Results 10,021-10,040 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan (28 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Data (28 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Communities scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme aims to support and encourage community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area. To date the scheme has supported the upgrade of more than 12,000 homes and several hundred shared...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicle Grants (28 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme was introduced in April 2011 to incentivise and support, through grants of up to €5,000, the early deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles.The number of grants paid and the total value of such grants for the purchase of battery electric vehicles...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Sector Allowances (23 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: There has been no re-introduction of any allowances in my Department to date. Should any allowances be re-introduced in the future, my Department will  consider the calculation of any such costs as part of its overall staffing budget.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (23 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through State intervention in areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (23 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 290 together. While I, as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, have overall responsibility for the postal sector, issues relating to the commercial activities of An Post, including postage costs, are an operational matter for the Board and Management of the company directly and one in which I have no function. The EU regulatory...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Radio Broadcasting (23 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is responsible for the licensing of independent radio broadcasting services in Ireland, including the licensing of community broadcasters. An objective of the Authority, provided for under the Broadcasting Act 2009, is to stimulate the provision of high quality, diverse and innovative programming by community broadcasters. Under Section 64 of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (23 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (23 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy projects. This commitment builds on the Energy White Paper published in December 2015 and recognises that solar photo voltaic (PV) also has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future. It is widely...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (22 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 266 together. Government policy is supportive of community participation in community-owned energy projects. This is reflected in the Programme for Government and the Energy White Paper. The Programme for Government commits to: - providing support for community-led projects in the initial stages of development, planning and construction;...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (22 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The closing date for all applications to the current REFIT 2 Scheme was the 31 December 2015. Under the Terms and Conditions of the REFIT 2 scheme and the REFIT clarification notice that issued in November 2015 on my Department’s website ,applicants seeking support were required to have obtained full planning permission for the project, or have provided evidence from the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Functions (22 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Public Service Management Act 1997 seeks to secure an appropriate devolution of authority and responsibility within Government Departments from Ministers to their officials. The Act provides a statutory framework for the assignment of specific functions for which the Secretary General is responsible to appropriate officers or appropriate grades of officers within Departments with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Radio Broadcasting (22 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act. As such, I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ’s day to day affairs. However, I have referred the matter to the company for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (22 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: Ensuring the participation of communities in Ireland’s future energy transition is a key commitment in the 2015 Energy White Paper and the recent Programme for Government. National energy policy sets out a framework to encourage community participation in energy policy formation, the design of enabling measures and project supports. Access to the national grid for community designated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme Funding (22 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: 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 scheme is delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Contracts (21 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The contract to operate the Emergency Call Answering Service was awarded to BT Ireland in 2009, following a public procurement process. Under the terms of the Concession contract, BT Ireland and its sub-contractor, Conduit Global, are required to comply with all statutory employment legislation. Operational issues are a matter for Conduit Global in the first instance and it...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (21 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 500 together. The Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently Chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr, was established in January and has met at least once a month. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of branches, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Obligation Levy Increase (21 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy has been in place since 2001. The PSO levy consists of a set of support schemes designed to facilitate the Government's electricity policy objectives for renewables, indigenous fuels and security of supply. It also supports employment in the renewables industry and in the peat industry. The PSO has supported the connection of over 2,000 MW of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme (21 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Warmth and Wellbeing  pilot scheme is an initiative under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The scheme is one of a number of measures outlined in the Strategy which aims to alleviate energy poverty among our most vulnerable citizens. Its objective is to better understand how we can improve health and wellbeing  by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (21 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: It is important to note that the electricity market is commercial, liberalised, and competitive and operates within national and European regulatory regimes. I have no statutory function in the setting or review of electricity prices. Price setting by all electricity suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for those companies.