Results 26,921-26,940 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Contracts Data (11 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department has not awarded any contract to the supplier named in the Question over the past seven years.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Policy (11 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: A new EU Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment is due to be finalised and published shortly. This Directive, once transposed into Irish law, will enable me to ban the following plastic items from being placed on the market from 2021: -Cotton bud sticks -Cutlery -Plates -Stirrers -Straws -Sticks for balloons -Expanded polystyrene food...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management Data (11 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: Queries in relation to the acceptance of waste at landfills since 2010 are best directed to the Environmental Protection Agency who licence and monitor such sites and also compile waste statistics. Appendix E of the National Waste Report 2010 sets out the number of landfills accepting waste that year and is available to view at Queries in relation to the schedule for decommissioning of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (11 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Waste Management Act 1996 and the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004 govern the process under which waste licences are applied for and maintained. Once granted, each waste licence defines the nature of environmentally acceptable activities that can take place at a waste facility. This is done by the conditions of the licence which are set by the Environmental Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Protection Agency (11 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: Under its establishing legislation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a statutory role in relation to the co-ordination of environmental research in Ireland. The Agency receives an annual allocation from the Vote of my Department in respect of this research strategy. Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, as amended, the EPA is independent in performing its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electromagnetic Fields Studies (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: Irish policy on the public health effects of non-ionising radiation is informed by a substantial volume of internationally-recognised scientific research and evidence. This includes the guidelines set down by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These guidelines provide scientifically-based exposure limits that are applicable to both public and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Budgets (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department reprofiled €4 million, representing less than 1.5% of my Department's overall 2019 capital allocation, across the Subheads set out in the following Table, to support the additional costs arising this year on the National Children’s Hospital project. The timing of payments arising under these Subheads will be managed to ensure that service delivery is maintained and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Better Energy Homes Scheme (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures at no cost to low income households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. As Minister, I have no function in relation to individual grant applications under the Scheme. In reference to the case...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 466 together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 457 to 459, inclusive, together. All of the premises referenced by the Deputy in these Questions are in the AMBER area of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I welcome recent announcements of further commercial investment in high speed broadband infrastructure by telecommunications operators. While my Department has received high level presentations from the operators with regard to their recent announcements, the operators have not published, or provided my Department with, detailed commercial or technical plans identifying the individual...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Disability Act Employment Targets (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together. In order to ensure that positive action in employing staff with a disability is part of general practice throughout the public service, there is a system to monitor compliance with these legal obligations, overseen by the National Disability Authority. My Department is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for all...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: My officials have raised this matter with Bord Gáis Energy and also engaged with other key stakeholders in the national smart metering upgrade, namely ESB Networks and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Bord Gáis Energy has been unable to find any evidence of the issue raised by the deputy but are happy to further investigate should additional information become...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The specific premises and area referred to by the Deputy are all in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together. Providing adequate charging infrastructure is critical to ensure continued growth in electric vehicles. Home charging is the most cost-effective way to charge an electric vehicle and is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. A Government grant of up to €600...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades. Grants for domestic fossil fuel boiler replacement are not available under this Scheme. However, grants are available for renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 to 470, inclusive, together. The terms and conditions for the REFIT 3 Scheme are available on my Departments website and includes definitions of the terms used. Under the terms and conditions of the Scheme “full planning permission” refers to planning for the construction of the appropriate electricity generating plant at the site. All...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Measures (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill is currently at an advanced drafting stage. My Department continues to work closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in order to progress this work with a view to having the Bill published by end June.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I unfortunately do not have access to the information-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: Unfortunately, I do not have access to the full information on this. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Jim Daly, was in the House last week to answer questions and I am aware from conversations that he is making great efforts to find a solution. All I can do is alert him to the continuing concerns of Deputies. I can well understand the concerns they are expressing...