Results 13,581-13,600 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future aims at reimagining rural Ireland by revitalising towns and villages, and getting more people to live, work and enjoy rural areas. It notes that Ireland’s overall economic and social wellbeing depends on the strength of the recovery in rural areas. It also recognises the centrality of communities in delivering on this ambitious new vision. The Policy commits to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (14 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which encompasses the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), is the lead Department responsible for Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. My Department's ICT services are provided by the OGCIO and we follow its lead in improving accessibility and encouraging universal design principles in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (14 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Rural and Community Developmentwas established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. My Department and the agencies under it's remit have engaged with people with disabilities under Action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 in a number of ways. The Department and it's...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Addressing the issue of rural isolation is relevant to the work of a number of Government Departments. This is reflected in ongoing Government work including that aimed at enhancing community policing, rural transport links and tackling social inclusion. Focus on actions to address the issue of isolation in communities has become more important than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The 2014-2020 LEADER programme for Ireland had an allocation of €250 million. €225 million of this budget was allocated to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who delivered the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covered both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAG. For the purposes of the LEADER Programme, County Cork was divided into...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through relevant Local Authorities. Cork City Council along with Galway City Council and the Dublin local authorities are not eligible for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (14 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: In August 2019, my Department launched Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. This strategy was developed in consultation with the cross-sectoral group and a work plan to progress its implementation has been agreed. Work is ongoing in respect of a number of the objectives outlined in the strategy including:...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The local improvement scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent vital infrastructure for rural residents. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the local authorities. Nearly 2,400 roads have already been funded for repair works...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. There was €10 million for the LIS in 2020, so I have more than doubled that this year, with funding of €21 million being made available. That is a 110% increase in funding, which is not bad going. I know the Deputy acknowledges that. I accept that the lists are long nationwide. That is why I have not been found wanting when it comes to providing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I do not have the details of every county but my officials have liaised with local authorities and asked how many lanes they can deliver. When I launched the scheme on 14 May, local authorities were given until 11 June to provide a list of roads to be completed. All of those have now been received and approved, with one exception, which is Westmeath, for some reason. We have shown...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Cairns for raising this issue. As she said, playgrounds are an important resource with positive impacts for communities. Funding provided by the community enhancement programme provides small grants to community groups to enhance facilities, including playgrounds, in disadvantaged areas. Funding is allocated by my Department to each local authority area, and the local...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy is right in stating that Bandon is a fine town and it should have good playground facilities. However, in many cases, applications have not been put in. That is often a problem as we must get quality applications. All of them are assessed when they come in. I do not know the specific reason Bandon has not received funding but there are many different sources of funding it...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I do not have specific information on the area the Deputy raised. Many playgrounds have been funded, however. I have had the pleasure to visit many of them and I have seen the benefits they bring to schools and communities. In addition to the funding that is provided through my Department, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, launched the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The development of a new islands policy is one of the key elements of Our Rural Future, the Government's new rural development policy. The central objective of the islands policy will be to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the offshore islands. The consultation process undertaken by my Department has assisted in identifying the main challenges faced by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. I agree with her. I come from a landlocked, inland county but I hope the Deputy accepts my bona fides in being absolutely committed to supporting island communities. It is my plan to visit a number of islands the week after next to meet the residents and to have conversations with them to see at first hand the issues, challenges and opportunities they are presented...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am happy to look at the model employed in Scotland and to learn from the things that have worked there. I am absolutely committed to delivering this policy for the islands. A number of agencies are involved. It cuts across Departments. As the Deputy will know, it does not only involve my Department, but a number of Departments. We are consulting with them. The Deputy mentioned a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, responsibility for public procurement lies with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth. However, socially responsible public procurement is a whole-of-government priority. It is critical that public funds are used for the maximum benefit of society. Social clauses can also play an important role in rural...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. I absolutely agree with her on the benefit of including social clauses. It is important and, where possible, there should be social benefits. My Department is particularly focused on social enterprises. We have a strategy to promote these but it a question of how to get that other aspect into the public procurement process. As the Deputy will know, the Minister of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Government policies include the national social enterprise policy, Our Rural Future, the new national rural development policy, A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, and Working to Change: Social Enterprise and Employment Strategy 2021-2023. There is an emphasis in all those policies. The establishment of the strategic procurement advisory group under the auspices of the Office of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future aims at reimagining rural Ireland by revitalising towns and villages and getting more people to live in, work in and enjoy rural areas. It notes that Ireland's overall economic and social well-being depends on the strength of the recovery in rural areas. It also recognises the centrality of communities in delivering on this ambitious new vision. The policy commits to...