Written Answers Nos. 1 - 132
114. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will be reviewing the provision of broadband in rural areas after the publication of the CEDRA report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19959/14]
View answerThe Report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) published on 14 April last highlights access to and cost of high quality broadband as one of the most significant challenges faced by rural communities, particularly from a business perspective. It points to the need for significant State investment to ensure delivery of next generation broadband outside of principal urban areas.
The CEDRA report makes a number of recommendations regarding the provision of next generation services to rural areas. The strategy for the State intervention under the National Broadband Plan which I announced on 25 April is very much in line with the recommendations of the CEDRA report. I outlined the key elements of the strategy in reply to Priority Question No. 5 on today's Order Paper. I believe that this strategy, which involves a major telecommunications network build out to rural Ireland with fibre as a foundaton for future proofed broadband services, will definitively address current connectivtiy challenges being experienced in rural areas. It also provides a solution capable of scaling up over multiple platforms and responding to new developments and will ensure that speeds can increase in line with demand, a key point referred to in the CEDRA report.
I fully share the concerns outlined in the CEDRA report about the quality of broadband in rural areas. It is my intention to deliver a solution which will ensure that rural Ireland enjoys similar opportunities to urban areas. In committing to a fibre build-out at the heart of this strategy, the Government is reaffirming its commitment to addressing current connectivity challenges in a meaningful and sustainable way and recognises that quality and reliable broadband is a necessity for a 21st century economy and society.
116. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the work done by his Department and by Inland Fisheries Ireland to preserve wild salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19948/14]
View answerIreland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis. This management is carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State Agency with statutory responsibility for inland fisheries under the 2010 Inland Fisheries Act. The individual river management strategy is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s 143 salmon rivers has its own unique stock of salmon which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood to spawn and create the next generation of fish exclusive to that river.
IFI is supported in its management of salmon stocks by a statutorily based Standing Scientific Committee on Salmon (SSCS) comprising scientists from IFI, an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Loughs Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI- Northern Ireland) other State bodies and third level institutions. This independent scientific committee assesses and offers advice on the predicted stocks status in all 143 Irish salmon rivers each year against that river's Conservation Limit using the most recent five years of available data from the catchment. The Conservation Limit is the number of adult salmon required on each river to maintain a healthy population, the stock level that maximizes the long-term average surplus.
IFI also undertakes an extensive programme of patrol and protection of the fisheries resource, in gathering data on stock status and in seeking to improve angling potential and develop angling tourism. In 2013, IFI is currently involved in projects funded to the value of over €9M in research on and enhancement and development of the inland fisheries resources and habitats with many projects active in the area of wild salmonids. IFI also administered projects under the Salmon Development Fund to the value of almost €400,000 primarily through supports to angling clubs and federations.
The Atlantic salmon is a protected species under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland’s current salmon management regime complies with the requirements of this legislation. The conservation imperative means that exploitation of salmon from each river is only permitted where the independent scientific committee determines that the stock in that river is above its conservation limit. The annual advice of the SCCS is available on the website of IFI. For 2014, based on the scientific advice, of the 143 rivers assessed, 57 rivers are open to exploitation of a harvestable surplus, 30 are open to catch and release angling only and 56 are closed to all activity. Each of these rivers will be reviewed again as part of the annual scientific assessment later this year in contemplation of management measures for 2015.
Commercial harvest fisheries are only allowed on individual river stocks which are shown to have a surplus of fish over the Conservation Limit. Fisheries in estuaries may also be permitted where the stocks from individual rivers entering the estuaries are each meeting their individual conservation limits. District Committees comprising commercial and angling stakeholders as well as IFI and BIM have been established to discuss the sharing of any surplus available for exploitation.
117. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the memorandum of understanding between his Government and the British Government on wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12779/14]
View answerIn January last year the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Mr. Ed Davey MP and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation. That Memorandum demonstrated our shared interest in developing the opportunity to export green electricity from Ireland to Britain. A key objective was to realise the potential for investment, jobs and growth. An agreed programme of work was put into place with work-streams across several areas.
