Results 5,281-5,300 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Topical Issue Debate: Western Development Commission (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. The comments of the former chairman of the WDC have received much attention in the past week, arising from a letter he copied to all Members of this House. In his letter, the former chairman contends that there is no commitment to balanced regional development or any plan to redress rural decline. Nothing could be further from the truth....

Other Questions: Rural Recreation Policy (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: I am pleased to be able to inform the House that I have launched the 2017 outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, with funding of €11 million to be allocated to projects across rural Ireland. The outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme will support the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing infrastructure in...

Other Questions: Rural Recreation Policy (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The Deputy is quite correct about the infrastructure that can be put in place for walks and trails and particular blueways. We work with Coillte and many other State agencies which provide services for walks and greenways. I am delighted that we have increased the funding again this year. The Deputy is quite correct that we have too many knockers of rural Ireland. There are many schemes...

Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas providing funding for small infrastructural projects in areas that have experienced significant depopulation. While often modest in nature, these interventions play a very significant role in improving the lives of the people who live in CLÁR areas. I re-opened the CLÁR programme in 2016, following its closure for new...

Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The Deputy is quite correct. The scheme is very successful. I will return to Government, and I know the Deputy and all of my colleagues will support me, seeking further funding for the CLÁR programme. The measure pertaining to schools has proven to be very successful. There were three rounds of funding under the sports capital programme. The scheme has worked very well in terms...

Other Questions: CLÁR Programme (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: What happened with the CLÁR programme also happened with the dispersed capital programme. No matter how long organisations are given to apply for a scheme, applications are submitted at the last minute. In the case of the sports capital programme, at 4.55 p.m. on the very last day of applications for the programme the system broke down because everyone left it until the last minute...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Illegal Dumping (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The location to which is referred is a disused borrow pit immediately adjacent to the R251 road and the administrative and works depot at the headquarters of Glenveagh National Park. The habitats adjacent to the borrow pit include willow scrub, and roadside margin vegetation. There is no woodland, active blanket bog, or other Special Area of Conservation qualifying interest habitats at this...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The Killarney House project involves collaboration between my Department, the Office of Public Works (as project managers for the construction) and Fáilte Ireland. The Department first announced the project in 2011 with a budget of €10m (Fáilte Ireland have committed funding of €5.2 million under its Tourism Capital Investment Programme). The National Tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Correspondence (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The Department has received the correspondence from the organisation mentioned in the details supplied and has acknowledged same. As previously stated this would be a significant addition to our stock of publicly owned heritage properties and lands. However, the Department could only consider acquiring this property if the price fell within a certain rangeor in the context of a donation or...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The specific commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Governmentin relation to the Post Office network which were assigned to my Department have now been completed or are significantly advanced. I recently presented the final report of the Post Office Hub Working Group to the Government. This report examined the potential for Post Offices to act as hubs of economic and social activity,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Community Development Initiatives (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The Programme for a Partnership Governmentenvisaged that An Post, the Irish League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders would be asked to investigate and propose a new model of community banking, such as the Kiwibank model in New Zealand, which could be delivered through the post office network. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to investigate the German...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on Friday the 31stMarch 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The allocation for CLÁR for 2017 is €5 million and funding is available under the following measures: Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: 252. To ask the Minister for Finance if changes have been made to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 (SI 353 of 1994), as amended, to confine the definition of a "family member" to that which is used for capital acquisitions tax law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19677/17]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: 253. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason an application under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 by a person (details supplied) has been refused; the basis within SI 353 of 1994 for this refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19678/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: 519. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when departmental papers and the comments of the deciding officer regarding a State pension contributory claim by a person (details supplied) will be submitted to the social welfare appeals office. [19158/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: 597. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in arranging an interview with a social welfare inspector for a person (details supplied) regarding their application for disability allowance; if this appointment can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Western Development Commission Data (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The Western Development Commission (WDC) was established in 1997 as part of a response to the severe population decline of the Western Region. It was put on a statutory footing in 1999 under the Western Development Commission Act, 1998.The main aim of the WDC is to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region, which covers counties Donegal, Leitrim,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Post Office Network (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: I recently presented the final report of the Post Office Hub Working Group to the Government, in line with a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government. This report examined the potential for Post Offices to act as hubs of economic and social activity, particularly in rural communities. It recommended that a project to test the concept of Shared Value Co-located Post Offices...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: On 13 April, I launched an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017 as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development. This scheme will see €20 million in funding being invested in towns and villages across rural Ireland over the next 15 months. The scheme is targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000 people. Projects which have clear positive...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Post Office Network (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 731, 754 and 758 together. The Programme for a Partnership Government made a number of commitments in relation to the Post Office network which were assigned to my Department. The commitments in question have now been completed or are significantly advanced. I recently presented the final report of the Post Office Hub Working Group to the Government....