Results 4,441-4,460 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Authorities (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. In an effort to revitalise town centres in 2022, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritised projects that would bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres. The 2023 Scheme places...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: This Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together. My Department has put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR, LEADER, the Community Support Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Vacant Sites (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Town Centre First 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. A key aim of both this policy and the Our Rural Future...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities going to great lengths in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Funding of €50 million for over 880 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries. The Fund aims to support the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Priorities (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 25 together. A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. My Department provides targeted investment and supports in both rural and urban communities, which enables rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth. In 2023 my...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: 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 fortnightly basis to monitor progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. Both projects are...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: On 4th November, I announced funding of €1.3 million for the provision of new computers, laptops, iPads and other information and communication technology (ICT) in public libraries across the country. This funding will support the new public library strategy, ‘The Library is the Place’,which was launched in July, and it will enable public libraries to replace outdated...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flood Risk Management (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: It is important to note that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for major flood relief schemes. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns villages and rural areas across Ireland. Calls for applications to the RRDF are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the development of piers on Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr rests with Galway County Council. My Department provides funding to local authorities to undertake upgrade and development of piers serving our islands through both the National Development Plan for major capital projects and through my Department's islands budget for minor...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported over 2,100 projects with funding of over €59 million. This funding is making a real difference in many of our smaller and more remote communities. The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the protection of staff in libraries is primarily a matter for the local authorities. However, I support the sentiments expressed by the Taoiseach in his letter to library staff on the 21st August last which conveyed the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Properties (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: My Department does not own any empty or unused buildings.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to monies awarded by my Department to Louth County Council is set out below. This refers to the funding allocated under the schemes referred to by the Deputy in each year since 2020 (since the formation of this Government) and the level of that allocated funding that has since been drawn down or was unutilised. The unutilised funding columns...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Cabinet Committees (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, Our Living Islands: the National Island Policy 2023-2033 was launched in June of this year. Our Living Islands is a substantial document – a ten year policy which will be 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...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: This Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged. With this in mind, my Department has put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is one of a number of 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...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: In late 2022, Minister McConalogue was tasked by the then Taoiseach, now Tánaiste Micheál Martin to lead a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. I met with Minister McConalogue on Monday 9th January and we requested officials to convene a working group on the control of dogs’ issue. This group, which was chaired by DAFM, produced a report in March. I was...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported over 2,100 projects with funding of over €59 million. This funding is making a real difference in many of our smaller and more remote communities. The...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for the Department of Rural and Community Development was published in August of this year and is available at Gov.ie. The Strategy sets out the vision and strategic goals that will guide the work of my Department over the period 2023 to 2025 towards delivery of its mission “to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Community Centres are the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and urban areas around the country. This Government recognises the important role they play in community life in Ireland, bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged. With this in mind, I have put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and...