Results 8,701-8,720 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER allocation for Cork is almost €21 million, up from €13.9 million in the previous programme, which is a 50% increase. It is the highest allocation in the country, so they should be pleased to see that. My focus is on delivery. It is based on the population and level of deprivation of the area, so that is taken into consideration as well. The Deputy gave me the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. The policy commits to developing an effective rural-proofing model within the lifetime of the policy. This will aim to ensure Departments fully consider the effects of new proposals on rural communities and the need to better target the particular challenges and opportunities...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, the development of a rural-proofing model is a key commitment in Our Rural Future, and work is progressing well on it in conjunction with other Departments. I do not want it to be a box-ticking exercise. We want other Departments to engage meaningfully, so it is important we get it right. We do hold other Departments to account through Our Rural Future. We have a work programme...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Obviously, like the Deputy, I am aware of the change in the status of the Border and western region, but from my Department’s point of view, there has been unprecedented investment in that area. I am aware of the challenges faced by inland counties, such as my own county of Monaghan, the Deputy’s county of Roscommon, Leitrim, and Longford - although not in that region - and I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The local improvement scheme, LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. Rural connectivity is an important element in Our Rural Future. Such roads represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents, providing access to people’s homes and farms as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers or...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

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. Key to this, is the establishment of the National Implementation Office to assist in the delivery and implementation of the policy, and to co-ordinate stakeholder engagement at a national level. It is also responsible for coordinating the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the introduction of the scheme in 2016 over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland. A key focus of the 2021 Scheme was to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, including for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was first introduced in 2016. It is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future. The Scheme is targeted at towns and villages with a population of 10,000 or less. It is managed on behalf of my Department by the local authorities....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Greenways Provision (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing infrastructure. In February 2020, Louth County Council was approved funding of €200,000 under ORIS to develop and enhance the Boyne Greenway. To date no funding has been drawn down on this project. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key intervention designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, thus delivering on some of the key priorities contained in Our Rural Future. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland. During these years funding of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I was delighted earlier this year to launch the Town Centre First Policy with my colleagues Minister Malcolm Noonan and Minister Peter Burke. The Town Centre First Policy represents a major cross-government initiative that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The Policy also provides a coherent framework for the delivery of significant levels...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Transport (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future is the government's national rural development policy. It sets out an ambitious blueprint for the development of, and investment in, rural Ireland over a five-year period. The policy was developed following extensive consultation with rural stakeholders and communities, and issues of public transport in rural areas featured strongly in those discussions. Accordingly, there...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a 10 year policy on island development with associated three year action plans. Indeed the Programme for Government includes a commitment in this regard and, as Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. The Government’s ambition for a national policy and action...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: In line with a commitment in Our Rural Future,I have allocated funding of €50,000 to the Vintners Federation of Ireland(VFI) to support a “Pubs as Community Hubs” pilot programme. The initiative is funded under my Department's CLÁR Programme. Family-run pubs have served local communities for generations. Falling demand, changes in drinking patterns and cost...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regional Development (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities, and in doing so, to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support the development of urban and rural communities throughout the country. The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development. My own Department supports this commitment...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and as a result, I am delighted to inform the Deputy that I have secured €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 for a 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund. This builds on the €15 million which was announced under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (27 Oct 2022)

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. The policy sets out a framework to facilitate and resource each town to chart their own future through a tailored plan, developed by a collaborative Town Team, and supported by their local authority. Key to this is the establishment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (27 Oct 2022)

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 the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. My Department operates a number of funding schemes that focus on projects supporting remote working through the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the long-term plans for the public library service in Drogheda are first and foremost a matter for Louth County Council. I am aware that Louth County Council provide a full...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Cost of Living Issues (27 Oct 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 107 together. I am acutely aware of the increase in the cost of living in recent months, especially increasing energy prices. Given this, the supports provided by my Department are more important than ever. Budget 2023 provides a 4% increase in my Departments allocation, which will deliver significant support for rural and community development...