Results 23,861-23,880 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Aosdana is a unique initiative established by the Arts Council in 1981 to honour creative artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Ireland.  There are currently some 250 members of Aosdána, including seven new members who came into membership last week. The scheme is the responsibility of the Arts Council and not my Department. I understand that the maximum...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 72 on 31 January 2017.The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is dedicated to supporting a vibrant community of visual artists, visual arts groups and organisations so that the public can experience the highest standard of visual arts , in urban and in rural parts of Ireland. The strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cycling Facilities Provision (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The progression of any proposals in relation to the development of such a pedestrian and cycle route is a matter for consideration, in the first instance, by Irish Rail and Fingal County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Policy (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: In January this year, I launched Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development. The Plan provides a framework for the coordinated delivery of over 270 actions by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland. The Action Plan includes commitments across a range of policy...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: In January this year, I launched Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development. The Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support both the economic and social development of rural Ireland. Strong regions provide the basis for improving economic opportunities and employment...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 763 and 768 together. My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Job Creation (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: My Department works to invest in rural Ireland across all its programme areas. In this regard I secured increases in funding across a range of arts and heritage bodies under my Department’s remit, as well as increases in a number of rural schemes under Budget 2017. These included: - An additional €5 million for the Arts Council, an 8% increase in its annual budget; - Boosts in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 765 and 766 together. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is part of a package of measures at national and local level to support the rejuvenation of towns and villages across Ireland, which also includes initiatives in areas such as heritage, tourism, arts and culture, the re-use of vacant premises, and business supports. On 13 April, I launched an...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: As I stated in my reply to Questions No. 437 and 438 from the Deputy on 7 March 2017, Waterways Ireland continues to work closely with boat owners using the canals, canal users, land owners and representative groups. Contact is on-going between Waterways Ireland and the canal users groups, and local communities who support the efforts of Waterways Ireland in the maintenance and operation of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Most of my Department's arts and culture budget is allocated to the agencies under its remit. Within these allocations, the Arts Council is the primary State agency for funding the arts. I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council in Budget 2017 of €5 million, or 8%. Details of the Council's funding decisions can be found on its website at the following link The...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (2 May 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply today to Priority Question No. 5.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: This was originally in the Schedule to the Bill but is now brought up front in a new section 3 following drafting advice from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. I have tabled another amendment to delete the Schedule and section 5 of the Bill which refers to the Schedule. In respect of other items in the Schedule, I advise the House that there is no need for a new definition of the...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I understand what the Senators are trying to achieve. The only problem is that it will be impractical to implement. The amendment would restrict Waterways Ireland's ability to provide new infrastructure such as moorings and weirs along the canals. For example, water levels need to be lowered due to flooding and other circumstances which would impede navigation. Waterways Ireland, through...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: It may sound quite simple but what the Senator thinks is necessary and I think is necessary could be two different things. To put that ambiguity into the legislation could cause all sorts of problems. Some people might think it unnecessary and others might think it necessary to do something. Then we run into a lot of trouble. It is a subjective term and someone would have to adjudicate...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Like the Senator.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I will speak first on amendment No. 7. Heritage boats can travel on the canal. In fact, any boat that fits on the canal can travel on the canal. There is no need for this additional wording. The maximum dimension criteria are already in section 14 of the 1988 by-laws so it is not necessary to qualify this subsection further. The canals have not changed in size so the 1988 by-law...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I do not believe so. Heritage boats are not stopped from going on the canal.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am saying we cannot legislate to put a boat on the canal. If it is too big it will not fit. The amendment states "subject to existing maximum dimensional criteria", so if a boat is too big and will not fit on the canal it could mean that we are stating in legislation that it should go on the canal.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Apr 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I do not think so. The legislation we have at present is to allow the maximum size boat go onto the canal.