Results 18,141-18,160 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 141 together. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has to date approved funding of €279 million for 191 projects nationwide costing over €379 million. Projects which emerge as successful from calls for applications to the Fund are initially approved for funding in principle and then progress through a further comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Community Centres Investment Fund was launched in April and the application closing date was Thursday 14th July 2022. The appraisal process is currently ongoing and all applications will be subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines. Due to the high level of applications to the fund, it is expected to be quarter 4...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The roll out of the Broadband Connection Point (BCP) network is progressing well. My Department continues to work closely with Local Authority Broadband Officers, colleagues at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, and the two commercial partners, National Broadband Ireland and Vodafone, to complete each connection. There are currently 282 Public BCPs live across the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It is a multi-annual programme for rural development co-funded by the EU through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). I was delighted to welcome the recent announcement that the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (15 Sep 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. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress. Earlier this year Galway County Council sought quotations from environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Budget 2023 (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Firstly, I want to acknowledge the importance of community centres, they are the cornerstone of community life in many places around the country. While community centres and facilities are funded under a number of national and local Government funding streams – there was no dedicated standalone funding stream until I launched the new Community Centres Investment Fund earlier this...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As Minister for Rural and Community Development, it is obvious to me that there is no limit on the ambition and creativity of rural communities. Through my engagement in a number of projects supported by my department, I have seen first hand the impact of innovative new technologies applied to rural settings. My department's Digital Innovation Programme has invested almost €3M into...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. The programme was re-launched in 2016 following a number of years when the scheme was closed to new applications. Measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised, if appropriate, each year. CLÁR has made significant...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am aware of the many cultural, environmental, social, and health benefits of community gardens and allotments. Accordingly, there are a number of possible funding options available for such initiatives. The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. This year's programme was launched in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, acknowledges that outdoor recreation plays a key role in achieving the ambition for rural Ireland to be a destination of choice for outdoor activities and adventure tourism. A National Outdoor Recreation Strategy (NORS) is currently being developed by my Department in conjunction with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is due to be launched...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Cost of Living Issues (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am acutely aware of the increase in cost of living and consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices including home heating oil. The Government has designed a package of measures to alleviate the impact of increased energy prices on all households, both rural and urban. The package of measures includes: - an energy credit of €200 including...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the development of a new public library in Dunleer is first and foremost a matter for Louth County Council. As the Deputy may be aware, Louth County Council have been exploring...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Last year I introduced the Streetscape Enhancement Measure, which is part of the wider Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The measure is administered on behalf of my Department by the local authorities. It is targeted at towns or villages with populations of up to 15,000 people. The improvement of the visual appearance of our streetscapes increases pride and confidence in our towns and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: 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. The policy is a key deliverable under Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy for the period to 2025. This policy will align with a range of funding sources such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the new...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme is demand-led and makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that it is funded into the future. There is strong demand under LIS, not only in Kerry...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development. I was delighted to welcome the recent announcement that the European Commission has confirmed their approval of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which includes the LEADER programme. This approval is a key step in the delivery of the next LEADER...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy, was published in March 2021. The policy recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025. Accordingly, last year I launched the National Hub Network together with its online booking platform,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. The scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I was delighted to welcome the recent announcement that the European Commission has confirmed their approval of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which includes the LEADER programme. This approval is a key step in the delivery of the next LEADER programme. A number of further steps will now be completed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in advance of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It is a multi-annual programme for rural development co-funded by the EU through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). I was delighted to welcome the recent announcement that the...