Written Answers Nos. 102-106
102. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action that will be taken to improve Internet access in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48392/13]
View answerIreland’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. Commercial decisions by individual private operators in relation to its infrastructure are a matter for the company concerned. Any regulatory issues surrounding the provision of services are the responsibility of ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. Details of broadband services available in each County, including County Kerry, can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie. The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses, including those in County Kerry. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. ComReg has put in place a new regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and for service bundles, both of which are designed to incentivise the roll-out of services by service providers. ComReg’s multiband spectrum auction, completed in 2012, is also enabling the roll-out of advanced mobile broadband services.
The State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market fails to deliver such services. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector to identify where the market is expected to deliver high speed broadband services over the coming years. The results of this mapping exercise will inform the precise areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014. Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
103. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applicants in County Meath that have received funding under the better energy warmer homes scheme and the better energy homes scheme; the total amount of State funding that has been paid out to applicants in County Meath under each of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48469/13]
View answerThe Better Energy Homes and the Better Energy Warmer Homes Schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners towards a range of energy efficiency home improvements. Since the introduction of the Better Energy Homes Scheme in 2009, 4,083 homes in Co. Meath have received grants amounting to €3.95M. The following table provides an annual breakdown of grant support:
|
- |
Year |
Homes |
Spend |
|
Meath |
2009 |
529 |
€476,135.86 |
|
Meath |
2010 |
1226 |
€1,134,225.39 |
|
Meath |
2011 |
1216 |
€1,283,818.03 |
|
Meath |
2012 |
678 |
€654,323.22 |
|
Meath |
2013 |
434 |
€402,840.00 |
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. Recipients of the scheme do not receive grants but have measures installed free of charge. Since 2009, 2,474 homes in Co. Meath have received energy efficiency upgrades under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.
104. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the rate of progress regarding the upgrade of the Clonakilty sewerage scheme following his Department's allocation of €5.5 million 12 months ago; when these works are scheduled to begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48391/13]
View answerThe Clonakilty Sewerage Scheme (Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade) Contract is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a contract to start during the life of the Programme and I have approved funding to allow work to commence. I understand that Cork County Council awarded the Design Build Contract for the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant on 13 May 2013. A large element of the initial work comprised of detailed design by the Contractor. Cork County Council expects that work will commence on site this week.
105. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of persons who received benefits under the seniors alert scheme between 2010 to date in 2013; the total amount of expenditure allocated to this scheme for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48413/13]
View answerThe Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. The following table outlines the allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme and the overall number of beneficiaries from 2010 to date:
|
Year |
Allocation |
Beneficiaries |
|
2010 |
€3.10m |
6 , 306 |
|
2011 |
€2. 35 m |
7,910 |
|
2012 |
€2. 35 m |
9,142 |
|
2013 (to date) |
€ 2.35 m |
8,439 |
106. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who are accumulating penalties as a result of not paying the non-principal private residence charge; and the amount outstanding. [48418/13]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The self-assessed charge is set at €200 per annum and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect Non-Principal Private Residence Charges, and late payment fees due to it and all Charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned.
Approximately 357,000 properties have been registered for the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge, which has raised in excess of €390m over its five years of operation. It is not possible to state with any certainty the level of non-compliance with the Charge, and therefore an estimate of the amount outstanding would not be sound. However, I am confident that compliance levels are high, given the amount raised by the Charge to date. This year will be the final year of the operation of the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge. Since its introduction in 2009, the Charge has been an important source of revenue for local authorities and has funded the provision of vital local services.
