Results 15,941-15,960 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Economic Development Zones (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) are functional, rather than administrative, geographic areas that reflect the spatial patterns of local economic activity and development. They are, in effect, sub-county zones within which most people live and work. The central objective of the REDZ model was to stimulate economic activity at a local level by strengthening collaborative...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Development Plan (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Action Plan for Rural Development was launched in 2017 as a three year framework to progress the economic and social development of rural areas.  The Action Plan ran to the end of 2019. I will shortly be launching a new whole-of-Government Rural Development Policy for the period 2021-2025.  The policy will be forward-looking and ambitious.  It  will build on,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Capital Expenditure Programme (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The majority of capital expenditure within my Department takes place within the Rural Development function of my Department, with the Community Development aspect of the Department accounting for the majority of current expenditure. The revised estimate for 2021 provides a total gross capital allocation of €168.6 million for the Department, of which €151 million is allocated to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Initiatives (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Funding for sensory gardens is available from my Department this year through the CLÁR programme, which provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population in the past.  I launched the 2021 CLÁR programme on 15thMarch and the measures being funded under the programme this year are: Measure 1: Support...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2061 to 2072, inclusive, 2074 and 2075, and 2077 and 2078 together. The Interdepartmental Committee referred to by the Deputy was established in June 1993, and went on to publish its report “A strategic framework for developing the offshore islands” in 1996. This document set out a strategic framework within which future action in...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Offshore Islands (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department works to support sustainable vibrant communities living on the islands. As part of this work, funding is provided by my Department for Island Development Companies on islands outside the Gaeltacht areas. Support is provided for five such 5 Development Companies: - Inishturk Development Company, Co. Mayo - Clare Island Community Co-Operative Society, Co. Mayo -...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Na hOileáin amach ón gCósta (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Mar is eol don Teachta is oileáin Ghaeltachta roinnt do na hoileáin a thagann faoi mo chúram. Tá comhoibriú leanúnach idir mo Roinn agus Údarás na Gaeltachta i dtaobh riar leathan seirbhísí a chuirtear ar fáil ar na hoileáin.   Tá ról lárnach ag na comharchumainn oileánda, atá maoinithe ag...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: There has been a strong level of  interest in the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) since it was introduced in 2017.  In 2020 alone, 287 applications were received by my Department under the scheme, seeking funding of over €26 million, which greatly exceeded the budget available. Under the 2020 scheme, I have approved 226 projects,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm my Department has not received an application from Kerry County Council under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in respect of  Boolteens or Castlemaine since the establishment of the scheme in 2016. The scheme is one of a series of national and local support measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: CLÁR Programme (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population in the past.  I can confirm that no application has been received under the CLÁR programme from Kerry County Council in respect of Boolteens, Co. Kerry since the scheme was relaunched in 2016. One application was received from Kerry County...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The first and second calls for Category 1 and Category 2 applications under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are fully complete.  To date, 63 Category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €131 million and 76 Category 2 projects have been approved for funding of €35 million.  Category 1 relates to major projects that can drive sustainable rural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Transport (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department does not own, rent or operate any vehicles. Of the four agencies under the remit of my Department - Pobal, the Western Development Commission, the Charities Regulatory Authority, and Water Safety Ireland - only Water Safety Ireland operates vehicles. Water Safety Ireland uses 10 vehicles, 8 of which diesel and 2 are petrol. 9 vehicles are owned by the agency and 1 is leased.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Banking (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: In my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development I am absolutely clear on the importance of ensuring that rural communities can access the services they need so that they remain vibrant places in which to live and work. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Finance has responsibility for banking. However, I am acutely aware of the value placed by rural communities on...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Welfare Services (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme for the purchase by a registered...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Western Development Commission was established on a statutory footing in 1999 under the Western Development Commission Act, 1998.  The main aim of the Commission is to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region, covering counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare. The Western Development Commission operates the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Enterprise Sector (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2087, 2089 and 2093 together. Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Enterprise Sector (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2088 and 2090 together. Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Social Enterprise Sector (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2094 and 2095 together. Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social enterprises...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to deliver a Rural Development Programme that is led by independent Local Action Groups and supported by Local Community Development Committees. This just one of a number of commitments in the Programme for Government related to LEADER.  Due to a delay at EU level in agreeing the post-2020 EU Budget, my Department’s...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Broadband Infrastructure (24 Mar 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department's remit includes working with Local Authorities to develop telecommunications infrastructure, both mobile and broadband, around Ireland.  Accordingly, my officials are actively involved in a number of programmes and projects that are intended to improve connectivity in rural areas. In support of this work, my officials engage with a wide and diverse network of...