Results 32,001-32,020 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Acknowledgement and Apology to the Families and to the Victims of the Stardust Tragedy: Statements (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: As the Taoiseach and the two Ministers have said, this has been a tragedy of harrowing proportions for the families. It was a Valentine's night that turned to anguish. You can only imagine the panic of people experiencing the chains and padlocks blocking their exits, the lights failing and the darkness as that tragedy ensued. The initial determination of arson was seen as a further slap in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: I thank the witnesses for their presentation. The overall picture is encouraging in my view as they are saying this is necessary, achievable and worthwhile. The key missing ingredient is for us to be able to make it something like a question of national pride that we deliver this. This is where we are struggling. It is getting everyone on the same page to understand that all of our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: If we had a circular strategy for food we would be inviting everyone in, and farmers, producers and retailers would be sitting around the table. We would be looking at the entire food chain and food waste. Would this be an environment in which we could get a more collective collaborative approach? I feel it would be but perhaps I am naive.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: One thing surprised me when we had scientists before the committee talking about rewetting land and various things that would improve the biodiversity of land and its capacity to absorb carbon. They could not give us a relatively simple matrix that would allow us to say that if we paid farmers to do X, there would be a certain benefit on the other side of the equation from which the farmers...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: Could we not make an act of faith on it? The worst that can happen is that we will have overpaid a few farmers, while we would have got the benefit anyway. Can science not give us a rule of thumb to go and apply?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: We do so every day.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 56. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered the extent of unclaimed benefits across different Government programmes; if he would consider establishing a cross-government initiative to better promote take-up of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15267/24]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Services Provision (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the initiatives he plans to promote better planning to promote a longer and more fruitful retirement, across all of government, harnessing technology, promoting optimal choices of accommodation and adapting existing services to the new requirements. [15266/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a scheme has been established whereby persons with medical conditions that result in the generation of high volumes of waste can get relief on their waste charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17332/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 117. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of energy upgrades undertaken in each of the past five years under the free (warmer homes) scheme; the distribution by the intensity of upgrade; and if he will indicate the extent of the waiting list for this scheme. [17478/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 132. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if wood products are permitted to be burned in urban areas; and if they are subject to particular conditions nationally or under local by-laws. [17883/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 133. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if air quality standards apply to emissions from household burning outside of the bans on certain products that are in place; and the procedures for monitoring air quality that may be associated with such uses. [17887/24]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 196. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of claimants of a tax exemption on renting a room up to €14,000. [17479/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 358. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of councils that offer a contribution scheme under which persons in homes too big for their needs can sell or offer the home to the council and, in return for a contribution from the proceeds of a sale, secure a council tenancy in a secure complex; and the number of homes that have been processed under this scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 356. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will outline the number of grants issued by local authorities under each of the grants for older people, housing aid, mobility aid and adaptation grant in each of the past five years; and whether he has information on the extent of a waiting list for these schemes. [17477/24]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Tax Reliefs (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 399. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will indicate the number of claimants who are availing of the exemption from the means test of the renting of a room with revenue up to €14,000. [17480/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (23 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 604. To ask the Minister for Health the most common technology aids provided under the medical appliances scheme offered by the HSE; the number sanctioned in each of the past three years; if an evaluation has been carried out on the effectiveness of such technologies to keep people independent in their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17498/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Appeals (25 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: I have a good deal of experience of dealing with cases. What often happens is that the medical certification does not deal with the fact that a person must be unable to work for 12 months or more. Doctors often think that by listing illnesses, they have fulfilled their requirement. It would be useful if a message could clarify to medical professionals the exact form of certification...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Programmes (25 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: 16. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered the scope for promoting engaging activities and positive health measures as a part of the welfare programmes promoted by her Department to the pensioners whom she supports with regular financial payments and occasional urgent need payments as part of a more joined-up approach to positive ageing. [18076/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Programmes (25 Apr 2024)

Richard Bruton: The Minister's Department probably has the most extensive network connecting to people who have left the workforce. We know that staying connected and active is the key to the well-being of people have left the workforce. Will the Minister consider the opportunity she has for promoting engaging activities among people who have left the workforce because it is a huge gulf?