Results 3,841-3,860 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Information and Communications Technology: Information and Communications Technology (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on the Commission for Communications Regulation's (ComReg) website at...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland has a 2020 target for the share of renewable energy in all of energy consumption across the electricity, heat and transport sectors. This is 16% as set out in the Renewable Energy Directive. Our intention is to meet this through around 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heat which together total 16% overall. Ireland has been increasing the number of...

Written Answers — Information and Communications Technology: Information and Communications Technology (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: At the beginning of May I launched the report of the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT) containing proposals to assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government to have widespread customer access to high-speed broadband available across Ireland. The Taskforce, which I chaired, comprised the CEOs of all the major telecommunications companies operating in the...

Written Answers — Warmer Homes Scheme: Warmer Homes Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme. Exchequer funding of €76.146 million has been allocated to the Better Energy Programme in 2012, which is projected to deliver 524GWh in energy savings. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides financial assistance to householders who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed...

Written Answers — Warmer Homes Scheme: Warmer Homes Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), and provides financial assistance to householders who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. All works carried out under the scheme must be done by installers registered with the SEAI on the basis of a number of prescribed requirements including: - Vouched tax compliance -...

Written Answers — National Gas Grid: National Gas Grid (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory, independent body, charged with the assessment and licensing of prospective operators seeking to develop and operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network. The CER, in 2006, approved a network connections policy which enabled...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: While no agencies have been abolished or merged by my Department in 2011 or to date in 2012, my Department oversaw the creation of Inland Fisheries Ireland in 2010, a single body which replaced the functions of 8 Fisheries Boards, 8 Fisheries cooperatives and the National Salmon Commission. The current allocation in 2010 to the various Boards and Cooperatives was €25.3m while the current...

Written Answers — Warmer Homes Scheme: Warmer Homes Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 424 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Nos. 505, 506 and 507 from him on 6 June 2012. There has been no change in the matter since then. As noted at that time the Better Energy Homes programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and provides grants to homeowners who wish to improve the energy...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 as amended. In accordance with its statutory functions, ComReg consulted extensively on its proposals for the release of spectrum rights of use in 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands. ComReg received considerable interest...

Written Answers — Job Initiatives: Job Initiatives (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The €30 million allocated to my Department under the Jobs Initiative was disbursed via the Better Energy Programme of energy efficiency grant measures, bringing the total 2011 allocation to over €90m. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimated that the additional €30m supported the creation and retention of an extra 2,000 jobs for the duration of 2011 on top of 3,800...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (14 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) a statutorily independent body and I do not have a function. However, I understand from the CER that ESB Networks Customer Charter provides for the requirements of customers with special medical needs (e.g. customers relying on electrically powered life support equipment), and vulnerable customers. On...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: All post-primary schools will have a 100Mbps broadband connection installed by the end of 2014 in a project jointly funded by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and the Department of Education and Skills (DES). The selection of schools for connection during 2012 was guided by the view that a geographical rollout will provide the project with the most...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on the Commission for Communications Regulation's (ComReg) website at...

Written Answers — Warmer Homes Scheme: Warmer Homes Scheme (14 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and private contractors. To date the scheme has completed energy efficiency measures in over...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (13 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no function in relation to Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 68 of 2003 which was brought into force by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Regulation 6 of that SI provides for consultation with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Section 15 of the Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am advised by independent expert consultants engaged by my Department to monitor compliance with the conditions of the Corrib consents under the Gas and Petroleum Acts, that pipelines are normally designed taking account of the largest loads they are likely to experience during their life including, transport, loading, installation and operation. Operational loads include those due to the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The SAORSAT satellite service has been developed by RTÉ on its own initiative and is not a requirement under the Broadcasting Act 2009. As such, I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. That said, I have made enquiries and can now provide the following information. SAORSAT has been developed by RTÉ to cater for persons who cannot access SAORVIEW. As a result, Irish free-to-air...

Written Answers — National Gas Grid: National Gas Grid (13 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 123 raised by him on 24 May 2012. The House will also be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions that the decision on the regulatory treatment of the gas interconnectors is statutorily a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and I have no function in the matter. Most recently, the CER decision has been delayed...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (13 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I received a copy of the Grant Thornton report when I met with the Irish Postmasters' Union (IPU) recently. I welcome the IPU's ambition to identify opportunities for more business to be delivered through the Post Office network. An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence in the country. I have impressed on the Company the need to further exploit its unique position in...

Written Answers — Public Service Remuneration: Public Service Remuneration (13 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that no bonuses have been paid in respect of 2011 to CEOs in semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department. All directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in semi-State companies are brought to the attention of the relevant State companies. The payment of performance bonuses to senior management below the level of Chief...