Results 14,861-14,880 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1211 and 1212 together. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are publicly accessible sites in areas that do not currently have access to adequate broadband services. These premises will allow onsite use of high-speed broadband by the public and will support a range of digitally enabled services, not least remote work and study. The project is a collaboration...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Water Safety (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has governance responsibility for Water Safety Ireland (WSI). WSI has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of water safety; advancement of education related to the prevention of accidents in water; instruction in water safety; and the establishment of national standards for lifeguards. WSI has played a key role in this year's Be Summer Ready...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Ferry Services (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, this relates to a procurement matter, which is ongoing. The deadline for submissions from suppliers has passed and my Department is currently evaluating the material received. This process is being undertaken in keeping with the standard approach taken for ferry services subsidised by my Department. Officials from my Department have consulted with the Island...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The total expenditure incurred across my Department on travel and subsistence in the period 1 January 2020 to 31May 2021 was €139,545.19. A breakdown on an annual basis is set out in the table below. Year Expenditure 2020 €130,882.75 2021 to 31st May €8,662.44 Total €139,545.19

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Reviews (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The table here provides the information requested by the Deputy. Name of Value for money/policy review Date completed Cost Details Review of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 (DBE Act 2010) Ongoing Zero (in-house delivery) Revised Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines became effective on 1 January 2019,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Employment Support Services (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Government’s ambitious new five year policy for rural Ireland, Our Rural Future, commits to the development of a pilot scheme to support the use of rural pubs as community spaces and hubs for local services. I have met with the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and my officials are currently working with VFI to develop the pilot project. Through the pilot, it is envisaged that...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Websites (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1218 and 1219 together. My Department’s website, like many other Departments, forms part of Gov.ie, which is overseen by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). I am informed that Gov.ie partially complies with Level AA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards. Gov.ie has a compliant accessibility statement...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Tidy Towns (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: l was delighted to be in a position to launch the 2021 Supervalu TidyTowns competition on 21st May last. The competition has been in existence since 1958 and continues to grow in popularity, with a record 924 entries received in 2019. TidyTowns Groups operate on a voluntary basis and the continued success of the competition is testament to the time and effort which volunteers, young and old,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regeneration Projects (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: In May, I announced funding of €15 million which is available for the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This year’s scheme will place particular emphasis on projects supporting remote working and enhancing town centre living as outlined in Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. The Scheme is normally restricted to towns with a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Staff (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Rural and Community Developmentwas established on 19thJuly 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. I can confirm that there are no staff in my Department in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years. Please note, higher duty allowances for the four agencies is a matter for the relevant boards and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of a public library service is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. However, my Department provides funding that supplements local authorities' investment in public libraries, thereby supporting them in the delivery of that service. Funding of some €29 million is being provided through...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regeneration Projects (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The third call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 1st December. Category 1 relates to ambitious, large scale projects capital projects which have all the necessary planning and other development consents in place at the closing date for applications. My Department received 66 applications to this call. Two applications were received from...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (15 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the question from the Deputy relates to the delivery of the LEADER Programme in West Cork. For the purposes of the 2014-2022 LEADER Programme, County Cork is divided into 3 sub-regional areas, with a Local Action Group (LAG) in each area delivering separate Local Development Strategies. Under the current LEADER Programme, the Cork West Local Action Group (LAG) is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy is absolutely correct that Adam Harris is a great advocate for people with autism. There is great work going on and great co-operation between his organisation and the Garda. We are very supportive of that. As I said, a specific training programme on autism awareness is expected to be released on the Garda learning management system on 1 July 2021.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: It is good that this work is ongoing, including on another phase of training for the human rights champions initiative. That will involve representative bodies, including Mental Health Ireland, ADHD Ireland, AsIAm, Merchant's Quay Ireland, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and the National Disability Authority. The Garda Síochána has carried out a number of changes to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputies Conway-Walsh and Calleary. The Garda Commissioner, with the consent of the Minister, can extend the age of retirement of a Garda member where this is in the interests of the efficiency of the Garda Síochána due to special qualifications or experience in policing possessed by that member. In terms of the Covid-19 pandemic, Garda members who had reached the age...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I agree absolutely with Deputy Calleary. We need to be proactive and look at things through the lens of a modern world, where we are all living longer and are much healthier, thank God. My Department is currently carrying out a review of the mandatory maximum retirement age of 60 for the Garda Síochána. This review is taking account of retirement ages that apply generally across...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: This question relates to the training An Garda Síochána receives with regard to autism. In reply to Deputy Conway-Walsh's previous question, I am happy to look at any case and recommendation the Commissioner makes to me. I understand that he advertised to see if people wanted to stay on and it was up to them to make an application. I do not have the figures here but I can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Before I answer the Deputy's question, I thank Deputy Cathal Crowe for his kind comments. I know the rest of the Deputies will join me in congratulating the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on the birth of her lovely son, Michael Shane. We wish her well in her maternity leave. I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh for raising this matter. As she will be aware, retirement of all members of An Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Again, I want to express my sympathy to the family. As I said earlier, Terence's tragic death was the subject of a comprehensive GSOC inquiry which was published in 2010 and is available on the GSOC website. A settlement was also reached in the courts. As Minister for Justice I cannot comment upon or intervene in the outcome of any GSOC inquiry, nor can I comment upon the outcome of any...