Results 13,941-13,960 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (27 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) forms part of the wider rural regeneration and development programme which also includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. In terms of RRDF Category 1 (Major Projects), three calls for applications have been completed to date, while two calls for applications have been completed in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: We have the task force and it has worked very well. We are looking at how we can repurpose it. A great deal of work is happening. I spoke to the task force only recently. It acknowledge the great work with the local authorities and local broadband officers, who have been able to bring a wide range of solutions there. I agree with the Deputy on the wider structure. The Department of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 108 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The mobile phone and broadband task force was launched in July 2016 with the objective of improving access to high-quality mobile phone coverage and broadband services in rural Ireland. Since its inception, the task force has addressed more than 70 targeted actions, worked on removing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, in fairness to local authorities, many different demands are being made of them. Many funding opportunities are available for schemes, whether it is the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media's scheme for outdoor dining, the Minister for Transport's schemes for cycling and walking infrastructure or schemes from my own Department in town and village...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 102 together. The local improvement scheme provides funding for work on rural roads and laneways, as Deputy Griffin well knows. He has raised this matter with me on a number of occasions. These particular laneways are not normally maintained by local authorities. They are normally private and go into agricultural land and houses. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: There is a long list of roads that need repaired. I know there are many such roads in counties Kerry, Cavan and Monaghan, Mayo and all over the country. We have contacted the local authorities. We have asked them to outline what they can deliver before the end of the year. I want the money allocated to be spent on the roads. The allocations will be looked at by my Department. We will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, we try to be as fair as possible when allocating the funds. The officials will come forward with recommended allocations in due course. They are currently engaging with the local authorities on the matter. In fairness to the Deputy, it will not be his fault if Kerry does not get a fair share of the cake, as it were. It is an issue the Deputy has raised with me...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Our Rural Future sets out a blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It is supported by some 150 commitments based on the challenges and opportunities identified for rural communities. A key element of Our Rural Future is the commitment to develop and deliver a collaborative town centre first approach to put the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As I stated, the working group chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, will come forward with recommendations in the coming months. As part of budget 2021, I secured €2 million to help these towns develop master plans. It is very important that they have a plan in order to ensure there is joined-up thinking, which is part of making it a success. It is one thing to have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 93 and 127 together. The refurbishment of vacant properties is being addressed by a number of initiatives delivered by my Department, in line with the commitments contained in Our Rural Future. In April, I announced investment of €81 million for 25 landmark projects for funding under category 1 of the rural regeneration and development fund,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Deputy Kerrane has submitted a question on town centre first officers, which we will get to presently. I will come back on that specific point when I answer that question. The town centre first group has been set up under the chairmanship of the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke. My Department feeds into that interdepartmental group and much of its work is on the suggested actions...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Some of the specific actions that are being considered by the interdepartmental group include incentivising the use of vacant buildings through taxation strategies, exploring financial disincentives in respect of vacancy and underuse, examining alternative models for access to finance for the adaptive reuse of vacant buildings, resourcing and supporting local authorities to invest and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Government policies include the national social enterprise policy, Our Rural Future, the new national rural development policy, A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, and Working to Change: Social Enterprise and Employment Strategy 2021-2023. There is an emphasis in all those policies. The establishment of the strategic procurement advisory group under the auspices of the Office of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future aims at reimagining rural Ireland by revitalising towns and villages and getting more people to live in, work in and enjoy rural areas. It notes that Ireland's overall economic and social well-being depends on the strength of the recovery in rural areas. It also recognises the centrality of communities in delivering on this ambitious new vision. The policy commits to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and the OPW are looking at how they can identify suitable State-owned properties which are no longer being used and could be passed over to the community. It could be, for example, an old Garda station lying idle. Rather than letting that property fall into disrepair, why not give it to the community? Through schemes like the town and village...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I have had engagement and meetings with the Minister of State on the issue of properties. Some of these properties could be acquired for remote working hubs or a number of other uses. It is up to local communities and local authorities to work together. When they make propositions, I am never found wanting. Good projects always get funding and different streams of funding are available. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. I agree with her. I come from a landlocked, inland county but I hope the Deputy accepts my bona fides in being absolutely committed to supporting island communities. It is my plan to visit a number of islands the week after next to meet the residents and to have conversations with them to see at first hand the issues, challenges and opportunities they are presented...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (15 Jul 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am happy to look at the model employed in Scotland and to learn from the things that have worked there. I am absolutely committed to delivering this policy for the islands. A number of agencies are involved. It cuts across Departments. As the Deputy will know, it does not only involve my Department, but a number of Departments. We are consulting with them. The Deputy mentioned a...