Results 3,761-3,780 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: The Question refers to a premises which is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan as these locations are where commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 827, 828 and 831 together. The North South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. It will also help us to move towards 70% renewable electricity. A resilient and well connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available atwww.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The Map...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. The High Speed Broadband Map which is available atshows the areas in Cavan which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland.The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November last to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Programmes (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: Since 2017 the Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme has delivered basic skills to targeted groups of people who do not have the skills or confidence to use the internet, including almost 22,000 people over the age of 65. The current grant agreements with community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to deliver training, provide for such training to take place in a classroom...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: Although this has not been specifically brought to my attention, I am conscious of the challenges faced by certain cohorts across the country in accessing Covid-19 related information.  It is vital to provide older people with accurate, up to date information regarding the Covid-19 crisis. In this context Covid-19 related information is being widely disseminated. While not specifically...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: Illegal dumping is first and foremost a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement. An allocation of €3 million has been made to support the 2020 Anti-Dumping Initiative. Since the introduction of the Anti-Dumping Initiative in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 840 and 841 together. The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. The High Speed Broadband Map which is available atwww.broadband.gov.ieshows the areas in Kildare which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Programmes (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: I have no function in relation to the matter raised in the Question. Responsibility for the seabees that are being installed at Beach Lane, Portrane is a matter for Fingal County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Pollution (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: The Urban Transport-Related Air Pollution Working Group (UTRAP) was formed in Autumn 2019, following a joint decision by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in recognition of the role that the two Departments have to play in improving air quality nationally. The group was established in order to develop...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Advertising (3 Jun 2020)

Richard Bruton: My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public service broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for acknowledging the work of Kieran Mulvey. He did an exceptional job. He is a man of great experience who comes from the midlands and he worked with everyone. It shows the value of appointing an independent commissioner to pull those strands together. His work is very valuable. We are honouring all those pledges, including providing €36 million this year to...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The position on the national broadband plan is as I outlined. I am now seeking to accelerate it so that people in the sixth and seventh year could be brought forward. My officials are in discussions with the company to see if we can accelerate the roll-out from the end of the second half of next year. Regarding this year, 80 of the broadband contact connection points will be rolled out...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I outlined 650 job opportunities we are seeking to create in the midlands, which will be important as the transition occurs. Bord na Móna has topped up the temporary wage subsidy, so people are retaining their full basic wage. I understand that seasonal workers are eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment. They are not part of the full-time staff. On the other issues the...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I do not have the number of jobs affected by the closure of the two plants. Roughly 180 workers who are directly involved in the plants' operations will not be retained. Unfortunately there have been other requirements on Bord na Móna as a result of Covid-19. There has been a decline in electricity demand, which has resulted in less use of the higher-cost solid fuel elements Bord na...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy can either ask the questions and let me answer them or he can provide both the question and the answer himself.

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I will deal with the Deputy's first question. The National Parks and Wildlife Service's bog restoration programme will create 40 jobs. Bord na Móna has won that tender. The advanced rehabilitation of Bord na Móna's bogs will create more than 200 jobs. The company intends to start that work before the end of the year. The retrofitting of homes in the midlands will provide 400...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: The just transition fund has just been opened for applications. Interested groups can register under an arrangement that is already in place with the councils. We will publish the final criteria in about three weeks and we will have the selection thereafter. The contract has already been awarded for the first tranche of bog restoration. Bord na Móna won that contract and it is...

Covid-19 (Communications, Climate Action and Environment): Statements (27 May 2020)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. These are truly extraordinary circumstances. I know he is used to it at this stage but even though I think I am jointly the longest serving Deputy in the House at the moment, I am certainly not used to these circumstances. However, I am glad to have the opportunity to account for my stewardship as a caretaker Minister. I want first to thank my officials and...