Written Answers Nos. 814-827
814. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reduce the public service obligation levy on sporting organisations; if he is aware of how negatively this levy impacts on sporting bodies and charities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23080/15]
View answerThe Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy supports electricity generation which was constructed for security of supply purposes, including peat generation. It also supports the development of renewable electricity which is important for both security of supply and for reducing carbon emissions from electricity generation. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers. It has been in place since 2001. The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in Regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 (S.I. 217 of 2002). The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) determines the PSO levy which is a charge on all electricity customers without exception.
While I fully understand and appreciate concerns about the cost of the PSO levy to all customers, including sports clubs and charities, the development of renewable energy in Ireland, supported by the renewable energy part of the PSO, will enable Ireland to reduce its fossil fuel dependency and vulnerability to rises in fossil fuel prices. The PSO levy is also vital to enable Ireland to meet its 40% target for electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020, which in turn is important for the achievement of Ireland's 16% EU 2020 target for renewable energy.
The PSO levy has been relatively high in recent years due to lower wholesale electricity prices. This results in lower predicted market income for the PSO plants and, therefore, a higher levy is required to cover their allowed costs. The lower wholesale electricity price is being driven by lower international gas prices which in turn drives up the PSO levy. However, lower gas and wholesale prices also reduce the wholesale cost of electricity that suppliers pay. In turn, suppliers are in a position to reduce their retail prices and potentially offset the PSO levy increase. Increased competition in the retail electricity market has led to a number of suppliers reducing their retail prices of late and I welcome these developments. The CER is tasked with retail market monitoring and executes this role vigorously to ensure competition leads to the fairest prices for customers.
815. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide information on the current situation in relation to eel fishing; if he will confirm if the review which was sought following the removal of the eel fishing licence in 2012 has been completed or is near completion; the findings of this review; his plans to reinstate the licence in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23097/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 226 of 11 June.
816. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the availability of adequate critical infrastructure, such as ready access to high speed reliable telecommunications and renewable energy; the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the availability of such facilities, and plans for the future accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18191/15]
View answerDelivering on the energy and telecommunications infrastructure needs of a 21st century society is a key priority for Government and my Department and we are making demonstrable progress in both areas. The National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed telecommunications access to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location through a combination of commercial investments and a partnership between Government and telecommunications companies to ensure the required high speed capable infrastructure is accessible at all premises.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network infrastructure upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million addresses in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next 18 months. Services are already available to approximately 1.2 million addresses. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services over infrastructure installed on a commercial basis by end 2016. All premises within the Amber area will be included in the State's intervention to make the required infrastructure available to provide high speed services in other areas.
I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having accessible infrastructure available at all premises within a five year period.
In relation to energy infrastructure, in July 2012 my predecessor published an Energy infrastructure policy statement in which the Government reaffirmed the imperative need for development and renewal of our energy networks, in order to meet both economic and social policy goals. The statement was particularly important as it required local government planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to it thereafter. An additional key element of the strategy was that it affirmed the major investment underway in the high voltage electricity transmission system under EirGrid’s Grid 25 Programme was the most important such investment in Ireland’s transmission system for several generations. The Grid 25 Strategy is designed to put in place a safe, secure and affordable electricity supply throughout Ireland and to help Ireland to achieve its 2020 renewable energy targets. Grid 25 has been reviewed in 2011 and again last year, each taking account of changing technical and economic circumstances. The outcome of the 2014 review was published in March this year in the form of a draft grid development strategy. It states that Ireland’s energy transmission needs can be met with reduced new infrastructure build because of new technological developments and updated projections of future electricity demand.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. Ireland has made good progress with regard to renewable energy deployment. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. Provisional figures provided by the SEAI for 2014 show that 8.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy. In addition, SEAI has calculated that 22.6% of electricity, 6.7% of heat and 5.2% of transport were met from renewable sources.
817. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to what extent eircom's roll-out of end-to-end fibre-to-home broadband to the areas of Churchill, Fintown, Gleneely, Rossnowlagh and Tamney in County Donegal meets the requirements of the Government's national broadband plan; if he envisages State intervention will be reduced as a result; if so, if the capital savings from such a reduction will be reserved for other areas in County Donegal where State intervention will be needed, and where the roll-out of broadband will be challenging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23125/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. The map identifies every townland on a county-by-county basis and can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention; all premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.
