Results 6,201-6,220 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. Commercial operators have invested over €2.75 billion in upgrading and modernising their networks over the past 5 years,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 46 together. Increasing the level of plastic recycling and ultimately eliminating the use of non-recyclable plastics is a priority for me. I recently secured Government approval to prohibit Government Departments and State Agencies from purchasing non-recyclable single use plastic cups and cutlery in offices. This is an initial step. To that end, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 40, 59 and 245 together. l have recently received a mandate from Government to develop on the All of Government Plan to bring about a step change in our climate ambition over the next decade, and beyond. I intend that this new Plan will set out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. It will have a strong...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 34 together. A review of "A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland" will be initiated in 2019. This review process will take account of a number of initiatives, such as the European Circular Economy waste and plastics legislation framework and the reports from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Price Monitoring...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Illegal Dumping (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: Illegal dumping is a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. While enforcement action in this area is a matter for local authorities, my Department encourages a multi-facetted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education and, as such, provides funding to support the activities of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Disposal Charges (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 38 and 232 together. My Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Mitigation Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Mitigation Plan, published in July 2017, restates the Government’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel-based electricity system to a low-carbon power system. Investment in further renewable generation will be incentivised. The new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, approved by government in July 2018, will provide for a renewable electricity ambition of 55% by 2030....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Brexit Issues (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: Ireland continues to work on preparedness and contingency planning as part of the EU27 with the full support of the European Commission and other Member States. Many of the actions aimed at mitigating the effects of a no deal outcome will be taken at the EU level, as they involve sectors regulated by EU law. The Government’s Contingency Action Plan is the culmination of many months...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Smart Meter Upgrade is being coordinated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, and ESB Networks are responsible for rolling out smart electricity meters. This is a significant energy infrastructure project, involving the installation of new meters to over 2 million customers nationwide. The rollout will occur in a phased basis, commencing with an initial delivery of 250,000...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: EirGrid have estimated that renewable electricity as a percentage of demand has risen from 23.5% in 2014 to approximately 35% in 2018. Details in relation to All-Island electricity system demand and fuel mix are publicly available on the EirGrid website at www.eirgridgroup.com/. This includes information on the number, type and generating capacity of plants on the system. EirGrid’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: In achieving our renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009, Ireland has set a national sub target of meeting 40% electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this and the latest data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicate that 30.1% of our electricity came from renewable sources in 2017. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electric Vehicles (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The majority of the existing publicly accessible electric vehicle infrastructure was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes 77 fast chargers, mainly on national routes. A map showing the charge points, including the status and availability of the charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars. Under the Climate Action Fund, I approved...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. There are approximately 82,407 premises in County Wexford. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Change Policy (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 53 and 57 together. The Local Authorities have been major players in the recent competition for support from the Climate Action Fund. Among the seven successful projects, two Local Authorities are the lead applicants and, in respect of another, 27 different Local Authorities are participating as project partners. Local Authorities have also been involved...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48 and 54 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 via 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Sector (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: I am aware of Screen Producers Ireland's role as the representative body for independent producers. Both Public Service Broadcasters spend millions of euro each year on independently produced programming. This is vital in supporting a vibrant independent sector, including in the regions. Section 116 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that RTÉ make specific amounts available each year...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Better Energy Communities Programme (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is funded by my Department to administer energy efficiency grant schemes for both homes and businesses. Details of these grants are provided below and further information is available on SEAI’s website . Homes: - A range of grants are available to householders to suit their circumstances and scale of work they wish to undertake. -...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Gas Exploration Licences (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: Natural Gas, the lowest carbon-emitting fossil fuel, is an important transition fuel on the pathway to decarbonisation. The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2017 recognises the role which gas will play in the transition to 2050. In Ireland, gas powered electricity generation provides an important back-up for intermittent renewable wind generation. Natural Gas has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bioenergy Strategy (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: The three peat-fired electricity generating stations in Ireland, one owned by Bord na Móna and two by ESB, were awarded support for biomass combustion under the REFIT3 Scheme for up to 30% of the installed capacity up to 2030. Bord na Móna commenced co-firing at its Edenderry Plant with biomass in 2008, and it is expected that ESB will commence co-firing at its 2 peat fired plants...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (24 Jan 2019)

Richard Bruton: As set out in the reply of PQ 857 of 15 January, the National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. There are approximately...