Written Answers Nos. 741-754
741. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to identify the areas in County Louth which do not have high speed broadband; the number of business premises and residential properties which cannot access broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21147/16]
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, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area 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. Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.
The county breakdown for the National Broadband Plan Intervention in Louth 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 |
|
Louth |
678 |
15,129 |
25% |
75% |
The Government’s NBP intervention will ensure the availability of quality future proofed broadband services to all other parts of the country. Over 750,000 premises are the focus for the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ('PQQ') and Project Information Memorandum. On 5 July 2016, I announced that my Department has also identified a further 170,000 premises which are currently marked BLUE on the High Speed Broadband Map and which are unlikely to get access to services. The intention is to undertake further analysis on these additional premises with a view to including them in the formal procurement process. This will in turn require an adjustment to the figures per county for the BLUE and AMBER areas of the High Speed Broadband Map.
On 5 July, I also announced that the Department has now moved to the next stage in the procurement process. In this Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) phase, three qualifying bidders have been invited to meet with the Department to commence the formal dialogue process. The qualifying bidders will shortly be furnished with a draft contract, with detailed specifications for a quality and affordable high speed broadband network.
Following the ITPD stage, which will take a number of months, the Department will issue final tender documentation to bidders. When final tenders have been submitted 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), prior to awarding a contract. The timing of each stage of the procurement is dependent on a number of factors, including the complexities that may be encountered during the process.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out 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 roll-out plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed roll-out plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for a Partnership Government also commits to measures to assist in the roll out of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading 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.
742. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total tonnage of lead, not lead ore or concentrated lead ore, that has been produced to date from five mines (details supplied). [21246/16]
View answerThe total weight of lead produced to end of 2015 from the five mines, referred to by the Deputy, is approximately 2.26 million tonnes.
The breakdown for each mine is provided in the following table.
|
Mine name |
Number of millions of tonnes over the life of the mine |
|
Navan County Meath |
1.18 |
|
Lisheen, County Tipperary |
0.30 |
|
Galmoy, County Kilkenny |
0.14 |
|
Tynagh, County Galway |
0.45 |
|
Silvermines, County Tipperary |
0.19 |
|
Total |
2.26 |
743. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total tonnage of zinc, not zinc ore or concentrated zinc ore, that has been produced to date from five mines. [21247/16]
View answerThe total weight of zinc produced to end of 2015 from the five mines, referred to by the Deputy, is approximately 10.42 million tonnes.
The breakdown for each mine is provided in the following table.
|
Mine name |
Number of millions of tonnes over the life of the mine |
|
Navan County Meath |
6.43 |
|
Lisheen, County Tipperary |
2.28 |
|
Galmoy, County Kilkenny |
0.76 |
|
Tynagh, County Galway |
0.28 |
|
Silvermines, County Tipperary |
0.67 |
|
Total |
10.42 |
744. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total weight of silver, not silver ore or concentrated silver ore, that has been produced to date from three mines (details supplied). [21248/16]
View answerThe total weight of silver produced to end of 2015 from the three mines, referred to by the Deputy, is approximately 833,000 kg.
The breakdown for each mine is provided in the following table.
|
Mine Name |
Kilograms produced over the life of the mine |
|
Gortdrum, County Tipperary |
83,000 |
|
Tara County Meath |
268,000 |
|
Tynagh, County Galway |
482,000 |
|
Total |
833,000 |
745. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the private ownership model would require an additional €500 million to €600 million in capital spending under the national broadband strategy; the way it would impact on the capital plan and the Government balance sheet in terms of the overall spend on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21272/16]
View answer746. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the private ownership model would cost an additional €500 million in capital spending when it has been explicitly stated that its cost is €270 million, €70 million of which will be European Union funding, regarding the national broadband strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21273/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 745 and 746 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) represents a very significant capital investment project for the State and 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.
On 5 July the Government selected the Commercial Stimulus Model as the optimum ownership model for the network that will be part-funded by the Exchequer. The Government considered two ownership models, having narrowed the options down last December, from five models. The two models are:
- Commercial Stimulus (or ‘Gap Funding’) – the private sector finances, designs, builds, owns and operates the network, with contractual obligations to the Department.
- Full Concession – the private sector finances, designs, builds and operates the network with contractual obligations to the Department. Those assets funded by the State are handed back to the State after 25 years. Commercial assets that support the NBP infrastructure would however remain in private ownership.
Both Models will deliver the same network, with the same service specifications and controls, for 25 years. In both models, the winning bidder(s) will be subject to stringent contract provisions to ensure that the network delivers quality, affordable high speed broadband to all parts of Ireland that cannot access services.
The Department has completed detailed costings, down to every individual premises in the Intervention Area and, on that basis, has modelled the likely cost of each ownership model. It would not be appropriate to publish the expected cost of building the network or the likely cost to the State while a major public procurement process is underway. I do not intend therefore to indicate the overall estimated Exchequer funding parameters. Ultimately, the costs will depend on the price that bidder(s) quote in the tender process. I can however confirm the following based on the cost modelling completed to date:
- The Full Concession Model is estimated to cost 50 – 70% more in nominal terms that the Commercial Stimulus Funding model;
- In the Full Concession Model, the full cost of the project would be likely to go on the Government’s Balance Sheet, and the commercial sector input would likely be regarded as Government debt;
- Having the entire project on the Government’s Balance sheet would impact the general Government deficit by approximately €1bn more than the Commercial Stimulus Model. This would also reduce the available capital spend for other key investment projects by up to €600m over the next six years.
