Written Answers Nos. 123-131
123. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of coursing meetings that were monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the 2013-14 season; if he will release the monitoring reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14490/14]
View answerLicences were issued by my Department to the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) on behalf of their affiliated clubs under the Wildlife Acts to facilitate the tagging and capturing of hares for the purpose of hare coursing for the 2013/14 coursing season. Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department attend coursing meetings, as resources allow, to monitor compliance with the conditions of the licences. I am not in position at this stage to provide a final figure for the number of coursing meetings monitored by my Department during the 2013/14 coursing season as the season finished at the end of last month and not all monitoring reports by regional staff of the NPWS have been finalised yet. Following an examination of these reports they will be released as soon as possible subject to any requirements arising from possible investigations which may be required on foot of the reports.
124. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the catering facilities at Glenveagh National Park have been outsourced; if this contract was put out to tender; if so, the number of applications that were received; to whom the contract was awarded; if there was any consultancy sought in relation to the outsourcing of the catering facilities; if so, from whom; the amount paid for the consultancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14620/14]
View answerThe current franchise for the award-winning catering facilities at Glenveagh National Park was the subject of an open competitive tender process. Two tenders were received in that process and the contract was awarded to M.H. Consultancy in 2010. I understand that M. H. Consultancy did provide consultancy services previously at Glenveagh. I have asked my officials to collate all relevant information in relation to the Deputy's question and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
125. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure the future prosperity and sustainability of the post office network; the reason a post office (details supplied) in County Cork recently closed; the alternative arrangements that have been put in place for pensioners and other claimants who used the now closed post office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14459/14]
View answerIn relation to the question of the future of the post office network, I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 1 on 11 March 2014. The position is unchanged. The issue of post office closures is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I have asked An Post to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed survey showing exactly the type of broadband coverage available in County Kerry; the type of mobile coverage; the type of landline coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14469/14]
View answerSince market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has 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 each County including County Kerry can be found on a number of websites, including the websites of individual commercial operators.
The provision of universal access to phone services is limited to the provision of such services at fixed locations using fixed line or equivalent technologies. All citizens are entitled to reasonable access to basic telephone services at fixed locations in accordance with provisions contained in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and User’s Rights) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 337/2011). Any failure by the universal service provider, currently eircom, to meet reasonable requests for fixed line phone services should be notified to the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent market regulator.
The provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Subject to any statutory consent requirements including planning consent requirements, the design of each mobile network is a matter entirely for them. I can advise, however, that mobile operators are investing significantly in the Irish market. Following ComReg's succesful multiband spectrum auction, three operators have launched 4G services in Ireland and at least one has announced a major upgrade to its 3G network. During the preparation of the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce report, which concluded its deliberations in 2012, service providers noted the importance of planning and consent processes in facilitating the rollout of infrastructure to support the provision of telecommunications services.
The Government's National Broadband Plan which I subsequently published, commits to addressing barriers to deployment in order to maximise investment by the commercial sector and assist in enhancing the quality of services. Local Authorities have an important role to play in this regard.
The National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. 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.
In tandem with these developments, intensive work, including a comprehensive mapping exercise, continues in my Department in relation to the State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. 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.
Under the national mapping exercise, information has been sought from all undertakings authorised by ComReg in relation to current and planned broadband services, both basic and next generation access (NGA). Mapping data has been submitted to my Department by a total of 23 operators and the process of analysing the data and supporting information is continuing. The mapping data is being assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the EU State Aid Guidelines. When all of the information has been analysed, a clear picture should emerge of coverage throughout all of the country. I expect that this process will be completed later this year, after which it is my intention to publish a map showing existing and planned NGA broadband coverage, along with the Government's proposals for a State-led intervention to roll out high speed broadband across the country, this map will outline exactly the type of broadband is available in County Kerry.
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 later 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.
127. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to roll out dark fibre aurora broadband in the gateway city of the south east region in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14531/14]
View answerAurora Telecom is a division of Bord Gáis Networks. It is a carrier-neutral operator specialising in Dark Fibre services for both telecommunications carriers and large corporate organisations. It operates a website at www.auroratelecom.ie which contains details of its fibre network. Aurora Telecom is a division of a commercial semi-state body and I have no function in its investment or day to day business decisions.
128. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a draft net licence will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14542/14]
View answerThe annual allocation of public licences for commercial draft nets is governed by the relevant Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, in this case Statutory Instrument No. 132 of 2014. This Order also sets out the closing date for receipt of applications for public licences for commercial draft nets as 5pm on 28 March 2014. Any person over the age of 18 is entitled to apply for a public draft net licence unless they have previously availed of the Salmon Hardship Scheme.
The consideration of licence applications is administered by IFI in line with the criteria set out in the above order. I am advised by IFI that decisions, in that regard, will be made.
129. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make a small capital fund available to support inland waterways search and rescue groups in a similar manner to the mountain rescue fund available within the Department of Transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/14]
View answerI am advised that the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), has delegated responsibility to provide search and rescue (SAR) and preventative services for the Ireland internationally assigned search and rescue region, the littoral area, rivers, lakes, waterways, mountains, caves and offshore islands. The provision of support for inland waterways SAR in a similar manner to supports for mountain rescue is within the remit of the IRCG and is, therefore, a matter for the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), which comes uinder the remit of my Department, while necessarily focusing on its core statutory functions of fisheries protection and control, also seeks to support and assist in emergency situations. IFI regularly mobilises boats, equipment and personnel to participate in emergency operations and offers its knowledge of, and expertise in, inland waterways operations where they can be of assistance to the relevant authorities. I believe this is an effective use of state resources at IFI's disposal.
I have asked my Department to copy the Deputy's question and my reply to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
130. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve broadband penetration and speeds across the State; if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the national broadband scheme; if he will provide in tabular form the number of residences and-or persons who do not have broadband connections available should they wish to access such service; if he will provide a county breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14573/14]
View answerSince market liberalisation in 1999, broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is primarily a matter for the service providers concerned who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has 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 each County can be found on a number of commercial websites as well as the websites of individual commercial operators. 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. 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 and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. In the fixed line segment of the market, eircom has announced plans to pass 1.4m addresses with its next generation broadband service, with speeds of up to 100Mbps, while UPC has increased its entry level and maximum speeds to 120Mbps and 200Mbps respectively. Mobile operators have also made announcements regarding network upgrades and are rolling out enhanced product offerings. In addition, the recent enactment of legislation to facilitate the ESB's entry into the telecommunications market, either alone or in partnership with another operator, will also help the roll-out of high speed broadband as well as facilitating greater competition in the Irish market.
Many of these developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan, including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction, and the regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and service bundles. Both of these measures are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by operators.
In tandem with these developments, intensive work, including a comprehensive mapping exercise, continues in my Department in relation to the State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. 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.
Under the national mapping exercise, information has been sought from all undertakings authorised by ComReg in relation to current and planned broadband services, both basic and next generation access (NGA). Mapping data has been submitted to my Department by a total of 23 operators and the process of analysing the data and supporting information is continuing. The mapping data is being assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the EU State Aid Guidelines. When all of the information has been analysed, a clear picture should emerge of coverage throughout all of the country. I expect that this process will be completed later this year, after which it is my intention to publish a map showing existing and planned NGA broadband coverage, along with the Government’s proposals for a State-led intervention to roll out high speed broadband across the country. 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 later 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.
131. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of 13 March 2014, the number of persons in County Donegal who are on the waiting list for the better energy warmer homes scheme; if he will provide a breakdown of the total amount of money allocated to the scheme nationally for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14619/14]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty and who live in privately owned dwellings. The upgrades are delivered free of charge to the customer. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. Delivery of the scheme is subject to an on-site survey to assess the homes for technical and safety purposes before any works are carried out. SEAI advise that out of the 4,672 homes on the national waiting list as of 25 March 2014, the number of homes awaiting delivery of the scheme in Donegal is 408. Total funding allocated to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme over the past 5 years is as follows:
|
Year |
Expenditure (€ million) |
|
2009 |
€12 |
|
2010 |
€30 |
|
2011 |
€21 |
|
2012 |
€21 |
|
2013 |
€18 |
