Results 541-560 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rural Development Programme (23 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: It has not been possible to finalise SICAP contractual arrangements in Counties Galway and Meath at this time. Legal issues have arisen in both cases and continue to be followed up. We are very committed to resolving these issues. However, there is a legal process under way, tenders were sought and won, and I am restricted in what I can say at this time.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rural Development Programme (23 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: I assure the Deputy that my officials and I are doing everything we can to resolve these matters. I am precluded from interfering in the legal process in any way, but we are doing all we can outside that process. Nobody is ignoring the issue; it is receiving the fullest attention within the Department.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rural Development Programme (23 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. As the Deputy will be aware, under the EU regulatory framework governing the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, each EU member state must conduct an open and transparent process...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund (23 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. Information from the National Treasury Management...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (22 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. 55 applications were approved for funding for the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank Senator Craughwell for raising this important issue and assure him that Senators Kelly, Whelan and Landy, and some Fine Gael Senators have raised this issue previously, not only with me but also with the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, and with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. Our...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: In the course of the review, full account will be taken of all the views expressed on the matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, has indicated that he will work with all interested parties. Local government has its representative bodies and we should work with them. In line with the review of local government, Putting People First, it is not about setting up new structures....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: I will ask the Minister to meet the representative bodies. It is a very important issue. As the review is taking place, it is where the issue should be raised.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: I will make that suggestion and perhaps the Minister will reply to the House about that.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: Yes.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: South West Mayo Development Company and Mayo North East LEADER Partnership are the two main local development companies contracted by my Department to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in County Mayo. In addition, the Mayo gaeltacht areas were formerly serviced by Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, which liquidated in 2011. On foot of this, South West...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Broadband Service Provision (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: Minister of State for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Ann Phelan) I understand that the projects referred to by the Deputy, which are being brought forward by local development companies in partnership with the Chinese company referred to in the Question, are being brought forward by those local development companies, in their capacity as private limited companies. I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (21 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, will be co-funded by the EU through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the National Exchequer. While an EU allocation of €2,190 million is available to Ireland, €2,037 million of this is allocated to measures to be delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The remaining €153...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Investigations (16 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: It is not my intention to make the internal investigation report relating to an independent Local Development Company available at this time, having regard in particular to the fact that the report references information given in confidence.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (15 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Departments Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) concluded on 31 March 2015 and the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015. Overall funding reductions to the LCDP over the five year period of its operation amounted to some 29%. However, it should be noted that this was commensurate with the need to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Development Companies Administration (15 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: I recently briefed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on community and rural development issues. On that occasion, I emphasised to the Committee my commitment to supporting and building strong sustainable communities, including island communities. This remains the position. In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, the Deputy should note...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (15 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 757, 770, 823, 824 and 828 together. The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (15 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: Under the EU regulatory framework governing the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, each EU Member State must conduct an open and transparent process to select both the Local Development Strategies and the Local Action Group(s) for each sub-regional area. Accordingly, my Department is conducting a two stage process. The first stage, which is an Expressions of Interest...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (15 Apr 2015)

Ann Phelan: Ireland is reconfiguring the way in which local and rural development interventions are implemented. This is in line with Government policy to ensure that local government is well positioned to support the effective and efficient delivery of local and rural development. In this context , €220 million of the overall Leader programme complement for the 2014-2020 period has been allocated...