Results 12,941-12,960 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in predominantly rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.  I announced funding of €10 million for Local Authorities across the country under the LIS in 2019. The list of projects which each of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over 10 years to the Fund and €315 million is allocated to the Fund for the period 2019-2022. Following the conclusion of the first call under the Fund in February...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes Expenditure (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: LEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to 2020.  Total expenditure on LEADER since the programme commenced - effectively in 2016 when the majority of Funding Agreements were signed - amounts to €69.5 million.  This comprises: - €1.5 million in initial costs incurred by the LEADER Local Action Groups...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Applications (24 Oct 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. The second call for Category 1 applications for the Fund closed at on 6 August and there was...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: Agricultural shows are a great celebration of all that is good about rural Ireland and they are an integral part of our culture. The shows provide a welcome boost for local economies and attract visitors to enjoy our rural towns and villages at their best.  Over the last two years, I have allocated funding of €1.4 million to support many of Ireland’s the Agricultural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: The Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was published in January 2017 as a three-year plan to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland.  The Action Plan runs to the end of 2019, and my Department is currently developing the next phase of rural policy, from 2020 onwards.  The new policy will build on the Action Plan for Rural Development. It...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Enterprise Sector (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: On 19 July this year, I published Ireland’s first ever National Social Enterprise Policy which aims to create an enabling environment for social enterprise to grow and contribute to Ireland’s social and economic progress. The Policy sets out 26 Measures for delivery, including a commitment to establish a National Social Enterprise Policy Implementation Group. The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: The Action Plan for Rural Development was published in January 2017 as a whole-of-Government initiative to support the economic and social progress of rural Ireland.  The coordinated approach of the Action Plan is achieving benefits in terms of increased employment in the regions and increased investment in projects and communities across the country.  Specific figures for job...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Expenditure (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: Gross expenditure of €291 million has been provided to my Department under the Further Revised Estimates for 2019. €132 million of this is allocated to the rural development programme area, with 93% of this being capital funding. At the end of September, current expenditure within the programme area is broadly on target, and capital expenditure is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Enhancement Programme Funding (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: The Community Enhancement Programme helps community groups to improve facilities in their area. It supports a range of investment in all areas of communities, such as childcare facilities, playgrounds, recreational facilities, sports grounds, landscaping projects, and supports for the elderly.  In 2018, I launched the programme with initial funding of €4.5m.  There was a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Data (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over 10 years to the Fund and €315 million is allocated to the Fund for the period 2019-2022. Following the conclusion of the first call under the Fund in February...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: CLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 but was closed for applications in 2010.  I re-opened the programme in 2016 and, since then, over 1,400 projects have been approved for CLÁR funding of almost €33 million.  I...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Liability Insurance (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has, for some time, been examining how best to introduce a scheme to indemnify private land owners, particularly in upland areas, with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes.  This is a complex issue and the legal rights of landowners must be respected, while trying to facilitate access to their lands for recreational users...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: I launched the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 16th April last.  The closing date for receipt of applications from Local Authorities under the Scheme was 28th June 2019. Over 300 applications for funding were received from the Local Authorities.  I can confirm that an application was received in respect of the town referred to by the Deputy. My officials have...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Legal Cases Data (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: I can confirm that no financial settlements were reached by my Department since its establishment in 2017.  One statutory body within my Department's remit, Water Safety Ireland, had one financial settlement which did not include a confidentiality clause.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: The Department of Rural and Community Development was established in 2017 to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country and is committed to the successful delivery of a number of programmes which have provided financial and other supports to community groups and organisations across the country. My Department delivers a coherent package of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 293 together. My Department is committed to the successful delivery of a wide range of programmes and supports to communities seeking assistance. These schemes include large-scale investments in rural regeneration and renewal of our towns and villages, in rural development, and in community supports such as the Social Inclusion and Community...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: My Department's mission is to support viable, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.  The Department's Community Development programmes play a key role in tackling social exclusion and addressing deprivation in all communities, both urban and rural. The Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme(SICAP) has a funding allocation nationally of €38m...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: I am satisfied that my Department delivers an effective package of supports which strengthen rural communities across the country, including dealing with the issue of isolation,  and that this will continue into the coming year. Funding priorities are reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure our supports remain targeted at those most in need socially and economically.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (24 Oct 2019)

Michael Ring: Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of community based organisation referred to by the Deputy depending on the nature of the proposed activity to be funded. LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. To date, over 2,400...