Results 24,901-24,920 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Questions on Proposed Legislation (19 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Funding has been allocated for the regional walkways and rural recreation. The Deputy said he was in touch with the unit in Ballina. I will speak to him later about that particular issue.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (19 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: At the request of the landowner concerned, an official from my Department’s regional staff recently examined the area referred to in the Deputy’s Question, to consider works that the landowner proposed to carry out to protect his lands on the banks of the River Feale. Consent was granted to the landowner, subject to some conditions, for repairs to be carried out to rock...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Programme (19 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: On 9th August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme as part of the Government’s programme to support rural development. I have allocated €10 million in capital funding for the scheme this year. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were invited to submit proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.My...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I have met them. They are sorted now.

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Order for Second Stage (18 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on Second Stage of this important legislation, the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016. The publication of this legislation is delivering on a commitment in the programme for a partnership Government. Ireland has designated 75 natural heritage areas, NHAs, under national law for the protection...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (18 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The building in question is recorded on the NIAH with a regional rating. It is also listed on the local authority’s Record of Protected Structures. Under Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, each planning authority is required to include a Record of Protected Structures (RPS) in its development plan. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (18 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 376 together. I am advised that my Department’s view is that the building in question may be considered a national monument within the meaning of the National Monument Acts. Officials from my Department met with representatives of Donegal County Council and the local Historical Society on site in late 2015 to discuss the possibility of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Broadband Scheme (18 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In September, I established two Regional Broadband Action Groups to help support the roll out of rural broadband from next year. The Broadband Action Groups comprise officials from my Department, the Local Government Management Agency and nominated staff from each Local Authority. Both Groups met for the first time in the middle of September and will meet bimonthly for the foreseeable...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Measures (18 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Heritage Bill 2016 passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 8 June 2016. I have requested that this Bill would proceed to the Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible and I am hopeful that a definite arrangement in this regard will be made shortly. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes (13 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Funding under the LEADER Programme is targeted at innovative approaches to addressing the needs of rural areas as identified in the Local Development Strategies prepared for each sub-regional area. The funding can be provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development and social inclusion. It is important, however, to ensure that the available funding is targeted at...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Administration (13 Oct 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 by an independent Selection Committee. The selected strategy covers the municipal district of Connemara, including Inisbofin and the Aran Islands. A Funding Agreement was issued to Forum Connemara on 6 October 2016...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Leader Programmes Funding (13 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The maximum grant allowed and the maximum rate of grant available for projects under the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme are set out in Table 1. In addition, it is expected that funding of up to €500,000 will be permitted for certain categories of community projects that are not considered to involve State Aid. These categories include projects seeking to develop cultural and leisure...

Financial Resolutions 2017 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to address the House this evening on the key measures being introduced as part of budget 2017 under the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. As the House will be aware, my Department was expanded when the Government was formed to include a wider portfolio of rural and regional affairs. I am pleased to report that the first budget...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Legislative Process (12 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Heritage Bill 2016 passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published on 8 June 2016. It is intended that this Bill will proceed to the Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (12 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 to 47, inclusive, together. Nos. 14-17 and part of No. 18 Moore Street are in my ownership as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. My functions in this case under the National Monuments Acts do not include oversight of ownership of other properties in the area or interactions between the owners of such properties and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Expenditure (12 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Details of provisional expenditure in respect of my Department and all Government Departments are published at Vote level by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis. Provisional current and capital expenditure figures in respect of my Department at Vote level as of 31 August 2016 are available at and details of expenditure as of 30 September 2016 will be published shortly. Details of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation (11 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 to 323, inclusive, together. All of the data and mapping referred to by the Deputy is available for download at: . This includes site, habitat and relevé location data as ESRI-compatible GIS files. The survey report and all data are collated into an MS Access database. My Department will forward a map and the breakdown of conservation and threat...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (11 Oct 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am very aware of the growing public concern about the impact of invasive species here, including 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...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Gorse Burning (11 Oct 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 cutting...