas of communities, such as childcare facilities, playgrounds, recreational...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Enhancement Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The Deputy mentioned the Dublin issue in terms of poverty. As I said, in 2017 we allocated €2.5 million for inner city Dublin, €3.5 million for 2018 and €6.5 million for 2019, in addition to the funding we allocated for South Dublin County Council. The Deputy is right about his own constituency. In the Sligo-Leitrim area more than €433,000 was allocated....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Enhancement Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The Deputy is right. This is a very good programme and I believe the funding was allocated fairly. I gave €125,000 to every local authority. I then looked at disadvantaged areas and gave 60% for those. I refer to 40% of the population. It was distributed fairly throughout the country. The funding can be used for CCTV equipment, energy efficiency projects or community amenities....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The aim of CLÁR is to support the sustainable development of designated CLÁR areas with the aim of encouraging people to continue live and work in those areas. CLÁR was closed for new applications from 2010 to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for his comments. He is right that the CLÁR programme is great. I can target it and look at ways to deal with rural and urban disadvantage to see what can be done. I have initiated a review of the CLÁR programme in light of the 2016 census figures. Many areas may not need to be in CLÁR now, but there are many which should be in it. I find that myself in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The review has taken place. I hope that it will be completed some time this year. I will open the CLÁR programme soon and the review will not be done on time for these people, but it will be for the next round. It needs to be done. We need to consider the 2016 census figures. It has been many years since we reviewed the CLÁR programme and it is time that we did it. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme has a total budget of €250 million over its lifetime. Some €220 million of this has been allocated to the local action groups, LAGs, which deliver the programme throughout the country. The allocation is used by the LAGs to administer the programme and to fund individual LEADER projects in their areas. The remaining €30 million in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for his comments. As I said to Deputy Calleary, the level of funding in 2018 is double the amount that was approved in 2017. That is important. We made many changes in the programme. I will give a straight answer to the Deputy's specific question. I and the Department wrote to the LAGs in October or November allowing them, in their programmes in their counties, to move...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: On requests from people like the Deputy and others, I have reviewed the LEADER programme. We have made approximately 32 changes regarding the programme, especially to the administration of it. I changed many actions to make it easier with respect to applications, groups and the administration of the LEADER programme. I want to see it working. I want to see the money spent. I want to see...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The LEADER programme is administered in County Meath by the Meath local community development committee, LCDC, which acts as the local action group for the subregion in partnership with Meath County Council and Meath Partnership. The total amount of funding allocated to the county for the duration of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme is in excess of €6.9 million, which includes...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: As I said in a previous response, I want to see that money spent. The Deputy is correct in what he said. Projects valuing €966,000 have been approved but only €37,301 has been drawn down. I will have to get my Department to check this to see what is going on. If we consider Donegal, it has 104 projects to the value of €4,382,830 approved and €1,728,000 has been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: Meath has 24 projects approved to the value of €966,042 and only €37,301 has been drawn down. I cannot do any more, I have made all the changes I outlined. The scheme is working in many counties. Many places are doing very well with the LEADER programme. I have been advised that 80% of the funding will be spent and the group in Meath has indicated that 50% of its budget...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The county has got its allocation of €6.9 million but it has not delivered on the programme. I will get my officials to examine it. I would point to the Deputy's neighbouring county, County Louth, and what it can deliver. It has drawn down €604,897 while the group in the Deputy's county has drawn down only a little more than €37,000. There is something wrong. I will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Seniors Alert Scheme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: My Department is responsible for the seniors alert scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Services Programme (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The Community Services Programme, or CSP, supports around 420 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model, with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions. More than €46 million is available to support community organisations under the programme in 2019. The CSP...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 28 together. My Department has provided funding through a number of programmes to County Donegal and to the Donegal Gaeltacht. Under Project Ireland 2040, the Government committed €1 billion to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and to help build strong communities. The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Recreation Policy (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: Actions to maximise Ireland’s rural tourism and recreation potential are implemented across a number of Government Departments and agencies, including Fáilte Ireland, Local Authorities, Waterways Ireland and Coillte. My Department works closely with these organisations and delivers a number of funding initiatives in its own right that support the development of rural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme Data (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. As the Deputy may be aware, there was no dedicated funding for this scheme for a number of years due to constraints on public expenditure. However, I was very conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of transport services is the responsibility of the Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport. There are several actions in the Action Plan for Rural Development in relation to transport services that are delivered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and agencies under that Department's remit. These actions include progressing major...