Results 5,641-5,660 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Reports (17 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: A report into the stability of the mine workings along part of the LP4900 has been completed by Gyproc’s consultants, SRK. This has recently been submitted to the three authorities, Monaghan County Council, the Environmental Protection Authority and my Department. My Department's independent consultants, Wardell Armstrong, have been engaged to review the SRK Report and this will take...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (17 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: 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. A resilient and well connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. In December 2016 An Bord...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Trading Online Voucher Scheme (17 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is an initiative 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (17 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: There are no plans to convert the Moneypoint power plant to a nuclear power station. Nuclear powered electricity generation plants are prohibited in Ireland in line with the provisions of section 18 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, as amended. Section 18(1) provides that the Minister shall specify by order the criteria in accordance with which an application for an authorisation to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Administration (17 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Broadband Connection Point locations referenced by the Deputy are all located in the AMBER area of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electromagnetic Fields Studies (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: Irish policy on the public health effects of non-ionising radiation 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-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These guidelines provide scientifically-based exposure limits that are applicable to both public and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Budgets (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: My Department reprofiled €4 million, representing less than 1.5% of my Department's overall 2019 capital allocation, across the Subheads set out in the following Table, to support the additional costs arising this year on the National Children’s Hospital project. The timing of payments arising under these Subheads will be managed to ensure that service delivery is maintained and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Better Energy Homes Scheme (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures at no cost to low income households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. As Minister, I have no function in relation to individual grant applications under the Scheme. In reference to the case...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 466 together. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 457 to 459, inclusive, together. All of the premises referenced by the Deputy in these Questions are in the AMBER area of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I welcome recent announcements of further commercial investment in high speed broadband infrastructure by telecommunications operators. While my Department has received high level presentations from the operators with regard to their recent announcements, the operators have not published, or provided my Department with, detailed commercial or technical plans identifying the individual...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Disability Act Employment Targets (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together. In order to ensure that positive action in employing staff with a disability is part of general practice throughout the public service, there is a system to monitor compliance with these legal obligations, overseen by the National Disability Authority. My Department is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for all...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: My officials have raised this matter with Bord Gáis Energy and also engaged with other key stakeholders in the national smart metering upgrade, namely ESB Networks and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Bord Gáis Energy has been unable to find any evidence of the issue raised by the deputy but are happy to further investigate should additional information become...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The specific premises and area referred to by the Deputy are all in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together. Providing adequate charging infrastructure is critical to ensure continued growth in electric vehicles. Home charging is the most cost-effective way to charge an electric vehicle and is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. A Government grant of up to €600...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides partial grants for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades. Grants for domestic fossil fuel boiler replacement are not available under this Scheme. However, grants are available for renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Generation (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 to 470, inclusive, together. The terms and conditions for the REFIT 3 Scheme are available on my Departments website and includes definitions of the terms used. Under the terms and conditions of the Scheme “full planning permission” refers to planning for the construction of the appropriate electricity generating plant at the site. All...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Measures (16 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill is currently at an advanced drafting stage. My Department continues to work closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in order to progress this work with a view to having the Bill published by end June.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Electricity Generation (11 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I will try to summarise what was a rather long-winded reply. ESB has plans to replace coal burning with alternative generation, but it is in a marketplace with many other players competing for generation capacity in what is a rapidly growing generation market. The market framework is now becoming clearer and, as I said in the reply, includes the sorts of options ESB is considering. It...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Illegal Dumping (11 Apr 2019)

Richard Bruton: I met staff from Dublin City Council as well as staff from the national committee which is driving these initiatives. We should not be directing all of our anger at Dublin City Council staff. Many of them are trying really hard to contain this dumping and to maintain high standards in the park that the Deputy has rightly said is a major amenity for the public. The staff of Dublin City...