Results 15,081-15,100 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Digital Hubs (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: In answer to the question raised, we have mapped out these hubs and will have 100 by the end of the year and possibly more. I will be announcing them next week. I look forward to visiting County Mayo next Monday to launch the national hub network in Swinford, when I will also be officially opening the new Swinford digital west hub. I am delighted my Department has been able to support...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I do not have that question on digital poverty. That is Question No. 6.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: That is a different question the Deputy is asking. The Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, can answer Question No. 7.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Funding is available through the town and village renewal scheme, in which there is a big focus on derelict buildings that could be renovated and used as co-working spaces. There is an opportunity for people to apply for this funding. There is a great project in Donegal, which was funded through the rural regeneration development fund. An old Ritz cinema in Donegal was converted into a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The refurbishment of vacant properties is being addressed through a number of funding streams 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 the rural regeneration and development fund. The projects will combat dereliction, increase the vibrancy of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. We had the pilot study and all of the information has proved to be very valuable in terms of developing the town centre first initiative. The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, chairs the committee. The Department feeds into it and we are looking at a number of initiatives. I am working very closely with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, on what we can do to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: With regard to the particular scheme the Deputy has mentioned, it is funded by the Department through the local authorities. It is up to the local authorities to consult with communities to have a clear path forward as to how to address the issues in their villages. The Deputy knows that I am very much in favour of a bottom-up approach. I like to engage with communities and identify the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: We published Our Rural Future at the end of March. It is a very ambitious five-year policy. In fairness, it has been received extremely well, not just here in Ireland but also internationally. When the World Economic Forum, the Financial Times, CNBC and The New York Timescomment on our strategy, and to see it described as the most ambitious plan of its kind in Europe, it is very...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am in regular contact with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. He is trying to accelerate the roll-out of broadband. I also live in rural Ireland. There is a lot of broadband appearing now in areas where we had very poor coverage. The private operators are moving in now, as well as National Broadband Ireland. The acceleration and the roll-out of broadband has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The primary objective of the connected hubs call is to support and complement the development of the national hub network, which is a key action of Our Rural Future and the national remote working strategy. The connected hubs call targets shovel-ready, small capital works that will increase the capacity of existing hubs and benefit the wider economy in support of the network. The call...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The connected hubs call is open to existing public and private hubs. The grants available can range from €10,000 up to €250,000. Through the fund, we want to expand the capacity and the quality of our existing hub facilities, providing more hot desks, office pods for when one needs some privacy, and audiovisual facilities. Some of the funding can be used towards marketing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Our Rural Future is the new rural development policy for the period 2021 to 2025. It is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades, focusing on sustainability and optimising opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses. The policy provides a framework to set out a vision for rural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Road Projects (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The focus of the Local Improvement Scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. As part of “Our Rural Future”, the Government committed...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce 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 Taskforce has addressed more than 70 targeted actions, worked on removing structural barriers to telecommunications deployment and addressed mobile coverage deficits, particularly in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Wastewater Treatment (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Responsibility for all aspects of water services, including planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, lies with Irish Water, which is an agency under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, I recognise the fundamental importance of water and wastewater infrastructure to ensuring balanced and sustainable rural development....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 36 and 39 together. The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. I launched the 2021 programme on 15th March. The closing date for receipt of applications has now passed and the assessment process has commenced. The areas...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government recognises that our commitment to decarbonise will be underpinned by the core philosophy of a Just Transition. Rural communities in particular are at risk of bearing a disproportionate cost of the adaptation measures that will be required to meet climate action targets. Therefore, active engagement with these communities is vital in order to fully participate in a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. My Department reviews the type of initiatives to be funded under the Programme each year. I launched the 2021 programme on 15thMarch and the Measures being funded through this year's programme are: - Measure 1 which supports School...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, 34, 48 and 49 together. Remote working at home, in digital hubs or Broadband Connection Points (BCP), has the potential to transform rural Ireland, allowing people to build careers in good quality jobs while continuing to live closer to home and generating economic activity in our rural towns and villages. The BCP Initiative is one of the first...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (25 May 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 28 together. ‘Our Rural Future’, the new Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades, focusing on sustainability and optimising opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses. The Policy contains over 150 measures for delivery over...