Written Answers Nos. 822 - 834
822. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of vacant State properties and land, including car parks not in use, owned by his Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department, by square footage, location and local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6910/16]
View answerMy Department does not own any properties, land or car parks. The Department's accommodation needs are provided for by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The issue as it relates to bodies operating under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for those bodies and one in which I have no function.
823. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the rural broadband scheme will be available in north County Louth and in the Faughart and Hackballscross areas in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7015/16]
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 is being 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 has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 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 process commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire and Project Information Memorandum. Five responses were received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March. The responses are now being assessed in line with criteria set down by the Department with a view to selecting qualified provider(s) to proceed to the next stage of the procurement. This second stage in the process will be a formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. Both areas referred to by the Deputy are BLUE areas. Based on information provided by commercial operators, which may be subject to change, services for Faughart, Mountpleasant, Dundalk are planned to be available within 6 to 12 months. and high speed broadband services are available in Hackballscross since January 2016. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention. Consumers can see whether their individual premises is in the BLUE or AMBER area by entering their Eircode on the Map.
The intention is to build out the network in the AMBER area as quickly as possible. The procurement process is underway and it is proposed to engage with the winning bidder(s) in due course on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network rollout and will be agreed during the procurement process.
Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement consultations has indicated that the rollout in the Amber area 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 all premises in Ireland (both commercial and intervention area) will have access to high speed broadband within two years of the contract award, with 100% of premises connected within 5 years.
824. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the concern of local residents and businesses in relation to the inadequate broadband telecommunications infrastructure in a town (details supplied) in County Cavan; when he will provide a modern and up-to-date broadband infrastructure to the residents of this town and its catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7027/16]
View answer825. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the concern of local residents and businesses in relation to the inadequate broadband telecommunications infrastructure in a town (details supplied) in County Cavan, when he will provide a modern and up-to-date broadband infrastructure to the residents of this town and its catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/16]
View answer826. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to provide modern broadband telecommunications infrastructure for all of County Cavan; the timescale for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7029/16]
View answer827. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to provide modern broadband telecommunications infrastructure for all of County Monaghan; the proposed timescale for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7030/16]
View answer828. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to improve broadband telecommunications service in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; if he is aware that households and many small enterprises are very concerned about the totally inadequate current service; if he will undertake the necessary investment programme without further delay to bring this broadband service up to a proper standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7031/16]
View answer829. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to improve broadband telecommunications services in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; if he is aware that households and many small enterprises are very concerned about the totally inadequate service that exists; if he will undertake the necessary investment programme without further delay to bring this broadband service up to a proper standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7032/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 824 to 829, inclusive, together.
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 is being 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 has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 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 process commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire and Project Information Memorandum. Five responses were received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March. The responses are now being assessed in line with criteria set down by the Department with a view to selecting qualified provider(s) to proceed to the next stage of the procurement. This second stage in the process will be a formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The area of Butlersbridge and Belturbet, Co. Cavan are in a BLUE area. Based on information provided by commercial operators, which may be subject to change, the roll out of high speed broadband services is planned for Butlersbridge in June 2016, and there are services already available in Belturbet town and from the Shercock exchange, with further upgrades expected in the next 3-6 months. The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the State Intervention. The Killinkere area is in the AMBER area and will be covered by the State Intervention. Consumers can see whether their individual premises is in the BLUE or AMBER area by entering their Eircode on the Map.
The County statistics for both Cavan and Monaghan are set out in the following table, which shows the percentage of premises that are expected to be covered by commercial investments, and the percentage that will be covered by the State Intervention.
|
County |
Name |
Townland |
Premises currently expected to be covered by State intervention under NBP |
Existing and Planned commercial High Speed Broadband |
|
Cavan |
County |
1,979 townlands |
24,197 premises to be covered by NBP - 39% |
61% |
|
Monaghan |
County |
1,849 townlands |
19,551 premises to be covered by NBP - 58% |
42% |
The intention is to build out the network in the AMBER area as quickly as possible. The procurement process is underway and it is proposed to engage with the winning bidder(s) in due course on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network rollout and will be agreed during the procurement process.
Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement consultations has indicated that the rollout in the Amber area 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 all premises in Ireland (both commercial and intervention area) will have access to high speed broadband within two years of the contract award, with 100% of premises connected within 5 years.
I welcome recent initiatives by Cavan County Council in particular to work with the Department and with telecommunications operators to facilitate the upgrade of services in the area. Local Authorities will continue to play a key role in the efficient rollout of infrastructure in their areas.
830. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which high speed up-to-date broadband is available or likely to become available within a short timeframe in all areas of County Kildare; the exceptions to such plans; the degree to which negotiations are taking place with local communities or service providers with a view to maximising the efforts to provide high capacity and high speed broadband to all areas without exception, having particular regard to the latest available map indicating progress or objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7188/16]
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 is being 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 has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 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 process commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire and Project Information Memorandum. Five responses were received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March. The responses are now being assessed in line with criteria set down by the Department with a view to selecting qualified provider(s) to proceed to the next stage of the procurement. This second stage in the process will be a formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Map shows that 77% of premises in Kildare are in the BLUE area. The remaining 23% of premises in Kildare (20,536 premises) are in the AMBER area and it is intended that these will be served through the State intervention. Consumers can see whether their individual premises is in the BLUE or AMBER area by entering their Eircode on the Map.
The intention is to build out the network in the AMBER area as quickly as possible. The procurement process is underway and it is proposed to engage with the winning bidder(s) in due course on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network rollout and will be agreed during the procurement process.
The Department has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders and communities in developing the Intervention Strategy, conducting four formal consultations and over 100 meetings over the last 18 months in particular. Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement consultations has indicated that the rollout in the Amber area 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 all premises in Ireland (both commercial and intervention area) will have access to high speed broadband within two years of the contract award, with 100% of premises connected within five years.
Local communities, and in particular, Local Authorities have an important role to play in facilitating the efficient rollout of infrastructure in their areas. The Department encourages Local Authorities to engage proactively with commercial operators, and the Department has also made several presentations to Local Authorities in relation to the National Broadband Plan, including Kildare County Council.
831. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of premises forecasted to be covered by the national broadband plan’s intervention by commercial high speed broadband services, by county, by the end of 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7198/16]
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 is being 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 has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 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 process commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire and Project Information Memorandum. Five responses were received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March. The responses are now being assessed in line with criteria set down by the Department with a view to selecting qualified provider(s) to proceed to the next stage of the procurement. This second stage in process will be a formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The areas market AMBER represent the target areas for the State intervention. Consumers can see whether their individual premises is in the BLUE or AMBER area by entering their Eircode on the Map.
The Map shows that there are currently over 750,000 premises in the AMBER area, representing 30% of the total of premises in Ireland. The remaining 70%, which comprise 1.6m premises are in the BLUE area and are expected to be served by commercial operators. The Department is monitoring the commercial rollout plans of operators to ensure that all of the 1.6m premises will have access to High Speed Broadband of at least 30 mbps.
The county breakdown for the National Broadband Plan Intervention is set out in the following table, with the percentage of premises to be covered by the Intervention and through commercial investment also listed.