Economic analysis conducted by my officials, with significant inputs from ESRI and NewERA indicates that under agreed policy and regulatory conditions, renewable energy trading can deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland and the UK, and would also be attractive to commercial investors and developers. However, progressing to an Inter-Governmental Agreement on renewable energy trading would require any IGA to be designed in a manner that would work for both countries. In that regard, the UK side is not yet in a position to take certain key decisions regarding quantity of energy to be procured, the regulatory treatment of Irish assets, the structure of subsidies to Irish developers and the resultant financial flows.
Following further discussions since the Summit between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron in early March, I am confirmed in the view that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the outstanding decisions to be taken by the UK, delivery by 2020 of an IGA to facilitate energy export is not now a realistic proposition. While it has not been possible at this time to conclude an agreement, I do believe that in the context of a European Internal Energy Market, greater trade in energy between Britain and Ireland is inevitable in the post 2020 scenario.
120. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of investigations that have been undertaken by ComReg in relation to unlicensed transmissions, such as that identified by the reported broadcast of a UK GSM cellular ID near Middle Abbey Street; if he has discussed this matter with ComReg; and his concerns regarding this matter. [19955/14]
View answerThe Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of spectrum in Ireland. ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions and is accountable directly to the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. The investigation of any alleged unlicensed radio transmissions including any subsequent remedial actions is a function of ComReg and I have no function in this matter.
The Government has appointed retired High Court Judge John Cooke to conduct an Independent Inquiry into Reports of Unlawful Surveillance of the Garda Ombudsman Commission and to report within eight weeks or as soon as may be thereafter. The Terms of Reference, which were agreed by Government on the advice of the Attorney General, are in the public domain, and include a review and assessment of any evidence of a security breach or attempted security breach at the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Accordingly, I believe that it would not be appropriate to make any announcements at this point in time.
121. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the bio-energy strategy has been finalised; the actions required to optimise the use of biomass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19961/14]
View answerMy Department is currently in the process of finalising a national bioenergy strategy which will be published in a matter of weeks. The strategy will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that a sustainable bioenergy sector could make to the achievement of the 2020 renewable energy target for Ireland. A strong bioenergy sector could also make important contributions to a wide range of Government policy objectives, from agriculture through to environment policy and the strategy will draw on contributions from various government departments and agencies, as well as other stakeholders.
Central to the strategy is the continued support for the significant policies already in place. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme will continue to be the primary means through which Ireland will meet its 10% target for renewable energy in transport. Additionally, the Biofuel Obligation Scheme has the potential to incentivise production of indigenous biofuels. The REFIT schemes will continue to support the generation of electricity and Combined Heat and Power from a range of biomass feedstocks.
The analysis underpinning the strategy is that an additional bioenergy-focussed measure in the heat sector represents the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals. It is intended, therefore, subject to Government approval, that the strategy will incorporate targeted and cost effective measures to stimulate demand for biomass-fuelled heat. I intend to establish a cross-departmental steering group to oversee the implementation of the actions arising from the bioenergy strategy. Having such a group in place would also serve a dual purpose of maintaining a high visibility and profile for the sector as well as being a vehicle to facilitate constructive engagement between all the relevant actors. I intend, also, to have the group examine the potential for cost effective deployment of biogas and biomethane to help meet our renewable energy targets. The strategy will also set out a series of actions to support the cost effective supply of biomass from indigenous sources.
122. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the status of the Green Paper on energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/14]
View answerMy Department is finalising an Energy Policy Green Paper which identifies issues that need to be considered in the development of Ireland’s energy policy to meet current and future challenges. Competitiveness, security of supply, and sustainability, as well as energy policy’s potential to support economic growth and job creation, will be the key pillars of the Green Paper which I expect to publish next week.
