Results 24,101-24,120 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Gallery (21 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: In accordance with the Government's policy for appointments at CEO/Director level in State agencies, the Board of the National Gallery of Ireland was given sanction to appoint a Director, on a fixed term basis, for five years. I am advised that the position has been advertised as such.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Agencies Board Appointments (21 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that due to the level of recruitment currently underway, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) did not have the capacity to manage the recruitment campaign for the position of Director of the National Gallery of Ireland within the timeframe required. To assist in reaching the widest possible audience, PAS did, however, advertise the post on their website. The post of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Built Heritage Investment Scheme Applications (21 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 687 to 690, inclusive, 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Allowances (21 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that, prior to clarification in recent weeks from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, there were 4 claims for overnight expenses for staying in Dublin, outside of Dáil sitting days, from the current Ministers of State in my Department. Overnight expenses have not been paid since the position was recently clarified with the Department of Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (9 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Freedom of Information (9 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that there were no Freedom of Information requests received by my Department during the period in question in respect of which the Chief State Solicitor's Office incurred expenses. My Department has not incurred any fees for counsel or other legal costs in respect of Freedom of Information requests during the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Ireland (8 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: One of my main priorities since taking Ministerial office has been the restoration of the Ulster Canal. I secured Government approval to restore a 2.5 km stretch of the Ulster Canal from the Shannon-Erne Waterway to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson, Co Cavan on 24thFebruary 2015. The project, which comprises three work phases, is being undertaken by Waterways Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Funding (8 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The total amount of funding available for Ireland’s LEADER Programme 2014-2020 is €250 million. €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas in Ireland and will be delivered through the LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) selected in each area. The remaining €30 million will be managed at a national level for targeted...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I was delighted to visit Moate last year. There is an excellent local action group in place down there that is doing powerful work in the town. I have used Moate as an example of how communities can come together within a town because what they are doing in Moate is wonderful. I was delighted to be able to support them with funding under the town and village renewal scheme. As the Deputy...

Other Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The national heritage plan 2002-07 was the first integrated plan that sought to conserve and protect all aspects of our national heritage. Over the course of more recent years, my Department’s responsibilities for the protection and promotion of our built and natural heritage have been met by a range of policy developments that sought to...

Other Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: A lot of good work is ongoing in the heritage division within my Department. At the end of January, I, along with the CEO of the Heritage Council, Michael Starrett, launched the 2017 funding schemes which fund the conservation and protection of heritage buildings. Of course, there were cuts to the Heritage Council but I am glad I have been able to increase funding and then increase it again...

Other Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, it is intended that a formal engagement with key stakeholders and implementation partners will play a central role in the development of such a policy, given the many strands of our national heritage, both natural and built. We will be working with them very closely and we welcome submissions and ideas from the House, the Oireachtas joint committee and all the different...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I recently announced details of grants of more than €9 million in capital funding for arts and culture centres throughout the country. This capital scheme is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and...

Other Questions: Rural Development Programme Funding (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I will launch a new round of the town and village renewal scheme shortly and the criteria are currently being finalised. The emphasis again will be very much on supporting innovative projects that support economic regeneration and can make a real and lasting difference to our local towns and villages. It will also be about communities coming forward. I have not yet seen a good project that...

Other Questions: Rural Development Programme Funding (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The action plan for rural development, which was launched on 23 January, contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential. As part of the 2017 budget, I have secured funding of €12 million for an enhanced town and...

Other Questions: Rural Development Programme Funding (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I will launch the scheme shortly. I was delighted to visit Ballitore yesterday with the Deputy and see first hand where my Department's money is being spent and the major positive impact it has on rural communities. The Tanyard consists of three historic masonry tannery buildings. My Department was able to award €100,000 to the project under the rural economic development zone,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I meet the Minister for Finance at least once a week at the Cabinet meeting. I have raised the issues regarding the Border and Brexit. We want free movement of people. We want to maintain and build on the peace process. We want to support all that was achieved through the Good Friday Agreement and the Fresh Start agreement. We want to have free trade and movement of goods across the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I have discussed them.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I meet him every week at Cabinet meetings.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (7 Mar 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am acutely aware of the challenges arising from Brexit for rural Ireland and for the Border area in particular. Last November, I hosted a productive public forum on Brexit in Monaghan which was attended by a range of interests from the Border region. I also hosted a sectoral dialogue on Brexit in Cavan on 6 February which was attended by over 100 stakeholders from across the arts,...