Results 12,461-12,480 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future is the new rural development policy covering the period 2021 to 2025 and, as I said earlier, is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. It recognises that rural areas play an integral role in the economic, social and cultural well-being of the country and sets out a vision for vibrant and thriving rural towns, villages and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department will begin the process of developing a rural proofing model this year. It will also engage with colleagues across the Government, with the higher education network that is being established this year under another commitment in Our Rural Future and with other rural development experts as part of the scoping process. This process will also involve engagement internationally,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: To be fair, there has been unprecedented investment in rural Ireland. One need only look at the rural regional development fund, category 1 call, and the successful candidates. That amounted to €81 million. This is since the rural development policy was launched. There was €81 million for that, €15 million for outdoor recreation to support 126 new projects and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The focus of the Local Improvement Scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. As part of “Our Rural Future”, the Government committed...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was launched in July 2016 with the objective of improving access to high-quality mobile phone coverage and broadband services in rural Ireland. Since its inception, the Taskforce has addressed more than 70 targeted actions, worked on removing structural barriers to telecommunications deployment and addressed mobile coverage deficits, particularly in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Wastewater Treatment (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Responsibility for all aspects of water services, including planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, lies with Irish Water, which is an agency under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, I recognise the fundamental importance of water and wastewater infrastructure to ensuring balanced and sustainable rural development....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 36 and 39 together. The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. I launched the 2021 programme on 15th March. The closing date for receipt of applications has now passed and the assessment process has commenced. The areas...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government recognises that our commitment to decarbonise will be underpinned by the core philosophy of a Just Transition. Rural communities in particular are at risk of bearing a disproportionate cost of the adaptation measures that will be required to meet climate action targets. Therefore, active engagement with these communities is vital in order to fully participate in a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. My Department reviews the type of initiatives to be funded under the Programme each year. I launched the 2021 programme on 15thMarch and the Measures being funded through this year's programme are: - Measure 1 which supports School...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, 34, 48 and 49 together. Remote working at home, in digital hubs or Broadband Connection Points (BCP), has the potential to transform rural Ireland, allowing people to build careers in good quality jobs while continuing to live closer to home and generating economic activity in our rural towns and villages. The BCP Initiative is one of the first...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 28 together. ‘Our Rural Future’, the new Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades, focusing on sustainability and optimising opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses. The Policy contains over 150 measures for delivery over...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As part of Our Rural Future, I want to see rural Ireland become a destination of choice domestically and internationally for outdoor pursuits . The availability of quality and accessible outdoor infrastructure is vital for both local residents and visitors alike. Since 2016, my Department has allocated almost €68 million to nearly 1,000 projects through the Outdoor Recreation...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I announced details of the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 3rd May last. The Scheme is designed to make towns and villages better places to live and work, and is an important part of Our Rural Future. The closing date set for receipt of completed applications by my Department is 16th July. Following competitive assessment, I anticipate I will make an announcement of approved...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that the public library service offers free access to Wi-Fi and PCs with internet connections and video calling capabilities. Some branches offer laptop and tablet lending services along with a range of other digital equipment including 3D printers and interactive screens. Other relevant supports provided through my Department include: The LEADER programme which...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Seirbhísí Farantóireachta (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Mar is eol don Teachta déantar freastal ar Oileán Thoraí ó Ché Machaire Rabhartaigh ar an mórthír, agus bhí coimisiúnú bád nua do Thoraigh agus forbairt na céibhe ag Machaire Rabhartaigh liostáilte mar thograí faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2040. Beidh tionchar ag an obair ar Ché Machaire Rabhartaigh ar an...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Due to the delay at EU level in agreeing the post-2020 EU Budget, my Department developed a transitional LEADER programme to bridge the gap between the end of the 2014-2020 programme and 2023-2027 LEADER programme. In December 2020, I announced details of a Transitional LEADER Programme for the period 2021-2022, with an initial allocation of €20 million, which came into effect on 1...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Broadband Plan (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: While the provision of telecommunications services, both fixed and mobile, is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, as Minister for Rural and Community Development I have a clear interest in connectivity in rural and underserved areas. As the Deputy will appreciate, the single greatest impact that we can make to digital connectivity in rural areas is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Under the CLÁR 2021 programme, each Local Authority was permitted to submit up to 13 applications across Measures 1, 2 and 3(a) of the programme. These Measures provide funding for school and community safety...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department’s vision is for a sustainable society with individual and community wellbeing at its heart, supporting thriving rural communities, where all communities, urban and rural, have opportunities to grow, develop and participate economically, socially and culturally. Our policies and programmes support that vision through providing supports that ensure all communities and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future was launched in March 2021 and sets out the Government's blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas. The policy will support the regeneration, repopulation and development of...