Results 16,581-16,600 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (13 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The application referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.  The 2020 scheme had an indicative budget of €25 million, which included an additional €10 million provided as part of the Government’s July Stimulus Package. The 2020 Scheme included two separate funding Measures - an Accelerated...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Interdepartmental Committees (13 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: The Interdepartmental Committee for the development of a new Islands Policy was established in late 2019, and met on two occasions prior to a consultation process with island communities being undertaken.  It was intended that the Committee would reconvene on completion of the consultation process, and would then meet on a regular basis to oversee the development of the Islands...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Contracts (13 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that there have been no contracts awarded to the company referenced by the Deputy, by either my Department, or by the State agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Pet Farms (13 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.  The day to day regulation of dog breeding establishments to ensure compliance with the Act is a matter for local authorities. It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area.  The Act also places an obligation...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna (13 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Tá teagmháil rialta idir oifigigh na Roinne agus oifigigh an Chomhairle Contae chun forbairt an Chalaidh Mhóir in Inis Meáin, agus an cheist sonrach seo  a phlé.  Tuigtear dom nach raibh rochtain ar an áis NMCI ag an Comhairle Contae ná ag ionadaithe ó phobal Inis Meáin fós de bharr na...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna (13 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Tá an Roinn agus Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe ag obair go leanúnach chun baill chríoch a chur leis an cás gnó i leith Cé Inis Oírr.  Tá leagan don chás gnó faighte ag an Roinn, ach tá ábhar forlíontach fós le theacht.  Ach é seo a bheith curtha ar fáil ag an Chomhairle Chontae, táthar ag...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Pet Farms (13 Jan 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 establishments. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can confirm that my Department has not outsourced Covid-19-related work to consultants or sought their services or advice in this regard.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Recreation Policy (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The one thing I want to ensure, and I know the Deputy will agree with me, is that we do not want to give the farmers any problems in this space. The farmers are allowing people access to their lands. We want to try to facilitate and accommodate this. Most stakeholders in the sector share the view that a public liability policy has the potential to deliver the same benefits as an indemnity...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. The outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme supports the development of outdoor recreational infrastructure. It provides vital funding for walking trails, cycleways, blueways and mountain access routes. The Deputy has all of these wonderful amenities in his county and we want to support them. He is absolutely committed to making sure they get the maximum support from...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. There is always a big demand for support and funding to help these projects go ahead. Sometimes there is disappointment because we cannot fund every project. Often, when we have gone back to the project promoters and local authorities and said that perhaps we can improve it somewhat, I have seen cases where those projects were refused once but were able to make changes...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Recreation Policy (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I want to acknowledge the work he put in to setting this up when he was Minister in this Department. Covid-19 has reminded us all of the importance of outdoor recreational amenities for our physical and mental well-being. My Department provides substantial funding for outdoor recreational infrastructure through programmes such as the outdoor...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Recreation Policy (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: We have been working hard with the local authorities to develop a pilot insurance scheme. Indemnity has been a long running issue for farmers in upland areas. It was far too complex to provide a blanket indemnity scheme. We got advice from the Attorney General on it and we would have had to put amendments through several Acts. The problem was that it was getting complicated. Instead,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for his question. The regeneration and revitalisation of our rural towns and villages is a key priority for my Department. Since 2016, the Department has invested €78 million in approximately 1,200 projects under the town and village renewal scheme. Large-scale projects that support town revitalisation are also funded through my Department's rural regeneration and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I have a list with me. In 2020, funding of €424,000 was provided to 14 projects in Count Kerry under the town and village scheme as part of the Covid measures. While this was small money, it made a difference in providing outdoor seating, bicycle stands and moveable plant displays. Projects included an extension to the Green Street car park in Dingle; the creation of a picnic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. I will keep fighting and I know I will have the support of the Deputy and other rural Deputies as well as Deputies from across the House because this scheme makes a difference and has an impact. I have €2 million for towns that are providing plans. That is important too because we need a joined-up approach. Working with local authorities, this funding will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Remote Working (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputies. Remote working, or as I like to call it, connected working, will be a game changer for rural Ireland. Last October or November, I carried out a joint initiative with Tracy Keogh from Grow Remote. What was a concept is now a reality and because of Covid-19 it is a working reality for tens of thousands of workers. There is a huge opportunity here for regional...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Remote Working (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am familiar with the Kishkeam project courtesy of Deputy Michael Moynihan. It is something we should explore, developing on what we do in post offices. It is a good project so I am happy to work with the Deputy on it. Deputy Cannon is right. There is a commitment in the programme for Government that 20% of public sector employees will be able to work remotely. My opinion is that we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. We will have a policy and we will deliver it. Much work has been done and, in fairness, Senator Seán Kyne was involved in that work as well. He and Deputy Ó Cuív are committed, as the Deputy is, to delivering for the islands. I am also committed to doing that. We have done a considerable amount of consultation. A few more meetings need to be held. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this matter. The rural regeneration and development fund established under the national development plan and managed by my Department supports large-scale investment in projects which can deliver sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. To date, 63 category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €131 million and 76...