Results 16,601-16,620 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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

Heather Humphreys: I know the Deputy is committed to this project. He has told me this fits the criteria because he and the project promoters are trying to breathe life back into and energise the town centre. We want to support innovative projects like that which make a difference and make a change. In fairness, Cork North-West has a good record in terms of submitting applications. The Kanturk...

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

Heather Humphreys: I look forward to going back to County Cork at some stage. I would love to go back to see how they are getting on with that Banteer project. It was quite an amazing project they put forward. They had wonderful plans for the area and I had a lovely day there. As I said, the Charleville project mentioned by the Deputy will be assessed by an independent panel of experts. I have no doubt...

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

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 30 together. The increased shift to remote work in the last nine months as a result of Covid-19 has given us all an opportunity to reimagine the possibilities for a greater regional distribution of jobs and for transforming rural Ireland. Remote working supported by appropriate infrastructure and facilities has the potential to encourage more people...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I tried to have more questions grouped, but I was told the most I could take with the first question was five, or perhaps it was four. I am not sure which. I agree with Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and I know what it is like. I live in an amber area and my daughter is working from home. She has my head turned about the broadband speed. I told her there was not much we could do about...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy has submitted another question on remote working, digital hubs and so on. He is right about the project in Kiskeam. He brought it to my attention and is passionate about it. I have spoken to An Post about it, as the proposal is for a digital hub being provided as an added service at a post office. It is an innovative idea and I am happy to work with the Deputy on the project....

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

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. My Department is charged with progressing the development of a new policy for the islands. Prior to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, my officials had been engaged in a process of consultation with island communities on the policy's development. This consultation, which was a key element in informing the policy, was carried out through...

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

Heather Humphreys: A policy process was set up. The Deputy will appreciate that I took responsibility for the islands just a few months ago. I managed to visit an island this summer as well as last summer. Even in the short time I have had responsibility, I have shown my commitment to supporting our islanders. I increased the weekly island allowance from €12.70 to €20 in the budget. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputies. Every one of us is aware of the importance of broadband in rural areas. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. In response to Deputy Stanton, the fact we are talking about it this morning creates awareness around what is happening. The local authorities have been doing a good deal of work on this. There are local broadband officers in every local authority....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: An initial allocation of €20 million is being made available for the delivery of the programme and 75%, or €15 million, of the funding is being allocated to new project activity, with the remaining 25% or €5 million available for administration and project animation costs. The funding will be distributed between the local action groups, LAGs, on a pro ratabasis...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: A lot of work has been done by my officials in the Department, my predecessor, Deputy Ring, and Deputy Canney, as a former Minister of State. I met with representatives of the LEADER companies and heard their concerns. I have addressed those concerns in this transitional programme. The Deputy is right about Galway, which has an impressive record in this regard. As of 13 December, the LAG...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 16, 25 and 26 together. I thank the Deputy for raising the question. Broadband connection points, BCPs, are among the first deliverables of the national broadband plan, NBP, and will provide high-speed broadband connectivity to publicly accessible sites in rural and isolated areas of the country, including a number of our offshore islands. These sites...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Since 2016, my Department has been investing in the improvement of rural towns and villages through the town and village renewal scheme. A total of €78 million has been allocated through the scheme to date, and this investment has been augmented by the rural regeneration and development fund, which supports larger-scale town revitalisation...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The town and village renewal scheme very much has a bottom-up approach, as the Deputy knows. It is about working with the communities and local authorities to identify projects that will make a difference in their towns. On vacant properties, I have the extra €2 million in the budget. That is to support the development of the master plans in about 50 towns and villages...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy is correct about ownership. Sometimes it is difficult to find owners but it is important that local authorities use their powers to step in, if necessary, and purchase a vacant property compulsorily before it becomes an eyesore or danger. I would like to see some of the extra €5 million made available under the town and village scheme this year to develop remote working...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: LEADER Programmes (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is a matter in which he has a genuine interest, as do many rural Deputies. The LEADER programme has contributed greatly to all our regions and communities. As the Deputy knows, due to delays at EU level, there will be a delay between the end of the current LEADER programme, which was due to conclude at the end of this year, and the next EU...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Transport Infrastructure Provision (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on improving our transport infrastructure to ensure that people can travel more safely by bicycle or by walking in our towns and cities. The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, recently announced a fund of €50 million to be made available to Local Authorities for investment in walking and cycling projects specifically targeted...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Disability Strategy (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: A Mid-Term Review of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy was published in January 2020. This review provided an opportunity to refresh the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to modify existing actions, and to add new actions. Action 127 was a new commitment made within the context of the forthcoming rural development policy, to work to improve accessibility for people with...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: National Broadband Plan (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has overall policy responsibility for the National Broadband Plan. However, my Department contributes to the delivery of the NBP in two important areas: the roll out of Broadband Connection Points and support for the national network of Local Authority Broadband Officers. Broadband Connection Points are among the first...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Development Plan (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: For many rural dwellers, access to essential services, including high-speed broadband, healthcare, and public transport, is a priority concern. The current pandemic has further demonstrated the importance of local services. My Department is currently finalising an ambitious new rural development policy to cover the period 2021–2025, which seeks to enhance the vibrancy of rural...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (17 Dec 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Meals on Wheels organisations make an invaluable contribution to community life in Ireland and have supported many vulnerable individuals during the pandemic. My Department provided a range of supports in 2020 which Meals on Wheels organisations could avail of to fund different aspects of their work. Some of the supports announced include: - In June, the Department launched the Community...