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Wednesday, 23 Jan 2013

Written Answers Nos. 169-177

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (169)

Seán Kyne

Question:

169. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will, in the context of awarding State investment in cases of market failure regarding broadband provision, monitor and measure the quality and performance of the work carried out by telecommunications companies. [3464/13]

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Written answers

The provision of electronic communications services is a matter, in the first instance, for private sector service providers operating in Ireland’s fully liberalised telecommunications market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

The Government can intervene in the case of clear market failure. It has, in the past, undertaken, following EU State aid clearance, a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where operators have been unable to offer services on a commercial basis. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is an example of such an intervention.

My Department has well-established monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that the NBS delivers the minimum specified service or better to all users. Under the NBS contract, specific service level agreement (SLA) standards are in place, which define the service and support levels to be provided by the NBS service provider, “3”, to NBS subscribers. The NBS contract imposes a service credit regime on “3”, with financial consequences in the event that minimum specification service levels are not met. It also provides that where NBS customers do not receive the minimum guaranteed service as set out in the terms and conditions of their contract, they are entitled to service rebates.

With basic broadband services widely available across Ireland, the focus is now on accelerating the roll out of high speed services. The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30 Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible.

The Plan contains specific and ambitious targets, most of which are expected to be delivered by the private sector. My Department will conduct a national mapping exercise aimed at identifying precisely the areas of the country that the private sector will invest in and those rural parts that will require State intervention to ensure that our National Broadband Plan and Digital Agenda for Europe targets are fully met.

Until that process is complete, the precise areas of the country which will require State intervention will not be known. I would reiterate however, that the Government remains committed to the delivery of the speeds referred to in the Plan and to ensuring that all parts of Ireland will have at least 30 Mbps connectivity.

Any contract subsequently awarded to service provider(s) to implement the roll out of broadband in areas which require direct Government intervention will be monitored and measured in terms of performance and quality of service.

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (170)

Seán Kyne

Question:

170. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is working with, or will consider working with, the Communications Regulator and other bodies such as the national consumer agency to ensure that a transparent process exists for citizens to voice concerns and complaints in relation to broadband issues, in particular broadband introduced as part of previous State funded or supported programmes. [3465/13]

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Written answers

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) provides a complaints handling process for users of electronic communications services in accordance with its objectives set out in section 12 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. In implementing this obligation ComReg seeks to provide users with sufficient information to deal with their service providers effectively and to ensure that operators have adequate procedures in place to address customer issues.

ComReg can act on a consumer complaint provided the consumer has contacted their operator and allowed 10 working days for resolution of the issue. Broadband customers who wish to express concerns or pursue complaints regarding broadband services can contact ComReg by email at Businessconsumers@comreg.ie or call 1890 200035 for business customers or Consumerline@comreg.ie or 1890 229668 for other users.

In cases where a complaint is specific to the quality of services provided under the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which was established with assistance from State funding, consumers are referred to my Department which has a well-established monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that the scheme delivers a minimum specified service or better to all users. Under the NBS contract, specific service level agreement (SLA) standards are in place, which define the service and support levels to be provided by “3” to NBS subscribers.

Any NBS customer experiencing problems with the NBS service can contact 3’s customer care centre 24 hours a day 7 days a week by phone at 1913 (free of charge) or via email to nbssupport@three.ie . A team of field engineers has been established to address NBS specific maintenance issues at customers’ premises.

My Department has a role where customers have fully utilised the established complaints process and consider that their complaint has not been resolved. My officials operate a dedicated NBS mailbox, which NBS customers can contact by email at nationalbroadbandscheme@dcenr.gov.ie, with any comments or complaints they may have about their NBS service.

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (171)

Seán Kyne

Question:

171. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the focus of the Delivering a Connected Society: National Broadband Plan for Ireland will be placed on those rural areas, such as Connemara, which were either ineligible for inclusion in the earlier National Broadband Scheme or were included but whose citizens are experiencing inadequate, unreliable internet access at present. [3466/13]

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Written answers

The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30 Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible.

