Results 4,041-4,060 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department's move to Cavan is scheduled to take place at the end of 2009. An advance party of 20 staff is already working in Cavan since last October and preparations are well advanced for a second phase advance of an extra 13 staff in the coming weeks. A further advance party is being actively considered and the Department is also in consultation with OPW in relation to additional...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Greener Homes Scheme currently concentrates on thermal applications and does not support electricity generation. We are committed to developing domestic scale renewable electricity and in the context of the ongoing analysis of all issues involved I have asked Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to advise on the particular issues inherent in renewable energy initiatives by residents in...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: All of the staff in my Department are paid above the national minimum wage. I can also confirm that any contract staff in my Department are paid on or above the national minimum wage. Rates of pay in State companies and agencies under my Department's remit are a matter for the companies and agencies themselves, and I do not have a function in this matter. My Department has, however,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Post office closures are in the first instance a matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. However, the following appendix lists those post offices closed in Counties Meath and Westmeath for each of the past 10 years. The information is not broken down by electoral area, as this information is not readily available from An Post. Year...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The conversion of post offices is in the first instance a matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. However, the following appendix lists those post offices converted in Counties Meath and Westmeath for each of the past 10 years. The information is not broken down by electoral area, as this information is not readily available from An Post....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 972, 1007 and 1021 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). My priority remains that there will be broadband coverage across the entire...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Inter-departmental Committee on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields is concluding its considerations, based on the report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, completed at the end of 2006. I intend to present the report to my Government colleagues shortly and then publish the report.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The matter of the automation of post offices is, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I have received no report to date on the pilot automation project. However, I understand that a review of the data and an assessment of the impact of the trial at the offices concerned is currently under way,...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Matters relating to planning policy, including requirements regarding telecommunications installations are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Inter-departmental Committee on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields is concluding its considerations, based on the report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields,...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of specific services at individual post offices is a matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.

Written Answers — Regulatory Accounts: Regulatory Accounts (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Regulatory Accounts for 2005 were prepared by ESB and submitted to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) by 31 March 2006, as required by Regulation 27 of Statutory Instrument 445 of 2000. The summary accounts were published on ESB's website, but have been unavailable recently due to technical difficulties. These difficulties have been resolved and the summary accounts are currently...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Pilot in Ireland was launched on 16 August 2006. It is planned that this pilot will continue over a two-year timeframe, during which time DTT broadcasts will transmit from the Three Rock site in Dublin and the Clermont Carn site in County Louth. Phase 1 of the pilot comprises a "soft trial" and is expected to run until March 2007. This phase is being...

Written Answers — Oil Refining Operations: Oil Refining Operations (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish oil market is fully privatised and deregulated. In these circumstances and as the matter referred to by the Deputy is a private contractual one between the parties concerned I have no function in regard to it.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Two onshore Petroleum Exploration Licences were granted to the company in November 2005. Each licence is for a period of six years. The licences relate to areas in parts of Counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Roscommon and Mayo, in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin. The licences give the licensee the right only to explore for oil and gas. If the licensee makes a discovery and wishes to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The number of civil servants and other staff currently employed in my constituency office, and information in relation to the grade and remuneration of these staff, is set out in the following table. Title Number Grade/ Grade Equivalent Remuneration Personal Assistant 1 Higher Executive Officer HEO salary scale (Modified PRSI) €43,445 (min) to €55,147 (2nd long service increment)...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The number of civil servants and other staff currently employed in the press office (which covers the Minister, Minister of State and Department generally), and information in relation to the grade and remuneration of these staff, is set out in the following table. Title Number Grade/ Grade Equivalent Remuneration Press Advisor 1 Principal Officer PO salary scale (Modified PRSI ) €80,408...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Renewables Directive (2001/77/EC) obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The target of 13.2% approximates to 1450 megawatts (MW). The reserve lists in the onshore categories of the AER VI are closed. Last year I launched a new support mechanism, the...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Issues: Natural Gas Issues (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy's question relates to the internal business workings of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ), this is a matter over which I have no statutory function. I understand that a response to the Deputy's query with regard to Ballinrobe was issued by BGÉ on 25 January.

Written Answers — Television Licences: Television Licences (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There are no immediate plans to change the TV licensing regime as it currently relates to holiday or mobile homes. However, I have recently submitted proposals for new broadcasting legislation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the purposes of holding a public consultation on the proposals under the eConsultation initiative. I propose to...