Results 11,081-11,100 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 951 and 952 together. I recently announced the Community Centres Investment Fund. This new capital fund, with a budget of €15m, will support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the country. This fund...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Training Centres (5 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: Public Sector Staff (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Rural and Community Developmentwas established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. I set out below the details of staff who are currently absent from work on full pay, due to suspension or workplace disputes, in my Department and in agencies and public bodies within my area of responsibility. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Development of the Caladh Mór Pier on Inis Meáin is included in the National Development Plan. As the Deputy will be aware, Galway County Council are responsible for the development of stage 3 of this project. As part of the preparatory works, the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) were instructed by Galway County Council to develop a model simulation for the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 957 and 966 together. Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025. In May last year I launched the National Connected Hubs...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I recently announced details of a new Community Centres Investment Fund, this capital fund, with a budget of €15m is to support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the Country. The fund will assist with projects such as: - Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Community Centres Investment Fund will support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and development of their existing community centre facilities. This fund is not intended for the construction of new buildings. However, my Department provides a number of other funding streams which can be used for the improvement and development of Community...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025, places a strong emphasis on the importance of evidence-informed policy making and, in that regard, recognises the value of research in supporting sustainable rural development. The Policy commits to supporting new research into rural development priorities, including in collaboration with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: WiFi4EU is a European initiative, which is co-funded by my Department and the European Commission. The initiative aims to support the development of wireless broadband by providing a high-quality internet service, free of charge, in public spaces such as main streets, public parks, libraries, museums and other public areas of high footfall. Under the WiFi4EU scheme, local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Sustainable Energy Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Retrofitting homes is a highly labour-intensive sector and can create high-quality, sustainable jobs in local communities throughout the country. It therefore has the capacity to play an important role in the economic growth and development of rural communities. Retrofitting, particularly of older housing stock commonly found in rural areas, will be a particularly effective way to help...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ministerial Staff (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The salaries and pensions paid out by my Department to special advisors to Ministers and Ministers of State in 2020 and 2021 are set out in the Table below: Year Salary Pension Ministers Advisors 2020 €202,522 €0 2021 €100,395 €0 ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Commissions of Investigation (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm, that my Department, which was established on 19 July 2017, has not had any commissions of investigation conducted since its establishment.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, clearly recognises the transformative effect that remote working can have for employers and employees all across the country. In recognition of this, my Department continues to invest in the establishment and development of remote work hub facilities through various funding streams. In May last year I launched the National...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (5 Apr 2022)

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 landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans. In addition, my Department’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: It is an objective of this Government to provide the necessary supports for our off-shore islands so that those communities can continue to live, and thrive, on the islands. My Department manages a large suite of transport contracts that provide reliable and affordable mainland connectivity for island residents and visitors. The development of quayside infrastructure, on the mainland and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Freedom of Information (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department was established on 19 July 2017, since that date a total of €240 in fees has been collected by my Department, in respect of one FOI request. Where requesters may be subject to fees, my Department is active in assisting requesters to refine their requests where possible to ensure that information can be provided without a fee requirement. In the context of the Freedom of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Rural and Community Developmentwas established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. My Department welcomes the publication of the “Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations” by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on Thursday 31st March 2022. This...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like any other business, they pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives. I am aware of the great...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I recently announced the Community Centres Investment Fund. This new capital fund, with a budget of €15m, will support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the country. The fund will assist with projects such as: - Energy retrofitting...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 979, 980, 982, 984 and 991 together. A vital part of my Department's mission is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. The Department provides strategic interventions, funding programmes and supports which target and address issues of social and or economic deprivation in rural and urban communities throughout...