Results 5,021-5,040 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Does Deputy McGrath want the county enterprise board to do the job?

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 393 together. I can inform the Deputy that there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place that would apply in the case of any major onshore gas extraction project. The development of such a project would require a number of statutory consents including a planning consent from An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Strategic...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The licensing of radio microphones is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I understand that channel 69 (854 – 862 MHz) is one of the channels available for radio microphone use in Ireland. At the International Telecommunication Union World Radio-communication Conference in 2007 it was agreed that channels 61 to 69 would be made available for mobile...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The energy poverty strand of Better Energy aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to low-income homes unable to afford the cost of implementing such measures. '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...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. The energy poverty strand of Better Energy aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to low-income homes unable to afford the cost of implementing such measures. The SEAI has advised my Department that an appointed contractor has recently been assigned to this...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 396 together. The number and amount of retirement lump sums paid to ex staff of my Department varies considerably from year to year. During the period 1st June 2010 to 1st June 2011, 35 retirement lump sums were awarded. Of those, only 3 were for amounts above €75,000. The amount that would have been collected had they been taxed as outlined in...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is providing the data on numbers of retired civil servants in the ranges of pension, as sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The matters referred to by the Deputy are day to day operational matters for the Board and management of Bord Gáis Éireann and I have no function in the matter.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 409 together. Issues relating to television coverage is specific areas of the country are an operational matter for RTÉ. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for RTÉ to rollout a digital TV network to the same extent as the analogue TV network. RTÉ has informed my Department that the current analogue TV network covers 98% of the population and that...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is in the process of identifying and assembling the information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Jobs Initiative: Jobs Initiative (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I announced the launch of Better Energy: the National Upgrade Programme, last May in the context of the Government's Jobs Initiative. Better Energy: Homes has replaced the previous energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes: the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES), the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS). Better Energy: Workplaces is providing financial...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The total salary cost, including overtime and employer's PRSI, of all staff allocated to assist me with constituency work in the 100 days following my appointment was €52,476.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There is no capital grant scheme for the construction or maintenance of wind turbines. REFIT – the renewable energy feed in tariff – is the scheme which supports new renewable generation from wind. The second phase of the REFIT scheme is currently awaiting State Aid clearance. The tariff provides a guaranteed floor price over 15 years for new renewable generators for metered electricity...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 494 from him of the 14th September 2011. The position has not altered in the meantime.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland has been set a legally binding target for renewable energy as a proportion of all energy consumption that must be achieved by 2020. Ireland's 16% overall target as prescribed in the Renewable Energy Directive will be achieved through 40% consumption of renewables in the electricity sector, 10% in the transport sector and 12% in the heat sector. These targets will be extremely...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 407, inclusive, together. The Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) is one of seven flagship initiatives under the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The DAE focuses on the 21st century technologies and online services that will enable Europe to boost job creation, promote economic prosperity and improve the daily lives of...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) wind atlas published in 2003 provides wind data on a county by county basis for wind turbine hub heights of 50, 75 and 100m. It was primarily intended as an information tool for local authorities in identifying areas suitable for renewable energy development within County Development Plans. Local authorities have subsequently utilised the...

Written Answers — Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The implementation of summertime and wintertime hours each year by putting clocks forward and backward by one hour is one of many factors which influence patterns of energy usage. I do not, however, have an estimate as to the energy savings/cost impact of this practice. The issue of changing the clocks twice each year is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The planning, development and routing of transmission line infrastructure is a matter for EirGrid, which is the State owned body responsible for the operation of the electricity transmission system. I have no statutory function regarding the planning and construction of energy networks. The Government fully endorses the strategic national importance of investing in Ireland's electricity...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Connections to the electricity grid are a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation in the first instance and I have no direct role in the process. It is estimated that 4630MW of renewable generation would be required, depending on economic growth assumptions and demand projections, to ensure 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020 and to meet Ireland's legally...