Results 12,401-12,420 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: It is important to say that when LEADER was introduced, many years ago, it was the only show in town for funding projects in rural Ireland. That is no longer no case. We have a whole swathe of funding streams to support rural communities. In my Department, we have the rural regeneration and development fund, the town and village renewal scheme and the outdoor recreation infrastructure...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I believe that the LEADER programme is adequately funded. LEADER complements all the other funding programmes. It is about people working together. That is where we get the results. The Deputy mentioned the Border. Not alone do we have the regional enterprise development fund, we have the Border enterprise development fund, which is specifically for the Border region because of the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I will the answer the question I have here which was on the mobile phone and broadband task force. The issue the Deputy referred is probably more suitable to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I understand the Deputy's interest in the task force and the fact it should be reconvened because we worked together on it when it was first established and we achieved much. That task force addressed 70 actions between 2016 and 2019. These spanned a mix of practical and policy approaches that have removed significant barriers to the deployment of telecoms services in the State. The...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy knows, part of the work of the task force was to appoint broadband officers in every single local authority in the country. They were in contact with the service providers and there was much good work done on the ground. As I said, 70 actions were completed. That collaboration still takes place today. The last task force completed its work programme at the end of 2019....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Government clearly recognises the vital role that LEADER plays in delivering impactful rural development projects at local level and it will continue to support investment in rural Ireland. In the 2014-20 CAP programming period, €250 million was allocated to LEADER. For the seven-year programming period from 2021 to 2027, this funding allocation will be maintained. It is...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I met the CEOs of all the LEADER groups just last week. It was a very positive engagement and gave me a good opportunity to hear a lot of what they had to say directly and to allow them to outline to me the really good work they are carrying out in their areas. Martina Earley, from the Roscommon LEADER Partnership in the Deputy's neck of the woods, outlined to me the different issues she...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Between 2007 and 2014 is some time ago. The 2014 to 2022 allocation was €250 million and this programme is also worth €250 million. The €70 million transition programme is over two years, that is, this year and next year. It would be fair to say you would expect to have around 50% that already spent. According to our records, we have approvals of €16 million,...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I move: That Dáil Éireann hereby refers the carbon budget prepared pursuant to section 6A of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 6th December, 2021, to fulfil the requirements of section 6B(1)(a) of the Acts, to the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, which shall, pursuant to...

Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In the recent budget, I made some changes in respect of those on disability payments in order that they can earn more without it affecting their payments. I will have to take the particular issue the Deputy raised away with me and I will revert to her.

Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The turnaround time for appeals in the Department has improved over the most recent period. I have brought to Cabinet a request, as reflected in the social protection legislation I am bringing through at the moment, to allow for the appointment of two more registered officers for appeals purposes. That should help to improve any delays. In fairness, the turnaround time has improved...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages. The 2021 Scheme was launched with an indicative budget of €15 million and places particular emphasis on addressing vacancy and dereliction, projects supporting remote working, and enhancing town centre living. My Department received 167 applications under this Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (7 Dec 2021)

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. To date, 164 projects have been approved for funding of €255m for projects costing over €347m. I will be announcing the fourth call for Category 1 applications in the coming weeks. Category 1 relates to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 74 together. Our Rural Futurecommits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of 400 remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025. The National Hub Network Working Group led by my Department has so far identified and mapped over 460 remote working hubs across the country, 170 of which are live on the Connected Hubs platform,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Flexible Work Practices (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Ireland’s 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 will also support local economies, reduce carbon emissions and may arrest or reverse the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Local Authorities (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. These roads are vital to supporting rural connectivity. Considerable progress has been made since 2017 in upgrading these laneways and minor roads, with investment of €80 million providing for works on over 3,000 roads and benefitting over...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: EU Programmes (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: LEADER has been successfully delivering a wide range of innovative projects across Ireland for thirty years. As part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, the 2014-2020 LEADER programme had a total funding allocation of €250 million. This is comprised of EU and National Exchequer funding. I have also made €70 million available under the Transitional LEADER Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The refurbishment and redevelopment of vacant and derelict properties is being addressed by a number of initiatives delivered by my Department in line with the commitments contained in Our Rural Futureand across Government as part of the Government's Housing for Allplan. In April, I announced investment of €81 million for 25 landmark projects under Category 1 of the Rural Regeneration...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: EU Funding (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: This Government clearly recognises the vital role that LEADER plays in delivering impactful rural development projects at local level and it will continue to support investment in Rural Ireland. In the 2014-2020 CAP programming period, €250m was allocated to LEADER. For the 7 year programming period from 2021 to 2027 this funding allocation will be maintained. It is comprised of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regeneration Projects (7 Dec 2021)

Heather Humphreys: A key element of Our Rural Future is the commitment to develop and deliver a collaborative town centre first approach to put the development and regeneration of rural town centres at the heart of decision-making. There is also a commitment, as part of this overall approach, to provide and resource dedicated local authority staff to support town centre renewal. My Department is working...