Results 12,261-12,280 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

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

Michael Ring: I am aware that, in the past, the CLÁR programme supported measures such as the schemes referred to by the Deputy.  However, these measures are not part of the CLÁR programme at present, and the estimated cost associated with the possible reintroduction of similar schemes has not been assessed. I propose to launch a further call for proposals under the  CLÁR...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Brexit Staff (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: My Department was established to bring a greater level of coordination and cohesion to policies that impact rural Ireland and communities in order that economic recovery can be felt right across the country. Part of that involves ensuring the potential impacts of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union are mitigated in those communities most likely to be affected by Brexit....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together. My Department is committed to the successful delivery of the following programmes which provided financial and other supports to organisations in County Kildare, on a county-wide basis,  including to North Kildare, in 2018 and I look forward to further supporting rural and urban communities in the county moving...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Comhairle na Tuaithe (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: My Department is aware that, since the establishment of Comhairle na Tuaithe in 2004, and the publication of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy in 2006, there has been significant growth in the number of people engaging in outdoor pursuits across a wider range of activities than ever before.  In this context, an independent review of Comhairle and the Countryside...

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

Michael Ring: I launched the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) in May 2018.  I am delighted with the success of the CEP and on foot of the high level of applications received following the launch, I provided an additional once-off funding allocation of €8.5 million bring the total allocation to €13 million in 2018. The programme replaces and builds on two schemes which...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Agencies Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: Please see response to parliamentary question No. 44, ref. 3006/19.  Pobal is an agency of my Department which works on behalf of Government to manage and implement a number of publicly-funded programmes designed to improve outcomes for local communities, particularly those encountering social and economic disadvantage. Pobal operates on the basis of a framework agreement...

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

Michael Ring: The issue of isolation, whether in urban or rural areas, is one which requires a response containing a combination of policy initiatives and actions delivered across a number of Government Departments. For my part, I am committed to continuing my Department's response to the issue, which includes ongoing contact with local and community groups and other stakeholders, where appropriate, to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Projects (24 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: My Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that will invest €29m in 19 projects, as well as the My Open Library service, between 2016 and 2022.  The programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities in 2015.  Blackrock Mahon Library was not submitted as a priority by Cork City Council at that time...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Brexit Issues (24 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: I have met with my officials on numerous occasions in the period outlined by the Deputy, and the issue of Brexit has been discussed frequently as it pertains to the ongoing work of my Department. Additionally, as we draw closer to the Brexit date of 29 March, Brexit preparatory planning has become a standing agenda item at my monthly meetings with the Management Board of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Services Programme Funding (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: I understand the Deputy is referring to the Community Services Programme (CSP) and, in particular, to the eligibility of a participant in a specific CSP supported organisation who has reached 66 years of age. The CSP supports around 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model with funding provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Walks Scheme (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 530 together. The Walks Scheme currently covers 39 trails, with payments made to approximately 1,900 private land-holders to maintain those trails. The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to increase the number of walks covered by the scheme. In line with this commitment, funding for the scheme was doubled in Budget 2019 -...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed in September 2018. €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities with €55 million allocated to the fund in Budget 2019. Applications made for the Fund are currently being examined by the Project Advisory...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: Under Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed €1 billion to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. The Fund has been allocated €315m over the period 2019 to 2022, with €55m set aside in my Department's budget for successful projects in 2019. The first call...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Recreation Policy (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The introduction of a National Indemnity Scheme is a key priority for my Department to support the continued provision of access to the countryside for recreational users on a permissive access basis. My Department has been working to develop a scheme to indemnify private land owners with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes. In this context, my officials have been...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The partnership company referred to by the Deputy delivers a range of funding streams on behalf of a number of different organisations, including my Department. My Department does not have information in respect of all of these funding streams or of the specific projects that may have been funded. In respect of my own Department, the partnership company is the Programme Implementer for the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The partnership company referred to by the Deputy delivers a range of funding streams on behalf of a number of different organisations, including my Department. My Department does not have information in respect of all of these funding streams or of the specific projects that may have been funded. In respect of my own Department, the partnership company is the Programme Implementer for the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (29 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 now funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. It is a matter for the Local Authorities to prioritise the roads to be completed under the scheme. As the Deputy may be aware, there was no dedicated funding for this scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Seniors Alert Scheme (29 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 a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes Expenditure (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: LEADER is a multi-annual programme with a total budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020. €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. This funding is allocated to the LAGs for the full period of the programme. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes to be...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (29 Jan 2019)

Michael Ring: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016 and, to date, almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country. The following tables detail the funding allocated to each local authority under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018, and the cumulative amount paid by my Department...