Results 17,301-17,320 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 25 together. My Department's 2022 budget allocation of €379 million supports rural and community development, including through investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions. The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 19 and 28 together. The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The development of rural areas and the provision of supports for our communities, both urban and rural, are priorities for Government. This has been clearly demonstrated through ambitious policies such as 'Our Rural Future' and through the increased funding delivered through my Department since its establishment.   As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established in 2017....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Public BCP (Broadband Connection Point) programme is progressing well with 273 sites officially live and approximately 27 more to be declared live in the coming months. Sites are being completed almost every week and it is expected that around 300 sites will be live by the end of 2022. My Department works closely with Local Authority Broadband Officers,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 49 together. Our Rural Future places significant emphasis on remote working as a game changer for rural Ireland. As the Deputies will agree, remote working supports communities, local economies and families to thrive. It also allows many employers to hire the most talented workers, wherever they may happen to live. My Department has invested some...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Projects (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The delivery of public library services is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2001. My department provides capital funding to supplement investment by local authorities in the public library service. Funding is provided as a contribution towards the cost of developing library buildings, ICT infrastructure, the provision of sensory facilities...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. Notwithstanding the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators, remote working from hubs will also support local economies, reduce carbon emissions and may arrest or reverse the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities.  As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Scheme is funded into the future. LIS was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding in place. The Scheme is administered...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department's mission is “to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland".  A key part of achieving this mission is ensuring that those most in need are able to access services and supports, and that we deliver outcomes that positively impact the quality of life of those living and working in our...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran islands.  The development of the pier on Inis Oírr is listed amongst the strategic objectives set out in Project Ireland 2040.  A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regional Development (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 is the most ambitious rural development policy for Ireland in decades. It was published in March 2021 and contained 152 measures for delivery across the whole of Government.  Delivery of Our Rural Future is monitored and implemented through a series of Work Programmes and Progress Reports.  The First Progress Report...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: State Bodies (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Charities Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions. The Regulator has a budget of €4.6 million in 2022, of which €2.8m is in respect of pay.  The Regulator is currently operating with a full staff complement of 48.  The administration of the Regulator, including the personnel structure, is a matter for the Board and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity which remote working presents and also the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. My Department has invested some €100m in the development of remote working facilities across a range of schemes.  For example, the Rural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. I launched this year's programme in February with a total budget of €7 million.  This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The sustainability of the communities on our off shore islands is a core objective of the Government, as set out in its ‘Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, Our Rural Future’. The policy acknowledges the importance for island communities of access to reliable, safe and affordable connectivity services to and from the mainland.  Contracts for these services are procured by...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.  I launched the 2022 CLÁR programme in February with a total budget of €7 million. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 40 and 55 together. The Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. Key to this is the establishment of the National Implementation Office to assist in the delivery and implementation of the policy, and to co-ordinate stakeholder...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: a five-Year Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sectors in Ireland, launched by Government in 2019, set a general direction of travel for government policy in relation to community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors and copper-fastened the renewed relationship and partnership between...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Since 2017, the Department has provided funding of over €2 million to the Irish Shows Association for Agricultural Shows throughout Ireland. I recently announced an increase in funding to €700,000 for 2022 to support the return of the agricultural shows after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic. Some 120 events are set to benefit and I hope that this funding...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (31 May 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran islands. My Department is aware of this issue regarding the sandbank, which can hinder freight services to the island. Officials from my Department meet on a regular basis with Galway County Council to discuss issues relating...