Results 3,841-3,860 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: CLÁR Programme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I agree with Deputy Ó Cuív. As I said, the CLÁR scheme was closed in 2010 and reopened in 2016. The Deputy is correct that it needs to be reviewed. In response to his simple question, I believe that people in rural Ireland have a right to clean water. I agree with the Deputy’s views on CLÁR and I will review both the sewerage and water schemes. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Revised Estimates for 2018 in respect of the Department of Rural and Community Development sets out gross capital expenditure of €87.5 million and the current expenditure of €144 million for the Department. The capital expenditure is supplemented by some €7.7 million capital carried forward from 2017. As of 5 November, €54.8 million of my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I am surprised to hear that because I was told by colleagues yesterday that some of the local authorities have started spending some of the money that was reallocated to them last week. My understanding is that the local authorities have been notified, but I will correspond to the Deputy on that. The local authorities have been notified of the amount of money they are getting for the year....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Development Policy (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: Rural Ireland makes a huge contribution to our national identity, our society and our economy and it will continue to play an important role in our national development.  That is why support for rural development and rural communities was prioritised in Budget 2019. The budget greatly increased the funding allocation for my Department, from €231 million in 2018 to €293...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 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 this fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. There was a great response with 290 applications received. Of these 125 were for category 1 "shovel ready" projects and the other 165...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Urban Renewal Schemes (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: In October I announced a funding allocation of €5.5m for 2019 for the Dublin North East Inner City area. This will support the social and economic regeneration of an area which is at the heart of our capital city. It will benefit not only the local community but the city as a whole. The funding underlines the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the recommendations of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes Administration (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The LEADER programme has made a huge contribution to supporting rural areas and rural communities for many years.  As is the case with many EU-funded programmes, certain procedures must be followed to ensure transparency and accountability.  However, I am committed to making the application process for LEADER in Ireland as efficient as possible for community groups. My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a number of measures for delivery by a range of Departments and other bodies to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages.  From my own Department's perspective, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key component in the revitalisation of rural towns and villages. In total, almost €53 million has been approved...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Resettlement Scheme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: A Pilot scheme to encourage people to return to living in town centres was launched in October 2018. The pilot is one of the elements being utilised by the Department to revitalise rural towns and villages.  There is no one-size-fits-all approach to rejuvenating towns and villages in rural Ireland.  The factors which attract people to live in particular...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 257 and 258 together. As Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development I note the substantial progress made to improve the quality of life for persons and communities throughout Ireland, both rural and urban, and it is my intention that the supports available through my Department will continue to improve conditions in these...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Walks Scheme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: My Department administers the Walks Scheme which facilitates the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s walking trails. The scheme involves land-holders as key participants in the provision of high quality walking trails, by contracting them to undertake maintenance work on sections of National Waymarked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands. Participant...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: As Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development my primary focus is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country and crucial to that is the development of the modern, efficient services needed for such communities to thrive. My Department provides a wide range of supports to communities in rural Ireland, through programmes such as...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Post Office Closures (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has policy responsibility for the postal sector. However, I am acutely aware of the value placed by rural communities on services such as the local post office. Last month the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment launched a new Digital Assist pilot initiative with An Post. Ten locations across the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Comhairle na Tuaithe (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established on 19th July 2017. Since then, I met with the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 13th February 2018, and Comhairle met on two further occasions, 16th May 2018 and 5th July 2018. My meeting with Comhairle on 13th February was to hear directly from the members their views on the recommendations of the independent review of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (8 Nov 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 this fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. €55 million is allocated to the fund in Budget 2019. The objective of the Fund is to drive coordinated investment between...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in Ireland. On 28 May last, I launched the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: SICAP is managed locally by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with work being completed on the ground by Local Development Companies.  This structure ensures the flexibility to respond to local needs in each area.  When implementing SICAP, Local Development Companies assist individuals and community groups in different ways, including through the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Clár Forbartha Tuaithe (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: Glacann m’oifigigh páirt i meitheal - a bhfuil an Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála & Rialtais Aitiúil ag déanamh cathaoirleacht a uirthi - atá ag déanamh athbhreithnithe ar infhéistíocht i seirbhísí uisce tuaithe. Is eol dom gur thacaigh CLÁR le beartais ar nós grúpscéimeanna uisce agus séarachais san am...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Social Scheme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The response to the issue of rural isolation is delivered across a number of Government Departments and organisations. The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development includes a range of measures that will significantly contribute to addressing isolation and social inclusion in rural areas. Specific examples of actions in the Plan which will help those who feel isolated or...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (8 Nov 2018)

Michael Ring: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key component in creating vibrant towns and villages at the heart of our rural communities and can play an important role in revitalising rural Ireland. The scheme was initially launched in the second half of 2016.  In 2017, as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development, an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched, with a focus on...