Results 24,801-24,820 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Funding (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: An independent Selection Committee was established to review and select the LEADER Local Development Strategies submitted in each of the 28 sub-regional areas covered by the LEADER programme. The Local Development Strategy submitted for County Longford was developed by Longford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), with Longford Community Resources CLG as its implementing partner,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Directives (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 266 and 267 together. As indicated by my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 27 September 2016, applicants may apply to my Department for derogation licences to control certain bird species, which are considered on a case by case basis. Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department would assess each such application,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Directives (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 to 265, inclusive, together. The work of the Ornis Committee, which was an advisory committee, has been assimilated into the Expert Group on the Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department is represented by appropriate officials at these meetings, depending on the agenda. The Birds Directive is implemented in Ireland under the Wildlife Acts and the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: On 9 August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million in capital funding. A sum of €380,000 has been made available to each of the 26 counties, including Tipperary, under this initial phase of the scheme. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Following a competitive process for the implementation of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme in Co. Galway, a Local Development Strategy submitted by Forum Connemara was selected for delivery by an independent Selection Committee. The selected strategy covers the municipal district of Connemara, including Inisbofin and the Aran Islands. A Funding Agreement was signed by Forum Connemara on 12...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Legal Costs (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that no expenditure was incurred from my Department's Administrative Budget in respect of external legal advice for the period 2013 to 2015. For completeness, I would bring to the Deputy's attention that , from time to time, my Department makes payments to the Chief State Solicitor's Office in respect of legal services provided to my Department by that Office.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (2 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the provisions of the Public Spending Code, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, a cost benefit analysis is required for projects with a total cost of €20 million or more. Given the financial parameters involved, a requirement for such an analysis does not arise in the project referred to by the Deputy. The onus to ensure compliance with the Public...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Programme (2 Nov 2016)

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: National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that the total number of staff currently working in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is 283. In addition, my Department recruits a number of seasonal staff each year to meet demand during the busy tourist season at the National Parks. A number of fixed-term contract workers are also employed by my Department at present on two EU LIFE projects -...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, which is the main channel of State current expenditure on the arts. The mandate of the Arts Council includes traditional music. The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of artforms and arts practice, including all forms of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Arts Council is the primary State agency for funding the arts, and in this regard, I was pleased to secure significant additional funding for it as part of Budget 2017. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation of €5m, or 8%, and will allow the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations. The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Following the completion of a Departmental review of an objection to the proposed designation of a site as a special protection area or special area of conservation, landowners and occupiers may opt to take their cases to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board. This is an independently chaired Board, which makes recommendations to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (27 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Canals Act, 1986, (Bye-laws) 1988 set out the tolls and charges for use of the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation. Waterways Ireland has developed draft amended bye-laws for the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation which propose changes in the charging for moorings in key locations.  The maximum charge under the current bye-laws for use of a boat on the canals...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Centres Funding (25 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Mayo County Council is the project promoter of the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina. My Department received a formal request for funding towards the Centre from Mayo County Council 2015. In February 2016, my Department offered a capital grant in principle to Mayo County Council of up to €2.0 million in respect of the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina. The grant is to be used as a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Regeneration Projects Funding (25 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the importance of developing rural towns and villages as part of its drive to revitalise rural Ireland. On 9 August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million for this year. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Details of the responsibilities delegated by me to Minister of State Seán Kyne, T.D., are set out in Statutory Instrument No 332 of 2016, signed by the Taoiseach on 28th June 2016, while details of the responsibilities delegated to Minister of State Michael Ring, T.D., are set out in Statutory Instrument No 376 of 2016, signed by the Taoiseach on 13th July 2016. Both of these Statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Environmental Schemes (25 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The maintenance of ecosystem functions and services, both within and outside designated areas, is dependent on a number of Government Departments and agencies, as well as national and local planning authorities. No single Department or agency has all of the skills or the resources necessary to achieve such maintenance across the national territory, including the marine. All public...

Other Questions: Arts in Education Charter (20 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: We fund the arts in education charter. We increased the funding last year. I am very committed to it. It relates to young children accessing the arts and getting the opportunity to get involved in them at an early age. It is about doing this in schools. Targeting schools is the best opportunity to access all of the children, including children in disadvantaged areas. We need to get into...

Other Questions: Arts in Education Charter (20 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: We continue to work with the Department of Education and Skills because two Departments are involved. We will continue to work on that and to develop the arts in education partnership. We need to support it more. I am certainly very conscious of it and will work on it.

Other Questions: Rural Development Plan (20 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Supporting rural development is a key priority for this Government. The programme for a partnership Government contains a series of commitments for delivery across a range of Departments and State agencies to revitalise rural Ireland and ensure that the benefits of economic recovery are felt in all regions. The action plan for rural development will act as an overarching structure for the...