The energy policy landscape has undergone considerable change since the Energy Policy White Paper was published in 2007. The Green Paper provides a useful overview of the very significant developments that have taken place since then including billions of euro of investment in generation, transmission, distribution, supply, energy efficiency, renewable energy and new technologies. Other important developments including retail market competition, the Single Electricity Market, the development and commissioning of the East West Interconnector, renewable energy investment initiatives, energy efficiency incentives, and key policy documents are also referenced in order to set the scene for public consultation. The paper also points to developments at EU and international level that are having a direct impact on the Irish energy landscape.
The Green Paper sets out six energy policy priorities as follows:
- Empowering Energy Citizens;
- Markets and Regulation;
- Planning and Implementing Essential Energy Infrastructure;
- Ensuring a Balanced and Secure Energy Mix;
- Putting the Energy System on a Sustainable Pathway; and
- Driving Economic Opportunity.
There will be a full public consultation process on the Green Paper during which interested parties will be invited to submit their views which will form a key imput to the development of a new Energy Policy Framework in the form of a White Paper. It is my intention to publish the Energy White Paper around the end of this year.
123. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that community radio stations make a major contribution to life in local areas across the country and that they are currently struggling to survive due to both the current economic climate and the many cutbacks to funding, his plans to address the shortfall in their funding and to offer a more substantial level of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19945/14]
View answerI wish to acknowledge at the outset the contribution of the independent radio sector in bringing diversity to the airwaves, and serving the needs of communities, often at a very local level. That said, however, it needs to be borne in mind that these stations were established as commercial entities. Station owners sought and accepted licences on clear terms; terms which included a limited amount of ‘public service’ type content. Moreover, in many cases, their success in the licence application process was assisted by the voluntary commitments they gave in regard to the provision of public service type content, over and above that required by the relevant legislation.
The licences were accepted in full knowledge of the current system of public funding. The fact that some of these stations are now undergoing a degree of financial stress is regrettable and a cause for concern but it does not mean that the State should step in and provide funding – they are and remain commercial enterprises. The rationale for providing State funding for the Public Service Broadcasters is to provide an independent and reliable income flow that allows these corporations to attain their statutory public service objects while ensuring they can maintain editorial independence. This is especially important in the context of news and current affairs.
Over the last number of years, there have been calls from a wide range of media organisations in relation to the future distribution of licence fee funding. Before considering any wider distribution of public funds than that which applies at present, I would have to be convinced that such a distribution would represent a sound proposition in terms of policy for the sector and would not be to the ultimate disadvantage of our Public Service Broadcasters. Even if I were minded to provide public monies to private investors, EU State Aid rules would apply. It is categorically not possible for the State to simply decide to fund a set of incumbent licence holders during a licence period.
Additionally, the independent radio stations receive a significant amount of publicly funded support from the Broadcasting Funding Scheme. This Scheme is currently funded by way of a set proportion of net television licence fee. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is assigned responsibility under Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 for the administration of the Scheme.
124. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider initiating new independent research to assess the potential for allowing small commercial fishing for mullet, sea trout, bass and salmon using traditional methods based on best practice and sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13224/14]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. In that role it provides scientific advice to my Department regarding the most up-to-date status of species under its brief. Sea trout, bass and salmon are all managed as recreational angling species. All three are highly valuable angling species and provide the basis for significant employment and associated revenue generation in the angling tourism sector throughout Ireland.
IFI manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 143 salmon rivers has its own unique stock of salmon. IFI is supported in its management of salmon stocks by a statutorily based Standing Scientific Committee on Salmon comprising scientists from IFI, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Loughs Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI- Northern Ireland) other State bodies and third level institutions. IFI carries out extensive monitoring of salmon stock status which feed into the the scientific committee's assessments carried out every year. Sea trout greater than 40cm length are managed under the same regulations as salmon.
