Written Answers Nos. 109-114
109. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the broadband roll out for rural areas of Navan, County Meath, where persons have been informed it may take ten years to reach their area, some of whom are forced to travel considerable distances to gain Internet access at libraries around their county, some of whom are unable to avail of this service at all. [16830/14]
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 Meath can be found on a number of websites, including 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.
I am aware of at least one service provider announcing that it will be providing advanced broadband services in a total of 36 locations in County Meath, including Navan, before July 2016 and my Department will be happy to discuss these further with the Deputy.
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 this State-led investment, 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.
110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a detailed study has been conducted into the viability of biomass in view of recent advancements in technology and practice in the area; if his Department has considered utilising fallow motorway setbacks to this end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16857/14]
View answerMy Department is currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy which will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that energy from biomass can make to achieving Ireland's 2020 renewable energy targets. Analysis underpinning the strategy suggests that targeted measures to incentivise the use of biomass for energy can have a significant impact particularly in the heat sector and recommendations will shortly be brought forward in this regard. The maintenance of the motorway network, including planting on roadside verges, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, which falls under the remit of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I have no plans to use motorway setbacks for bioenergy related initiatives.
111. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 1 April 2014, in view of the real and potential impact on communications and energy distribution for large parts of the country as a result of inadequate infrastructure, something which is not an operational day to day issue, if he will ask his Department to consider the necessity of introducing guidelines for a new standard of infrastructure based around concrete that would be more durable during severe weather events. [16874/14]
View answerCommunications and electricity distribution networks worldwide, like many buildings and other structures, are occasionally damaged during storms, e.g. when trees fall across the lines. Occasional storm damage does not suggest that the infrastructure provided by our State companies is inadequate. The network investment programmes pursued by EirGrid, ESB Networks and Bord Gáis Éireann over recent years have delivered highly durable and robust energy networks which have, for the most part, withstood the test of severe weather episodes and record peak demands. The electricity transmission network, which is supported using steel masts and double wood poles, has withstood all of the recent severe weather and has not suffered faults leading to power outages. The type of supporting structure for the communications and electricity networks is a day to day operational matter for the companies concerned. The State companies are obliged to adhere to all relevant guidelines and standards in this area, follow best practice and ensure value for money. It is expected that the companies will continue to undertake well informed objective and authoritative analysis in arriving at optimal technology choice, design and costings.
112. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure that all residents of the State can access the Saorview system; if the concept of universal free to air television forms part of his policy platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17001/14]
View answerIn accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and I am advised by RTÉ that this level of coverage is being provided by the SAORVIEW TV network. For the remaining 2% of the population, RTÉ launched SAORSAT in March 2012. The development and provision of SAORSAT, which is a “free to air” satellite system providing access to the RTÉ channels and TG4, was undertaken by RTÉ on its own initiative and, as in the case of the SAORVIEW DTT network, is not a matter in which I have a function. Ireland is not the only country to have introduced a national TV network on both a terrestrial and satellite platform. Many countries, including the UK, have developed their digital networks on both the traditional terrestrial platform and also over satellite. The reason for this is simple. It is technically and financially impossible to provide 100% coverage using a terrestrial TV platform. However, through SAORVIEW and SAORSAT, Ireland now has 100% “free to air” coverage of the RTÉ channels and TG4 for the first time in the history of the State which reflects my Department's policy position of ensuring the provision of audiovisual content that serves the need of Irish audiences on a universal and free to air basis.
113. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether we will reach the EU target of providing 30 Mb high speed broadband per second to every home and business here by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17016/14]
View answerThe 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.
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 this State-led investment 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.
114. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the overall figure for investment in Irish Water for both 2013 and 2014; the source of that funding, and the purposes for which it is used. [16837/14]
View answerThe establishment of Irish Water in 2013 was an integral component of the Government’s water sector reform strategy and involves major organisational change, an entirely new funding structure governed by economic regulation, the introduction of domestic water charges based on usage and the roll-out of a national domestic metering programme.
Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) had responsibility for most of the deliverables under the Government water sector reform implementation strategy. BGE developed a detailed programme initiation document within the framework of this strategy, which outlined all of the tasks required to establish a fully functioning integrated public water utility and provided this to my Department in August 2012. They also provided an associated budget to my Department which outlined the costs involved in each area of activity, totalling €150m, plus €30m contingency, and reflecting both the use of BGE and external resources. The budget reflected the range of tasks to be undertaken from financial, governance, regulatory business capability, systems, brand management and customer engagement perspectives. In addition, Irish Water has progressed the domestic water metering programme, the full cost of which is €539m excluding VAT.
All costs incurred by Irish Water in 2013 were financed by a loan from the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF), with the exception of a grant of €0.57m for a pilot metering study funded by the Department. No other Exchequer funds or voted Department expenditure was provided to Irish Water in 2013.
The establishment costs will be included in the overall funding model for Irish Water; accordingly, they will also be examined by the Commission for Energy Regulation as an integral element of the independent economic regulation of Irish Water. I also expect that establishment costs and metering costs will be included in the regulatory asset base for Irish Water.
In 2014, Irish Water, which now has statutory responsibility for water services, will receive €240m in equity from the Minister for Finance and €4 86.5 m from the Local Government Fund. No funding will be provided through my Department’s Vote. It is anticipated that Irish Water will finance other costs from non-domestic water charge revenues of some €190m and from borrowing, which will be the subject of appropriate ministerial consents in due course. The subvention to Irish Water from the Local Government Fund in 2014 will fund water related expenditures incurred heretofore by local authorities; operational costs of providing water services, estimated at just under €730 million, have been removed from the local government sector in 2014. These expenditures were previously met by local authorities from their own resources, non-domestic water charge revenues and general purpose grants from the Fund.
The level of State subvention to Irish Water from the Fund in 2014 reflects the fact that the costs of operating water services now have to be met by Irish Water and that there will not be revenue from domestic water charges in 2014 as first bills will not issue until 2015.
