Results 721-740 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, and the pricing thereof, is a matter, in the first instance, for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in cases of clear market failure, as was the case...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is a Government initiative which aims to deliver high speed broadband to every citizen and business in Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of accelerated commercial investment by telecoms operators, and a proposed State intervention to provide high speed broadband to those parts of the country where the commercial sector will not invest....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: Neither my Department nor the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland operate any programmes specifically targeted at improving the energy performance of older local authority housing stock. A scheme known as Better Energy Communities, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department does, however, support partnerships to improve the thermal and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The information sought by the Deputy regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, which meet the defined eligibility criteria. The homes of the scheme beneficiaries are retrofitted free of charge, thus making those homes more...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has statutory responsibility in this area and I have no function in this matter. Under Section 43 (1)(c)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority must prepare and, from time to time, revise rules with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment by those who are deaf or have a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Codes (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The most comprehensive address database available in the country is the postal address database, which is owned by GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland. The Eircode database is derived from this source and the addresses contained in the database are postal addresses used by An Post as opposed to geographical addresses. The postal address is used to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: Total spend to date on the Postcodes project amounts to €17.54m (including VAT). This is broken down between payments of €15.34m (including VAT) to Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited to develop and roll out the National Postcode System. In addition, programme expenditure on the project has amounted to €2.2m (including VAT) since 2006.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Codes (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: Eircode, the National Postcode System for Ireland was officially launched on 13 July 2015 together with the new online ‘Eircode finder tool’ that helps citizens and business to fully utilise the new postcode system.. During the three weeks following the launch, the 2.2 million residential and business address in Ireland received a letter in the post informing them of the new...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: Since 2009 the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has operated the Better Energy scheme on behalf of my Department. Collectively, the scheme has provided over €400 million in grant support towards energy efficiency upgrades in almost 300,000 homes, supporting around 2,300 jobs per annum in the construction sector. Contractors who wish to participate in the scheme are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has operated the Better Energy schemes on behalf of my Department since 2009. Collectively the schemes have provided over €400 million support towards energy upgrades in almost 300,000 homes, supporting around 2,300 jobs per annum in the construction sector. Following an extensive tendering process in accordance with EU and Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bord Gáis Privatisation (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The sale of Bord Gáis Energy was completed on 7 July 2013 and the share purchase agreement for the sale is €1.1 billion including a small element of contingent consideration. On 7 July 2014, a special dividend of €150m was received from Ervia representing the first instalment of proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy. Ervia notified my Department on 18 September...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: Programming obligations are imposed on broadcasters in the Broadcasting Act 2009, which also sets out the objects of the national public service broadcasters. In pursuit of these objects RTÉ and TG4 are charged, inter-alia, with ensuring that programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of Ireland and “have special regard for the elements which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Production (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: My Department is in regular contact with Phillips 66, the company operating the refinery at Whitegate and I have met with Irish and US executives of Phillips 66 as well as with union representatives. I visited the refinery in November 2014. Officials from my Department have met with union representatives in the last week. In addition Whitegate management have attended most of the public...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: Matters relating to philatelic exhibitions are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. However, I have referred the matter to the company for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: I refer to the reply to Question No. 93 on today's Order Paper.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1562 to 1565, inclusive, and 1575 together. The provision of mobile telephony services is subject to a requirement to secure access to the required radio spectrum by way of licence. The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. Licences...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. Ireland has made good progress with regard to renewable energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1568 and 1574 together. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and, in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. Ireland has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Alex White: I refer to the reply to Question No. 87 on today's Order Paper.