Written Answers Nos. 827-841
827. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year savings for 2017 by reducing spending on professional fees by 10% in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14104/16]
View answerIt is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
828. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year saving for 2017 by reducing spending on travel by 10% in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14122/16]
View answerAn estimated saving of €830,000 for the year 2017 would result from reducing anticipated 2016 expenditure on travel in my Department by 10 per cent. The largest component of my Department’s travel expenditure is required for home travel in the control inspections for EU schemes, animal health controls and meat inspection services. Also, my Department’s travel expenditure includes the costs associated with our obligations to attend meetings in Brussels related to the European Union. Additional foreign travel is undertaken for the purpose of increasing access to important third country markets.
Travel expenditure is continuously being monitored and activities that require regular travel are reviewed with a view to reducing travel costs. In the period 2008 to 2015 the Department reduced annual travel and subsistence expenditure by some €8.259m (54%). These considerable savings have been delivered by deploying technology, improving business processes and rationalising inspections. However, it must be borne in mind that much of my Department’s business takes place on farms and other premises, which are in remote locations.
829. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the updated roll-out dates for live rural broadband in Wicklow in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12961/16]
View answer834. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the updated roll-out dates for live rural broadband in Wicklow in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12962/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 829 and 834 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area, which is the subject of procurement. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area where commercial operators have committed to providing services, to ensure that those services are delivered. The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention. The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including County Wicklow.
Over 750,000 premises are the focus of the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') 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 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlist of 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 shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the NBP Intervention Strategy. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that contract(s) will be awarded by June 2017.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. Once contract(s) are in place, I expect to publish a detailed rollout plan for the network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits also to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys will lead on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
830. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of meters the ESB has installed in Dublin county and city, by commercial, industrial and residential use in tabular form. [12784/16]
View answerThe number of ESB meters in Dublin County and City is an operational matter for the ESB and ESB Networks in which I have no function. I have contacted the ESB to provide the requested statistics to me and once received they will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
831. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to request Gas Networks Ireland to provide details of the number of gas meters installed in Dublin county and city in terms of commercial, industrial, and residential use, in tabular form. [12785/16]
View answerThe matter referred to in the question is an operational matter appropriate for Gas Network Ireland (GNI) and not one in which I have a function.
GNI is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to operate, develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas to all customers connected to the network. GNI is a subsidiary of Ervia of which the corporate governance responsibility falls within the remit of the Department of Environment and Local Government.
I have asked GNI to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from GNI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up.
832. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when fibre broadband will be available for Slaney Close, Dublin9, as it has been detrimental to a number of businesses operating there, as well as in the wider Dublin industrial estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12816/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
A High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows areas marked BLUE which represents the areas commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband and areas marked AMBER which represent the target areas for the proposed State intervention. The formal procurement for the State intervention commenced in December 2015. Slaney Close and the wider Dublin Industrial Estate are in a BLUE area which means that high speed broadband services should be available from commercial telecommunications providers. Based on information available on Virgin Media's website www.virginmedia.i.e/ business services are available in the Dublin Industrial Estate and business owners may wish to follow this up with Virgin media or with other commercial telecoms providers.
The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that all premises, where commercial operators have committed to providing services will have access to High Speed Broadband of at least 30mbps. Members of the public can see whether their individual premises is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and/or address, or scrolling through the map.
Should access to services persist in the Dublin Industrial Estate, I would encourage business owners to contact my Department at broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.
833. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of money spent by his Department on media advertising from March 2011 to February 2016, showing the media organisation, newspaper, radio, television, or any other forms of media to which advertisement fees were paid by his Department; and the amount of money paid per year to each individual media organisation in tabular form. [12882/16]
View answerAs with all areas of public expenditure, spending on advertising is carefully controlled and limited to that necessary for the effective discharge of my Department’s functions. The principal reason for such expenditure is statutory notices that I am required to publish in the case of certain proposed authorisations, which require publication in a local newspaper circulating in the area where the proposed authorisation arises. Advertising by way of national and regional media is also required, in conjunction with press releases and conferences, to communicate the Department’s initiatives, schemes and services to the public.
