Results 2,961-2,980 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: In May 2023, together with Government colleagues, I announced details of €50 million in funding for some 900 projects under the Community Recognition Fund. It supports towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries. The fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. I announced over 300 successful projects under all of the CLÁR measures between August 2023 and January 2024. Details of the 2023 CLÁR funding on a county basis is attached in the following table. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department and Galway County Council meets on a regular basis, with the most recent meeting taking place on 20th February, to monitor progress on the development of the piers on...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Properties (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department was established in July 2017 and occupies office space at two locations - Trinity Point, 10/11 Leinster Street South, Dublin 2, and Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo. No ground rents in respect of same are incurred by my Department. There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: Pobal, the Charities Regulator, the Western Development Commission, and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department delivers a range of investment programmes which, depending on the exact equipment being purchased, may be relevant for community centres wishing to purchase sporting equipment. My Department administers the Community Recognition Fund which recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Funding of €50 million for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme, more than €156 million has been allocated to in excess of 1,700 projects throughout Ireland. Of this €958,920 has been allocated to Cork City Council and €7,364,347...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: EU Funding (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There is EU funding made available to my Department across three broad areas, the LEADER Programme, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), and the PEACEPLUS Programme. The LEADER programme is co-funded by the EU. Under LEADER a total of €250 million in grant aid is available to rural communities and businesses. €70 million was allocated under the Transitional LEADER Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: One of the key focuses of Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025, is optimising digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities. I want to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities and ensure that those living in rural communities are provided with the same opportunities as those in larger urban areas. I am working to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Projects (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 824, 830 and 831 together. My Department provides funding through a range of highly impactful schemes and programmes aimed at supporting sustainable, inclusive and thriving communities, including community and voluntary groups in County Kildare. In 2023 my Department's outturn of €417 million supported a range of policy priorities across the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 826, 827 and 829 together. Addressing the issue of isolation, in both rural and urban communities, cuts across the work of a number of Departments. Many of my Department's policies and funding programmes aim to address social isolation issues in communities, and also deliver benefits by responding to the challenges facing vulnerable individuals. My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I have provided details in the attached tables in respect of the number of applications received under the following schemes which form part of my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Town & Village Renewal Scheme Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme CLÁR The tables also include details of the number of projects...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regional Development (5 Mar 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future recognises the opportunity that remote working presents for rural rejuvenation and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025. Remote working provides an opportunity for people to continue to live in rural communities while following their career ambitions, supporting the retention of skilled people in rural...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Feb 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Fuel allowance (FA) is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments and persons aged over 70 with the cost of their winter heating needs. Qualification for FA is subject to satisfying all the relevant qualifying conditions. Following your representation, a review of the person’s FA application was undertaken, and I am pleased to advise the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Feb 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 15th November 2023....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: EU Funding (29 Feb 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the European Union (EU)’s main instrument for investing in people and supporting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. This funding is managed, for all Government Departments in Ireland, by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Integration and Skills (DFHERIS). As announced by the Minister of Further and Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Feb 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Illness benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for illness benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. The person must have made the required number of contributions under class A, E, H or P to qualify. In general,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Feb 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, the Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group was published in November 2022 and the Government accepted the Group's recommendations regarding the social welfare system. These changes include decoupling child maintenance and social welfare and represent significant reforms, which will be of great benefit to lone parents. Amendments to both primary and secondary...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Feb 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Illness benefit is the main income support provided to those who cannot work due to illness of any kind and who are covered by social insurance. Widow’s/widower’s/surviving civil partner’s pension (contributory) is a weekly social insurance payment to those who have lost their spouse or civil partner and are covered by social insurance. There is a general...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Feb 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department provides a range of income supports for people who are parenting alone including the One-Parent Family Payment. One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) is a payment for parents under 66 years who are parenting without the support of a partner and whose youngest child is under 7 years of age. This scheme includes an earnings disregard whereby the first €165 of weekly...