Results 29,061-29,080 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Jan 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has developed and maintains a number of systems that contain personal data in addition to internal systems such as payroll or HR. These include an Integrated Fisheries Information System, a Foreshore Coastal Zone Management System, a Marine Vessel Registration System, a Mineral Exploration Licensing System, and a Petroleum Exploration System. Although the functions supported...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (30 Jan 2008)

Eamon Ryan: A survey conducted in the first quarter of 2007, in conjunction with the National Disability Authority, showed that 3.1% of staff in the former Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) were classified as having a disability. My Department, primarily through our Disability Liaison Officer, continues to work with the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice,...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Jan 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1468 and 1472 together. As part of the Government's decentralisation programme, the headquarters of my Department is scheduled to relocate to Cavan at the end of 2009. This will involve the relocation of approximately 300 posts. 19 staff members transferred as an advance party to Cavan prior to 31st December 2006, with a further 26 transferring during 2007...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 Jan 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1469 and 1470 together. The Biofuels Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes were publicly advertised as competitive calls for proposals from producers meeting the criteria laid out in the Guidance Notes relating to the schemes. Under EU State Aids Rules preference could not be given to any participants within the competitive process by virtue of the origin of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Jan 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As part of the Government's decentralisation programme, the headquarters of my Department is scheduled to relocate to Cavan at the end of 2009. An advance party of 45 is currently in situ in Cavan of which 40 were Dublin based and five were non-Dublin based. Current plans envisage this figure being augmented by approximately a further nine staff in 2008, the majority of whom will be...

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The energy conservation capital grant-in-aid to Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, in 2008 is €63 million. Within that envelope, the allocation for the greener homes scheme in 2008 is €28 million. Some €35 million is being allocated across the range of energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes managed by Sustainable Energy Ireland, including €5 million for the new home energy...

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: To clarify, the amount spent this year is approximately €28 and the amount allocated for next year is €28 million. One can hardly call this a cut.

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: This scheme will continue to evolve. Deputy Coveney is correct to state it is a demand-led scheme. Because of the nature of demand-led schemes, it is difficult to forecast and be accurate on what will be the demand from the public. This is true not only with regard to the number of applications but also the number which feed through to contracts being signed and work being undertaken....

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: One must take into account that the SEI has numerous schemes, all of which have significant benefits. It is appropriate for us——

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: When the funding is doubled from one year to the next——

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I have doubled the funding.

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The SEI's funding has doubled. When this can be done at a time when budgetary circumstances are tight it shows the importance the Government attaches to this area. I intend to evolve the greener homes scheme in terms of introducing new technologies and, as we did this year, reducing grants where appropriate such as when schemes achieve their ambitions, including establishing a volume of...

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: ——which have a requirement for renewable heating systems in new buildings it will allow us to further adapt the scheme to target it at existing rather than new houses.

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: No cuts have been made but we have a continuation of the greener homes scheme in phase two which remains popular and will continue to draw down funds. It will continue to evolve——

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: ——as market conditions apply. The greener homes scheme budget is €28 million. This scheme will continue to evolve and change——

Environmental Policy. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: ——as it is appropriate for us to manage various programmes.

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The EU statistics agency, EUROSTAT, published a report, "Internet usage by enterprises 2007" on 10 December. This showed Internet access by enterprises in Ireland at 94%, which is the EU average. In all, six member states were at 94%, ten were above average and ten were below average. The average rate for broadband connection was 77%. At 66%, Ireland was among 13 member states which were...

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I accept that Ireland has lagged behind other countries, primarily as a result of an initial lack of investment in our incumbent network and a lack of competition between cable operators and the incumbent. Competition has been the main driver of competition in other countries and is the reason they are ahead of us. We must also acknowledge that with subscriber growth here twice the OECD...

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard, my Department has undertaken initiatives...

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The report on the next generation network will be completed in early January when it will be sent to a national advisory panel I will establish to obtain an outside opinion. As this is a complicated area, it is good to examine international experience and precedents. The report will be published after the panel's work is completed. This will be a short process which will last for weeks...