In addition to the funding implications of the Full Concession Model, I am advised that this model could take at least 6 months longer to negotiate a contract, than with the Gap funding model.
On 29 September 2015, the Government's 6 year Capital Plan, Building on Recovery, was published. It includes an allocation of €275m for the National Broadband Plan (NBP). This allocation provides the initial stimulus required to deliver the Government's intervention and it is expected that further funding will be available over the lifetime of any contract(s). Funding of €75m is committed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The current procurement schedule aims to have a contract(s) in place by June 2017. There are numerous stages in the procurement process and each stage is dependent on a number of factors, including the complexities that may be encountered during the process.
The Government’s priority is to deliver this network as quickly as possible. Given that both ownership models will deliver the same product and services for the next 25 years, and that regulation can be strengthened to provide safeguards for consumers from year 26 onwards, the Government has chosen the Commercial Stimulus model as the optimum approach for the National Broadband Plan intervention. The decision on ownership has allowed the procurement phase to move to the next stage, where three bidders have qualified and been invited to participate in formal dialogue with the Department. The Dialogue process with bidders will commence next week.
747. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to increase public transport services as the economy and commuter numbers from counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow increase and as the workforce grows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20464/16]
View answer750. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he assessed the need for increased numbers of public transport services from commuter belt counties such as counties Kildare and Wicklow as the economy and workforce grow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20463/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 747 and 750 together.
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport providers and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days
748. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had discussions with business leaders in the United States of America or Norway regarding the proposed Cork to Boston flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20672/16]
View answer756. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals for the Cork to Boston flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20673/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 748 and 756 together.
On 23 May last the US Department of Transportation concluded a public consultation on its tentative decision to grant the Irish licensed airline Norwegian Air International a foreign air carrier permit. The airline requires such a permit to operate the proposed Cork to Boston route and other routes from Europe to the US.
It is now a matter for the US authorities to decide whether to confirm that tentative decision or not. I fully support NAI's application and hope that the tentative decision is confirmed as soon as possible, so the airline can start flying to the US in line with the provisions of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement.
I and my Department continue to liaise with the European Commission on the matter. The Commission agrees that the 2½ year delay by the US authorities in making a decision on NAI's permit application is not acceptable and I am confident that the Commission will take the appropriate action under the Agreement to help resolve this dispute.
I have not had the opportunity to have discussions with business leaders in either Norway or the United States on this matter. However, I did make my position clear in my address to the International Air Transport Association at its AGM held in Dublin in June.
749. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will open the sports capital grant for 2016; the amount awarded to applicants in County Kildare for each of the years 2011 to 2015 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20461/16]
View answerNo decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.
Any interested group should register online now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.
Details of all allocations under the Sports Capital Programme, including those for county Kildare, are published on my department's website, the link for which is www.dttas.ie.
751. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the European Investment Bank has been approached in respect of funding for DART underground in any of the years since 2011; if so, the amount involved and the outcome of the approach; if any other funding streams are being pursued and if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20526/16]
View answerFollowing the comprehensive review of capital expenditure carried out in 2011, a decision was taken to defer a number of major capital projects due to the financial situation, including DART Underground.
In the context of developing the current Capital Plan which was adopted in September 2015, the National Transport Authority (NTA) was requested to review the business case for the project. Based on the outcome of that review, the NTA recommended that the project be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution. The project remains a key element of integrated transport for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and is included in the NTA's transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 which was approved and published earlier this year.
Funding has been provided under the Capital Plan 2016 - 2021 for redesign and planning for the revised lower cost DART Underground. All potential sources of funding for the project, including potential EIB funding, will be considered if a decision is made at a future date to proceed with a redesigned project.
752. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the review of the smarter travel programme will have an external element; if so, the expected arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20527/16]
View answerThe Smarter Travel Policy in my Department is made up of a number of programmes including Active Travel Towns, Smarter Travel Areas and the National Cycling Network which are directly administered by my Department.
Any review of the Smarter Travel Policy will involve consultation with key stakeholders and other external parties, to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme delivered to date and to inform how best to progress sustainable travel into the future.
753. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review plans for a junction on the midlands greenway (details supplied) with a view to putting in place a safer and more traffic friendly option than the current proposal. [20557/16]
View answerI understand that the extension of the Old Rail Trail Greenway, that I was delighted to announce funding for recently, finishes at the junction with the R915. The design of the junction between the Greenway and this road will be compliant with Transport Infrastructure Ireland's Rural Cycle Scheme standard and the National Cycle Manual as this is a condition of funding. The design of the Greenway extension is a matter for Westmeath County Council so the Deputy may wish to address this matter directly to the Council.
754. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of pre-financing by programme his Department has applied for with regard to the current phase of EU funding programmes; the amount that is likely to be reimbursed to the European Commission; the reasons this money will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20587/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated and will be forwarded to him within 10 working days.
