Results 20,161-20,180 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227, 228, 233, 237, 254 and 319 together. The final design of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government in December 2021 and will be published shortly. The phased introduction of supports has already begun with the commencement by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that a review and update of the guidelines for new small-scale hydropower, originally drafted in 2005, is already underway, this review will include existing operations.Issues relating to weirs are a matter for the owners of such infrastructure, with IFI carrying out advisory and regulatory functions in relation to the requirements of the Fishery...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Impact Assessments (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: At present, no formal application has been made in respect of the referenced plant. The EIA Directive (no. 85/337/EEC and its subsequent amendments) sets out the thresholds above which certain projects should be the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) transposes these requirements into Irish law, as they relate to proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to the achievement of at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030 and includes a suite of actions to realise the full potential of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy resources. Ireland’s target to achieve 5GW by 2030 will be primarily met off our eastern and southern coasts. This reflects the suitability of water depths in these regions for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty.  It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).  Since the beginning of the roll-out of energy poverty schemes, over 145,000 homes have received free upgrades.  The average cost of the energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Offshore Exploration (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238, 239 and 240 together.238, 239 and 240 together. The licence referred to was not included in the list of extension applications under consideration by my Department that was provided in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 22 March 2022 as it is the subject of an application for a follow-on lease undertaking, not a licence extension. This lease...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Officials in my Department have followed up with SEAI regarding the case raised in the Question. I’m informed that a Contractor was assigned on 5th April 2022. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has ambitious plans for wind energy development, which my Department is implementing as a key priority. The Climate Action Plan 2021 commits Ireland to installing up to 8GW of onshore wind and at least 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, in order to support the reduction in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.   The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme introduces a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops will provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance.   The Scheme offers...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Policies (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 258, 260, 281 and 321 together. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity sector is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is an independent regulator. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999. The CRU is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250, 263, 276 and 307 together. The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below: As of 25/4/22 On Payroll Gross Salary Cost to the Dept Not on Payroll Seconded In 6 €514,000 12 Seconded Out 5 €203,236.80 12 ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Apprenticeship Programmes (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: My Department does not currently run any apprentice programmes or are currently engaged in the training of apprentices. An Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was recently launched by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education. Part of this plan requires public sector employers to increase the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: My Department currently has 18 Clerical Officer’s who earn less than €12.30 gross per hour. This is in line with the current Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Civil Service pay scales. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency.  The Department will request the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Over the course of 2021 the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provided €9,435,125 of grant support towards 4,089 Solar PV installations, with the average grant being €2,307. The average size of an installed system was 2.8kW. An installed capacity of domestic Solar PV of 16.5 MW has been achieved and this will avoid 4,339 tonnes of lifetime CO2 emissions. There were...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Priorities (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The 2021 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) originally had a capital allocation of €270.033m for the Energy programme. This was increased by €28.001m via the Technical Supplementary Estimate (TSE) that was voted through the Dáil in December 2021. The 2022 Budget was first released in October 2021 prior to the TSE vote.The extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Priorities (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 (or cost optimal equivalent), and to install 400,000 heat pumps to replace existing heating systems by 2030. The review of the National Development Plan (NDP) resulted in an unprecedented financial commitment to support achievement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Mobile coverage obligations are set out in licences granted by the independent regulator, ComReg, to mobile operators. ComReg advises that the current minimum coverage obligations in those licences are being considerably exceeded by all operators. Capital investment by telecommunications operators over the last 5 years was in the order of €3.3 billion for both fixed and mobile...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (26 Apr 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Under Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) may give directions to EirGrid, the transmission system operator (TSO) and ESB Networks, the distribution system operator (DSO), collectively the “system operators” (SOs), on the terms and conditions of access to the transmission and distribution systems (the...