Results 121-140 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (8 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Stage one of the process is complete and those successful at stage one have moved to stage two of the process, which is the preparation of local development strategiesin each of the 28...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (8 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together. Responsibility for planning enforcement under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, is a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Westmeath County Council. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (3 Dec 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. Funding is available under the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (3 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The original allocation of LEADER funding for the 2007-2013 programming period was just short of €400 million. The allocation was reduced in 2012 when the EU co-financing rate changed due to the financial crisis. To date, €276 million has been spent on projects, €12 million on animation expenses and €71 million on administration giving a total of €359...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank all the Senators who spoke today for their contributions on this Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill. There were many interesting and varied contributions made and while I might not agree with all of them, I fully accept they were made in a genuine and constructive spirit. As the Minister, Deputy Kelly, outlined in his opening statement, and as has been acknowledged by many...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (2 Dec 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. Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Stage one of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (2 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together. 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (2 Dec 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. Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Stage one of the process...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Funding was allocated by my Department to Cork local authorities in regard to social housing for the years in question across a range of expenditure subheads. In some cases, funding was issued on the basis of a distribution of the available national funding across all local authorities. For example, funding in respect of housing adaptation grants...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I draw the Senator's attention again to my point that for both Cork local authorities variations in expenditure across the overall capital expenditure programme in 2013-2014 ranged from 8% underspend to an overspend of 42%. If the Senator has specific projects in mind, we will undertake to get more detail for him. Perhaps he would engage with some of the local members to-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I shall undertake to see what we can get specifically for the Senator.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Again, I thank the Senator for raising this very serious issue, which unfortunately continues to be a blight on society and has a terrible impact on victims and their families. It is important to note that housing authorities do not provide or oversee services specifically designed for victims of domestic violence. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I am mindful that we sometimes need housing bodies to have a degree of flexibility. A local solution to a local problem is often the best way to go. Given that the Department is liaising with Cosc in developing a second national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which will be finalised shortly, perhaps the Senator might wait to see what that strategy contains. I...

Seanad: Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2015: Second Stage (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I am pleased to open the debate on the Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2015. In light of the importance of the haulage industry to our export-led growth and to ensure that Ireland remains competitive, it was announced in budget 2016 that the rates of commercial motor tax on larger goods vehicles would be reduced. The main purpose of the Bill is to give legislative effect to those...

Seanad: Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2015: Second Stage (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I will be very brief. I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate. I will respond to the most pertinent of the wide-ranging and interesting contributions that were made, which give rise to much thought. I assure Senator Barrett that it is recognised that unladen weight is not a satisfactory basis for motor tax. It is open to manipulation and it is out of line with the basis of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Expenditure (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million to support the development of sustainable rural communities. €220 million of this has been made available to the 28 sub-regional areas with €5m for the REDZ Initiative and €10 million for cooperation projects to be distributed in due course. An additional €15...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The European Agriculture Fund for the Rural Development Programme for Ireland is valued at €2.190 billion for the 2014–2020 programming period.  LEADER has been allocated approximately 7% of this, which is €157 million. €153 million of this will be delivered through LEADER funding from my Department while the remainder will be available through LEADER for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Enterprise Development Zones (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: 51 Projects have been awarded funding under the Rural Enterprise Development Zones (REDZ) Pilot initiative to a value of almost €3.8 million. To date 50 of the 51 project contracts offered for the 2015 REDZ Pilot initiative have been agreed and signed off by the local authorities involved and are due to be completed by year end. In the case of the one remaining outstanding contract,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) identified the need to take a more tailored approach to planning at both a regional and local level and recognised that this approach should not be restricted by current administrative boundaries. Minister Kelly and I are fully committed to supporting the development of rural Ireland and, in this regard, we are also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme (1 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Responsibility for the management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from April 2012. This includes responsibility for the restructuring of the RTP which has involved the establishment of 17 Transport Co-ordination Units under the Local Link brand. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please...