Results 27,821-27,840 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As I outlined to the House in my reply to Question 38 of 14 December 2004, a joint investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment and related matters in Waterways Ireland was carried out, with the consent of the parties involved, by independent investigators appointed by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North. The report of the investigators was...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I have no plans at present to expand the geographical boundaries of RAPID areas. However, as I have stated previously, there appears to be an anomaly in relation to Ballyfermot, which despite meeting the criteria for inclusion in strand I of the programme, was omitted due to its inclusion in the URBAN II programme. I have met representatives from Ballyfermot in relation to this issue and I am...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: My Department has not received an application for grant aid under the farm electrification grant scheme from the person concerned. Any such application received will be processed by my Department without delay.

Written Answers — Offshore Islands: Offshore Islands (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Údarás na Gaeltachta has been assisting island communities in the Gaeltacht in various ways over the years. This assistance includes the direct provision of buildings or, in some cases, the provision of grant aid towards the cost of buildings. Islands that have received assistance to date include Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, Inis Oírr, Oileán Cléire, Toraigh and Árainn Mhór in County...

Written Answers — Iarratais Pleanála: Iarratais Pleanála (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 267 go 272 uilig, le chéile. Mar is eol don Teachta, is iad an Roinn Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil agus na húdaráis áitiúla atá freagrach as cúrsaí pleanála sa Ghaeltacht, ar a n-áirítear cur i bhfeidhm na bhforálacha faoi leith san Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2000 a bhaineann leis an nGaeltacht féin. Ag féachaint don...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am always seeking to improve measures and benefits for communities across the range of programmes operated by my Department. In the context of a 19% increase in the Estimates for 2005 for my Department, I anticipate progress across a range of measures this year, including the local and regional drugs task forces, the rural social scheme, and the community development programme.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: There has been no formal expansion of the number of groups or bodies eligible for various forms of grant aid from my Department. However, given my Department's focus on communities, particularly those that are vulnerable or under threat, all applications for funding receive serious consideration.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 93 of 9 November 2004 in relation to rural housing.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: My Department has not advertised new grant schemes for 2005 as yet. Funding is being continued under existing programmes to bodies such as area partnership companies, Leader groups, community development projects etc.

Written Answers — Departmental Programme: Departmental Programme (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As I have stated previously, the RAPID programme is now operating on a number of different levels. Many small-scale proposals from RAPID areas are being dealt with more effectively at local level. To support this approach dedicated funding of €6 million is provided in 2005. These proposals are being co-funded by the relevant Department or local agency under a number of categories with broad...

Irish Language. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As previously indicated to the House in replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 48 and 81 on 14 Nollaig 2004, a process of discussions has been initiated with the other EU member states and the EU institutions seeking official and working language status for the Irish language in the EU under EEC Regulation 1/1958. The regulation is the legal instrument that governs the EU institutions'...

Irish Language. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is all or nothing in this process. We must get agreement from all EU member states. When we are satisfied that this objective has been reached, we will then seek to have a decision made. As the work is ongoing, I cannot say any more. Last February people claimed the Government would never make a decision on seeking status for the Irish language and would keep putting it off. I recall these...

Irish Language. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Maybe I should not bother then as I cannot inform the House any more. The Deputy will be aware how these discussions take place. It would be inappropriate for me to discuss informal discussions that have taken place with other member states. The Government is committed to achieving this objective. Last spring, during the negotiations for the EU constitution, a similar process of working...

Irish Language. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I have no statutory role or function in the Mandarin or Cantonese languages. Article 8 of the Constitution provides that the Irish language, as the national language, is the first official language of the State. The English language is recognised as a second official language. Accordingly, these two languages are the only official languages constitutionally recognised by the State. Official...

Irish Language. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The statement in the article in the newspaper is nonsense. It talks about 90,000 people in the Gaeltacht. I think there are 86,000 people. It goes on to talk about the number of Irish speakers in the Gaeltacht. As we all know, a large number of daily Irish speakers do not live in the Gaeltacht. The Irish language is the possession of the people of Ireland and not the people of the Gaeltacht....

Irish Language. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I notice that often the people who are most intolerant of other languages are those who are monolingual English speakers and that Irish speakers tend to be fairly easy going about it because they have faced the problem of not being able to get services through the Irish language and they are very supportive of other cultures. People coming to this country, particularly those with children...

Community Development. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 13, 29, 36, 41 and 275 together.

Community Development. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I introduced the CLÁR programme in October 2001 to address depopulation, as well as the decline and lack of services in rural areas. Areas in 18 counties, amounting to a total population of 362,000, have been selected under the programme, including areas I announced in January 2003 in light of the 2002 population census data. This honoured the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government...

Community Development. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Deputy is correct in saying the amount of money provided this year is the same as that provided last year. The budget is up 13% on the expenditure last year. There are choices to be made. In his question the Deputy highlighted the answer to his question. While there are problems with roads, there has been a huge improvement in rural roads in the past seven or eight years. The fundamental...

Community Development. (22 Feb 2005)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It depends on all kinds of factors, carry-overs and so on. Last year we tried to ensure that the building was done on time and we paid for them all. I am confident that some new measures can be introduced. Some of the measures introduced previously have a certain shelf life, for example, the three phase electricity conversions for businesses. Obviously there was a big demand in the beginning...