Results 421-440 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme Funding (16 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The total amount of funding provided to the Western Development Commission since 2010 is set out in the following table. In 2015, an amount of €1.488 million has been allocated to the Commission. Year Current €000 Capital €000 2010 1,683 492 2011 1,458 - 2012 1,387 - 2013 1,312 - 2014 1,413 - 2015 1, 488 -

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (16 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas or CEDRA published its report in 2014. The Report contained 34 recommendations focussed on supporting the medium term economic development of rural areas in the period to 2025. On my appointment as Minister for Rural Affairs in July 2014, and in line with the recommendations in the CEDRA report, I immediately established the CEDRA...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (16 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The selection process for Leader Local Development Strategies (LDS) is not yet complete and at this point in time I cannot comment on the final outcome of that process. In this context, as yet, no contract has been awarded to any entity to deliver the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. My Department is working to ensure that the selection process is completed as...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: I understand the Senator's interest in this issue which is extremely important. The new local government structures and the role of councillors are hugely important. In the process we are trying to carry out with Leader funding and the LCDC as the implementer of the funding available, my main objective is not to get too caught up in the process in order that it becomes an entity in itself...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: It is.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: Keeping a partnership approach is desirable. It is an open and transparent process, and that is what everybody would want. I take the point about governance. Governance is very important and under the local government process, and the new alignment process, increased powers have been given to county councillors. It is very important that the councillors are at a level that is close to the...

Other Questions: Dormant Accounts Fund (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: Under the dormant accounts legislation, balances on dormant accounts with banks, building societies and An Post and the net encashment value of certain life assurance policies are paid into the Dormant Account Fund, which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA. The primary purpose of the legislation is to reunite the original account holders with their moneys, including...

Other Questions: Dormant Accounts Fund (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The net value of uncommitted funds is currently €141.28 million. As the Deputy well knows, people sometimes view dormant accounts as free money or as some type of slush fund but that is far from the case.

Other Questions: Dormant Accounts Fund (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: As the Deputy well knows, there are accounting procedures governing dormant accounts funding. He knows also that the moneys must be included in the Vote and must be included in the Estimates, and that is how we arrive at the money we can commit from the Dormant Account Fund. A complex accounting procedure is involved. I assure the Deputy that where moneys can be spent, they will be spent....

Other Questions: Dormant Accounts Fund (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: I assure the Deputy that if I was sitting on more than €100 million and I could get my hands on it for disadvantaged communities and youth unemployment, I would do so. The programme is in place and there are commitments in that regard in the Votes. The process is governed by accounting procedures. It is not a slush fund. I accept the point the Deputy made about RAPID areas. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Under stage one of the selection process for the new programme, any entity wishing to be considered as a local action group was invited to submit an expression of interest. For the purpose of the new...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: As the Deputy mentioned, there will be a maximum of six months to develop the strategy. From speaking with the people in this space, the development companies and the local community development committee, LCDC, structures, I know they are working hard on getting their strategy together. I do not envisage any delay in the process. Everyone is working hard to draw down this money and get it...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: I accept what the Deputy is saying. I do not have a crystal ball so I cannot say exactly what will happen in the future, but I try to deal with the problem when it arises. We are going through a process and we should allow this process to take place. If it does throw up any difficulties, we will deal with them.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department received a communication from the European Commission on 28 April 2015 via the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who are the Managing Authority for the Rural Development Programme. In the context of the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020, the European Commission sought to clarify a number of issues in relation to the selection...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: RAPID Programme (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The RAPID programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion in areas covered by the programme. Over the past number of years, my Department has continued to meet its existing contractual commitments on RAPID projects throughout the country. There is now just one remaining measure under the RAPID programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020, will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Ireland is reconfiguring the way in which local and rural development interventions are implemented. This is in line with Government policy to ensure that local government is well positioned to support...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, will provide €250 million in financial resources to rural communities over the next 5 - 6 years, for a range of rural activities, including the development of local public amenities. While the LEADER allocation for the 2014-2020 Programme is less than the value of the LEADER element of 2007 – 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Safety (11 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department has been advised by Irish Water Safety that they train and certify approximately 3,000 lifeguards each year to best international practice and that their certification processes are designed to be fair, transparent and equal for all candidates. The equivalency and recognition tables of the International Life Saving Federation at indicate the qualifications of the countries,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (10 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the successor programme to the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015, following a procurement process. While SICAP provides supports to disadvantaged communities, including communities affected by suicide, there is no funding available under SICAP...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (9 Jun 2015)

Ann Phelan: The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to rural communities over the next 5 - 6 years. While the LEADER allocation for the 2014-2020 Programme is less than the value of the LEADER element of 2007 – 2013 Programme, I am confident that within the confines of the fiscal environment we have...