Results 8,521-8,540 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Air Quality (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme is operated, maintained, and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rather than by my Department. However, my Department has provided funding for a significant upgrade to the network in recent years, such that the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 103 today. All stations collect air quality...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Funding (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I announced the 18 successful projects from around the country on 26 October under Strand 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) that is funded from the Climate Action Fund (CAF). The CCAP will see €60 million from the CAF invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over two 18 month phases. Applications for funding under...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is finalising the Terms and Conditions for ORESS 1, the first offshore wind auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. A public consultation on the draft Terms and Conditions for ORESS 1 was held between October 2021 and December 2021 and over 150 responses were received. My Department issued a formal response to consultation feedback on 31 May 2022. As per Question...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: My Department funds a number of energy efficiency grant schemes that are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The aim of these schemes is to improve the energy efficiency of our built environment, in a way which represents the best possible use of Exchequer funding. As newer homes are already required to meet specific energy performance standards under the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together. The Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS) places legal requirements on larger energy companies to help energy users save energy. The EEOS has been in place since 2014 and contributes significantly to the delivery of Ireland’s energy saving target under the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Between 2014 and 2020, obligated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector from 7.9 Mt CO2 eq. in 2018 to between 3.5-4.5 Mt CO2 eq. in 2030. Key measures to achieve this target include retrofitting the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a BER B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ukraine War (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together. All premises occupied by my Department are either state owned or leased by the OPW. In relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department I have asked all of the bodies to review their property portfolios. While some have reverted with possible options, it is important to note that most of the properties would be in need of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by your question, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Consultations (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. In line with normal practice, the management regime for salmon (and sea trout over 40cms) for 2023 will have regard for the annual management advice of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) supported by the latest scientific advice and assessments of each salmon river from the independent Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS). This...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Since 2006 the landfill remediation programme has provided approximately €190m funding to risk assess and remediate 150 landfill sites. This includes €52m for the former ISPAT site at Haulbowline, Co. Cork. To date remediation work has been completed on 46 sites. In 2021 funding was provided for 72 sites across 22 local authorities with expenditure of just under...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: While it is a condition of the planning permission for the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone that the buildings there be capable of connection to a district heating system, I have no function in relation to the matter raised in the Question. Responsibility for the development of the Dublin District Heating Scheme is a matter for the local authority. The Climate Action Plan 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Bord na Móna is a commercial State company and pension related matters are a matter for the Board and Management of Bord na Móna and so I as minister have no statutory function in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grants of up to 50% are now available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inshore Fisheries (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my department have any function. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme, Government offers grants to private homeowners who wish to take a step-by-step approach to improve the energy performance of their home. Under the scheme homeowners can: - Apply themselves and have the grant refunded once works are complete; - Apply themselves and have the grant paid to their contractor which can choose to offer them a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 significantly strengthens the legally binding framework for climate governance in Ireland, and the recently approved sectoral emission ceilings set out a clear pathway for meeting our carbon budgets and Ireland’s commitment to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030. These ceilings will be reflected in the next Climate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The new North-South Interconnector, which will allow for the flow of 900 MW electricity between Ireland and Northern Ireland, will be critical for improving the operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM). It will also help to facilitate the achievement of the goal of generating up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. A resilient and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Qualifications Recognition (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The administration and management of Contractor/BER Assessor registration applications under the remit of SEAI are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual applications. SEAI operate a BER Helpdesk which can help with queries on whether qualifications and/or experience meet the requirements for registration. The email address for the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 125 and 135 to 137, inclusive, together. Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion in Budget 2023, including a new Electricity Cost...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (8 Nov 2022)

Eamon Ryan: The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by government on 21st December 2021 and sets out the overall framework to support the growth of microgeneration in Ireland. The MSS Final Scheme Design (FSD) will be used by industry to understand the rationale behind the final scheme design parameters and is expected to be published in full shortly. However, the phased introduction of the...