Results 3,421-3,440 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, ORIS, is funded by my Department under the document, Our Rural Future. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and other amenities at our rivers, beaches, lakes and forests. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding of almost €109...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. As I said, this fund was announced last November. There was a number of successful projects I know the Deputy was very interested in, such as the Killala Bay ships reef project, which received €50,000 and is ongoing. The Cong to Lisloughrey pier recreational trail got another €50,000. These are small schemes by any measure. There is one particularly good...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. I was down at Inch beach and I announced that project. I do not know what is keeping them. They need to move on with it because if they do not spend, the money goes somewhere else. It is an absolutely amazing beach. I heard what was said about Kilderry to Milltown amenity walk. To go back to Deputy Dillon's question, I have secured an allocation of €16...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There has been massive investment right across the country. Deputy Dillon referred to projects in County Mayo. They include an allocation of €245,000 for Ballycastle and, in Balla, which I visited with him, €120,000 was given for upgrading the courthouse. Deputy Tóibín should go around and see what is happening in his constituency. In Enfield, the fine community...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Only a couple of weeks ago, also in Enfield, the old parish hall was purchased for €250,000 for the use of the community.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: These allocations are making a huge difference. If the Deputy goes to Trim, he will see a fine library and cultural centre, which has had €4.47 million allocated to it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Deputy English was very busy making sure those projects advanced. He supported me in that but Deputy Tóibín votes against everything I try to do.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Deputy English supported me in trying to get the funding but Deputy Tóibín criticises me. All he comes in here to do is give out.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy is talking through his hat most of the time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 92 and 93 together. The town centre first policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland that is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and development. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputies. There is a lot of work being done right across government to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use. In the Department of Rural and Community Development, my focus is on utilising those buildings that are not really suitable for housing but can be converted for community use. Under the building acquisition measure, which was a new measure I introduced last...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Ó Murchú. The local improvement scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the local improvement scheme is funded into the future. The scheme...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. In fairness, Louth is one of those counties that does not have a big backlog on its LIS but I accept that the county certainly has an issue with storm damage. I have been up in County Louth myself, as the Deputy knows, out on the Cooley Peninsula, and I saw the scale of the damage that was done there. It is unbelievable when you see the water. It just came down the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: When it comes to the LIS, there are a lot of hungry mouths and unfortunately I have a limited pot of money available. The need for more money is regularly raised with me in this House. We have invested €100 million since 2017 and it has made a big impact. My Department is continuing to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, regarding his Department contributing to a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I will try to answer as many questions as I can. The Department has already allocated €45.8 million and another €20 million to new community centres. In total, that is €65.8 million, a considerable amount. This is a completely new fund. We did not have it before. I have been very passionate about supporting our communities and community centres. Deputies will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Community Development Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 78, 98 and 101 together. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. Community centres are the cornerstone of community life in towns and villages throughout the country. This Government recognises the important role these centres play in bringing people together and facilitating community services and events. As the Deputies are no doubt aware, I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Our public libraries are at the heart of our communities. They are multipurpose social, cultural and educational spaces for the whole community to enjoy. There are 330 public libraries providing an excellent service throughout the country. My Department has provided significant capital funding to support public libraries with funding of €29 million being provided to local...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Like the Deputy, I am a big fan of the libraries. They do absolutely fantastic work. The image some of us used to have of libraries as a stuff, boring place is well gone. Libraries, as we know, are a hive of activity for all the community. You have young and old people going in who learn computer skills and take language classes. There are book clubs which are a great way to meet people....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Projects (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Cork City Council did not submit an application for funding for the Blackrock-Mahon library under the libraries capital programme 2023-2027 on this occasion. The discussions regarding a potential site had not been concluded before a submission date, which is fair enough. My Department previously advised Cork County Council to consider submitting an application for the Blackrock-Mahon...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Vacant Properties (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development. Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of...