Eircom recently announced an investment that may cover a further 300,000 addresses with fibre-to-the-premises high speed broadband including a number of areas in Donegal. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
New private planned next generation access investments, such as announced by eircom recently, may be added to the national high-speed coverage map, once it is established that these plans are definitive and meet the relevant criteria to deliver high speed broadband service to end users. Until the necessary analysis is completed, it would not be appropriate to comment any further.
It is envisaged that the map will be updated on an ongoing basis from now until the award of a contract or contracts relating to the State intervention.
818. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to create a database of the existing broadband assets of the State with details on utilisation, pricing and access to each asset; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23151/15]
View answerAs part of the NBP, operators will be asked to bid in a procurement process to select a provider or providers for the roll-out of high speed broadband in the areas where commercial services will not be provided. The re-use of existing infrastructure like poles, ducts, sites and masts, will minimise the cost of the State intervention by avoiding unnecessary new build. It is also consistent with the Broadband State Aid Guidelines and the EU’s recent Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014/61/CE).
Therefore, my Department is compiling a register of owners of existing infrastructure that could be used to support the NBP network roll-out, and publishing it on our website.
The purpose of this register is to provide potential bidders with information on infrastructure which could be used as part of their bid. The register enables bidders to clearly see the type and general location of existing infrastructure which could be re-used but is not designed to be a detailed database of infrastructure. Rather it is a mechanism to facilitate engagement between bidders and infrastructure owners. If bidders are interested in seeking further information on infrastructure owners assets, in terms of exact location, pricing, terms and conditions etc, then they can make contact and seek further information directly with the owners concerned. This may also be relevant in the case of assets that are not within the National Broadband Plan intervention area, but could nevertheless be beneficial to the roll-out of other telecommunication services and services in areas that are being served commercially.
In terms of including state assets, My Department carried out a series of bilateral meetings with semi-State and public sector organisations, the purpose of which was to maximise participation in the register and to discuss the practical arrangements for compiling it. In addition, my Department also met with a number of commercial companies with relevant telecoms infrastructure in rural areas and issued a direct invitation to over 50 companies to register their infrastructure on the register. This, together with advertisements placed in national newspapers on the 14 April last, ensured that the widest audience of asset owners was reached and encouraged to submit their details to the register.
On 15th May, my Department published the register with details of those owners of infrastructure, as notified to us. To date, 21 owners have registered their details with my Department but the register remains open to any interested party should they wish to have their details included. Indeed, since publication, my Department has received further details for inclusion.
My Department will continue to engage with various organisations to ensure the maximum level of infrastructure re-use as the sharing of existing telecommunications infrastructure is considered a key enabler in reducing the overall cost of the project and in ensuring value for money to the State.
819. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of plans to create a smart electricity grid, including enabling sell-back to the grid at the household level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23152/15]
View answerThe combination of systems, infrastructure, policies and technologies that enables the traditional model of electricity supply to move towards a model where energy supply is optimised with demand for energy services, and maximises our use of indigenous renewable electricity, can be collectively called smart grid. A Smart Grid Working Group comprising representation from my Department, Eirgrid, the ESB, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the development agencies has drawn up a Smart Grid Roadmap setting out how a smart grid can contribute to increasing the amount of renewable energy on the electricity system, improving our security of energy supply and meeting Ireland’s emissions reductions targets.
As a component of this, the planned national roll-out of smart meters, led by the CER, will enable electricity customers to manage their own consumption of electricity better.
Furthermore, EirGrid continues through its Grid 25 strategy and its "DS3" programme (Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System) to develop and operate the electricity network to meet the challenges of the deployment of increasing levels of renewable generation in order to maintain high quality, secure and competitive power supplies in line with best international practice, for the benefit of all electricity consumers.
Separately, analysis of the potential of microgeneration technologies has been carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI's findings, along with responses to the recent consultation on the Green Paper on Energy Policy, will inform future policy on the provision of any market support for microgeneration, and will be taken into consideration in preparation of the Energy Policy White Paper which will be published in October.
Given the emerging policy context and the requirements of the EU internal market for electricity, my Department will be considering the appropriateness of a new support scheme for renewable electricity, from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of the technologies that could be supported, such as microgeneration. The scheme will be subject to State Aid clearance and the initial public consultation on a new scheme will commence in the coming weeks.
820. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the recent discussions with Bord na Móna on the temporary closure of two briquette factories in Counties Tipperary and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23168/15]
View answerWhile the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational one for the management team at Bord na Móna and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function, it is a matter of concern for me. My Department has raised the issue with the management team of Bord na Móna and I am advised that there has been no development on this situation since their appearance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 9 June 2015. As this time, both Littleton and Derrinlough briquette factories are due to re-open on 10 September 2015.
821. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when fibre broadband is expected to be rolled out to Whitestown, Greenore, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23251/15]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers plan to deliver high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention and includes Whitestown, Greenore, Co Louth.
eircom recently announced an investment that may address a further 300,000 premises with fibre-to-the-premises technology. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 43,963 premises to date in Co Louth with a further 1,052 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 15,129 premises in Co Louth will be covered by commercial investment or be the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
I expect the physical build of the network to begin in late 2016, and it will take between 3 and 5 years to fully complete – depending on the details of the bid or bids selected.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity issues in mainly rural parts of the country.
822. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date for the roll-out of high speed broadband for Elm Grove, Sallybrook, Glanmire in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23284/15]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next 18 months. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention. It also provides detailed information on over 50,000 townlands throughout the entire country including Co Cork.
The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 and includes Sallybrook in the townland of Knocknahorgan, Co Cork.
The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.
eircom recently announced an investment that may address a further 300,000 premises with fibre-to-the-premises technology. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 126,118 addresses to date in Co Cork with a further 55,664 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 85,972 addresses in Co Cork will be covered by commercial investment or be the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive design and planning work is under way in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
I expect the physical build of the network to begin in late 2016, and it will take 3-5 years to fully complete – depending on the details of the bid or bids selected.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity issues in mainly rural parts of the country.
823. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on The Earth Statement, made in April 2015 by the 17 leading scientists and economists who make up the Earth League, that 75% of known fossil fuel reserves must be kept in the ground if global warming is to be kept within 2° Celsius; Ireland's position on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23336/15]
View answerThe Earth Statement referred to by the Deputy outlines what the Earth League, an alliance of scientists, sees as essential elements to be achieved as part of the international climate agreement in Paris in December (COP21). Issues around climate change are primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. As regards energy, it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix as Europe transitions to a decarbonised energy system by 2050. However, significant progress is being made in increasing the share of renewables in that mix. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and in order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, 12% renewables in the heating sector and 10% in transport. Ireland has made good progress with regard to renewable energy deployment. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. Provisional figures provided by the SEAI for 2014 show that 8.6% of Ireland's overall energy requirement was met by renewable energy. In addition, SEAI has calculated that 22.6% of electricity, 6.7% of heat and 5.2% of transport were met from renewable sources.
With regard to 2030, at the October 2014 meeting of the European Council, agreement was reached on the headline targets for the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, requiring a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 40%, an increase in EU energy from renewable sources to 27%, and an indicative target of 27% energy efficiency. Ireland will make a contribution to the achievement of these targets that is technically feasible, cost effective and fair in terms of burden sharing across Member States.
824. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six months to 12 months, one year to two years, two years to three years, four years to five years and five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23400/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Career Break period |
0 - 6 Months |
6 - 12 months |
1 - 2 years |
2-3 years |
4 - 5 years |
5 years plus |
|
Number of staff |
1 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
825. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23416/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table and covers the period March 2011 to June 2015:
Photography Costs
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
March 2011 - June 2015
|
Company |
Event Date |
Event |
Cost |
|
Maxwell Photography |
13/06/2011 |
Government convenes Next Generation Broadband Taskforce |
340.92 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
27/07/2011 |
Age Action Silver Surfer Launch (pre shoot) |
274.97 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
23/09/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte stock photos available for widespread media use |
409.58 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
24/10/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes EU Commission Telecoms specialists to Dublin |
552.67 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
