Results 27,241-27,260 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Speeds (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department recognised the need to roll out high speed broadband as quickly as possible. When my Department conducted its mapping exercise in 2014 the consultation documents listed some examples of potential connection points in local communities. This principle was incorporated into the procurement process. These key locations in rural communities will be connected with high speed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The adoption of the motion to endorse the report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action by the Dáil, including the declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency, is a significant statement and underlines the importance of the work underway on our All of Government Climate Plan. The Government has welcomed the publication of the Joint Committee’s report, which is a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: Bord na Móna intends to accelerate the move away from traditional peat businesses into renewables, resource recovery and new business opportunities to support sustainable employment and associated economic development in the Midlands. I have written to Commissioner Canete in the European Commission, who has responsibility for Energy and Climate Action, requesting the inclusion of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that over 1.1 million of our citizens in rural Ireland have the same opportunity to participate in the digital society as citizens living in urban areas. The availability of ubiquitous high speed broadband will bring significant benefits in areas of e-Health, e-Education, smart farming, regional development and tourism. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency by Dáil Éireann and the decision of the House to endorse the report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action was supported by the Government. The Government has welcomed the publication of the Joint Committee’s report, which should be seen as a milestone in the development of Ireland’s climate policy. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Online Safety (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: As part of the Action Plan for Online Safety, the Government established the National Advisory Council for Online Safety in September 2018.The Council has 20 members and is chaired by Minister of State Seán Canney. The membership of the Council is drawn from children's and parents' organisations, government agencies, online platforms and industry representatives, and experts on online...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Charges (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The average capital cost of connecting a premises is estimated to be in the range of €500 to €1,500 (ex VAT). The capital cost will vary, depending on a number of factors, for example, distance from the road, whether or not there is existing infrastructure in place, the condition of any existing infrastructure and other local factors. It is only when detailed surveying of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: It is settled policy that electricity generation from coal will cease no later than 2025. This position has been set out in a number of policy documents, including the National Mitigation Plan and the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The 2016 Programme for Government included a commitment to identify the most suitable replacement low-carbon generation technology as soon as possible. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that over 1.1 million of our citizens in rural Ireland have the same opportunity to participate in the digital society as citizens living in urban areas. The availability of ubiquitous high speed broadband will bring significant benefits in areas of e-Health, e-Education, smart farming, regional development and tourism. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The overall estimated total cost of the National Broadband Plan State intervention is approximately €5 Billion over 25 years, not including VAT. This covers not only the cost of building the network as would be the case in other procurements, but also to operate and maintain the network over 25 years. The maximum possible cost to the state will be €3 Billion over 25 years. This...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together. The change in ownership restrictions in place in relation to the NBP are consistent with normal practice in major infrastructure projects. National Broadband Ireland is obliged to seek the written consent of the Minister prior to the occurrence of a Change in Ownership of NBI that occurs at any time from the commencement of the contract up...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: Access to high-speed broadband is key to supporting digitalisation in the health system enabling the transformation of healthcare delivery for citizens, clinicians and health and social care service providers. eHealth, supported by enhanced broadband connectivity, will provide opportunities for the health system to deliver digital solutions, through telemedicine and telehealth, to empower...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that over 1.1 million of our citizens in rural Ireland have the same opportunity to participate in the digital society as citizens living in urban areas. The availability of ubiquitous high speed broadband will bring significant benefits in areas of e-Health, e-Education, smart farming, regional development and tourism. As the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Data (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The deployment of the network within the NBP intervention area will commence at contract award and take up to seven years to complete. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 premises each year thereafter until roll out is completed. The ultimate take-up of the service is estimated to be around 80%. This will be driven by linking payment...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that over 1.1 million of our citizens in rural Ireland have the same opportunity to participate in the digital society as citizens living in urban areas. The availability of ubiquitous high speed broadband will bring significant benefits in areas of e-Health, e-Education, smart farming, regional development and tourism. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Appointments to State Boards Data (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The final number of directors on the Board of National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has yet to be finalised but will be between five and nine.The Minister has a right to appoint one director to the Board. One other director (and more than one if there are more than five Directors overall) will be appointed by the Shareholders of NBI following an open competitive process run by an external search...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: On 28 November 2018, I announced the seven successful projects from the first call for applications under the Climate Action Fund. The projects span a range of sectors supporting the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the development of two district heating projects, the installation of energy-efficient public lighting, the development of renewable gas infrastructure, the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Speeds (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that over 1.1 million of our citizens in rural Ireland have the same opportunity to participate in the digital society as citizens living in urban areas. The availability of ubiquitous high speed broadband will bring significant benefits in areas of e-Health, e-Education, smart farming, regional development and tourism. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Online Safety (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: The School Digital Champion Programme is an initiative of my Department in collaboration with the Department of Education and Skills under the National Digital Strategy. It is an innovative project-based programme which encourages students in post-primary schools to use technology to solve day to day challenges in their schools and wider communities. Over the past two years a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 May 2019)

Richard Bruton: In relation to the National Broadband Plan my Department commissioned a comprehensive Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) in line with the Public Spending Code (PSC). It is clear from the CBA that has been carried out that even in a pessimistic scenario, the benefits of this investment will outweigh the costs. A CBA Benefits report and a detailed benefits calculation annex was published in 2015 by my...