Results 27,401-27,420 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (24 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 383, 384 and 388 together. The Home Energy Saving Scheme which I launched on 8 February last, provides grant assistance to homeowners for attic and wall insulation, efficient boilers and heating controls. These measures were selected for inclusion in the scheme, with the assistance of SEI, which has built up a considerable expertise on residential energy...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (24 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for Energy Regulation will shortly complete its review of options for a reduction in electricity and gas prices, taking account of all relevant factors. I have also engaged with IBEC and with the major suppliers of the Large Energy Users. The timing and nature of decisions in relation to energy prices will be informed by the outcome of the Energy Regulator's review and my own...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Eircom provides the existing Public Service Answering Points (PSAP) network for the answering of emergency calls. The number of PSAPs and the staff numbers employed at each point is an operational matter for Eircom. I have no function in the matter. My colleague, the Minister for Transport, is monitoring developments in relation to the eCall concept, which is still under development in...

Written Answers — Electricity Pylons: Electricity Pylons (24 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The planning and development of electricity transmission and distribution line infrastructure are matters for EirGrid and ESB respectively. I have no function in relation to the siting of pylons for the purposes of electricity infrastructure development. If the Deputy has specific queries in relation to pylons in residential areas, I can arrange for him to discuss these directly with...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The objective of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is to provide access to affordable, scaleable broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service. The NBS will be rolled out on an electoral division (ED) basis and will address EDs that are without adequate broadband services. The following tables show the EDs in County Laois, which will be...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (24 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) provides funding to Community Based Organisations for the installation of energy efficiency measures including cavity wall insulation, attic insulation, boiler lagging jackets, draught proofing measures and energy efficient lighting in low income dwellings in their respective geographic areas. Advice is also provided to householders on minimising energy use....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources currently employs two former civil servants who are also in receipt of a Civil Service pension. In the first case the services of a former staff member of my Department are being retained on a part-time basis for which he is paid at a daily rate. Since his retirement in mid 2008 he has been paid a total of €29,721 in salary...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (19 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together. I announced the launch of the Home Energy Saving Scheme on the 8th of February last, together with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, as part of the Government's National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery. I have allocated €50 million to the Home Energy Saving Scheme in 2009 and this funding will...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (19 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is in the process of considering how best to implement the Budget 2009 announcement, as set out in the Finance Act 2008, on the provision of bicycles and related equipment by employers, to employees who agree to use the bicycles to cycle to work. In advance of the roll out of this scheme, my Department has implemented a scheme whereby a number of bicycles have been provided,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: No staff member in my Department is in receipt of a rate of remuneration that is in excess of either benchmarking or Review Body recommendations. In the time available, it has not been possible to assemble the information requested in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I will forward it to her as...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (18 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In general, planning permission must be obtained for the erection of an antenna support structure or mast. Under Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, certain classes of development carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service are, subject to specified conditions, exempted development for the purposes of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is in the process of identifying and assembling the information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (18 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 224 together. On the 8th of February last, together with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I launched the National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery. The Programme entails a three pronged approach to addressing the legacy of older housing with poor energy efficiency standards. The Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (18 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Greener Homes Scheme, since its launch in March 2006, has provided support for home owners investing in renewable energy heating technologies. The scheme has evolved over that period, supported by appropriate budgetary allocations year on year. Phase III was launched in July 2008 and continues to support the installation of a variety of technologies in existing homes. Any support scheme...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: As part of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract, 3 will deliver the following minimum speeds at launch at the edge of cell: Minimum download speed will be 1.2 Mbps while the maximum download speed is 5Mbps and Minimum upload speed is 200Kbps while the maximum upload speed will be 1.8Mbps. These speeds are comparable to what is currently available in the marketplace in urban areas....

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (18 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: There are three regulators operating under the aegis of my Department and their details are as follows: Broadcasting Commission of Ireland: Staff: 36 2008 Outturn: €5m 2009 Budget: €4.738m Functions and responsibility: The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) is responsible for a number of key areas of activity with regard to television and radio services in Ireland, further to the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: EU State Aid and competition rules govern how States can intervene in areas that are already substantially served by broadband. While recognising that some premises within substantially served areas may have difficulties for a variety of reasons in receiving a broadband service, the National Broadband Scheme cannot cater for such limited instances as to do so would give rise to an...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (17 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 412, 413, 421, 429 and 437 together. On the 8th of February last, together with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I launched the National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery. The Programme entails a three pronged approach to addressing the legacy of older housing with poor energy efficiency standards. The Home Energy...

Written Answers — Postal Network: Postal Network (17 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The review of the post office network is a matter for An Post and I understand that the company has yet to complete this work. It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to compete in a liberalised market, provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide, customer-focused network of post offices.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (17 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I have no powers in relation to the appointment and dismissal of senior executives and management staff at the ESB, nor do I have any powers in relation to determining the pay of ESB workers. The appointment and dismissal of the Chief Executive is a matter for the Board but the remuneration and allowances are subject to my approval and the consent of the Minister for Finance in accordance...