The offshore and inshore salmon and sea trout commercial fisheries were closed in 2007 in order to comply with the EU Habitats Directive. A €25M Hardship Scheme was established for fishermen. While the scheme was administered by BIM, I understand that the average payment under the scheme was almost €23,000 and the highest payment was over €195,000. Conditions of the scheme included that nets had to be verifiably decommissioned and those availing of the Scheme would not be entitled to a licence in the future.
Commercial harvest fisheries are currently permitted on individual river stocks which are shown to be meeting their conservation limit. Fisheries in estuaries may also be permitted where the stocks from individual rivers entering the estuaries are each meeting their individual conservation limits. The current management approach allows Ireland to meet its international and national obligations in terms of salmon conservation and operate sustainable harvest fisheries (commercial and recreational) where this is feasible.
The steep decline in bass stocks in Ireland in the mid-1970s resulted in a severe deterioration of the renowned Irish bass angling resource. Ultimately the decline led to the cessation of the commercial fishery in 1990 via the Bass (Conservation of Stocks) Order, 1990. Since then bass, which are at the extremes of its European distribution in Irish coastal waters, have been regarded solely as an angling species and are restrictively managed largely on a catch and release basis.
Since 1990 Ireland has applied the precautionary principle in relation to management of Irish bass stocks and has concentrated on measures to enable the rebuilding of the severely depleted stock. Recent advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is that data are insufficient in the wider Northeast Atlantic Area, which includes Ireland, to evaluate the status of bass and that, on a precautionary basis, catches should not be allowed to increase. The current advice states that Irish bass are slow growing and discrete and the stock is highly dependent on suitable environmental conditions for successful recruitment.
IFI is currently delivering on its bass research programme, which seeks to provide greater insight into the ecology and biology of bass to support long-term bass sustainability. The outputs from this research and associated annual monitoring will, in the future, provide scientific advice to support the future management and conservation of Ireland’s bass stocks. The current Irish management model is regarded as being progressive by many observers and there are no data to warrant any change in the management approach. I am advised that the focus should be to continue observing the precautionary principle and collecting better quality data on stock status as consistently advocated by ICES for all species as a fundamental policy approach.
There are three species of mullet in Irish waters; the most abundant and common is the grey mullet. Grey mullet is also a popular recreational angling species which is sought after by specialist recreational anglers. I am advised that stock status is unknown as there is no formal stock assessment and no evaluation of mullet stocks by ICES in the north east Atlantic. Like bass, mullet are slow-growing, long-lived and late-maturing fish. In the absence of formal assessment I am advised by IFI that the precautionary principle is recommended. Opening up a fishery on stocks with an unknown status presents the possibility of over-exploitation without any measure of current sustainability.
125. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Western Development Commission paper, "Why Invest in Gas?", which outlines the clear benefit of extending the natural gas distribution network to the west/north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19937/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions raised by him on this issue, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory, independent body, charged with the assessment and licensing of prospective operators seeking to develop and operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network.
The CER, in 2006, approved a network connections policy which enabled reassessment of the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied as a prerequisite. The policy allows for the appraisal of a town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns. This policy framework provides that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting a town, or group of towns, to the network are recouped through the actual economic consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. Uneconomic projects would increase costs for all energy consumers.
Under the CER’s policy framework, Bord Gáis Networks, and latterly Gaslink, carried out a comprehensive review of towns not connected to the national gas network. Gaslink published its New Towns Analysis Phase 3 report in 2010. The study included a review of the feasibility of connecting 11 towns in the West and North West region which are the focus of the Western Development Commission paper, “Why Invest in Gas?”. However, the Gaslink review found that none of the towns qualified for connection on economic grounds. Gaslink will continue to review the towns which did not qualify for connection under the 2010 Study as well as other towns. The key factor which would qualify a town or group of towns in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, usually as a result of the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.
126. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department, in terms of energy efficiency, has developed an inventory of all public sector buildings; the steps being taken to encourage retrofitting of central government and local authority buildings; if there are specific targets to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19956/14]
View answerMy Department is responsible for co-ordinating the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) which commits all organisations in the public sector to achieving a 33% energy savings target by 2020. Performance against this target is regularly monitored by my Department and I will be publishing an update to the NEEAP in the coming months. To achieve this target, my Department works with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) to develop, enhance and embed good energy management practices in the public sector. Action number 20 of the second Action Plan states: "We will work with public bodies to fulfil their exemplar role with respect to building energy efficiency."
As part of delivering that goal we have committed, inter alia, to: developing an inventory of public sector buildings; requiring that Display Energy Certificates are prominently displayed in all buildings that are occupied by public bodies over certain defined thresholds; and requiring that all new buildings occupied and owned by public bodies from December 2018 be nearly zero-energy buildings. I intend to underline and reinforce the Government's public sector energy efficiency ambitions by bringing forward a Public Sector Action Plan on Energy later this year. The Public Sector Action Plan on Energy will bring a greater impetus and strategic focus to ensure that the 2020 33% energy saving target is met.
The OPW manages the central government stock of buildings and they already have a register of the buildings they own and lease, which includes detailed energy usage information on about 250 of the larger buildings. This register includes central government buildings, some agencies and Garda stations. In fulfilment of our obligations under article 5 of the Energy Efficiency Directive, OPW calculated the equivalent annual savings that would be achieved if 3% of the floor area was retrofitted and proposed using the "alternative approach" to achieve our energy saving requirements under the Directive, which in practice is an expansion of their successful Optimising Power at Work campaign, to targeted buildings in the wider public sector. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform allocated €9m over three years to the OPW in Budget 2013 to expand this campaign.
There is also an obligation on all public sector organisations to report annually on their energy consumption. SEAI maintains a database of the public sector’s energy usage and tracks each individual organisation’s progress towards the 33% target. Although initially focussed on the top 135 energy-using public bodies, in time the objective is to include all 440 public bodies. Public bodies insert their electrical and gas meter numbers and SEAI gets the annual consumption for them for these energy uses. The database contains 40,000 meter numbers and is growing. Each public body receives an annual scorecard to show their progress. This database is being developed with linkages to the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and will lead to better procurement of energy supplies for the public sector. A report on public sector energy consumption will be published later this year.
Under the Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is provided by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to local authorities for a wide range of measures aimed at improving the social housing stock. Over the course of 2011 and 2012, the Department of the Environment’s retrofitting programme focussed exclusively on the refurbishment of vacant properties with the objective of returning as many of these to productive use. Over that period, some €52.5 million was recouped to local authorities and some 4,774 properties were improved.
Phase 1 of the Energy Efficiency scheme (Fabric Upgrade-phase 1) commenced in June 2013 and targeted the improvement of insulation standards and overall energy performance across 30,000 social rented properties and continues in 2014. It is envisaged that all Phase 1 works will be completed in 2014 and funding drawn down by year end. In 2014, a new measure with funding of €15 million was announced which will be invested in bringing vacant and boarded-up local authority houses back into productive use. In this context, local authorities were recently advised that funding of up to €30,000 per dwelling will be provided for a suite of retrofitting works to bring vacant properties back to a high standard.
127. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has taken any action to address the heartbleed bug; if his Department has any strategy to protect State assets from cyber attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19943/14]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to a recently discovered software vulnerability commonly used in open source software for secure on-line communications. The disclosure of this software vulnerability has had global implications. After this vulnerability became publicly known on 8 April last, the National Cyber Security Centre located in my Department prepared an advisory doucument that advised Government Departments on the detail of the vulnerability and measures to mitigate the risks associated with it. This advisory contained technical advice, including suggestions on how to check if IT systems had this vulnerability and if so on how to update the relevant software and security arrangements so as to remove its effects.