During the preparation of the National Broadband Plan, the commercial market operators indicated that they expect to provide 70 Mbps to 100 Mbps services to 50% of the population by 2015. The areas to be provided with those services will be determined by the commercial market operators.

One of the first steps in delivering on the commitments in the National Broadband Plan will be the completion of a formal national mapping exercise to determine the exact position in relation to commercial service providers’ existing and planned broadband services throughout the country. It will also identify where the market is expected to succeed and fail in the delivery of high speed broadband over the coming years.

Until that process is complete, the precise areas of the country which will require State intervention will not be known. I would reiterate however, that the Government remains committed to the delivery of the speeds referred to in the Plan and to ensuring that all parts of Ireland, including Connemara, will have at least 30 Mbps connectivity.

As regards the quality of service under the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), any NBS customer experiencing problems with the NBS service is advised to contact 3’s customer care centre 24 hours a day 7 days a week by phone at 1913 (free of charge) or via email to nbssupport@three.ie . A team of field engineers has been established to address NBS specific maintenance issues at customers’ premises.

My Department has a role where customers have fully utilised the established complaints process and consider that their complaint has not been resolved. My officials operate a dedicated NBS mailbox, which NBS customers can contact by email at nationalbroadbandscheme@dcenr.gov.ie, with any comments or complaints they may have about their NBS service. Where a customer has unresolved problems with their NBS service, they can contact my Department who will then liaise with personnel employed by 3 at its Head Office in Dublin to remedy their service performance issues.

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (172)

Seán Kyne

Question:

172. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the expenditure to date of the €175 million committed to by the State under the Delivering a Connected Society: National Broadband Plan for Ireland. [3467/13]

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Written answers

On 30 August 2012, I published the National Broadband Plan, which contains ambitious targets for high speed broadband services across Ireland. The Plan is available on my Department’s website.

One of the first steps in delivering on the commitments in the National Broadband Plan will be the completion of a formal national mapping exercise to determine the exact position in relation to commercial service providers’ existing and planned broadband services throughout the country. It will also identify where the market is expected to succeed and fail in the delivery of high speed broadband over the coming years.

Until that process is complete, the precise areas of the country which will require State intervention will not be known. No expenditure on direct broadband provision will be incurred until this exercise is completed and procurement of a service provider(s) is rolled out.

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (173)

Seán Kyne

Question:

173. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in acknowledgement of the very welcome progress made by his Department in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills, in delivering 100 mbps broadband to schools in counties including Galway, it is technologically feasible to extend the service to homes and businesses near the schools. [3468/13]

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Written answers

The infrastructure that delivers the 100 Mbps broadband connection to post-primary schools is built on a platform that utilises local access service providers, national backhaul service providers and HEAnet’s national backbone infrastructure. The service provision is on a dedicated point to point basis i.e. from the school building to the service provider’s network and onward onto HEAnet’s network. As such, the extension of the service to homes and local businesses near the school is not technologically feasible nor is it permitted under the terms of the contracts with the service providers or HEAnet.

The Government is however, committed to the provision of high speed broadband to all citizens and businesses across Ireland through a combination of public and private sector investment, which is set out in its National Broadband Plan. The plan commits to at least 30 mpbs connectivity to all parts of Ireland, including Galway.

Security of the Elderly

Questions (174)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

174. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to the seniors alert scheme in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3207/13]

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Written answers

My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages and assists the community’s support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of people over 65 years of age. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of the Department. The funding allocated to the Scheme from 2010 to 2013 is shown in the table below.

