Results 24,821-24,840 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Question Nos. 454 and 474 together. The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), provides energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty and is targeted at householders who are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, Disability Benefit or Invalidity Benefit. Measures undertaken include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting,...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD which does not have a national postcode system. An invitation to tender was issued on the 10th May 2010 for consultants to assist in selecting a body to implement and manage the delivery of a working National Postcode System (NPS). These consultants have now been appointed and are working with my Department's Steering Group to introduce a six...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The following table shows the bodies under the remit of my Department that receive Exchequer grants and the amount provided yearly to each Agency since the establishment of my Department in 2007. Body 2010 (To end Oct)€000 2009€000 2008€000 2007€000 Digital Hub Development Agency 2,060 1,731 1,941 1,856 National Research Digital Centre 3,431 3,813 2,631 2,500 RTÉ 161,800 204,255...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: As I previously advised the Deputy, I am satisfied that ComReg has the powers under the Wireless and Telegraphy Act 1926 to monitor the inappropriate use of mobile phone blockers and take immediate enforcement action where necessary. I have no plans at present to amend this legislation.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department does not have any leased premises or sites that are not in current use.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department occupies or partly occupies a number of leased buildings all of which are currently in use. They are as follows: Department Headquarters, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 Core Store, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Sandyford, County Dublin Elm House, Earlsvale Road, Cavan (partly occupied). All details in relation to the leases are dealt with by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Information Systems Division in my Department spent a total of €41,982 on consumables in 2009, and €28,855 to date in 2010. Purchases are made solely on the lowest price for a suitable product at any given time; brand is not a factor in product purchase. The volume of generic or branded consumables purchased is not recorded. An open source product is used within the Information...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market. Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. Details of broadband services available...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 to 465, inclusive, together. In May of this year, I announced a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) Scheme for electricity generated from biomass including energy crops such as miscanthus and willow, ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15 cent per kilowatt hour depending on the technology deployed. State Aid Clearance from the European...

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: There were two such contracts awarded by my Department. The details requested are shown in the table. Material Printer Name Printer Location Amount of Contract Did Tendering Take Place Make Tsecure Graficas Jomagar SL Spain â'¬72,054.61 Yes All-Island Grid Study Pierce (incorporating Blue Design) Belfast â'¬17,021.00 Yes

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Open cycle gas generation is extremely valuable in the Irish generation context, as a vital part of a balanced portfolio, which can underpin the delivery of increasing amount of intermittent generation, including wind. All power generation projects are subject to licensing by the Commission for Energy Regulation and predicated on the necessary connections from EirGrid. There are a number of...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 469 together. My Department has not conducted studies or computer modelling specifically to evaluate modern pumped storage technology. The "All Island Grid Study", jointly commissioned by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland and published in 2008, examined the potential for renewable generated...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The construction of individual transmission grid projects is a day-to-day matter for EirGrid and ESB as the two State Bodies with statutory responsibilities for national transmission network infrastructure. I have no function in the matter.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 472 together. The EirGrid website provides a list of connected and contracted generators, both wind and other generators, and the locations of these throughout the country. EirGrid and ESB Networks have provided the details set out in the table below, of the wind projects in Gates 1, 2 and 3 being undertaken by State Companies. The dates provided for...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Table 1 shows the seasonal and annual mean wind speeds per county. The figures are a result of the modelling by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which produced the national wind atlas in 2004. Historical weather datasets were compiled for intervals of six hours at all atmospheric levels. Analysis was then performed using grids of successively finer mesh size to simulate...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband – Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles, which are crucial to the development of the market including (i) competition, at platform and service levels, which drives...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Details of high level groups under the aegis of my Department are set out in the following table. Name of Group Purpose YearSetUp MeetingsNo. Digital Switch Over Steering Group To progress the digital switch-over process 2010 6 Affordable Energy Group To coordinate national policy on affordable energy 2008 9 High Level Group on International Content Services Centre Examine issue relation...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The programme for Government 2007-2012 contains a commitment to "reduce the regulatory burden faced by business" and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation is leading its implementation. My Department is represented in the Inter-Departmental Group on Administrative Burden Reduction. Our initial assessment lists fourteen information obligations and has identified what may be the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (28 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has recently concluded a public consultation process which sets out the framework for the development of the new retrofit programme. The objective of the programme, which remains subject to funding decisions in light of wider budgetary considerations, is to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to one million domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will not only contribute...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (28 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The 40% return to the State referred to in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 20th October 2010 refers to taxable profits. Ireland followed the lead of other countries such as the UK and Norway and moved away from a royalty based payments system to a tax based system in 1987. Under a tax based system the return to the State is linked directly to the profitability of the oil or...