Results 25,901-25,920 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Usage (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: A smart meter has the capability to collect data on electricity use every 30 minutes. Until recently, to have access to their data, customers needed to switch to a Time of Use tariff or give approval to their supplier to request this functionality be activated by ESB Networks. However, since November 2022, customers have been able to start accessing their smart meter data directly from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Government is acutely aware of the impact higher energy prices has been having on households, in particular those in or at risk of energy poverty. This is why a total of €1.57 billion has been spent on providing support totalling €800 (inc. VAT) to over 2.1 million domestic electricity accounts over the last year. People experiencing difficulties with meeting electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Measures (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: A request for an Oireachtas Money Message for the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018 was received from the Bills Office by my Department on 13th May 2022. The Bill referred to in the Question has been examined in detail by my Department and legal advice has been obtained from the Office of the Attorney General. On foot of that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. To support its development, a detailed technical analysis has also been published and an extensive consultation process carried out, providing important insights from over 450 individuals and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Litter Pollution (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities. My Department provides financial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan. The Local Authority Climate Action Plans have to be consistent with the most recently approved National Climate Action Plan, and include both mitigation and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive with the market being overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Wholesale energy prices reached peak levels in August of last year, when wholesale gas prices were 706% higher than January 2021, while wholesale...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The EPA’s latest GHG emissions projections highlight the challenge Ireland faces in meeting its highly ambitious climate objectives and legally-binding emissions targets. While the EPA’s projections do show that emissions are expected to decrease in almost all sectors over the next two decades, it is clear that we still have considerable work to do. The EPA report has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Small Scale Generation Scheme (SSGS) will support non-domestic renewable electricity generators above 50kW, but smaller than those supported under the RESS. This scheme will enable community projects, larger businesses, farms, and public buildings to maximise their participation in the energy transition. The scheme proposes to support applicants to install renewable electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Programme (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has adopted, through the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), a framework for a just transition, comprising four principles: 1. An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements. 2. People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Public Sector Pensions (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: On 9 March 2023 An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent to the second phase of their current pay agreement which provides for a 2% increase in pay from 1st January 2023. In addition to this, on foot of a recent Labour Court decision, An Post also wrote to my Department on 9 March seeking approval to make increases to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of a 5% increase from 1...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Through the RESS 1 and RESS 2 competitions, my Department provided pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects through the application of a community projects preference category and also through the requirement of a mandatory community benefit fund. A Community projects preference category has not been included RESS 3; rather, support for communities...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has national responsibility to develop, prepare and publish projections of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA’s annual projections are compiled in line with EU guidelines to meet EU reporting obligations, and at a national level the projections inform policy and the monitoring and reporting of Ireland’s climate action...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Wind Energy Generation (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is committed to engaging with the fishing sector as Ireland transitions to a more State-led, planned approach to offshore renewable energy development. Government policy, as outlined in the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), encourages the practice of co-existence between maritime industries. National policies relating to the fishing sector specifically are set out...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently finalising its review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The Review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. The Government’s policy objectives are to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable and secure, as well as in line with Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: Local authorities are responsible for municipal waste collection and waste management planning within their functional areas. It is open to any local authority to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers. Under section 60(3) of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Budgets (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is 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 harvesting by Bord na Móna. The Midlands Implementation Plan, published as part of the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2023, sets out how the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Public Service Obligation (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy is a vital policy support for the development of renewable electricity and to enable Ireland reach our national and EU energy and climate targets. The PSO provides support for renewable generators under a number of Government schemes, including the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) schemes. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: High energy costs across the country remain a priority for Government and a range of measures have been implemented to assist households and businesses in meeting these costs. Most recently, this included a €470 million package announced in February which introduced measures assisting social protection recipients from April to July, and extended the reduced VAT rate on electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently finalising its review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The Review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. The Government’s policy objectives are to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable and secure, as well as in line with Ireland’s...