Results 3,441-3,460 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Authorities (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that in 2023 over €6.5 million was allocated to County Louth through the wide range of programmes and schemes administered by my Department. I can also confirm that total funding drawn down across County Louth in 2023 was €6.8 million, with €6.5 million of that drawn down by Louth County Council. In some instances, projects approved for funding are...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 95 together. My Department provides funding through a range of highly impactful schemes and programmes aimed at supporting sustainable, inclusive and thriving communities. In 2023 my Department's outturn of €417 million supported a range of policy priorities across the country. This funding has seen community centres revitalised, outdoor...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with over €70 million being approved for almost 2,400 projects...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025. Substantial funding has been invested by my department in the development of remote working facilities through a variety of programmes. Successful projects are developed in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Funding of €50 million for some 900 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flood Relief Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Office of Public Works in conjunction with local authorities have the primary responsibility for preventive and emergency flood relief measures. Other Government Departments including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have also developed measures following the exceptional flooding in 2023 such as the Emergency Business Flooding Scheme and the Enhanced Emergency Business...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, Our Living Islands - the National Island Policy 2023-2033 was launched in June of last year. Our Living Islandsis a substantial document – a ten-year policy backed up by rolling three year action plans. It has time-bound commitments so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held to account. A coordinated and cohesive approach across a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 106 together. 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 and is due to meet again on Tuesday 20th February to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Town Centre First (TCF) 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. The Town Centre First National Office is key to the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 112, 113 and 588 together. The Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Funding of €50 million for some 900 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. The Fund aims to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas. In October 2022 I announced funding for the 2023 - 2027 LEADER...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy supports the development of TCF plans, through which local communities and businesses reimagine their towns and develop a vision for the future of their towns. In December 2021, I announced funding to support the...

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

Heather Humphreys: A key aim of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre Firstpolicy is addressing vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages across the country and ensuring that the policies and schemes in place directly address and tackle these issues. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of several measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is one of several measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since its launch in 2016, over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects supporting towns and villages across the country. As committed in Our Rural Future, Ireland's rural development policy, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, access between the islands and the mainland is the most fundamental requirement for those living on our offshore islands and is a lifeline for island communities. Access impacts on every aspect of island life, including health and welfare services, education, employment, social and family life, and business. Affordable, frequent and safe transport services, by...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with almost €70.5 million being approved for almost 2,400 projects...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Community Centres are the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and urban areas around the country. I know the important role they play in community life in Ireland and I have provided funding for such facilities through a range of different funding instruments delivered by my Department. In 2023, I announced a €20 million Fund to support communities...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 605 together. Our Rural Future recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025. My Department’s focus to date has been on strategically developing a national hub network, adding capacity to Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Officials of my Department have not been in discussions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a policy to have local authorities authorise works/purchases under the Additional Needs Payment for individuals who have recently been allocated local authority properties. However, I have been advised by my officials that there have been some discussions between...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (30 Jan 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household. For the purposes of Fuel Allowance, a dependent or qualified child is one for whom...