Results 23,761-23,780 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (4 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together. The Arts Council has a current staff of 42.5 full- time equivalents. A list of contact details for Arts Council staff and advisers under the various artforms and cross artform practices can be accessed on its website at the following link: . Details of staffing for previous years can be found in the Annual Reports available on the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts in Education Charter (4 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together. TheCreative Ireland Programme, which the Taoiseach and I launched in December, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children -to enable every child in Ireland to access...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I understood that the Deputy wanted to speak about the national cultural strategy.

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Last July, I published-----

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: -----the draft framework policy, Culture 2025 – Éire Ildánach, which was submitted to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. I understand that the committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy which I will consider when received. I have also received submissions from various organisations...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I acknowledge the Deputy's contribution when she was Tánaiste prior to 2016. Capital investment continues in our cultural institutions. Some €10 million is committed to the National Library. That is the first phase. Some €8 million is committed to the National Archives. I recently announced the €9 million arts capital scheme for across the country. That was...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: No, that was not. Having said all that, one of the five pillars of the Creative Ireland programme is to invest in our cultural infrastructure. We are sitting down with all the cultural institutions and asking them to come forward with their capital plans for the next number of years and what they want to do. I am delighted that the two new wings of the National Gallery are almost complete....

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I have provided funding to all local authorities to co-finance an officer with responsibility for broadband in each local authority area. Twenty-nine of the 31 local authorities have appointed broadband officers. We understand that the remaining two are South Dublin County Council and Wicklow County Council, and they are in the process of appointing officers. The broadband officers work...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The mobile broadband task force has outlined a number of issues which need to be addressed at local level, and we have raised these matters regarding levies and planning fees with the local authorities. We are trying to achieve uniformity throughout the country because some counties were doing things differently. We have been able to work with local authorities. The job of the broadband...

Other Questions: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, is rolling out the national broadband plan which is in the procurement process. It will address areas where commercial operators will not provide a service. It was welcome news that Eir was to provide high-speed broadband for 300,000 more homes. It is most important to have a monitoring committee because the action plan for rural development is a...

Other Questions: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: A lot of work has been done in my Department by the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, on post offices. A post office working group was established and we worked with stakeholders to identify opportunities to increase services in post offices, which is what we want to see. We want a post office service which is sustainable and will be used in towns and villages across the country. We...

Other Questions: Broadband Service Provision (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The mobile phone and broadband task force identified the importance of each local authority assigning an officer with responsibility for broadband and mobile services in its respective administrative area to liaise with operators on coverage and the roll-out of telecommunications infrastructure. My Department has provided funding for each local authority to support the appointment of an...

Other Questions: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, was launched in January this year. The plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies over the next three years to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland. My Department is leading on more than 60 of the actions in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to record my thanks to Deputy Ó Cuív, who was instrumental in setting up this consultative group. It has been very successful and the advisory group is the next phase to this. I intend to appoint the group and a chairperson within the next week. I will discuss that further with the Deputy. I consider this to be the next phase. The Government gave me approval to set up...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: -----as I certainly would not use them. One of the founding principles of Aosdána was to recognise the huge contribution made by artists and the creative arts to this country. I recognise the incredibly important role that artists play. It is very important we recognise and value this role, and to this end I am developing a pilot initiative with my colleague, the Minister for Social...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Arts Council has received increased funding year-on-year since I was appointed Minister in 2014. I acknowledge the Deputy has been very supportive of the arts-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: -----as have all my colleagues at Cabinet.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: In fairness, we got considerable funding-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: -----for the 2016 commemorations, which were very important. Last year I was delighted to increase funding by 8% for the 2017 budget, which was an increase from €60 million to €65 million. This was only possible due to the improved economy. As the economy improves, I want to see more money invested in the arts and I will continue to make the case for that. To be clear, I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy that good momentum has been built up and I put on record my sincere appreciation to the members of the group referred to by the Deputy for the report they recently presented to me. The group, which was independently chaired by a former departmental Secretary General, included local and Oireachtas political representatives, 1916 relatives, street traders and other...