Results 11,621-11,640 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Public Services Provision (22 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has not won any award from the Public Sector Magazine publication.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (22 Feb 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 Ratoath is primarily a matter for Meath County Council. My Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme 2016 – 2022,  which is currently fully...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Communications (22 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that I have WhatsApp on my official phone. I use the application on occasion, usually for transmitting videos for social media use in relation to my Department’s work. I do not have the disappearing messages function activated.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: It was the same story in 2016. The programme did not run out of money then. We have always supported it. I am conscious of the work that it does. I do not want to second guess the negotiations in the EU. We hope that it will move on quickly. The transition programme was brought in and the funding was provided so that it could continue its good work.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. He is correct. Sometimes there are many different funding streams and organisations are not sure which one to apply for. I will engage with local authorities and various other groups to give them briefings on the different funding streams and what they are targeted towards. The first port of call for any community group applying for funding through my Department is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Any community group looking for funding from my Department needs to go to the local authority. Local authorities engage with communities. They send applications to my Department and put proposals together. In terms of LEADER funding, organisations go to a local LEADER company which funds different initiatives, such as enterprises or community halls. There are a number of different funding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for the question. The LEADER programme is one of the key intervention of our rural future, the Government's policy for rural development launched last year. An indicative budget of €180 million is allocated for the LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027, with €70 million already provided for 2021 and 2022 under the transitional LEADER programme. A total...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. In fairness, she probably knows this process much better than I do when it comes to Europe. The funding allocation for 2021-2027 has been maintained at the current level. It is important to me that LEADER continues to support rural communities as it moves into the new programming period. That is why it was vital for Ireland to submit its CAP strategic plan to the EU on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Táimid ar ais ag na hoileáin. As the Deputy is aware, 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...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Galway County Council is submitting that application. I understand that the application is with the relevant Department, which I believe is the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. As I understand it, it is there. We are meeting fortnightly with Galway County Council but the ball is in its court at this moment. The Department has approved the business case. Galway County...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: There is constant contact between my officials and the islanders. I have been asked questions regarding Galway County Council, which I honestly cannot answer. I can say that my Department is giving Galway County Council all of the support we can give in trying to move this on as quickly as possible. They are finalising the compulsory purchase order, CPO, for two parcels of land. One is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this matter. The programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development through a range of measures. My Department supports this commitment through targeted investment that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities, and fosters regional enterprise growth. In the 2022 Revised Estimates, my Department was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The development of new regional enterprise plans falls within the remit of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. A total of nine plans are being developed by his Department for each region, which will run until 2024. I understand that these are expected to be published in the near future. The plans are massively important for achieving...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding the area the Deputy mentioned that has no broadband and cannot get a broadband connection point, I suggest that he contact either Cork City Council or Cork County Council-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: There is no reason that Cork City Council and Cork County Council cannot work together. It is not a big job to get a broadband connection point, to be honest. We have been rolling them out across the country. We have been working with the broadband officers in the local authorities and they have given great service. In other counties where there is no broadband in the area we fund the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I do not have the list with me but I understand a lot of broadband connection points have been funded in Cork. There are 17 on the connected hubs platform and we have mapped out 19 to invite on board to get into the connected hubs platform. That is quite a few, but we will look at the specific issue the Deputy has raised.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputies Connolly and Ó Cuív. This issue relating to this pier is complex. We tried to do this before many years ago and we did not get it right. As a result, it is important that all of the necessary preparatory work is done so that we do get it right. It is early in this development process and a revised timeline for the project has yet to be agreed with Galway County...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The work is at an advanced stage, thankfully. The Deputy is right. This has been going on for a long time. The draft is being worked on currently and, as I stated, officials of my Department are in regular communication with the representative groups. It is my intention that this will continue as the draft policy is being developed. I know exactly what the Deputy is saying. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I stated, the committee is in the process of preparing the draft policy. We are at the final stage. I cannot give the Deputy a specific date but I give her a commitment that I will make sure we get this policy document finished and delivered as quickly as possible. There has been extensive consultation. I attended the online 2021 annual general meeting of Comhdháil Oileáin na...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Harbours and Piers (17 Feb 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Inis Meáin pier development is included in the national development plan. As the Deputy will be aware, Galway County Council is the body responsible for development of stage 3 of the Caladh Mór pier development. Users of the pier, including several State-subsidised ferry operators, have highlighted issues with capacity within the harbour, as well as with currents around the...