Results 17,701-17,720 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: There are eleven existing contracts of an indefinite period which were entered into by my Department prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive. In addition, the CEOs of two agencies under my Department’s remit asserted their right to a contract of indefinite duration under the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 239, inclusive, together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the management of public bike schemes. Details regarding the investment in, operation of and expansion of, existing and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy may be aware the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line. This is the second year of the five year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme just over €1billion in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (2 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The €35 charge for the Disabled Parking Permit is set by the issuing bodies (the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association). The purpose of this fee is, firstly, to cover the administrative costs of processing applications and producing permits and, secondly, to allow for investment in improving the security features of the card.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, my Department has provided funding for free upgrades to over 143,000 homes under the scheme. €109 million in capital funding has been provided this year to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently developing terms and conditions for offshore wind-specific auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). Owing to the specific scale and nature of typical offshore wind farms, dedicated auctions are initially required to support the longer-term potential of this technology in Ireland. A number of milestones are required before the launch of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The community commitments in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) seek to support sustainable community energy projects and ensure that local communities benefit from all RESS projects. A RESS Communities Steering Board has been established by my Department to advise on the policy and implementation of the community features of RESS. The representatives from the academic and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, enacted in July 2021, commits Ireland to achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and provides for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The Act also significantly strengthens the overarching climate governance framework and embeds a process of carbon budgeting, including...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: All projects successful in a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction must establish a Community Benefit Fund and the contribution for each project is set at €2 per Megawatt-hour. The contribution level of €2 per Megawatt-hour was set after research by international consultancies in the design of the scheme and was publicly consulted on with relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action Plan 2021 will bring forward policies and measures to support the delivery of the 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and put us on a pathway to climate neutrality no later than 2050. The Plan will include specific actions for large energy users, including data centres. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is committed to reviewing the 2018...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Data Centres (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: In June 2021, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a proposed direction to EirGrid and ESB Networks that would require each of the system operators to prioritise data centre connections based on location, the availability of on-site generation and flexibility in reducing demand when required. The consultation process is now closed and the CRU is considering the responses...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: There have been seven system alerts (previously know as amber alerts) on the electricity system in Ireland in the past 12 months. These occurred on 9 December 2020, 6 January 2021, 13 April 2021, 17 May 2021, 6 September 2021, 9 September 2021 and 28 October 2021. EirGrid notified my Department of each of these system alerts on the day they occurred. There have been no system emergencies...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The WRC’s Code of Practice provides guidance on best practice to organisations and their employees on the Right to Disconnect. It is not a question of organisations adopting the WRC Code of Practice but a question of working up their own tailored policy. As stated in the Code of Practice, employers should engage proactively with employees and/or their trade union or other...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The SEAI grant scheme aims to encourage behavioural change and support the Government’s commitment to achieving a 51% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. The grant schemes are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort. To date in 2021, almost €65m has been provided in grants to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. The aim of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme 2021 is to increase the uptake of fully electric SPSVs and zero-emission capable wheelchair accessible SPSVs. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, together with influencing the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of the public transport fleet. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 to 85, inclusive, together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. I announced...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The issues raised are a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (3 Nov 2021)

Eamon Ryan: MetroLink is likely the largest ever public investment project in the history of the State. It faces imminent and important milestones in the coming months and these milestones will determine its progress in the coming years. Firstly, there is Government’s approval of the Preliminary Business Case and secondly there is the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord...