Results 6,161-6,180 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Control of Dogs (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In late 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was tasked with leading a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and I held a meeting in early January and asked officials to convene a working group on the issue. The terms of reference of the group are published on gov.ie. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Control of Dogs (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: We are going to do a number of things. I will explain the term "in effectual control" because I was not sure what it was either. It means dog owners are required to keep their dogs under effectual control at all times. It is very apparent when a dog is not under control and it is important dog wardens have a degree of discretion in applying this definition. I acknowledge the work of dog...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 110 together. 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. The fund is central to achieving the objectives and key deliverables of Our Rural Future, the Government's five-year policy for rural Ireland. At the heart of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: To clarify something, there has been no downgrading of the north and western region by the European Commission from being a region in transition. This 2018 designation is based on GDP per capitain the region and has been used to calculate European funding allocations for 2021 to 2027. Separately, the European Parliament's committee on regional development categorised the north and west...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí. First of all, in response to Deputy Paul Donnelly, 22 town regeneration officers are appointed. There are four positions left to be filled. I expect those will be filled in the coming weeks. Second, we have a national oversight and advisory group for town centre first and it is due to meet later this month. At this meeting, the town...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: My Department works very closely with the local authorities. We need them to work with us to deliver these projects locally because they are consulting with local communities and they know what they need on the ground. Only last week, my senior officials met with the director of services with responsibility for the implementation of some of the funds from my Department. It is in constant...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Even though the report was specific to the west Cork islands, much of the findings are applicable to the majority of our islanders, relating to, for example, the quality of existing housing stock, the lack of availability of houses for sale or rent and the challenges of obtaining planning permission. I have spoken to Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and all the islands have these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 72, 83, 102 and 114 together. 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 vision in Our Rural Future for a thriving rural Ireland, which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy in line with the programme for Government commitment, as well as commitments made in Our Rural Future. The process of developing the policy has taken longer than I would like. However, I am determined to take the time necessary to get it right. That is no more than our island communities deserve,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: We are talking about a matter of weeks. I want a policy that, when it is launched, can be used to hold other Departments to account. I do not want a pile of flowery language. I have said this previously; I want time-bound actions in order that when Departments say they are going to do something, I will be able to hold them to account. In fairness, in both my Departments, I have shown a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Yes, and I am trying to do my best in my Department. As part of the new policy, I want other Ministers to do the same. I told the Deputy what I have been trying to do. I want to use this policy to hold the other Departments to account. It has to be a whole-of-government policy and that includes housing, health and education. Those are some of the key Departments from which we need strong...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy in line with the programme for Government commitment and commitments made in Our Rural Future. Housing was one of the most pressing issues of concern that was raised by island communities during the public consultation process carried out by my Department. While...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: From my experience, the only way to keep other Departments on their toes is to get concrete commitments from them. I think we are nearly there on this. As I said, I am going to meet the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage next week to discuss his Department's actions. As housing, planning and water sewerage services are big issues on the islands, we need strong commitments...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget Process (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. It commits to developing an effective rural-proofing model to ensure the effects of significant new proposals on rural communities are fully considered, and better target the particular challenges and opportunities facing them. To advance this measure, my officials...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget Process (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: We published a consultant's report on the Department website in January. Rural proofing has been seen to be a complex issue internationally and no country is considered to have been fully successfully implementing rural proofing to date. Approaches taken to date can be described as voluntary, compulsory, policy decisions and legislative. The report favours an approach based on option B,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Budget Process (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: We have identified areas that we want to focus on as part of the pilot. Sustainable tourism is something that has a big impact on rural economies. We have launched the national recreation strategy. That has huge economic benefits. Let us consider, for example, the benefits of Limerick greenway, the mountain biking trail in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and Mount Congreve Gardens in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2022 Scheme prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use. In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 99 and 113 together. As stated in Our Rural Future, there is an overall ambition for Government to transform digital connectivity for rural communities and enterprises. I want to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities to ensure that those living in rural communities, including our offshore islands, are provided with the same...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ukraine War (25 Apr 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 79, 89, 93, 98 and 109 together. In January I launched the Community Recognition Fund which aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. The funding...