Results 3,801-3,820 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services Provision (14 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that will invest some €29m in 19 projects, as well as the My Open Libraryservice, between 2016 and 2022. The programme includes a proposed new library for Donegal Town in respect of which I announced a €1m contribution in May 2018. The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (13 Nov 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 provided funding under the following measures: Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas Measure 3: First Response Support Measure...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ministerial Meetings (13 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: In general, when such meetings relate to any business areas of my Department, the Minister of State and I are accompanied to those meetings by officials from my Department, as appropriate. The officials take notes and provide appropriate minutes of the meetings.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (13 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September with almost 300 applications received. The assessment of applications for the Fund is being overseen by a Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and external experts. Assessment of Category 1 applications is currently underway with...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Improvement Scheme Expenditure (13 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in predominantly rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities. I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February last when I allocated an initial sum of €10.8 million to Local Authorities across the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Staff Data (13 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The number of senior positions held by both men and women, respectively in the Department of Rural and Community Development, as at 9th November, 2018, are set out in the table below: Grade/Title Male Female Total Secretary General 1 0 1 Assistant Secretary 1 2 3 Principal Officer 6 4 10 Assistant Principal 16 15 31 Total Senior Positions 24 21 45

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: With the CLÁR programme one of the better schemes that I oversaw was the safety scheme for outside schools. It is an important scheme. We have supported many schools throughout the country. We have made schools safer with signage, access and car parking. If there is a specific case, Deputy Smyth may take it up with me. I am satisfied with the CLÁR programme. At this stage,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I do.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: My definition of "shovel-ready" is that when a project is ready the planning permissions would be in place. I would expect the application to be ready to go if funding is secured for it. That is what I determine to be a shovel-ready project. If those concerned get approval in November and can start drawing down that funding from the first day of January, I would expect them to start that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I do not expect all projects will be ready in terms of having their quotations and tenders done but the scheme refers to shovel-ready projects. If a project is shovel-ready I would expect in a very short period that it would be ready to go. The evaluation team will examine these schemes. We have more projects and I referenced in my reply the number of applications that have been received....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: CLÁR was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The Cooley Peninsula was also included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by foot and mouth disease. The average...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for the comments. She is correct in what she said about CLÁR funding. It is not always big money that creates an impression. It is often small money that makes a major difference to small communities. As I said in my reply, I am doing a review of the CLÁR programme and it is time there was a proper review of it. I will put that review out at the end of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: As I outlined to the Deputy in an earlier reply, the first call for applications for the rural regeneration and development fund closed at the end of September, with 290 applications received. Of these, 125 were for category one shovel ready projects, while the other 165 were for category two projects, which need development funding to become potential category one applications in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The project advisory board is going through the applications. There are two categories. The Deputy is correct - one of them is projects which are shovel ready. I expect the board to come back with recommendations on projects that are shovel ready.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The LEADER programme is driven by a bottom-up approach. Decisions on projects are taken at a local level by local action groups which have been approved to administer the programme. The Department of Rural and Community Development engages with the local action groups on a regular basis with regard to every aspect of the programme. As part of this engagement, a LEADER forum was held with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I met representatives of LEADER companies recently. My officials meet them on a regular basis. We are prepared to iron out any difficulties they might have. I understand they are fairly satisfied with the procedures that are in place. They are fairly satisfied that the changes we have made have streamlined the LEADER programme. As a former Minister, Deputy Smith will be aware that checks...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: That is right.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Deputy and I want the money allocated by the Department to rural communities under the LEADER programme to be spent. It is in the interests of every Deputy in this House for these funds to be spent in rural areas. The Deputy is quite correct when he says that a balance is needed. Although the application process has been streamlined, there continues to be a need to ensure taxpayers'...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I need to find the answer to this question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I would rather not go through the same speech again.