Results 16,361-16,380 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €93 million of funding has been approved for more than 1,340 projects across Ireland. From an initial allocation of €10 million in 2016, the capital budget for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme grew to €15 million in 2019 and 2020. The funding for 2020 was increased by €10 million to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Since the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) in 2016, my Department has invested over €55.2 million in over 920 projects across Ireland. The capital budget allocation for the scheme in 2019 and 2020 was €10 million. Recognising the importance of outdoor recreation to our physical and mental wellbeing, particularly at this time, I secured a...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Employment Schemes (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The type of posts referred to by the Deputy are linked to the Walks Scheme which is administered by my Department.  The scheme currently facilitates the development and maintenance of 39 walking trails through modest payments to almost 2,000 landholders for maintenance works undertaken in line with agreed work plans. In 2019, my Department invited Expressions of Interest for the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The communication referred to by the Deputy was provided to my Department through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as the Managing Authority in Ireland for the Rural Development Programme, of which LEADER is one element. The document is part of a deliberative process between my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The allocation of Rural Regeneration and Development funding is overseen by my Department with a view to supporting the development and delivery of ambitious and strategic projects which contribute to sustainable rural regeneration and development in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 and outlying areas.  To date, 139 projects around the country have been allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.  The Act provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act, 2001.  There are currently no proposals to provide funding for the delivery of a library lending service on a trial basis via the postal service. However, I understand that Kildare libraries have been providing a delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Remote Working (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has invested significantly in co-working spaces and enterprise hubs over the last number of years though programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Investments approved include a digital hub in Mountmellick and an enterprise hub in Mountrath, Co, Laois.  A Food hub is also being supported in Athy, Co. Kildare. My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Remote Working (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Remote, or connected working has the potential to transform rural Ireland, allowing people to continue to live in their communities while building careers in good quality jobs.  Remote working also provides an opportunity for others to move to, or return to, rural areas to work and raise their families, and we are increasingly seeing people making this choice since the onset of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Family Resource Centres (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. I understand that a specific allocation of Tusla's funding in 2021, including in respect of family support services, will be finalised in Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021 which is currently in development. Funding may be available through the LEADER Transitional Programme for the type of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Broadband Scheme (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are among the first premises to be connected in the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).  They are publicly accessible premises, such as community centres, libraries and sports clubs in more isolated or remote rural areas, including some of our off-shore islands.  The BCPs will make onsite broadband access available for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (3 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) is a Fund established by the European Union to support recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.  €190 million is to be allocated to Ireland from the Instrument over the period 2021-2022 for agriculture and rural development.   The funding must be programmed into the CAP Rural Development Programme...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Thank you for your good wishes, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on Covid-19 matters and look forward to hearing the views of Members. Nobody has a monopoly on good ideas and as Minister for Social Protection I am always open to hearing and considering how we can do things better. Since the onset of this crisis, the Government has taken a range of...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Members for their kind words of congratulation on the birth of Arthur, my new and first grandchild. I also thank Members for their kind comments about the staff in the Department of Social Protection. On behalf of the staff, I wish to state it is important that the extraordinary work they have done since last March be acknowledged. They have managed to continue all the other...

Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising these issues. It is important to say that my Department has expended an additional €10.5 billion in supports through the PUP, TWSS and EWSS since the start of the pandemic. To be fair, the Government has not been found wanting in supporting businesses and in supporting people who have unfortunately found themselves out of work. A number of Deputies...

Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue concerning the carers who had to work more than 18 hours. I can fully understand the situation they have found themselves in, where they stayed an extra few hours to put their shoulder to the wheel to help in the ongoing efforts in respect of the pandemic, which was extremely difficult for them. I will certainly ask my officials to look at that issue...

Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding the PUP, it exists in tiers and it has been aligned to recipients' previous income. Turning to those people who cannot go to work because of caring duties, we have stated that, in the first instance, they should try to work with their employers to try to find a way to work around the difficulties. In fairness, many employers have done that and have worked with their employees so...

Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising those issues. In the first instance, if someone has had to give up work due to the need to provide full-time care for somebody at home, I strongly recommend that they apply for the carer's benefit because very generous assistance is available there. If the person has been paying their contributions they can apply for that payment to help them do that work. ...

Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The PUP scheme is due to run until the end of March. The Government has never been found wanting in supporting workers through this payment. Together with my Government colleagues, I will assess the situation. We are still not out of January. People know that they will get the payment for February and March. We have always supported the workers and we will continue to do so but,...

Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am sorry, but it is an equity issue.