Written Answers Nos. 471-487
471. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cén uair a bheifear i dteagmháil le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir leis an airgead atá curtha ar fáil faoina Roinn chun cé Inis Oírr a fhorbairt; an mbeidh ar an gcomhairle contae sciar den chostas a chur ar fáil chun íoc as forbairt na cé agus, más amhlaidh go mbeidh, cén céatadán a bheidh i gceist; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2988/16]
View answerChuir an Rialtas €8 milliún ar fáil i bPlean Caipitil 2016-2021 chun cé Inis Oírr a fhorbairt.
Bhí mo Roinn i dteagmháil cheana féin le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir leis an togra seo agus beidh an Roinn ag bualadh leis an gComhairle ar ball chun féachaint leis an togra a thionscnamh agus é a chur chun tosaigh.
472. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil Environment, Community and Local Government cén staid ag a bhfuil iarratas ar cheadúnas bainte feamainne ag comhlacht (sonraí tugtha); agus cén uair a fhógrófar go poiblí é mar chuid den chomhairliúchán poiblí. [2992/16]
View answerNíl aon iarratas ar cheadúnas foirmiúil ar mhaithe le feamainn a bhaint faighte ón gcomhlacht luaite.
Cuireadh foirm réamh-iarratais isteach chuig mo Roinn i mí Feabhra 2015. Nuair a fuarthas an fhoirm, lorg mo Roinn tuilleadh eolais dá bharr, ach táthar ag feitheamh ar an eolas seo.
473. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of capital funding social housing units built by local authorities in 2015 and the number of current funded social housing units in 2015; the number of current funded units that were leased through National Asset Residential Property Services, the National Asset Management Agency social housing vehicle, in 2015, and the number provided through long-term leasing and acquisition by local authority. [3102/16]
View answer474. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of the 13,000 social housing units provided in 2015 that the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Paudie Coffey, alluded to on a current affairs programme (details supplied) by local authority and by programme, that is, housing assistance programme, rental accommodation scheme, capital funded new build, social inclusion, community activation programme and so on. [3103/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.
As noted in the Programme for Government Annual Report 2016, over 13,000 units were delivered across all social housing programmes in 2015, representing an 86% increase on the 7,000 units delivered in 2014. While this represents very tangible progress, in order to deal comprehensively with the housing list, further ambitious targets will be set annually. The target for 2016 is to deliver over 17,000 units across all social housing programmes.
I will shortly be publishing a comprehensive report on progress on social housing output in 2015, which will include a breakdown of the 13,000 units delivered last year. The report, when published, will be available on my Department's website.
475. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the lifetime of this Government, the number of proposals managerial staff in any agency or managerial body under his remit put forward to alter the roll-out of public services which were delayed, postponed or abandoned as a result of non-co-operation by trade union representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3172/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2011 to 2016 included various reforms to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector. Public Service Agreements have been the primary vehicles used to implement these reforms. Consultative forums and other resolution mechanisms are an inherent and integral feature in the delivery of any reform programme. Where the need has arisen, resolution mechanisms (both statutory and non-statutory) available under the various Public Service Agreements have been used to enable all parties to resolve any disputes encountered in the course of reforming public services. Common and widely-used mechanisms include local partnership committees and the recently established Workplace Relations Commission. Certain mechanisms are unique to particular agreements and have been successful in achieving positive outcomes. The Irish Water Consultative Group provides a process for resolving disputes unique to the water services sector, and the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group performs a similar function in the area of fire and emergency.
476. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons who suffer from ill health such as from cystic fibrosis or other long-term illnesses are entitled to a fixed appropriate allowance in terms of the water they consume before having to pay for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3191/16]
View answerA new water charging regime of annual capped charges was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The charges structure was revised with a view to making it simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The capped annual charge is €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. All households now know what their capped bills will be until the end of 2018, which is particularly important for larger households or those with high usage due to medical needs. Section 3(5) of the Water Services Act 2014 allows for a capped charge to also be set for 2019 onwards. In addition, a water conservation grant of €100 per year is available to qualifying households.
The overall cost for those who register with Irish Water, net of the €100 water conservation grant, is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others. Water supply will not be reduced under any circumstance.
When it comes to payment, a range of easy pay options are in place, including direct debits, electronic funds transfer, and payment by cash at any retail outlet with a paypoint or payzone sign or a post office where a bill can be paid in full or part payments of a minimum of €5 can be made. Irish Water also intends participating in the Household Budget scheme. This facility, operated by An Post on behalf of the Department of Social Protection, provides customers with a facility to have their household utility bills and social housing rents deducted directly from their weekly social welfare payment.
477. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if loans are available by way of shared ownership and other such loans for persons who are working and who are on a relatively low wage to enable them to secure property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3192/16]
View answerThe Government announced in 2011 the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the Shared Ownership Scheme, given the changes in the property and lending markets. There are no plans at this time to develop a new shared ownership scheme. The terms and conditions governing the operation of standard annuity mortgages provided by local authorities to qualifying first time buyers were set out most recently in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. These are available on my Department’s website at the following weblink:http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/.
The Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012 are kept under regular review.
478. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will intervene to allow a person, who is part owner of a local authority house under the shared ownership scheme in which the person resides, to purchase the other half of the property from the local authority at today's market price. [3272/16]
View answerMy Department, with the assistance of the Housing Agency, the Housing Finance Agency and the Local Authority Housing Loans Management Group, has been examining the operation of the Shared Ownership Schemes for existing borrowers. The issues arising with Shared Ownership Schemes require careful consideration and expert financial data analysis. Arising from the findings of the examination to date, the Index Linked Shared Ownership Scheme which operated from 1999 until 2002 has been revised with regard to the annual indexation of the rental equity balance and rental payments.
The amendments, which came into effect on 1 July 2015, reduce the monthly cost for these borrowers and avoid existing rental equity balances increasing for the remaining term. My Department has issued directions to local authorities outlining the measures and I understand that these changes are being applied to individual loan accounts.
In addition, the most recent reduction of 0.20% in the Local Authority variable mortgage interest rate will also benefit many Share Ownership borrowers. This rate cut brought the variable mortgage interest rate charged to local authority borrowers down to 2.55% with effect from 1 July, saving borrowers around €17 per month on a typical mortgage of €100,000.
My Department, together with the other agencies, is continuing to examine the operation of Shared Ownership loans and issues arising for some borrowers, with a view to exploring further measures that may assist with the affordability of these arrangements.
479. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the expected renewable heat incentive will be launched in 2016, given the Government's commitment regarding this; what will its terms and conditions be; if smaller businesses will have access to supports for the installation of renewable heat technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2697/16]
View answerThe development of a renewable heat incentive (RHI) is an important action stemming from the draft BioEnergy Strategy, and reaffirmed in the Energy White Paper 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030' published in December last. The RHI will be a national renewable support scheme in the heating sector and will be open to participants across the country subject to a range of criteria that will be published when the scheme becomes available.
The first of three public consultations on the design of the new renewable heat incentive was published in July 2015. The initial phase of this consultation process, which closed on 18 September 2015, was designed to review the technology options that may be supported by any new scheme. Work is now on-going in the Department on the costings of the RHI and the exact terms and conditions of the scheme.
The second phase in the consultation process will explore the potential design options for the structure of the support scheme, while the final phase will seek feedback on the preferred design option and implementation. These consultation phases will give interested parties further opportunities to participate in the development of the support scheme. Further details on these phases will be advertised on the Department’s website.
It is expected that the terms and conditions of the new scheme will be announced towards the end of this year subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.
480. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an area (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive broadband under the national broadband plan; the timeline for this; if not, if any private operators have indicated that they will provide broadband to this area and the timeline for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2703/16]
View answerThe Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On the 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State Intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement commenced with the publication of the Project Information Memorandum and the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. In addition, my Department also published:
- the National Intervention Strategy – updated in December 2015, which takes account of responses to the public consultation which took place in July 2015 and subsequent expert analysis; and
- the High Speed Broadband Map 2020 which follows ongoing engagement with industry and public consultation.
The Intervention strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement that the State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30mbps download and 6mbps upload. It must also be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with consumer demand.
The 2020 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 are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services by the end of 2016. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention and includes Umricam in the townland of Umrycam (Ed Mintiagha) County Donegal. Members of the public can see whether their individual premise is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and/or address, or scrolling through the map.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network in the AMBER area is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018, with all addresses passed by 2020.
More generally, I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 21,000 premises to date in County Donegal with over 27,000 more expected to be serviced by commercial investment. Almost 52,000 remaining premises in County Donegal will be covered either by further commercial investment or the proposed State intervention.
481. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date for the roll-out of high speed broadband for Cloghroe, in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2863/16]
View answerThe Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On the 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State Intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement commenced with the publication of the Project Information Memorandum and the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. In addition, my Department also published:
- the National Intervention Strategy – updated in December 2015, which takes account of responses to the public consultation which took place in July 2015 and subsequent expert analysis; and
- the High Speed Broadband Map 2020 which follows ongoing engagement with industry and public consultation.
The Intervention strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement that the State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30mbps download and 6mbps upload. It must also be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with consumer demand.
