Results 27,461-27,480 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Ireland's energy policy framework identifies energy efficiency as the most cost effective means of reducing our dependence on imported energy, as well as mitigating harmful green house gas emissions. Government has set a target of 20% energy efficiency by 2020 and, recognising that the public sector must act as exemplars in the field of energy usage, has set a more stretching target of 33%...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Fuel Poverty Action Research Project was established by Combat Poverty and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to inform public policy on the merits of domestic energy efficiency programmes. The project involves an integrated and systematic ex-post assessment of the energy, environmental, thermal comfort and health benefits of the SEI-administered Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), which retrofits...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The role of the Government in the electronic communications market in Ireland is to formulate policy to facilitate the provision of high quality services by competing service providers. The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken a variety of initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage....

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) operates a number of grant schemes in this area. These include the Renewable Energy Research Development and Demonstration programme, which provides grant support for the development of new renewable energy technologies, including the development of advanced biomass energy systems. Individuals or companies can contact SEI and apply for support under this...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Details of the cost of printing reports during 2008, by my Department, are contained in the following table. The table includes details of annual reports published and where identifiable, postage costs. It should be noted that the level of reports published will vary from year to year. Reports produced by bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, are a day to day operational matter...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: There is currently no requirement under EU legislation for Ireland to hold strategic reserves of natural gas i.e. reserves that could not be accessed under normal market conditions, as is the case with oil under IEA obligations. Recent European Commission analysis, undertaken as part of the Second EU Strategic Energy Review, shows that the cost of strategic gas storage is very high, at 5...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable consumers from the impact of high energy costs through a combination of institutional supports and investment in improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock. I am working closely with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to deliver a fully cohesive approach across Government. I established, last year, an Inter...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The EU Commission has proposed that the recently announced Economic Recovery Plan would contain measures aimed at enhancing rural broadband infrastructure. While Ireland is supportive of the proposal, other Member States are opposed and a proposal has not, as yet, been agreed between the Commission and all Member States. In the event that the proposal is agreed, any funding available to...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Power of One campaign aims to bring about more energy efficient behaviour by domestic consumers and other energy using sectors to achieve energy and CO2 savings. The campaign has been operating since August 2006 and has brought about a significant increase in awareness of energy efficiency and best practice energy behaviour. Since the beginning of 2009, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI)...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) is targeted at households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability benefit. Referrals from public health nurses, community services and St Vincent De Paul are also accepted. In 2007, there were approximately 270,000 households in receipt of the fuel allowance payment. Of these, approximately two thirds are in private...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Question Nos. 129 and 516 together. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding the quality of services in the mobile phone market, including mobile broadband, is the responsibility of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Government targets are to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to the electricity market to 15% by 2010 and 40% by 2020. In January 2008 I announced a tariff for a new offshore wind category within the REFIT support programme for new renewable energy projects. The REFIT programme imposes qualifying conditions and timelines for the completion of projects. In December last...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007 provides for the development of digital terrestrial television (DTT) in Ireland. Under this Act, RTÉ is required to provide a DTT system with capacity to carry RTÉ, TG4 and TV3. The legislation also requires the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to seek commercial applicants who are interested in providing commercial DTT services. RTÉ has...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: For households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability benefit, the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) managed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will install cavity wall insulation, attic insulation, a boiler lagging jacket, draught proofing measures and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). Advice is also provided to householders on minimising energy use....

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ), which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Deputy will be aware that BGÉ has been examining many areas of the State not yet...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The improvement of energy efficiency in the housing stock is internationally recognised as one of the most cost effective ways of reducing emissions and energy bills. Energy efficiency measures to tackle deficiencies in households also support and strengthen employment in the construction and energy services sectors. I launched the national Home Energy Savings Scheme on Sunday last with a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) allocated funding to Energy Action in 2006, 2007 and 2008 for the delivery of energy efficiency measures to assist low income householders and for mentoring services under the Warmer Homes Scheme. The mentoring role undertaken by Energy Action involved providing assistance to potential and new community based organisations in the administration and delivery...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Sustainable Energy Ireland was set up by the Government in 2002 as Ireland's National Energy Agency. Its mission is to promote and assist the development of sustainable energy. This includes implementing significant aspects of the Energy White Paper and the National Climate Change Strategy. Sustainable Energy Ireland manages programmes aimed at: Assisting deployment of superior energy...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together. The Irish postal market is due to be liberalised from 1 January 2011 as set out in the third EU Postal Directive. My Department is currently developing a framework dealing with the key issues to be decided in transposing the Directive into Irish law by the end of next year. The initial consultation process has been completed and the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Coverage of the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) in County Louth is currently provided by a Dublin based provider. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has received an expression of interest from a Louth based community group interested in delivering this service and it is anticipated that additional service provision will be provided by a local organisation in 2009. To date, more than 20,000 homes...