(1) 27/11/11 |
Publication of the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy |
1,052.70 |
|
(2) 16/11/11 |
Launch of Irish Anti Botnet Website (anti cyber crime initiative) |
||
|
Fennell Photography |
09/12/2011 |
Cunningham Awards, Geological Survey of Ireland, University Geology Project Competition Awards |
510.75 |
|
2011 Total |
3141.59 |
||
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
10/01/2012 |
Launch of Community Outreach Campaign - Digital TV Switchover |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
13/01/2012 |
Launch of the SMS 112 emergency service |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
06/02/2012 |
Nationwide roll-out of high speed broadband to second level schools |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
01/03/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes 23 Digital Outreach Champions |
492 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/05/2012 |
Next Generation Broadband Taskforce launch |
485.85 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
28/05/2012 |
Launch of the Renewable Energy Strategy Report |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
22/08/2012 |
Third Central & North Atlantic Conjugate Margins Conference |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
30/08/2012 |
Launch of the National Broadband Plan |
492 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
15/10/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte visits Kippure TV mast for Digital Switchover with media |
492 |
|
Phocus |
08/11/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte inspects high speed broadband in St. Colman’s School |
359.78 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
17/12/2012 |
Announcement of Ireland’s Digital Champion |
492 |
|
2012 Total |
5273.63 |
||
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
24/01/2013 |
Signing of Energy MoU with Britain |
492 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
28/02/2013 |
Launch of National Energy Efficiency Action Plan |
499.38 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
05/03/2013 |
Announcement of phase II of Schools Broadband in Warrenmount School |
361.62 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
11/07/2013 |
Launch of the National Digital Strategy |
327.18 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/11/2013 |
Appointment of the New Chairman and Commissioners in Comreg |
137.76 |
|
2013 Total |
1817.94 |
||
|
Maxwell Photography |
12/05/2014 |
Launch of Energy Green Paper |
327.18 |
|
Hany Marzouk (freelance photographer) |
25/04/2014 |
Announcement of National Broadband Plan state intervention |
230 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
11/06/2014 |
Launch of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme with Local Enterprise Offices |
309.96 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
24/06/2014 |
Launch of the report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group |
309.96 |
|
JMAC Photography |
26/06/2014 |
100,000th participant receiving digital training under BenefIT scheme – Arranmore Island |
227 |
|
Mr Kieran Clancy (freelance photographer) |
24/11/2014 |
National Broadband Plan Mapping Consultation, Doolin, Co Clare |
282 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
22/12/2014 |
National Digital Strategy Award of Grants to Benefit IIII projects |
499.38 |
|
2014 Total |
2185.48 |
||
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/02/2015 |
Post Office Network Business Development Group – press event at Rathangan Post Office |
533.82 |
|
2015 Total |
533.82 |
||
|
Total |
12952.46 |
Photographers are booked for the purpose of recording key events attended by Ministers, such as the launch of schemes and programmes, new initiatives and visits by inward delegations. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, following an EU-level advertised procurement process, has established a Framework Agreement comprising five firms for the provision of photography services. The Framework was established in February 2012 and is open for use by all Government Departments and Offices. My Department avails of this Framework Agreement for photography needs.
Payments from Ministerial allowances are not a charge on the Vote of the Department and, therefore, my Department does not hold information on these allowances.
826. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; if he will provide the list of uses of the external public relations firm, and the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23432/15]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and address specific issues as they arise. The Department, therefore, necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information which the Deputy requested is outlined in the following table:
|
Company |
Amount Spent on Public Relations |
Amount Spent on Public Relations |
Amount Spent on Public Relations |
Amount Spent on Public Relations |
Amount Spent on Public Relations |
Purpose of Consultancy |
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (to date) |
||
|
Morrow Communications Ltd |
€40,514 |
€19,538 |
€18,318 |
€28,221 |
€11,242 |
Provision of services in relation to outreach in rural communities with respect to low flying geophysical survey and soil geochemical survey. |
|
Murray Consultants |
€8,349 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Media Services to the Department. |
|
McConnells Advertising Agency |
€32,670 |
€86,933 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Public information campaign on the Digital Switchover. |
|
Communications Consultants Ireland |
n/a |
n/a |
€1,797 |
n/a |
n/a |
Management of two Public Information Meetings on new Inland Fisheries Legislation |
|
TOTAL |
€81,533 |
€106,471 |
€20,115 |
€28,221 |
€11,242 |
827. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23448/15]
View answer830. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has re-negotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 827 and 830 together.
My Department has not incurred any expenditure on external IT consultants since March 2011.
My Department does, however, have contracts with several companies for the provision of ICT personnel, who are classed as contractors rather than consultants.
All contracts entered into follow Public Procurement guidelines and, when completed, are re-advertised on eTenders or the EU Journal as appropriate.
The amount spent on contracts for ICT personnel is as follows:
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 to date |
|
€768,274 |
€806,538 |
€873,266 |
€784,881 |
€927,392 |
€381,802 |
