Results 1,241-1,260 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (21 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The primary responsibility for the development of the post office network, including provision of further Government services, remains with An Post. While the Government will support the network in any way it can and has demonstrated its commitment in a tangible fashion, with a €12.7 million capital injection in 2003, the way forward is for An Post to enhance existing services and, building...

Written Answers — Commemorative Stamps: Commemorative Stamps (21 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The commemorative stamp programme for 2005 was approved by Government in April 2004. In the interim, considerable work has been undertaken on the design element of the stamps. It would not be possible at this short notice to include a stamp to honour Pope John Paul II this year but the proposal could be considered in future commemorative stamp programmes. A series of three stamps was issued...

Written Answers — Parental Leave Provisions: Parental Leave Provisions (21 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information on the arrangements for maternity leave within public bodies reporting to me. I have asked my Department to request this information from the public bodies concerned as a matter of urgency and I will issue a comprehensive reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. I am not aware of any plans to provide an...

Written Answers — Public Capital Programme: Public Capital Programme (21 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, together. The infrastructure project areas in the public capital programme within the Department's remit are shown in the following table. The assessment, procurement, project management and delivery of infrastructure projects are carried out by my Department and the bodies under its aegis in line with relevant public financial...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (21 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together. It has not been possible to prepare a comprehensive response in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is available to me.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. The post office network has been the subject of a number of studies and reviews in recent years. Many of the recommendations arising from these reviews have been implemented, with particular regard to winning new...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department is familiar with the study referred to by the Deputy and has engaged with the Western Development Commission on its content. Each programme operated by my Department to support the construction of new wind powered electricity generating stations to date has divided that support between large scale and small-scale projects. In addition, the most recent competition also included a...

Written Answers — Quantified Risk Assessments: Quantified Risk Assessments (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The quantified risk assessment, QRA, is an organic document. The QRA, version D, comprised 52 pages plus 12 pages of appendices. The QRA, version E, incorporating Mr. Johnston's recommendations and those of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, comprised 54 pages plus 12 appendices.

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Department's attention has been drawn to a number of possible and hypothetical scenarios arising from the proposed pipeline at Rossport, all of which will be taken fully into consideration.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government and An Post share the objective of maintaining a viable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, the Government recognises the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network. Accordingly, An Post development...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: An Post is a commercial State company. The payment of social welfare benefits at post offices is a contractual matter between the company and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs and I agree that social welfare beneficiaries should continue to have the choice of having their benefits paid through the post office network.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There were 1,839 post office outlets in 1997 and today there are 1,455 post offices, 157 postal agencies and 3,000 postpoint outlets giving a total of 4,612 postal outlets in the State.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: 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 Commission for Communications Regulation, the independent regulator. The sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband, so my Department's regional...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government and the board of An Post are committed to securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. I believe that the Irish Postmasters Union also shares this commitment and the input of its members into the development of our post office network, in partnership with An Post management, is an essential element of securing the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: An Post is statutorily obliged, under section 12 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, to satisfy all reasonable demands for postal services throughout the State. The public receives a wide variety of mail from a number of sources, much of which could be regarded as unsolicited mail, including unaddressed mail material, which may be delivered by operators besides An Post....

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (26 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to Question No. 127 of Tuesday, 8 February 2005.

Written Answers — Landslide Research: Landslide Research (27 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Following the occurrence of landslides at Pollatomish, County Mayo, and Derrybrien, County Galway, the Geological Survey of Ireland, GSI, established a national landslides working group in 2004 to collate information and examine the causes of landslides throughout the island of Ireland. The working group draws its members from the State and third level sectors in the Republic and Northern...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am advised by An Post that at the end of 1994 there were 40 sub-post offices and two company owned offices in County Waterford. In March 2005, there were 34 sub-post offices, two company owned offices and two postal agencies.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs as set out in the programme for Government. This commitment is illustrated by the Government injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures and the Government has strongly supported An Post initiatives such as the...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs as set out in the programme for Government. This commitment is illustrated by the Government injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures. The Government has strongly supported An Post initiatives such as the...