Year

Funding allocated

2010

€3.10m

2011

€2.35m

2012

€2.35m

2013

€2.35m

Pyrite Issues

Questions (175)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

175. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on proposals to address the problem of pyrite in private homes; if he has reached agreement with stakeholders on a remediation scheme; if not, when he intends to impose a statutory levy on the construction/quarrying and insurance sectors; and if he will provide a detailed timescale for action regarding same. [3252/13]

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Written answers

I have recently received Government approval for the imposition of a levy on both the quarrying and insurance sectors, as recommended by the independent Pyrite Panel, in order to provide the funding necessary for the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings. The imposition of the levies will require legislation and I am committed to having the legislation published and enacted in the shortest timeframe possible.

The Government also approved the establishment of a Resolution Board which will have full oversight of the operation of the remediation scheme to ensure that the public interest, and the particular interest of the affected homeowners, is well served. I am currently finalising the membership of the Board.

The Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Concrete Federation and HomeBond have agreed to establish an entity for the purposes of operating the remediation scheme in respect of those homes affected by pyrite and where the homeowner has no other form of redress. A number of financial institutions have agreed in principle to make initial funding available to facilitate the early commencement of pyrite remediation work and it is intended that the entity will engage with those institutions in relation to this loan facility.

I am not in a position at this stage to set out timescales but want to assure affected homeowners that there will be no undue delay on my part or that of my Department in putting the necessary structures in place for a remediation scheme.

Waste Disposal

Questions (176)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

176. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures in place to protect refuse customers from irregular pricing and the lack of detailed statements of weighs and costs from private waste operators who took over from local authority waste services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3280/13]

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Written answers

Matters relating to the transfer of waste collection services by local authorities to private operators are matters in the first instance for the local authorities concerned.

My Department’s role is to provide a comprehensive legislative and waste policy framework through which the relevant regulatory bodies, such as local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency, operate. In this regard, I published A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland in July 2012, setting out a range of measures which will significantly revise the current regulatory regime to ensure, inter alia , that waste collection providers have Customer Charters in place.  Customer Charters will be required clearly to set out information for customers in relation to issues such as charging structures, procedures for dealing with customers who may fall into arrears and arrangements for switching from one waste collector to another.  Following the publication of the new waste policy, I  wrote to the waste management industry in September and October, 2012 in relation to the development of such charters and I understand that a number of waste collection providers have already put in place a Customer Charter ahead of the development of the new regulatory regime.

It is my intention that the improved regulatory regime will deliver both enhanced environmental performance and ensure a quality service for consumers.

Water and Sewerage Scheme Grants

Questions (177, 179, 181)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

177. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that will apply to contractors to carry out remedial works on septic tanks to avail of grant aid; if it is envisaged that a registration process for contractors will be established; if any particular qualifications and skills will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3284/13]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the advice he will give to a person living in a house that was built around 50 years ago in a rural area on a very small site that is too small for a septic tank and is surrounded on four sides by roads, neighbouring houses and has hitherto had a sewerage disposal system consisting of a drain going under the road into another drain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3288/13]

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Thomas Pringle

Question:

181. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he has failed to fulfil the commitments made to the European Court in the judgement of 19 December 2012, C-374/11, specifically those referred to in paragraphs 34 and 41 of that judgement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3381/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 179 and 181 together.

In relation to the criteria that will apply for the grant scheme for remediation of septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems, and in relation to the position regarding the European Court of Justice ruling of 19 December, I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 438, 448 and 449 of 22 January 2013.

Where a domestic waste water treatment system is found to be a risk to human health or the environment and remediation works are required, the selection of a contractor to carry out the works required will be a matter for the householder concerned. Due the wide variety of remediation works which could arise, and the number of trades and professions which could be involved, I have no plans to establish a registration system for contractors involved in remediation works.

I have stated on numerous occasions that where remediation works arise as a result of an inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012, those works will be the most appropriate and cost-effective, based on the nature of the problem, the site size and the extent of the risk to human health or the environment. There is no question of any person being required to acquire additional land. However, homeowners should be aware that section 3 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 provides that a person must not cause or permit any polluting matter to enter waters. Consequently, it is an offence to pipe untreated domestic wastewater directly into a drain or ditch.

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