Written Answers Nos. 219-225
219. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the mapping exercise of the national broadband scheme coverage areas; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40693/14]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of Ireland's 2.3m premises are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next number of years.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. My Department is currently finalising a national map which will identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial examination has already identified a significant number of areas that will require State intervention.
As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. Some 31 submissions have been received and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses were published by my Department earlier this week.
I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future. The maps will be the subject of public consultation over a number of months, allowing operators and citizens to comment, clarify and seek updates.
My Department's website will also contain user-friendly information that will help deal with queries or concerns members of the public might have regarding the proposed State intervention. In addition I intend to set up a help desk where people can contact my officials directly with issues or questions relating to the Plan
A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining State Aid clearance for the programme.
A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.
220. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the roll out of the national broadband plan in County Clare; if he will provide a progress report as regards provision of same in the following areas Ardnacrusha, Aughinish, Ballinruan, Ballycannon, Ballynacally, Ballyvaughan, Ballyvelaghan, Bealaclugga, Bodyke, Caher, Carran, Carrigaholt, Connolly, Coolmeen, Craggagh, Cranny, Cree, Cross, Darragh, Doolin, Doonaha, Drumandoora, Drumdigus, Finvarra, Flagmount, Inagh, Kilbaha, Kilbane, Kilkee, Kilkishen, Kildysart, Kilnaboy, Kilmaley, Kilmihil, Kilmore, Kilmurry, Kilnamona, Kilshanny, Knock, Labasheeda, Lissycasey, Lisdeen, Mahonburgh, Maurices Mills, Mountshannon, Moyasta, Newtown, Oatfield, O’Callaghans Mills, Ogonnelloe, Querrin, Quilty, Ruan, Spanish Point, Tullig and Whitegate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40695/14]
View answerThe Government’s Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. Through the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas. Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector have accelerated with commercial operators investing, or committing to invest, approximately €2.5 billion in networks and services.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department to identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list has already been identified and includes the 56 areas in County Clare referred to in the Deputy's Question.
I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 30 fibre-based broadband networks in County Clare by July 2016. In addition the recent announcement of a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes a proposal to provide high speed broadband in Ennis and Shannon Town. I am also aware of the rollout of high speed broadband service in Shannon Town by UPC.
The State has previously intervened in the telecoms sector through the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme, by constructing one network in Kilrush, County Clare. This network is currently in use by telecoms operators, who are making telecoms services available to businesses and citizens in the Kilrush area.
I expect to publish a map shortly which will allow members of the public to see the precise areas of the country where, based on current information provided by the various commercial operators, it is intended that the proposed Government intervention will cover. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether or not it is in the proposed national intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial NGA services.
The map will be the subject of public consultation over a number of months, allowing operators and citizens to comment, clarify and seek updates. In this respect, the map will be dynamic and will be subject to change if new information comes to light or if commercial investments are announced in the future.
A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015.
EU State Aid clearance will be required for the State intervention. My Department will be working closely with the European Commission on this important aspect of the programme.
Finally, a detailed procurement process will have to be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) prior to commencing the roll out of high speed broadband services. I expect the procurement process to commence towards the end of 2015.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and for my Department. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in a sustainable and meaningful way. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.
221. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant assistance and-or tax breaks that are available for persons to assist in the establishment of guest accommodation facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40507/14]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not involved in the administration of tourism funding programmes. Fáilte Ireland provides a range of business supports to individual tourism businesses throughout the country, but it does not provide grants for business expansion. To access these supports the company should contact Fáilte Ireland's dedicated customer support team. Further information on available funding and relevant tax breaks is contained in the "Supports & Training" section of the Fáilte Ireland website: http://www.failteireland.ie/Supports/Identify-Available-Funding.aspx
I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for additional information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not hear within ten working days.
Small businesses should also consider approaching their Local Enterprise Office (LEO), which are in a position to offer a range of supports including grants for feasibility studies and business expansion.
222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to correspondence about a grant awarded to a sports organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 13; his views on the issues raised in that correspondence. [40547/14]
View answerI am aware of the correspondence received from the Deputy and a reply will issue shortly.
