Results 1,421-1,440 of 25,713 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme. The primary objective of the scheme is to support and maximise the number of home energy upgrades delivered. Non-domestic projects are also supported to encourage broader community engagement and mobilisation. Other objectives include:Building capacity by working with project co-ordinators on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Deposit Return Scheme (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take PQs 141, 142 and 144 together. The collection, processing and recycling of containers returned via the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is an operational matter for the DRS operator, Re-turn. While I have no function in relation to the award of contracts, I can confirm a tender process for the collection and processing of DRS material was completed by Re-turn and contracts were...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Deposit Return Scheme (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As with all Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), deposits which are not redeemed are retained by the operator and are reinvested exclusively for the development of the scheme. As the return rate improves, the level of unredeemed deposits will reduce considerably however the funds available are invested in a range of measures to promote and improve collection rates including: Improving reverse...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: E-scooters (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 (SI 199 of 2024) set out requirements for e-scooter construction, equipment and use while being operated in public places, including speed, location and age restrictions. In addition, the Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024 (SI 227 of 2024) provide for fixed charge penalties of €50 for certain...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Projects (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions including, in some cases, School Zones. These projects should help alleviate congestion at school gates...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority remains...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The decision to award the contract to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL) for the next Coast Guard Search & Rescue Aviation Service contract was approved by the Government in mid-2023 following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. During the 2-year transition phase, the overarching priority...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, which provides the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: 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 operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department has not engaged any consultancy firms to provide advice in respect of the use of AI. Some guidance has been received from Microsoft in relation to their Copilot platform as part of regular account management meetings and at no additional cost to the Department. A free version Copilot is being assessed by staff in the Department under strict controls. A project is commencing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Collection (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: Motor Tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. There is an additional charge associated with both the half-yearly and quarterly discs. In relation to motor tax paid for 3 months or 6 months the charges are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 385/1992, as amended. Regulation 26(1) of that S.I. reads as follows: 26(1) A licence may be taken out under Section 1 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Data (20 Feb 2025)

Darragh O'Brien: The table below details the number of original tax discs issued in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 broken down by annual, half year and quarter year payments. Number of Original Tax Discs Issues Annual Half Year Quarter Year Total 2022 2,083,568 713,987 2,026,763 4,824,318 ...