My Department has set up a senior managers forum across all Government Departments to coordinate Departments' approach to computer security. My Department has also organised and delivered cyber exercises across all Government Departments and critical infrastructure providers in the energy and telecommunications sectors to test and coordinate responses to cyber security challenges. This is an ongoing activity which takes into account the ever changing nature and challenges associated with computer security. For reasons of operational security, it would not be appropriate to provide any further details regarding this matter. My Department is also working on the preparation and publication of a strategy focussing on improved protection and resilience of IT infrastructure used by Government Departments. I expect that this strategy will be published later this year.
128. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on his review of the fiscal terms of oil and gas exploration here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19940/14]
View answerOn 9 May 2012 the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture published its Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration. The Report contained a number of recommendations in respect of the fiscal and regulatory framework applying to oil and gas exploration in Ireland. At my request the Report was debated in Seanad Éireann on 27 June 2012 and in Dáil Éireann on 14 May 2013, with the debate concluding on 9 July 2013. During the course of the Dáil debate I stated my intention to seek further independent expert advice on the “fitness-for-purpose” of Ireland’s fiscal terms, such expert advice to focus on what level of fiscal gain is achievable for the State and its citizens and, equally important, on the mechanisms best suited to produce such a gain.
Following a public procurement process, my Department appointed Wood MacKenzie in March of this year to provide expert advice on the fitness for purpose of Ireland's fiscal terms for oil and gas exploration, development and production. It is expected that Wood MacKenzie will shortly complete their assignment and their report will help inform decisions to be taken going forward.
130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total estimated number of residential premises here; the number of these that have more than 30Mbps broadband; the number of these that will have this level of service by 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19947/14]
View answerThe 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 intervention 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. Commercial operators combined have either invested, or committed to invest, over €2 billion in their Irish networks, delivering high speed broadband to homes and businesses. For example:
- Eircom is rolling out a €400m investment in a Next Generation Access Fibre Network that offers speeds of up to 100Mbps. Service is already available to over 800,000 addresses, with planned coverage to reach 1.4m addresses by 2016.
- UPC has invested over €500m in upgrading its cable network. Over 700,000 homes can already access minimum broadband speeds of 120Mbps and up to 200Mbps. Businesses can access speeds of 500Mbps.
- ESB is engaged in a new project allowing a fibre network to be rolled-out on its existing electricity infrastructure. It is understood that discussions between ESB and Vodafone to form a new Joint Venture Company are at an advanced stage. The company has initial plans to construct a fibre network directly to 450,000 premises outside of Dublin and it is expected that details will be announced over the coming weeks.
- Mobile operators have launched 4G high speed mobile broadband services following ComReg’s multiband spectrum auction. There has also been continued investment by all operators in enhancing and broadening 3G services and network improvements.
- Fixed wireless operators are continuing to invest in high speed point-to-point wireless broadband.
- The broadcaster Sky has entered the broadband market, increasing choice for consumers.
My Department does not hold any records of the number of residential premises in Ireland, nor would it hold an accurate number of those that would have broadband in excess of more than 30Mbps now or by end of 2016. I note however that the ComReg quarterly report for the period Q3 2013, found that over 35% of the 1.7m broadband subscribers in Ireland are now subscribing to services over 30Mbps.
Under the national mapping exercise that is being undertaken as part of the National Broadband Plan 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. Of the estimated 2.3m premises in Ireland, approximately 1.4m are expected to be served by these commercial next generation broadband services over the coming years.
This accelerated roll out of high speed services by the commercial sector means that the addressable area required by the State intervention has been reduced by 30% since the National Broadband Plan was launched. While the commercial developments are welcome the acceleration of investment is largely contained to cities and towns. The speeds that are available in these areas are demonstrably better than those that are available in more rural areas.
On 25th April, I signalled the Government's commitment to a major telecommunications network build-out to rural Ireland, with fibre as a cornerstone of its investment under the National Broadband Plan. This commitment is a clear expression of Government’s determination to address the connectivity challenge in rural Ireland in a meaningful and sustainable way. Central to the strategy will be a fibre build-out to locations in every county in the State identified as having no existing or planned enabling fibre network. It is intended that the fibre will be delivered directly to access points for homes and businesses, where service providers can utilise the fibre to provide high speed services to end users. The fibre build-out will also ensure that fibre is deployed to strategic locations on each route such as schools, business hubs and health facilities. The fibre build out will be part of an end-to-end strategy that will address all parts of Ireland that cannot access commercial high speed broadband services.