My officials are currently co-ordinating the material requested and once it has been compiled, it will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
835. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects broadband to be rolled out to a local community (details supplied) in County Cork under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13216/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area, which is the subject of procurement. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area where commercial operators have committed to providing services, to ensure that those services are delivered. The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including County Cork.
Based on information provided by commercial operators 100% of the townland of Myrtleville and 68% of the townland of Fountainstown will be covered by commercial operators while the remaining 32% of the townland of Fountainstown will be part of the State Intervention. Members of the public can view whether their premises in Cork are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
Over 750,000 premises are the focus of the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') 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 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlist of 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 shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the NBP Intervention Strategy. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that contract(s) will be awarded by June 2017.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. Once contract(s) are in place, I expect to publish a detailed rollout plan for the network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits also to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys will lead on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
836. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the roll-out of high-speed broadband in rural Ireland; his further plans for the roll-out of broadband to a region (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13237/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area, which is the subject of procurement. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area where commercial operators have committed to providing services, to ensure that those services are delivered. The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention and includes the majority of the Erris Peninsula. The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including County Mayo. Members of the public can see whether their individual premises is in the BLUE or AMBER area by inserting their Eircode, and/or address, or scrolling through the map.
Over 750,000 premises are the focus of the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') 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 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlist of 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 shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the NBP Intervention Strategy. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that contract(s) will be awarded by June 2017.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. Once contract(s) are in place, I expect to publish a detailed rollout plan for the network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits also to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys will lead on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
837. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the national broadband plan will be implemented or awarded to an external body, so that the roll-out can be implemented. [13468/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area, which is the subject of procurement. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area where commercial operators have committed to providing services, to ensure that those services are delivered. The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention. The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county.
Over 750,000 premises are the focus of the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') 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 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlist of 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 shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the NBP Intervention Strategy. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that contract(s) will be awarded by June 2017.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. Once contract(s) are in place, I expect to publish a detailed rollout plan for the network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits also to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys will lead on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once contract(s) have been awarded.
838. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the importance of extending the natural gas pipeline to Dungarvan, County Waterford, and Gas Networks Ireland's schedule for extending it to Dungarvan and to other towns. [13560/16]
View answerThe development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial and operational matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. Gas Networks Ireland's published Connections Policy, most recently revised in 2015, set out its policy on the connection of all loads to the transmission and distribution gas networks.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. It also approves the GNI Connections Policy.
I have no statutory function in relation to either the routing of pipelines or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network.
839. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated full-year savings for 2017 by reducing spending on professional fees by 10% in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14107/16]
View answerMy Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief. It has a total complement of over 260 full time equivalent staff of whom a limited number are technical personnel. This requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice notably in legal, financial and technical areas to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and that these professional services contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making. Based on 2016 expenditure to the end of May, it is estimated that applying a 10% reduction in professional fees would reduce the amount to be paid in 2017 by approximately €0.46m.
My Department adheres to the relevant EU Regulations and Department of Finance Guidelines on the procurement of goods and services and will continue to keep spending on all consultancy/professional services to a minimum consistent with ensuring the necessary expertise is available to discharge the Department’s wide and complex brief.
840. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated full-year saving for 2017 by reducing spending on travel by 10% in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14124/16]
View answerBased on 2016 expenditure to the end of May, it is estimated that applying a 10% reduction in my Department's travel expenditure would reduce the amount to be paid in 2017 by approximately €16,000.
Payments in respect of my Department's travel budget are made for travel necessarily incurred on official business and in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) regulations.
841. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will take action to address an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13520/16]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the granting of wheelchair accessible taxi/hackney licences and the administration of grant schemes for wheelchair accessible vehicles, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
