Results 10,981-11,000 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (6 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Blackpool is primarily a matter for Cork City Council. My department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that is investing €29m in 17 projects, as well as the My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (6 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The Fund has, to date, allocated funding of €278 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €376 million. Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories –...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (6 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the construction of the helipad on Inishturk is being undertaken by the relevant Local Authority, Mayo County Council, with financial assistance from my Department. Officials from my Department have been in ongoing contact with the relevant officials in Mayo County Council to progress this development. My Department provided the Local Authority with funding for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Urban Development (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, I am expecting that in a few weeks we will ask local authorities to hire the people to get them in place as soon as possible. As the Deputy knows, funding was also provided by my Department to consider a specific town in every single county. Some €100,000 was provided to look at that. The town regeneration officers will work with all the towns and villages in their area....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Strategies (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future represents the Government's blueprint for the development of rural Ireland up to 2025. It provides the framework to achieve the vision of transforming the quality of life and opportunity for people living in rural areas. It was published in March 2021 and contains more than 150 measures across the whole of government for short-term recovery and long-term development. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Strategies (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: NBI is rolling out the national broadband plan. There are probably many more connections than had initially been anticipated. Its representatives said that to me when I spoke to them informally. They said there was a lot of demand for connections and NBI is rolling them out. The good thing about NBI being on the ground is that it means other providers are also stepping up to the plate....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Strategies (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy knows, the Tánaiste is bringing forward legislation on the right to request remote working. It is possibly before one of the Oireachtas committees at present - I am not sure where it is - but that is welcome. It is important we have that conversation with employers and employees. We want to encourage them because this has to be a win-win for employers and employees....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Urban Development (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Government recently published "Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns". This publication represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It contains 33 actions that will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Urban Development (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: No. Next week, we will advertise for the position of the head of the national Town Centre First office. I am not sure where the office will be located, but I am sure a space is being organised for it somewhere. In a few weeks' time, we will ask local authorities to hire town regeneration officers. It is a good job with an attractive remuneration package. We are putting these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Digital Hubs (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: In terms of funding for remote working hubs, the local authority can apply to my Department for the town and village renewal scheme or the rural regeneration scheme for the infrastructure. In terms of the kitting out of the facilities, you can apply to the connected hubs but, if you want to do so, you have to register to use the app. We have 223 hubs on board and aim to have 400 on board...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of infrastructure on the Aran Islands. The development of the pier on Inis Oírr is listed among the strategic objectives set out in Project Ireland 2040. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: These things take a long time. I wish they could be done sooner. I have been on Inis Oírr, visited the island and know the problems the residents highlighted to me. We want to try to sort them out. We have to do the environmental study. The foreshore licence and environmental studies are the sort of things required for this type of project. My Department is meeting fortnightly with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am aware of the safety concerns relating to the pier, particularly during the summertime, when the number of people using it increases. The day-to-day maintenance of piers, including the development and enforcement of the by-laws, is primarily an issue for the relevant local authority, in this case Galway County Council. Officials have been in contact with our colleagues on that council...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Digital Hubs (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: We launched the connected hubs initiative in the Mill Enterprise Centre, Drogheda. There is no better example than there of the potential of remote working. There is a great deal of industry and remote work and it is an excellent place. The connected hubs scheme is available to access on an app. On their mobile phone, people can book a desk or an office and it is all done online. It is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, I have written to the Attorney General and I will await his advice on the issue. The Deputy can understand we do not want to cause difficulties with any procurement process that leaves us open to challenges.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Digital Hubs (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 110 and 138 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 recognises the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. Notwithstanding the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators, remote working from hubs...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he is aware, the public service obligation, PSO, status of the air service to the Aran Islands lapsed some years ago. My Department is now bringing the service back into EU public service obligation regularity compliance. The procurement process is currently under way for the new contract. Once completed, it will bring long-term certainty of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: There is no proposal for an air service to Inishbofin. As I understand it, there is no particular demand for an air service there. In terms of the ferry service, a number of issues have been raised by the islanders. We have taken those on board. All contracts, as the Deputy knows, are procured through a tendering process and adhere to all procurement rules and regulations. All...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently announced schemes that are designed to lessen the impact of the rise in the cost of living that is currently being experienced by all sections of our society. One such announcement includes a €54 million package that will see a 20% average fare reduction on PSO bus and rail services that are managed by the National Transport Authority,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I want to be clear about the Dursey Island cable car. This was a problem of Cork County Council's making. It made an announcement with no prior notice to my Department. It just said it was closing the cable car. I was pleased to step in at the last minute, last week. I was kept abreast of the matter. I worked hard with Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and Senator Tim Lombard to find a...