The Department does sometimes permit a grantee to change the purpose of a grant, subject to certain conditions being met. The club should contact the Department as a matter of urgency for details of what is required for the change of purpose to be considered.
The Department has not received correspondence from the club in relation to any funding difficulties that the club may be experiencing. I would also point out that the club was provisionally allocated €296,751 under the 2012 SCP which was the exact amount sought by the club one of the highest allocations made that year.
223. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority will provide funding for the purchase of extra buses for the Dublin Bus fleet in 2015; the number of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet which are over ten years old; and the number of buses in the fleet which are over 15 years old. [40551/14]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for certain public transport capital investments including for the funding of the Dublin Bus PSO bus fleet. In this regard funding is provided by my Department to the Authority each year for public transport projects and programmes including a rolling programme of fleet replacement for Dublin Bus PSO routes.
It is a matter for the Authority to agree the allocations for individual projects and programmes taking account of all relevant issues including funding and priorities.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
224. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the issue of Aer Lingus deferred pensions; if he plans to sign the ministerial orders which have been recently enacted in the State Airports (Shannon Airport) Act 2014 despite the detrimental effect it could have on deferred members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40572/14]
View answerResolution of the funding difficulties of the IASS is primarily a matter for the Trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme’s members and the Pensions Authority. The process currently underway involves all of these stakeholders, including the deferred members.
I can assure you that I do understand the concerns of the deferred members in relation to the funding of the scheme. However, such matters are governed in the first instance by the trust deed and rules of a pension scheme. In this regard the trustees of the scheme must, in the management of the scheme, act in the best interests of all scheme members and beneficiaries. Trustees of a pension scheme must also comply with the provisions in the Pensions Act 1990 which, among other things, sets down certain requirements in relation to the funding of pension schemes. The funding requirements under the Pensions Act essentially provide a ‘health check’ on the funding level in a pension scheme and provide an indication to the trustees that action is required if the funding level falls below the requirements of the Act. Matters relating to the provisions in the Pensions Act are the responsibility of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection. I understand that a number of changes have been made to the Pensions Act in recent years to assist, and to provide additional options to, employers and the trustees of pension schemes to address the funding challenges facing many schemes.
In their discussions with the deferred members, the Expert Panel explained that the process was an industrial relations process and that responsibility for dealing with the deferred members of the scheme rested with the IASS Trustee through engagement with the employers. Notwithstanding that strict legal position, the Panel recommended, inter alia, that the IASS Trustee engage with the employers on ways to alleviate as much of the impact of the Trustee proposal as is possible whilst also recognising the overall affordability to the employers of the proposals for active and deferred members. As a result of that Report, there was an uplift in the monies to be provided by the employers outside of the IASS, a significant proportion of which is intended for the deferred members and which goes a long way towards mitigating the benefit cuts proposed by the IASS Trustee.
The IASS Trustee and the principal employers have recently issued documents in respect of the proposed changes in pension arrangements. These communications mark the commencement of the formal consultation process which the Trustee is required by the Pensions Act 1990 to undertake in respect of the reductions in benefits that it is proposing. Each member will also have received by now a personalised illustration of future pension benefits. All members have been invited to send their views on the proposals to the IASS Trustee by 27 October 2014. The target date for implementation of the proposals remains 31 December 2014.
Huge efforts have been put in by all concerned over many years in an attempt to resolve the scheme's funding problems. A set of clear proposals has now been put forward which offer the best chance to resolve the long-standing problems of the scheme and resolve members’ uncertainties about their future pension entitlements. I would urge all parties to accept them.
225. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he envisages the inclusion of the N21 Ballyvourney to Macroom road improvement scheme in the upcoming detailed capital review, possibly as a PPP bundled with the Dunkettle interchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40578/14]
View answerWhilst I understand the importance of including the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom road improvement scheme in any new programme I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that I have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure. The scope for progressing new projects will very much depend on the level of longer term funding available to my Department and to the NRA.
