Results 24,481-24,500 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Waterways Ireland continues to work closely with boat owners using the canals, and adjacent land owners and representative groups. As part of this engagement, meetings are held with key stakeholder interest groups, the Royal Canal Amenity Group, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) and the Heritage Boat Association (HBA). In addition, Waterways Ireland works alongside the Friends...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Inland Fisheries Data (31 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Pike are not normally associated with the fast-flowing stream conditions that are typical of the Owenriff River and are not usually a factor in pearl mussel conservation. Regrettably the pike was recently released in some lakes upstream of Lough Corrib on the Owenriff system. I understand that Inland Fisheries Ireland are working to control or ideally eradicate these introduced fish. ...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There is a cross-Government approach to this. Every Minister and Department is focused on rural Ireland. It is about working together and investing in rural areas. The €60 million to which the Deputy refers is focused on regenerating towns and villages. There are many communities across the country that have good ideas on how best they can improve their towns and villages. We are...

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: It is about asking them to come forward with the suggestions. We want to support them and help them. That is only one aspect of it. For example, there is €50 million for sports capital grants and rural regeneration, there is investment in blueways and greenways and there is investment-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: -----in 18 new primary care units. There is a lot of investment in the plan-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy should read the plan. Regarding the rates-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I was talking about Castleblayney.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (24 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together. There is one Secretary General in my Department. I am advised that the rate of pay for the Secretary General is €167,300. There are four Assistant Secretaries in my Department. The pay scale for Assistant Secretary is €119,572 - €124,917 - €130,706 - €136,496. Under the provisions of the Financial...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland Grant Scheme (24 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: My Department’s Culture Ireland programme promotes Irish arts worldwide by creating and supporting opportunities for professional Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. Culture Ireland operates three major grant rounds throughout the year according to the following timeframe: Grant Round Grant Deadline Timing...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (24 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 4 of 15 (2015)...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (19 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There are 101 native species of bee in Ireland. This includes the honeybee, 20 species of bumblebee and many more species of solitary bee. They are significant pollinators of wild species of plants, but also crops and garden plants. Honeybee colonies in Ireland are mostly artificially maintained and the species does not fall under the remit of my Department. However, the problems affecting...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (19 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Action Plan for Rural Development will be published on 23 January 2017. The Plan takes a whole-of-Government approach to the economic and social development of rural Ireland and will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives across Government Departments and other public bodies.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Brexit Issues (19 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Meetings at Ministerial level with our counterparts in other Members States of the European Union are purposely scheduled in the context of European Council activities, for practical reasons as the Deputy will appreciate. I have not had bilateral engagements with counterparts from other Members States in relation to Brexit outside that context. The programme of engagement by the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (18 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I have been informed that Waterways Ireland technical staff recently visited the location in question to assess the situation referred to by the Deputy and to determine the options available to try to make the location referred to by the Deputy less attractive to such activities. Waterways Ireland is currently assessing these options and, subject to available funding, hope to be in a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Broadband Plan Implementation (17 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Funding for an officer with specific responsibility for broadband has been provided to all local authorities and a Broadband Officer has been appointed in Tipperary County Council. The Broadband Officer will act as a single point of contact within Tipperary County Council for engagement with broadband providers. The officer will assist with the preparation for, and roll out of, the National...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Public and Expenditure Reform Circular 13/2014 Management of and Accountability for grants from Exchequer fundsdetails all provisions in relation to the payment and management of grant funding. Whilst the default position in accordance with the Circular is that grants should be paid on the basis of vouched expenditure, the provisions of the Circular also provide for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (17 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: In February 2015, my Department approved a grant to the local authority in question towards the cost of construction of the project referred to by the Deputy, subject to the standard conditions that apply to all such capital grants. I understand that the options for developing the proposed project are now under review. My Department is liaising with the local authority on the matter and will...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (17 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am very aware of the growing public concern about the impact of Japanese Knotweed. In this regard, I wish to advise that my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. In law, control of invasive species such as...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (17 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 750 and 755 together. Given the constraints that apply in regard to providing detailed responses to ‘details supplied’ Questions, I am arranging for the relevant information to be forwarded to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (17 Jan 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Government will continue to mark significant events throughout the Decade of Centenaries. This will be based on the inclusive, open and consultative approach that has worked so well this year. Commemorating the period of the War of Independence and the Civil War will present its own challenges. However, I strongly believe the same open and honest approach which we used for this year's...