Results 1-20 of 20,384 for speaker:Heather Humphreys in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Recreation Policy (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 29, 32, 35 and 36 together. The outdoor recreation sector presents huge opportunities for us here in Ireland and I have put in place a range of initiatives to help us drive the sector forward. I launched Ireland’s first ever National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, in November 2022. It provides a strategic,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 19 and 20 together. The 2024 Revised Estimate provides my Department with total funding of €431 million for 2024, of which €221 million is current funding and €210 million is capital funding. Given the nature of the funding programmes and schemes operated by my Department most funding approvals are made on a multiannual basis. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Harbours and Piers (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. In July 2023, I gave approval to Galway County Council to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Rural proofing is one of the tools that will help us to realise Our Rural Future’s vision of a vibrant and thriving rural Ireland. It is an approach that helps to ensure that major policy initiatives take full consideration of rural perspectives and issues at formulation stage. This means that across Government we are considering the impact that proposed policies may have on...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the construction and refurbishment of libraries is primarily a matter for local authorities. I launched the new Public Library Strategy, 'The Library is the Place', in July 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 34 and 42 together. Community centres are a vital resource for any community. They are where we go for community activities and events, and for social supports and social interaction. They are home to many of our cultural and sporting clubs. They are also where communities come together in times of difficulty and in times of celebration. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I believe it is important for dog owners to be aware of their responsibilities - not just to the general public but also to their dogs. For this reason, I launched a major national awareness campaign to alert dog owners to their responsibilities and to raise awareness of the dangers that can be posed to people and to livestock by uncontrolled dogs. In addition, I announced the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, I launched Our Living Islands - the National Island Policy 2023-2033 in June of last year. Our Living Islands is a substantial document – a ten-year policy backed up by rolling three year action plans. It has time-bound commitments so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held to account for its implementation. Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands, including Inis Meáin. There are regular meetings between officials from my department and Galway County Council to discuss and monitor the pier development in Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. The last meeting was held on 16 April....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands, including Inis Meáin. There are regular meetings between officials from my department and Galway County Council to discuss and monitor the pier development in Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. The last meeting was held on 16...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together. My Department operates a range of programmes and schemes that support economic and community development in urban and rural areas throughout the country. The targeted investments and supports which my Department provides to regional, rural and local communities through a wide range of initiatives promote social inclusion, rural, town and...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: In July 2023, I launched the new Public Library Strategy 2023-2027 "The Library is the Place: Information, Recreation, Inspiration". This sets out 66 strategic actions under 9 strategic objectives and 3 strategic enablers for our public libraries, for the next five years. It is an ambitious forward-looking strategy which sets the direction of travel for the public library service and seeks...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future, Government's 5 year rural development policy to 2025, commits to developing an effective rural proofing approach to ensure the needs of rural communities are fully considered in the development of Government policies. Last year, my Department published a body of research including the international experience of rural proofing which is available on the Department’s...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future. I recently announced over €40 million in funding for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes, having secured an additional once off funding in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future. I recently announced €40 million in funding for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes. This announcement brings the total amount of funding provided for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As I advised the Deputy in my response to her previous question on this matter (Dáil question number 83) on the 5th March 2024 my Department of Rural and Community Development has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts including licensing and enforcement....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Water Safety (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Water Safety Ireland (WSI) is the statutory, voluntary body and registered charity established to promote water safety and reduce drownings in Ireland. WSI has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of water safety; advancement of education related to the prevention of accidents in water; instruction in water safety; and the establishment of national standards for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for sustainable rural development in Ireland. The policy was published in March 2021, and contains more than 170 commitments for delivery by government departments and their agencies. These measures support the economic, environmental, cultural and social development and wellbeing of rural communities. Policy updates are provided through...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: My Department places a lot of importance on programmes providing pathways for people in marginalised groups to join the workforce. For example, my Department currently has two graduates taking part in the Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) programme, a 10 month placement for people with disabilities. My Department has also recently recruited a staff member on the Work Placement Experience...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (9 May 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, the land on which the Inishbofin airstrip is located is currently owned by Galway County Council. These lands were acquired by way of a Compulsory Purchase Order by Galway County Council on behalf of the Department. Part of the site is intended for eventual use by the HSE for a primary care centre. The transfer of these lands to my Department has been an ongoing...