Results 22,361-22,380 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their existing properties. The schemes offer grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy upgrades for people at risk of energy poverty. Improving these homes has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Building Regulations (4 Oct 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 146,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In line with the Scheme guidelines and technical guidance,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: On 30 September, the Council of Energy Ministers agreed the text of a Council Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. The Regulation includes provisions that deal with windfall gains in the energy sector by imposing: 1. a temporary solidarity contribution based on taxable profits for fossil fuel production and oil refining; and 2. a cap on market revenues of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 152 and 176 together. Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a new Electricity Cost...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff which outlines arrangements for implementation of the tariff, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. As part of this, the CRU decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis which must be reflective of the market, or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Transport (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: There were no domestic flights taken by Ministers or Department staff during the periods referenced in the Question.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The phased introduction of incentives under the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) has already begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The second phase of the scheme, announced on 22nd September, sees Solar PV grants being...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Public Sector Pensions (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: On 1stJanuary 1984, “Vesting Day”, the Department of Posts and Telegraphs was disbanded and 2 limited companies were formed, namely An Post and An Bord Telecom. As this former employee continued with An Bord Telecom after vesting day they would be a member of the An Bord Telecom pension scheme and should refer any pension queries to Eir.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Radon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. In response to this issue, the Government established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS). The Strategy is now in its second phase covering the period 2019 to 2024.  Implementation of the Strategy is overseen by an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Government remains committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat extraction by Bord na Móna.56 National Just Transition Fund projects have entered into a grant agreement with my Department, with €22.1 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Policies (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I am committed to increasing the supply of renewable energy to our grid and the overriding need to rapidly replace fossils fuels in our energy system and welcome any initiative that supports this objective. However, I have no function regarding restricting advertising for fossil fuels in general. While forthcoming new regulations on solid fuels for domestic heating purposes will include...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Public Sector Pensions (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I received a recommendation from my officials on 1 September and granted my consent on 2 September to the payment of an increase of 2% to An Post pensioners with effect from 1 January 2022. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the proposal was subsequently provided on 7 September. An Post has been made aware of this and has communicated with the Group of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Dublin District Heating Scheme was awarded funding under the Climate Action Plan and Dublin City Council is, with the support of other organisations such as the City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (CoDEMA) and the National Development Finance Agency, working on delivery of the scheme. More broadly, my Department established a District Heating Steering Group in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: We currently have no vacancies in the Geological Survey Division at this time. The figures queried by the Deputy can be found in the tables below: GSI Numbers as of 1 January 2021 Director of GSI 1 Assistant Principal 1 Chief Superintendent 1 GIS Manager 1 Principal Geologist 3 ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increases in global energy prices is having on households and that is why mitigating measures were introduced throughout 2022 amount to €2.4 billion and as part of Budget 2023 where €2.5 billion has been allocated for once off cost of living supports. My Department is working across the energy supply system, and with NGOs,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Public Sector Pensions (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Supply Board (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Increased wholesale gas prices, which are mainly caused by Russia reducing supplies to Europe and the war in Ukraine, are leading to unprecedented increases in electricity and gas prices for households and businesses. They are also leading to windfall gains for some energy companies across Europe, particularly those companies involved in the production of fossil fuels and those who are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Budgets (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 172, inclusive, together. My Department prepares a profile of projected monthly spending at the start of each year and actively manages expenditure throughout the fiscal year to deliver on its agreed business priorities and objectives.  However, it is not unusual for actual expenditure to vary from profiled expenditure. The war in Ukraine has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Budget 2023 included an exchequer capital funding allocation of €337.3 million for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including Solar and Microgen. €291 million of the exchequer allocation is being provided from carbon tax revenue. This allocation compares to €244.2 million in funding in 2022 (allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (4 Oct 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Solar PV panels are installed under a number of scenarios and are supported under a number of Department funded and SEAI administered schemes. For domestic installations, solar PV is installed on new homes, as one of the measures to achieve compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. They are also installed on existing buildings through grant supports offer by Government, through...