Results 321-340 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Natural Resources (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In May 2013 I initiated a debate in Dáil Éireann on the Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration published in May 2012 by the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture. At the conclusion of the Dáil debate, I stated my intention to seek further independent expert advice on the “fitness-for-purpose” of Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Metropolitan Area Networks Programme (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) consist of fibre optic rings around 94 regional cities and towns designed to enhance connectivity in these areas. The MANs are playing an important part in driving competition in the regions and have facilitated operators to provide services that benefit both business and residential customers. The MANs are managed, operated and maintained on behalf of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together. The table below outlines details of fees paid for professional services as defined by the deduction of withholding tax by my Department between 1stJune 2013 and 31stMay 2014. My Department administers a very diverse, complex and extremely technical brief. It has a total complement of around 250 full time equivalent staff of whom a limited...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Training (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The table below sets out a breakdown of all third level courses, training programmes and courses provided for employees of my Department from 1 September 2013 to the end of June 2014. Third Level Fees Course Cost BSC (Hons) Computing IT & Mathematics €3,200 Doctorate in Governance €10,000 Doctorate in Governance €9,598 MSc Forensic Computing &...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Training (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In 2014 the total budget for training and development in my Department is €120,000. The table below shows the potential annual saving to the Exchequer of a 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction to training and development based on the budget for 2014. % Reduction Cost Potential Annual Saving 5% €114,000 €6,000 7% €111,600 €8,400 10%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Expenses (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2014 budget for Travel and Subsistence in my Department is €583,000. Travel and subsistence is only used for travel necessarily incurred on official business and strictly in line with relevant Department of Finance rules. The requested percentage reductions are shown in the following table. Reduction to 2014 T&S Budget % Saving to Exchequer € 1 5,830 5 29,150 7...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, the Government will be publishing its Budget and Estimates in October, based on the up-to-date economic and fiscal outlook at that time. It will set out the Estimates and all pay and non-pay measures as decided by Government for 2015 and the expenditure ceilings for the period to 2017. With regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Community radio stations in Ireland are funded from various sources, including funds derived from donations, advertising and sponsorship. Section 154 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 assigned responsibility to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to develop and administer funding scheme(s) designed to support the production and transmission of high quality programming based on Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Exploration Revenue (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The principal direct financial return to the Exchequer from the Corrib gas field will be through the 25% tax that will apply to profits from the gas field. The level of profits will depend on a combination of factors including, the volume of recoverable gas, the cost of developing and operating the infrastructure, the price of gas over the life of the field, together with the timing and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Contracts (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand the Deputy is interested in consultancies relating to the oil and gas sector. In the time available, it has not been possible to assemble the information requested. My Department is in the process of identifying and assembling the information which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Memorandum of Understanding signed with the UK Government in January 2013 undertook to examine how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the UK. Following in-depth analysis it was found that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the outstanding decisions to be taken by the UK,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Obligation Levy Application (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy has been in place since 2001 and is the overall support mechanism for electricity generation constructed for security of supply purposes (including peat fired generation), and for the development of renewable electricity to meet Ireland's target 40% of electricity demand being met from renewable sources by 2020. The levy is designed to compensate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Ireland/Northern Ireland Interreg IIIA cross border cooperation programme, the then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment provided funding to Bytel for the implementation of two cross border telecoms projects between 2004 and 2007. These were the Cross Border...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Data (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department currently employes a full time equivalent of 10 staff on fixed term contracts. These staff are employees in the Private Offices of the Minister and Minister of State.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Appointments to State Boards (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: This Government has made changes in relation to appointments to State Boards and bodies, with new arrangements widening the opportunity to participate on such Boards, involving advertisement of vacancies for applications from suitably qualified candidates and, in accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, I have since 2011 on my Department's website, invited Expressions of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: State Bodies Data (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The salary rate for CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department is as set out in the table below. Salary Rate for CEOs of Commercial State Companies Name of Company New Appointment Rate An Post €240,448 BGÉ €250,000 Bord na Móna €226,000 EirGrid €170,000 ESB €295,000 RTÉ €219,871 TG4 €139,104...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: State Bodies Data (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The information sought is being complied and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. All directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in non-commercial Semi State Companies, including reductions arising from the implementation of the Haddington Road Agreement, have been brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined below Post Salaries post Haddington Road Agreement Salaries if capped at 1st point of Principal Officer (standard) scale at appointment and following incremental progression Annual Saving Special Advisers (2) €178,682 €169,412 €9,270

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Data (9 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There are eleven Non Commercial Bodies, including Regulators, under the aegis of my Department and details of these are set out in the following table. Non Commercial State Bodies Inland Fisheries Ireland Digital Hub Development Agency Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency) National Oil Reserves Agency Irish National Petroleum Corporation Mining Board Ordnance...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Jul 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I doubt it sometimes.