Results 18,161-18,180 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (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: The Community Centres Investment Fund application closing date was Thursday 14th July 2022, and the appraisal process is currently ongoing. 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 of 2022 when applicants are...

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 Community Centres Investment Fund application closing date was Thursday 14th July 2022, and 1,048 applications were received with funding of almost €71 million sought. I can confirm to the Deputy that 40 applications were received from County Kerry. The appraisal process is currently ongoing. All applications will be subject to a competitive assessment process based on the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (15 Sep 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. Through schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund my Department has invited applications from local authorities and local communities for a range of projects in...

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: The Community Centres Investment Fund is a new capital fund of €15 million which will provide funding for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres in both urban and rural areas. The fund closed to applications on the 14th July, 2022 and costs associated with improving the arts space in Community Centres are eligible under the fund. Details of successful...

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

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department, which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. Funding is provided for the duration of the LEADER programme rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) to manage the programme in their areas of operation. ...

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

Heather Humphreys: The Community Centres Investment Fund application closing date was Thursday 14th July 2022, and the appraisal process is currently ongoing. 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 of 2022 when applicants are...

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 an important deliverable under Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy for the period to 2025. A key step in delivering the TCF Policy is the establishment of the National Implementation Office to...

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 was published in March 2021 and is the most ambitious rural development policy for Ireland in decades. It contains more than 150 measures for delivery across the whole of Government, for both short-term recovery and longer-term economic and social development and environmental and cultural wellbeing. Updates on policy implementation are provided by a series of Progress...

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

Heather Humphreys: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. Since the formation of my Department in 2017, funding of over €4.6 million has been approved under the Scheme for Cork. Earlier this year, I launched the 2022 Scheme...

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

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a 10 year policy on island development with associated three year action plans. In December 2019, a consultation paper was launched with input from the participating Departments to act as a basis to advance the development of an island policy. The Government’s ambition in a national policy and action plan for the...

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

Heather Humphreys: I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the impact the cost and availability of insurance is having on the community and voluntary sector, and that my Department is working to assist in addressing this area. In publishing the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025, Government has acknowledged the importance of volunteering to the well-being of the nation, and set out a plan for...

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

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department, which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. Funding is provided for the duration of the period rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility to the Local Action Groups to manage the programme budget in their areas of operation. €250m has...

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 a measure as 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...

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

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a 10 year policy on island development with associated three year action plans. In December 2019, the Government launched a consultation paper with input from the participating Departments to act as a basis to advance the development of an island policy. The Government’s ambition in a national policy and action plan...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Fuel Allowance is a payment currently of €33.00 per week, for 28 weeks from October to April. The purpose of the payment is to assist households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. Only one allowance is paid per household. The Fuel Allowance payment is targeted towards those who are more vulnerable to energy...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (15 Sep 2022)

Heather Humphreys: According to Departmental records, the person concerned was awarded a Rent Supplement (RS) with effect from 01/04/2021 and is currently in receipt of a RS payment of €1,118 per calendar month. Supports from this Department are not intended to cover circumstances where a landlord has a primary responsibility. Under S.I. No. 137/2019 - Housing (Standards For Rented Houses) Regulations...