I have published a county-by-county list of towns and villages which have already been identified for a fibre build-out. This is an indicative list and is subject to the completion of the comprehensive mapping process currently underway. Further locations may be identified as this process continues. Similarly, it may be determined that some locations on the list will be addressed by the commercial sector and will therefore not require State intervention. The list is available on my Department's website www.dcenr.gov.ie.
In tandem with the fibre build-out, the Strategy will include measures to respond to aggregated community demand for services, and the provision of access services in the most remote areas where fibre rollout may be insufficient to stimulate commercial investment or may be cost-prohibitive. Intensive design work is ongoing in the Department with a view to publishing an end-to-end implementation strategy later this year, together with the outcome of the mapping exercise which will identify the areas that require intervention. A full public consultation will take place once the strategy is published and EU State Aids clearance will be required for the intervention strategy once finalised. It is expected that the detailed procurement process will take place in 2015 with a view to commencing construction of the fibre network and provision of services as quickly as possible.
It is my intention to ensure that rural Ireland enjoys similar opportunities to urban areas by ensuring an end-to-end market intervention with fibre as a core component. In committing to a fibre build-out at the heart of this strategy, the Government is acknowledging that broadband is the key infrastructure of the 21st century.
131. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if interdepartmental consultations and collaboration has taken place between his Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in encouraging and incentivising small to medium sized businesses to adopt renewable energy sources, including micro-generation options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19957/14]
View answerRealising the abundant potential of our renewable energy resources provides an important, and sustainable, economic opportunity for Ireland, both in terms of developing a secure, indigenous energy resource, and creating jobs in the green economy. There is ongoing consultation between my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation to ensure policy coordination across the closely related areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, through mechanisms such as the Action Plan for Jobs and on policy regarding the "Green Economy" and its potential for investment and job creation.
On a day to day basis the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provides a range of business supports to both large industry and SMEs, covering energy management, training and advice. Companies wishing to develop renewable energy projects, and improve their energy efficiency, can avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations as a component of coordinated energy efficiency programes under the Better Energy Communities schemes. The SEAI Renewable Energy Information Office also provides support and information to companies regarding the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
In addition to the work of the SEAI, there are a number of other supports available to SMEs in the renewable and sustainable energy area. Small scale renewable generation is eligible to apply for support under the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff schemes, known as REFIT.
Tax relief is available on capital investment in microgeneration assets under Section 486B of the Tax Consolidation Act (1997) (as amended) and under the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme. An Accelerated Capital Allowance scheme also allows companies to offset the cost of investment in qualifying renewable energy generation technologies against their tax liabilities in Year 1 rather than over a more prolonged period of years, thus aiding cash flow.
Analysis of the potential of microgeneration technologies such as small scale wind, solar and hydro, has been carried out for my Department by the SEAI. The findings of this work are informing consideration of whether it would be cost effective to provide a market support specifically for microgeneration in the context of achieving our EU 2020 target of 16% of our total energy demand coming from renewable sources by 2020.
132. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the annual year on year figure for the number of workers commuting from the South to work in the north of Ireland and the number of workers commuting from the North to work in the south of Ireland since 2004-5. [18382/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not available on an annual basis. However, the following table contains the information available from the Census of Population for the years 2006 and 2011 regarding the number of workers commuting from the Republic of Ireland to work in Northern Ireland.Republic of Ireland residents with place of work in Northern Ireland, Census 2006 and 2011
|
Census Year |
Number of persons |
|
2011 |
6,419 |
|
2006 |
5,277 |
The number of workers commuting from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland is based on the Northern Ireland census (carried out every ten years) and the 2011 data has not yet been published.
