Results 3,481-3,500 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: An estimated cost of incremental pay increases to existing staff in my Department in 2009 and comparative costs for each year from 2002 to date in 2008 is currently being compiled. As it cannot be given within the specified timeframe, the information will be forwarded directly to the Deputy once available. In relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department, the payment of salaries is a...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: 10 posts from the Department's Road Haulage function and 40 Road Safety Authority Posts were decentralised to Loughrea and the move was completed in July 2007. Decentralisation of an additional 62 Road Safety Authority posts (which were not part of the original Government decision) to Ballina was also achieved. While Road Safety Authority posts are categorised as public service posts, civil...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table. Please note that staff are grouped into administrative grade-equivalents and the numbers also include seconded staff. Admin. Grade equivalent €0 – €50,000 €50,001 – €60,000 €60,001 – €70,000 €70,001 – €80,000 €80,001 – €90,000 €90,001 – €100,000 €100,000+ Service Officer 15 ...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The following table shows the numbers of civil servants working in this Department since 2002. Year Number 2008 (to end November) 562 2007 450 2006 694 2005 511 2004 508 2003 517 2002 509 Returns in relation to the non commercial semi state bodies under the aegis of this Department have only been compiled following the decision of 1 July 2003 and are contained in the attached table....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As it will take some time to gather the information requested, this will be compiled and forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department is at present developing proposals for the implementation of the decision announced in Budget 2009 in relation to the rationalisation of State agencies. For my Department, this involves the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority and the amalgamation of air, marine, and rail accident investigation functions. It is proposed that the Dublin Transport Authority will...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: My Department holds corporate membership of the Institute of International and European Affairs. The annual fee for 2008 was €6,000.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects and the allocation of funding thereto, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. Notwithstanding the...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Major improvements have taken place on the Kildare and Maynooth lines in recent years. Capacity on the Kildare Line has been increased by 160% in recent years. In addition platform extensions allowing for longer trains, introduction of Sunday services and the turnback facility at Newbridge have facilitated better services. The Kildare Route Upgrade Project which is currently under...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 292 together. Ireland has received a substantial level of EU aid for the transport sector over the past 20 years under a number of Operational Programmes for which my Department has responsibility. The total sum of EU aid involved (€2,820m) has been a major contributory factor to the provision of key infrastructure and economic development in Ireland...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining public transport investment priorities in the coming years. Given their potential to greatly increase capacity of the public transport network in the Greater Dublin Area, Metro North and the DART Underground are key priorities. Investment in increased bus capacity, subject to the outcome of the cost and efficiency...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: The six regional airports at Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Kerry and Waterford provide a network which complements the facilities provided by the State airports and contributes to balanced regional development. My Department's approach to the regional airports is to implement targeted safety and other investments in the regional airports and targeted subventions for regional air services....

Air Services. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together. I wish to bring to the attention of the Deputies the fact that under the applicable takeover rules there are constraints on any comments I can make about the matter at this stage. The reply is given in that context. Ireland's aviation policy, as set out in my Department's current statement of strategy, is to promote regular, safe,...

Air Services. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: As I indicated at the outset, I must be careful in what I say until such time as the Government makes a final decision on the issue. To try to be helpful to the Deputy, I repeat that it is Irish aviation policy to have maximum connectivity and competition. We have pursued a two-airline policy for many years, in the sense that we believe two airlines is the minimum number that should fly in...

Air Services. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I thank the Deputy for his contribution and his statement of Labour Party policy. I trust he will appreciate that Fianna Fáil has a party policy on the matter also but I cannot act on the basis of party policy. I have a particular role as adviser to the Government and to the shareholder, who is the Minister for Finance. I am somewhat constrained in what I can say. On aviation policy,...

Air Services. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I do not know whether I can add much. However, Aer Lingus has done well in very difficult circumstances this year and the agreement reached with the trade unions and workers will help it to do even better, into the future. I do not agree with knocking Ryanair, however. Ryanair employs a good many Irish people as well. It is a very successful Irish company, and we should bear that in mind,...

Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: Since my appointment as Minister for Transport, my practice has been to keep open lines of communication with the agencies operating under the aegis of my Department, primarily by maintaining regular and appropriate levels of contact with the chairpersons of the boards of the agencies, or their equivalents in the case of certain regulatory bodies. Communication takes place in several ways...

Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: If the Deputy spoke to some of those people, they would probably say I take too great an interest in their activities — to ensure I know what is happening. That has always been my style. It was for that reason we initiated the review of the relationship between the State bodies and the Department earlier this year. I did the same in the last Department I was in, the Department of...

Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I am accountable for what I do in this regard and for ensuring my Department keeps in close contact with the various agencies.

Departmental Agencies. (17 Dec 2008)

Noel Dempsey: I have met with all of the major agencies of the Department, at CEO, chairman or board level, since I became Minister.