Results 4,761-4,780 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Energy Regulation (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the new protocol I announced a couple of months ago, where a customer in genuine financial hardship has entered into a prepayment plan or installed a prepay meter, his or her service will not be disconnected. The important dimension is that disconnections will not take place in cases where people exercise their right to request a prepay meter or be party to a payment plan.

Irish Language (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: A key objective in the naming of public bodies is to convey clearly to the widest possible number of people a sense of the purpose and role of such a body. As most such bodies are established by statute, the name in both Irish and English is set out in the relevant statute. While responsibility for policy on the Irish language is a matter for my colleague, an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus...

Irish Language (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Did I say that?

Irish Language (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not believe I said that. I am becoming forgetful but not to the extent that I do not recall what I said a moment ago.

Irish Language (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am not aware of any change in policy in this regard and none has been communicated to me. Bodies under my remit, for example, Bord na Móna, and that of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Coveney, for example, Coillte, are branded and trade under the names they have been given. That will continue to be the case. It was Deputy Ó Cuív's Government which changed the name of...

Irish Language (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: If there is any policy by the Government to change practice and refer to the bodies in question in the English language only-----

Irish Language (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: -----I am not aware of it. Such a policy is not intended. It is not exactly the daily meat of the Government to think about what we will call any bodies that are set up. We are trying to close down some bodies and merge and amalgamate others. It is not immediately on the agenda to have an bord nua in whatever area. If, however, there are good reasons to establish a new State agency or...

Constitutional Amendments (29 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Is Deputy Higgins not interested in running on the next occasion?

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Application Phase of the Rural Broadband Scheme closed on 29 July 2011. Approximately 5,000 applications have been received although not all of those applications will be eligible under the terms of the scheme. The Department has almost completed the processing of applications, which involved clarification of address details. This process will enable the Department to finalise eligible...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (24 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill was enacted on the 2nd August 2011. The Broadcasting provisions of this Act give legal effect to the distribution of some of the net licence fee monies to TG4, giving effect to a decision taken in Budget 2011. This figure has been determined to be €9.245m for 2011. The remainder of TG4's €32.75m current funding for 2011 is direct...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (24 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In launching Better Energy: the National Upgrade Programme, last May in the context of the Government's Jobs Initiative, I also announced the rationalisation of the existing domestic energy efficiency schemes under one Programme. Better Energy: Homes has subsumed the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES), the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS). Measures being supported...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The matter of severance packages to retired and retiring Chief Executives of State and semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies in accordance with Department of Finance (Public Expenditure and Reform) guidelines. I am arranging for the Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide relevant details to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households which are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations, augmented by a panel of private contractors. The measures installed include attic and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, hot...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on behalf of my Department. The scheme provides grant assistance to homeowners for energy efficiency retrofitting measures, including attic and wall insulation, high-efficiency boilers, heating controls and Building Energy Rating assessments. Over 100,000 homeowners have availed of the scheme since...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I indicated recently that I had requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves. The EPA is currently funding preliminary background research in the form of a study being carried out by Aberdeen University. The EPA had consulted with my...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Regulations are made annually following statutory public consultation, for the management of the wild salmon and sea trout fishery, based on the scientific and management advice provided by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). IFI in turn relies on input from its own staff and a variety of academic and scientific institutions and State agencies including the Marine Institute, the Environmental...

Written Answers — Television Reception: Television Reception (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the British and Irish Governments on 1 February 2010. The Memorandum deals with broadcast services and related radio spectrum issues in the context of the provision of digital terrestrial services on the island of Ireland. The MoU also provides for cooperation between the authorities in both jurisdictions on this issue. One of the main aims...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Application Phase of the RBS closed on 29 July 2011. Approximately 5,000 applications have been received although not all of those applications will be eligible under the terms of the scheme. The Department has almost completed the processing of applications, which involved clarification of address details. This process will enable the Department to finalise eligible application...

Written Answers — Information Technology: Information Technology (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are no computer servers leased by my Department. The computer servers leased by the bodies under the aegis of my Department are day to day matters for those bodies.

Written Answers — Information Technology: Information Technology (22 Nov 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department currently owns 69 computer servers. Each new server purchased comes with a 3-year warranty and the maintenance period is not extended beyond this time. My Department, earlier this year as part of the Croke Park Agreement, has implemented an ICT Shared Service agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Under the agreement that Department will be...