Results 621-640 of 5,765 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy's correspondent has been misinformed. The company referred to in the Question is not in receipt of State grants or funding in relation to the rollout of broadband services. Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Implementation (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. The Directive also requires that all biofuels used to meet the 10% target must comply with certain sustainability criteria. That is, they must not be made from feedstocks sourced from certain categories of land, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in the Irish market can be found on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 446 of 15 January 2014. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme under the Better Energy Programme. I have no function in relation to individual grant applications. Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for SEAI and a dedicated hotline can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, SEAI has established a specific email...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Semi-State Bodies Mergers (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 19 June 2013, a Government Decision provided for a robust analysis to be carried out to evaluate how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte with Bord na Móna to create a streamlined and refocused commercial State company operating in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, as committed to in the Programme for Government. A Steering Group, comprising representatives from my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. The booking of photographers is managed by my Press Office in each case. Photography Costs – Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources March 2011 – Jan 2014 Company Event Date Event Cost Maxwell Photography 13/06/2011 Government convenes Next Generational Broadband Taskforce 340.92...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Relations Contracts Data (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significane and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Expenditure (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department contributed €75,000 per annum for the years 2010-2013 inclusive to co-fund research work undertaken by the ESRI within the Programme of Research in Communications (PRC). The research, which was agreed annually in advance with my Department, was conducted independently by the ESRI and is accessible on its website . The following table 1 lists the research projects...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Government, on completion of a wide ranging review of State Bodies, published its decision on the rationalisation of such Bodies in November 2012. In relation to my Department, the current position on the Bodies which fall under this review is as follows: Body Current Position on Rationalisation Ordnance Survey Ireland The OSI will be merged with the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in the Irish market can be found on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The funding of registered charities is not a direct function of my Department. However there are a number of bodies that engage in research or support social and community initiatives in areas such as e-inclusion which have qualified for charitable tax exemption under Section 207, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 and such organisations have provided services or carried out research work for my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I announced in December last that a preferred bidder has been selected in the sale process for Bord Gáis Energy. The proceeds from this sale, when they become available, will be available to Government to support stimulus measures in the short term, with 50% intended to be used, in the longer term, to retire debt. The Infrastructure Stimulus Plan includes an Exchequer element to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In January 2013 the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Edward Davey MP, and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation. That Memorandum sent a strong signal of our shared interest in developing the opportunity to export green electricity from Ireland to Britain. A programme of work is underway to establish if it is mutually beneficial for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware that there are a number of renewable energy projects which are proposed for the Cork Harbour area and I understand that four wind energy developments have received planning permission. I also understand that a pre-planning application has been made to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the development of a waste-to-energy facility in the area. Under the Renewable Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure of July 2012, the imperative for the State Companies, and all developers of energy projects, of early, transparent engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholder was emphasised. I am aware that EirGrid is committed to public consultation and that they have been...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Data (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department does not use agency staff for the purposes outlined in the Question. The telephony/switchboard service in my Department is currently under contract with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI). I understand that NCBI provides services to other public bodies in this regard. The contract provides valuable employment for two people with a registered disability as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Community Radio Stations Funding (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos 446 to 448, inclusive and 464 together. Community radio stations in Ireland are funded from various sources, including funds derived from donations, advertising and sponsorship. Additionally, the non-profit community radio stations receive a significant amount of publicly funded support from the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, one of the specified aims of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System Establishment (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 449, 450 and 463 together. On 8 October 2013, the Government approved, subject to contract, the appointment of Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited as the company which will develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System following the conclusion of the public procurement process. This company will operate the postcode under licence...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: European Court of Justice Rulings (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that the judgment in the case to which the Deputy refers relates to the application of EU State Aid rules to wind power generation projects in France. All renewable electricity support schemes in Ireland have received State Aid clearance from the EU. Consequently, the judgement in the French case has no implications for wind energy pricing in Ireland.