|
County Name |
Total Number of County Townlands |
Number of Premises Covered by National Broadband Plan Intervention |
% Premises within the NBP Intervention Area |
% Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area |
|
Carlow |
560 |
10,555 |
39% |
61% |
|
Cavan |
1,979 |
24,197 |
57% |
43% |
|
Clare |
2,225 |
34,501 |
51% |
49% |
|
Cork |
5,336 |
85,972 |
32% |
68% |
|
Donegal |
2,644 |
52,004 |
52% |
48% |
|
Dublin |
888 |
8,295 |
1% |
99% |
|
Galway |
4,086 |
62,540 |
47% |
53% |
|
Kerry |
2,679 |
51,180 |
57% |
43% |
|
Kildare |
1,210 |
20,536 |
23% |
77% |
|
Kilkenny |
1,576 |
22,455 |
47% |
53% |
|
Laois |
1,111 |
16,201 |
42% |
58% |
|
Leitrim |
1,486 |
13,326 |
60% |
40% |
|
Limerick |
1,923 |
33,963 |
35% |
65% |
|
Longford |
886 |
11,691 |
52% |
48% |
|
Louth |
678 |
15,129 |
25% |
75% |
|
Mayo |
3,215 |
50,831 |
60% |
40% |
|
Meath |
1,601 |
31,171 |
38% |
62% |
|
Monaghan |
1,849 |
19,551 |
58% |
42% |
|
Offaly |
1,144 |
17,130 |
47% |
53% |
|
Roscommon |
2,046 |
24,856 |
64% |
36% |
|
Sligo |
1,269 |
18,605 |
47% |
53% |
|
Tipperary |
3,167 |
41,207 |
49% |
51% |
|
Waterford |
1,572 |
17,897 |
29% |
71% |
|
Westmeath |
1,346 |
17,814 |
40% |
60% |
|
Wexford |
2,301 |
39,308 |
49% |
51% |
|
Wicklow |
1,359 |
16,574 |
26% |
74% |
|
Totals: |
50,136 |
757,489 |
32% |
68% |
832. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the public procurement process underway regarding the national broadband plan and its associated timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7199/16]
View answerOn 22 December 2015, the Department formally launched a major Government procurement process for the State intervention to deliver a high-quality high speed broadband infrastructure to over 750,000 premises in Ireland. The formal procurement commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (‘PQQ’) and Project Information Memorandum. These set out the criteria by which potential bidders will be shortlisted for tender. Five responses to this phase of the competitive tender process by prospective bidders were received by the deadline of noon, 31 March 2016. The original deadline was 29 February but at least one bidder sought an extension to the deadline. The five responses are now being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to short listed qualified bidders proceeding to the next stage of procurement.
The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to those bidders who were shortlisted following the PQQ evaluations. It is anticipated that the second stage (ITPD) of the process will commence by the end of Q2 2016.
The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation, which follows the ITPD process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, the Department will select a winning bidder or bidders for the two lots / one lot as set out in the Intervention Strategy document. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s).
The technical, economic, legal and procurement aspects of the process are highly complex, and the Exchequer funding is significant. It is also governed by EU State Aid Guidelines and Irish procurement law. It therefore requires careful planning to ensure that the Intervention meets the standards that have been set for the programme. These standards follow very extensive stakeholder consultation and analysis by the Department. The contract will be for a 25 year term and aims to conclusively address broadband deficits in Ireland, and particularly rural Ireland.
The Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment. The aim is to maximise efficiencies during network build, while also prioritising areas as appropriate. The Department is currently considering how the network deployment could be prioritised across the Intervention Area.
The ambition of the Department is to ensure the rollout of the network happens as quickly as possible. This must of course be balanced against the need for a robust procurement process and an outcome that can deliver effectively for citizens, so as to ensure that every premises in Ireland has access to services, and that no further interventions are required.
833. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources why the new Eircode system designates a postal address (details supplied) as being in County Limerick and not in County Clare; when this error will be corrected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7227/16]
View answerThe most comprehensive address database available in the country is the postal address database, which is owned by GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland. Eircode uses the addresses from this database in the Eircode finder and used the postal address to ensure delivery of the Eircode letter. Eircode does not have the right to change postal address data on behalf of GeoDirectory. As there is no official form of address for properties, the introduction of Eircodes does not impose any obligation to change the address normally used. The Eircode can simply be added to the address normally used for the property. In relation to this specific case, I have asked my officials to ensure that a detailed reply issue to the Deputy.
834. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available to voluntary organisations for acquiring new equipment in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7237/16]
View answerThe funding of voluntary organisations to acquire new equipment is not a direct function of my Department. However my Department funds the BenefIT Programme, which is an initiative that supports community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to provide basic digital skills training to citizens who have little or no online experience. In 2014, following a call for applications, I extended the reach and impact of the BenefIT Programme by funding 24 community group projects as part of a pilot programme which is now closed. The new community projects encouraged and supported communities to develop their own plans and build local partnerships to equip citizens with online skills. Some community projects used a small proportion of this funding to purchase equipment to facilitate digital skills training.
