Results 3,741-3,760 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The Department of Rural and Community Development was established last year to deliver on the Government’s commitment to bring a greater degree of coordination and cohesion to all of the work of Government in so far as it impacts on rural Ireland and on communities in regions throughout the country. My Department delivers a variety of schemes that provide supports for groups in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September.  €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. There was an excellent response to the first call, with nearly 300 applications received.  Applications for the Fund are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Brexit Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship, both of which were endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, were conducted on behalf of the EU27 by the EU's Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and the Commission's Article 50 Taskforce.  I have not formally met with my UK counterpart to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dormant Accounts Fund (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The recent review of the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme 2014-16 and 2017-2019 identifies the need for better communication and awareness building with regard to the fund, including across Government Departments, potential beneficiaries and the public.  Specific actions taken in this regard include writing to Government Ministers at the start of the Dormant Accounts Action Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Parking Provision (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: Under the terms of the lease  (overseen by OPW) governing my Department's headquarters in Trinity Point in Dublin 2, 6 car park spaces are available for use by the Ministers and staff of the Department.  Spaces in the building's car park are allocated to all tenants  (including the Department) based on floor occupancy.  My Department's other main office is located in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Staff Data (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 to 500, inclusive, together. My Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, was established on 19 July 2017.I can confirm that, as of the Monday 3 December 2018, the staff breakdown of the Department and its agencies is as follows: Location Grade Male Female Department of Rural and Community Development Sec Gen 1 0 Asec 1 2 ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together. As Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development, I am leading a Department whose mission it is to help build vibrant, sustainable communities across the country, both in rural and urban areas. To do this requires a mix of policy initiatives and actions focused on enabling economic growth and development and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 510 together. My Department operates a number of funding programmes and schemes that are open to applications from relevant parties, including groups in the voluntary sector, who satisfy the relevant criteria during the application timeframes set for each scheme/programme. This includes a range of direct supports to projects in Co Kildare and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policy Functions (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The issue of isolation, whether in urban or rural areas, is one which requires a response containing a combination of policy initiatives and actions delivered across a number of Government Departments. For my part, I am committed to continuing my Department's response to the issue, which includes ongoing contact with local and community groups and other stakeholders where appropriate to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Surveys (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The remit of my Department is to help build vibrant, sustainable communities across the country. Achieving this goal requires a mix of policy initiatives and funding schemes to improve both economic development and to address gaps in meeting the social needs in rural areas, including isolated rural areas. The Action Plan for Rural Development, published in January 2017, represents a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The LEADER Programme is delivered to local communities across the country by Local Action Groups  (LAGs) across 28 sub-regional areas in Ireland. Under the current 2014-2020 programme, 25 of the LAGs are Local Community Development Committees.  The community-based Local Development Companies interface with local communities as the Implementing Partners for the LAGs.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Service Provision (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The availability of a high quality, high speed broadband network and of reliable mobile phone coverage are essential components underpinning the connectivity and development of rural communities in Ireland. In this context, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 to identify solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and to investigate...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Tidy Towns Committees Funding (11 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the TidyTowns Competition in 2018, I announced a grant scheme of €1.4 million at the end of 2017 to mark, in a small way, the efforts of TidyTowns committees all over the country who have given countless hours to make their communities better places in which to live. Over 900 committees availed of the grant in 2017.  Funding of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. Certain programmes available through my Department may provide the opportunity to access funding for the types of projects outlined by the Deputy. The National Development Plan provides for an allocation of €1 billion for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund over 10 years to enable towns, villages and outlying rural areas to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: Progress on the implementation of measures in the Action Plan for Rural Development is overseen by a Monitoring Committee which includes senior representatives of relevant Government Departments and key rural stakeholder interests. Progress Reports on the implementation of the Action Plan are published twice a year on my Department's website, www.drcd.gov.ie. The most recent report -...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The 2018 CLÁR programme was launched on 15th March last, with applications invited under the following measures: Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Reports (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department, which was established in July 2017, has not published any post enactment reports.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Legislative Measures (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department was established on 19 July 2017 on foot of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 2017. The Department also has responsibility for the Dormant Accounts Amendment Act, 2012, which was passed by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, and signed into law on 11 July 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: The grant and funding schemes operated by my Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme are listed in the table. Further details relating to eligibility criteria and making applications for funding are available on my Department's website. Name of Grant/Funding scheme operated Value (in 2018 unless stated):...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seniors Alert Scheme (5 Dec 2018)

Michael Ring: I thank the Senator for his kind comments, which I appreciate because my Department is new and it underwent three moves of offices in the past year although we have a permanent office now. I have a fine team with a new Secretary General, three assistant secretaries and fantastic staff in Dublin and Ballina. I take this opportunity to thank them because they found it difficult that there...