Results 25,141-25,160 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 46 designated RAPID areas. In terms of reviewing the programme, my attention at present is focused on an analysis of recent Census data with a view to ensuring that the boundaries of existing RAPID areas are appropriate. A key concern will be...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I launched the call for proposals for Local Action Groups to deliver Axes 3 & 4 — the LEADER elements — of the Rural Development Programme on 20th May. The total funding available under the LEADER elements of the programme is €425.4 million, almost three times the amount available under the LEADER Programmes for the period 2000-2006. Axis 3 focuses on the quality of life in rural...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 46 together. The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within 46 designated RAPID areas nationally. As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on...

Written Answers — Gaeltacht Areas: Gaeltacht Areas (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Gaeltacht is defined in section 2(2) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1956. There are Gaeltacht areas in seven counties as set out in Statutory Instruments Nos 245 of 1956, 200 of 1967 and 350 of 1982. As with other areas of the country, the population of these areas vary from time to time. The most recent population figures based on the 2006 Census can be accessed from...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The National Walks Scheme, which I launched in early March, is being piloted in the following four areas: Sheep's Head Way in West Cork Bluestack Way in Donegal Suck Valley Way in Roscommon and Éamonn a' Chnoic Loop Walk in Tipperary The National Trails Office and the relevant Leader Companies are in the process of completing work plans for the maintenance of these trails. Indications are...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: In May 2008, it was announced that the Government would commemorate the Great Famine with an Annual Memorial Day. It was also announced that a National Famine Memorial Committee would be established to progress matters in this regard. The membership of this Committee, which I expect to announce over the coming weeks, will comprise a range of interested parties, including representatives of...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: My Department manages the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and the process of selecting the Local Action Groups for the delivery of these elements is currently underway. The Programme, through which €425m will be made available to improve the quality of life in rural areas and to encourage diversification of the rural economy, provides for funding of agritourism...

Written Answers — Inland Waterways: Inland Waterways (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: There are no grants available, at this time, from my Department or Waterways Ireland to groups to develop waterways and associated amenities. However, my Department, along with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland, jointly funds Waterways Ireland, which has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of certain inland navigable...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: My Department first began the process of consultation with other Government Departments in early 2004 regarding the preparation of draft Regulations under section 9(1) of the Official Languages Act 2003. This process continued until September 2006 when I published draft Regulations and laid them before each House of the Oireachtas. Individual Government Departments would also have provided...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Deputy will be aware that I launched the call for proposals for Local Action Groups to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme on 20th May. The closing date for these proposals is 4th July 2008. I hope that project activity under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme can commence in October 2008. Total funding available for these LEADER elements is...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund are designed to assist three broad categories of persons — those socially or economically disadvantaged; those who are educationally disadvantaged; and persons with a disability. My Department has responsibility for administering a number of measures through the Fund. One measure specifically focuses on supporting projects identified annually...

Written Answers — Conradh na Gaeilge: Conradh na Gaeilge (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Tuigim go bhfuil ceannáras reatha, Conradh na Gaeilge ar Shráid Fhearchair ar an margadh le díol ag an eagras deonach seo ar mhaithe le lár-ionad Gaeilge nua agus le háiseanna níos oiriúnaí don lá atá inniu ann a thógáil i gcathair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Meastar nach bhfuil an suíomh agus an foirgneamh reatha oiriúnach do riachtanais an lae inniu, ach go bhfuil luach ann a...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish language has had the status of an official and working language of the European Union since 1 January 2007. In this context, my Department is in frequent dialogue with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other relevant parties to increase the supply of qualified personnel — for example qualified translators and interpreters — available to the EU...

Written Answers — Oileáin Ghaeltachta: Oileáin Ghaeltachta (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Dírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimh 88 ar 5 Nollaig 2007. Mar atá curtha in iúl cheana, bíonn iarrachtaí leanúnacha ar siúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun deiseanna fostaíochta agus forbartha a chruthú i ngach ceantar Gaeltachta, na hoileáin Ghaeltachta amach ó chósta Dhún na nGall ina measc. Tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil pleananna forbartha...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: There is no formal scheme of the nature implied by the Deputy's question in operation either within my Department or by any agency within its remit. We do however consider proposals for rural based tourism/rural recreation from time to time. For example my Department has recently launched a Walks Maintenance Scheme which is in the process of being rolled out to four pilot areas at present...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Initiative: Rural Transport Initiative (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I refer the deputy to my reply to Priority Question 2 on 15 May 2008. As indicated, the pilot scheme will be reviewed between now and the end of the year.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with Public Financial Procedures, financial assistance in relation to certain activities or services may be provided in the form of "grants-in-aid". My Department has not administered any grants-in-aid during the years in question.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 106 together. As the Deputy is aware, my Department operates a wide range of schemes supportive of social, community and voluntary groups, and funding may be available for the groups in Kildare under a number of these programmes. Details in relation to each of the schemes and programmes operated by my Department, including eligibility criteria, can be...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme in rural areas, which was launched in October 2001. The areas covered by the Programme were reviewed in 2003 and, again, in 2006. The total number of counties now covered is 23 counties with Kildare, Wexford and Dublin being the only counties not included in CLÁR. At the time of the CLÁR extensions, Kildare was not selected for...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (26 Jun 2008)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I have no statutory responsibility for rural housing or for the operation of local authorities. The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) addresses many of my concerns on issues such as rural housing. The rural settlement policy framework contained in the NSS, which represents overall Government policy on rural housing, aims to sustain and renew established rural communities while strengthening...