Results 27,541-27,560 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (25 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: Through the 2012 Schools 100Mbps Project all 780+ post primary schools across Ireland were provided with access to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) high speed broadband. The aim of this project, which was achieved, was to ensure that all second level students can enhance their learning experience through digital. The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (25 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Mitigation Plan was prepared within the framework of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 and was the subject of a statutory consultation, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and Appropriate Assessment (AA). The National Mitigation Plan remains in place as the statutory plan under the 2015 Act. The Climate Action Plan gives further effect to, rather...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (25 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 610 together. The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme was set up to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with providing deeper retrofits to the residential sector. The Scheme is providing vital, on the ground, evidence of how to overcome the technical and economic challenge of deep retrofit, especially the practical advice and support a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (25 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Smart Meter Upgrade is a key building block in enabling consumers to participate in the low carbon transition as outlined in the recently published Climate Action Plan. The programme will result in the upgrade of 2.4 million meters to modern, smart-ready technology. Like all equipment, meters for measuring gas or electricity use require replacement over time and as older brands and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (25 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The recently published Climate Action Plan sets out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. It sets out the actions which must be taken in every sector so we can achieve our targets. In all projected transitions to a low carbon economy, gas will continue to play a role in Ireland’s energy mix. Gas contributes to reducing greenhouse...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 202, inclusive, together. The Government has established the Climate Action Fund with the objective of funding initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets in a cost effective manner. It may also support innovative interventions in these sectors. The Climate Action Fund will be funded through...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Mining Licences (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: I refer the Deputy to my reply to question 1204 of 8 May 2019. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telephone Call Charges (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The matter raised by the Deputy is not an area in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function. The use and display of telephone numbers such as 1850 and 1890 numbers is an operational and customer service issue for each individual public body including Government Departments. My own Department operates both an 1890 lo-call option and a standard 01-6782000 access code. The Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Trading Online Voucher Scheme (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is specifically designed to support small and micro enterprises to trade online. The scheme offers financial assistance of up to €2,500, subject to matching funding, coupled with training, mentoring and networking supports to help small businesses to develop their online trading capability. Small businesses, with 10 or fewer employees and less than...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Department itself does not own or operate any electricity generation assets of any technology. The commercial semi-state companies operating in the energy markets own and operate different renewable generation technologies including wind, biomass and hydro technologies. In 2018, 32.5% of our electricity was generated from renewable sources, the majority from wind (27.6%). While the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electromagnetic Fields Studies (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have policy responsibility for matters pertaining to public exposure to non-ionising radiation. Irish policy in this area 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-Ionizing Radiation Protection,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electromagnetic Fields Studies (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The roll-out of 5G in Ireland is a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis. Mobile network operators function in a liberalised market in Ireland, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The regulation of these service providers, to the extent permitted by law, is a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together. The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy mandates the public sector, including the Health Service Executive and voluntary hospitals, to improve energy efficiency by 33% by 2020. Progress is reported annually by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the most recent report, covering the period to 2017, is available at:...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (26 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Proenergy project is supported by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Finance Pilot Programme. The project is a collaboration between Retrofit Energy Ireland Limited (REIL), the Credit Union Development Association (CUDA) and the Solution Centre, together with over 20 credit unions across the Dublin, South West and Galway regions (including a number of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will be aware that in December 2015-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: -----the terms and conditions under which state aid would be provided to bidders to provide a national broadband service that ensures 25% of the population is not left behind were published. Under that procedure, as the Deputy knows, Eir went through the pre-qualification stage and agreed to the approach and it submitted a bid of €2.7 billion. That was in accordance with state aid...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: We are now entering into the period during which we will have to decide whether a contract will be signed. If we decide not to proceed with the procedure that has been put in place, we will have to start a completely new procurement procedure.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: No such-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: -----procurement procedure under state aid rules could involve conferring an individual company, particularly a company with a substantial incumbent position, with a subsidy-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2019)

Richard Bruton: -----without going through a procurement process that was seen as fair and compliant with state aid rules. That is the position.