The 2020 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 are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services by the end of 2016. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention and includes the townland of Cloghroe, County Cork. Members of the public can see whether their individual premise is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and/or address, or scrolling through the map.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network in the AMBER area is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018, with all addresses passed by 2020.
More generally, I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 126,000 premises to date in County Cork with over 55,000 more expected to be serviced by commercial investment. Almost 86,000 remaining premises in County Cork will be covered either by further commercial investment or the proposed State intervention.
482. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans in relation to broadband in the Kilmurray and Arklow area of County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/16]
View answerThe Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On the 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State Intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement commenced with the publication of the Project Information Memorandum and the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. In addition, my Department also published:
- the National Intervention Strategy – updated in December 2015, which takes account of responses to the public consultation which took place in July 2015 and subsequent expert analysis; and
- the High Speed Broadband Map 2020 which follows ongoing engagement with industry and public consultation.
The Intervention strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement that the State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30mbps download and 6mbps upload. It must also be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with consumer demand.
The 2020 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 are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services by the end of 2016 and includes Arklow. Where parts of the town or its environs are not covered by commercial high speed services, these will be the target for the State intervention.
The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention and includes the townlands of Kilmurry Upper, Kilmurry Lower, and Kilmurry Middle County Wicklow. Members of the public can see whether their individual premise is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and/ or address, or scrolling through the map.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network in the AMBER area is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018, with all addresses passed by 2020.
More generally, I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 33,000 premises to date in County Wicklow with over 12,000 more expected to be serviced by commercial investment. Almost 17,000 remaining premises in County Wicklow will be covered either by further commercial investment or the proposed State intervention.
483. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the broadband speeds that will be needed to satisfy future demand; his plans to meet this demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2898/16]
View answer484. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the potential impact on job creation of faster broadband across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2899/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 484 together.
The Government strongly supports the importance of high quality Broadband connectivity as an enabling infrastructure for long term economic and social sustainability.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On the 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State Intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement commenced with the publication of the Project Information Memorandum and the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. In addition, my Department also published:
- the National Intervention Strategy – updated in December 2015, which takes account of responses to the public consultation which took place in July 2015 and subsequent expert analysis; and
- the High Speed Broadband Map 2020 which follows ongoing engagement with industry and public consultation.
The Intervention strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement that the State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30mbps download and 6mbps upload. It must also be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with consumer demand.
The 2020 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 are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services by the end of 2016. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention. Members of the public can see whether their individual premise is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and/or address, or scrolling through the map.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network in the AMBER area is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
The NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018, with all addresses passed by 2020.
Providing reliable high speed broadband to every premises in the Intervention Area will support employment in farming, micro-enterprises and Government’s regional enterprise policies.
Direct new jobs will be created during the construction phase of the network build and are expected for the duration of the contract. Indirect jobs will result from demand created by the project in addition to jobs directly related to it. The additional income generated through those jobs will in turn increase household spending which will stimulate further employment.
It is envisaged that access to high speed broadband coupled with the measures being introduced under the National Digital Strategy will maximise growth potential in rural areas by encouraging businesses to make better use of the internet so that they can reach wider markets, grow their business and create jobs.
485. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commission A Written History of the Post Office by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3124/16]
View answerI do not have any plans to commission a book on the history of the post office. However, should the person concerned be interested in pursuing the history of the post office further, the website of An Post www.anpost.ie has information on books already available on this subject matter. In addition, while the An Post archive collections are not publicly accessible, I can assure the Deputy that An Post welcomes enquires and staff are glad to answer any questions relating to the archive. Enquires can by made by e-mailing heritage@anpost.ie or by writing to the An Post Archive, General Post Office, O'Connell Street, D01 F5P2.
486. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the lifetime of this Government, the number of proposals managerial staff in any agency or managerial body under his remit put forward to alter the roll out of public services which were delayed, postponed or abandoned as a result of non-co-operation by trade union representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3169/16]
View answerThe matters referred to by the Deputy are operational in nature and as such are the responsibility of individual State bodies and are not ones in which I, as Minister, have any function.
487. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his responsibility or agencies of his Department for repairs to Ashford Weir in County Wicklow, further to recent storm damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3257/16]
View answerI understand that the repair work to Ashford Weir on the river Vartry is the responsibility of Wicklow County Council. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the State Body, under the remit of my Department, with responsibility for the protection, conservation, development and promotion of our inland fisheries resource. In the context of the Fisheries Acts and relevant EU legislation, particularly the Habitats Directive, the IFI offer guidance and advice to Local Authorities planning works with potential to affect fisheries.
