Results 6,861-6,880 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy was launched in early 2021. The policy recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025. In furtherance of this commitment, my Department’s focus to date has been on strategically...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future. I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland in line with Ireland's rural development policy Our Rural Future and in support of the objectives of the Town Centre First Policy. The 2022 TVRS prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The 2021 dog control statistics, published by my Department on gov.ie, show that there are three full time dog wardens in Cork City, and there are five full time and four part time dog wardens in County Cork. Section 15(1) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 states that every local authority must employ at least one dog warden. It is a matter for each local authority to determine if more...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: On the 24th January 2023 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 is specifically targeted at projects that are located in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established in December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders. In April 2022, we held a full meeting of the Taskforce with both State and Industry representatives. After this meeting the Terms of Reference and Work Programme for 2022-2023...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Communications (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: A key part of Our Rural Future - the National Rural Development Policy is supporting the creation of more and better jobs throughout the regions which will allow people to have a choice of employment and improved career prospects. It will enable them to continue to live and work in their local area and encourage more people to relocate to, or return to, rural areas, supporting the regional...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Broadband Plan (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: One of the key focuses of Our Rural Future:, the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025 is optimising digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The process selecting the Local Development Strategies for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is currently under way with Stage 1 of the process having concluded. Groups that were deemed eligible following Expression of Interest Stage 1, have now been invited to develop their strategies to deliver the programme in their sub-regional areas. The sub regional areas for the new LEADER programme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future. I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Communications (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established in July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. A vibrant social economy should be seen as an essential part of developing a sustainable, resource efficient and competitive economy. I can confirm that I have had no engagement with the project referenced by the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. I am also committed to improving connectivity for rural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. The Programme was re-launched in 2016 following a number of years when the scheme was closed to new applications. CLÁR has made significant investments at community level the length and breadth of the country. Funding of over €57...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (23 Feb 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, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress on the work being undertaken. With regards to Inis Oírr, Galway County...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Authorities (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 59 trails supported by approximately 2,270 landowners. The scheme is managed by 20 Local Development Companies (LDCs) around the country. At present, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future. I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027,was launched last November. The Strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public, and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (23 Feb 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 31 January 2023. It is a statutory requirement...