Written Answers Nos. 1675-1689
1675. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current systems in place to measure the volume of salmon in the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir; if the most recently recorded levels are above or below average in comparison to preceding years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25153/16]
View answer1676. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider the installation of counters to measure the volume of salmon in the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25154/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1675 and 1676 together.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management, development and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries. IFI manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon
IFI is supported in its management role by a statutorily independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) on Salmon comprising scientists from IFI, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Loughs Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI- Northern Ireland) other State bodies and third level institutions. Scientific and management assessments of each stock including the Suir, Nore and Barrow are carried out every year, with IFI engaged in an extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the scientific committee's annual reviews.
Fish counters are a component element of the national assessment array in use by the scientific committee. In carrying out stock assessments the Committee draws on a number of data sets including rod and commercial catch data, fish counters and catchment wide electro-fishing.
However, the primary index for evaluation of likely returning numbers is the recorded rod (harvest or catch and release) and commercial catch (if any) averaged over the previous 5 years. The scientific committee applies a range of rod exploitation rates for recreational fishing activity and adds the commercial catch to calculate the total run of salmon. Fish counters are particularly useful in cases where rod or commercial data is not available. In addition, information on juvenile abundance indices derived from electro-fishing surveys carried out annually by IFI is also evaluated as an indicator of stock status.
For the 2016 season, based on rod catch and exploitation rates, the Suir was estimated to be meeting 68% of its conservation limit (CL). Management advice is that rivers meeting >65% of the CL can be open for catch and release angling. For 2016 the Barrow was meeting 18% of its CL and the Nore was meeting 60% of its CL.
While the Barrow and Nore were deemed not to be meeting >65% of CL based on rod catch, both rivers were open for catch & release angling in 2016 based on salmon fry densities recorded in electro fishing surveys which were above the scientific committee's established threshold.
The estimate of the percentage of the Conservation Limit (CL) achieved on the Barrow, Nore and Suir for the last 5 years is shown in the attached table.
|
- |
% CL achieved |
% CL achieved |
% CL achieved |
% CL achieved |
% CL achieved |
|
River |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
|
Barrow and Pollmounty |
18 |
17 |
29 |
29 |
41 |
|
Nore |
60 |
91 |
121 |
153 |
140 |
|
Suir, Clodiagh, Lingaun, Blackwater |
68 |
80 |
83 |
117 |
112 |
The salmon assessment methodologies used in Ireland are considered internationally as best practice. Many other countries are moving towards the development of similar scientific assessment models for salmon stock conservation.
I am advised that, given the availability of catch records on the majority of rivers, including the Suir, Nore and Barrow, and other indices, the number of fish counters in use is considered sufficient as a component within the array of methodologies available to the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon. However the requirement for additional counters is continually reviewed.
1678. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of broadband in areas (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25237/16]
View answer1680. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of fibre broadband in the Tralee area, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25278/16]
View answer1690. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter regarding e-fibre broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25426/16]
View answer1693. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of high speed broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25632/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1678, 1680, 1690 and 1693 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 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 formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.
The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. Investment decisions by the telecommunications networks providers in these areas, including the upgrading of individual exchanges are taken on commercial grounds by each network operator. As Eir is a private company, I have no statutory authority to intervene in these matters. My Department does however continue to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that those services are delivered and will, if necessary, include additional premises in the formal procurement process where it is evident that services will not be provided by the commercial sector.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process. Premises within this area will get services of at least 30Mbps when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including County Kerry. 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 table below details percentage of premises to be covered by the State Intervention and through commercial investment in the areas identified by the Deputy.
|
County Name |
Location |
Townland |
% Premises within the NBP Intervention Area |
% Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area |
|
KERRY |
Cappanacush |
Cappanacush |
100% |
|
|
|
Greenane |
Greenane |
100% |
|
|
|
Blackwater area (which spans a number of townlands) |
Bealdarrig, Cooracoosane Graignagreana Inchinglanna |
100% 100% 100% 100% |
|
|
|
Derrymore East |
Derrymore East |
100% |
|
|
|
Lios na gCraobh Annascaul |
Brackloon (Ed Ballinvoher) |
100% |
|
|
|
Bunagarha |
Bunagarha |
100% |
|
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, 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. Further analysis is being conducted on these additional premises with a view to including them in the formal procurement process. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map, or whose premises is in a BLUE area and cannot get services should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie. The Department will examine issues brought to its attention in relation to individual premises as part of the ongoing mapping process. This mapping work will conclude in the coming months and will be reflected in a further update to the High Speed Broadband Map.
The Department has now moved to the third stage in the procurement process, the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) phase, and is now engaged in the formal dialogue process with three qualifying bidders. The qualifying bidders have been furnished with a draft contract containing certain specifications for a quality and affordable high speed broadband network.
Following the ITPD Phase, and an invitation to bidders to submit detailed proposals, 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(s) in 2017.
In preparation for the procurement stage of the process my Department investigated how different technical solutions could be used to deliver high speed broadband. In line with EU State Aid rules, the process must be "technology neutral" and it is not therefore possible to specify what technology should be used to build the network. As part of the procurement process bidders will be asked to propose solutions which meet the NBP service requirements. It is recognised however, that a significant fibre build will be required, regardless of what technology is used to provide services to individual premises. Once the successful bidder or bidders is chosen the technology to be deployed will be made clear.
As part of the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated that it could take 3-5 years to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. It is however open to bidder(s) to suggest more aggressive timescales as part of their bids. 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 Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups’ taskforces, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
The timing of each stage of the procurement is dependent on a number of factors including the number of bidders short-listed and the complexities that may be encountered during the procurement process. It must be noted that bidders will need several months to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids and get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at these stages of the process.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland. The Taskforce, which I co-chair with my colleague, Minister Humphreys, was established in July. The Taskforce is now underway and will recommend practical actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland, working with Government Departments, Local Authorities, ComReg, State Agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The work of the taskforce will also assist Local Authorities in preparing for the rollout of the new NBP network once contract(s) are in place. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.
1679. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the HSE and other Government bodies are using telephone numbers which are not free phone or low call that is 0818 or 1890 numbers for public queries; the reason they are not instead supplying local call numbers for the public; his views on whether it is unfair to place these high phone call costs on members of the public who could already be under financial strain; and the companies employed by these Government bodies to administer these calls. [25268/16]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is a customer service issue for the organisations concerned. The use and display of telephone numbers is an area in which I have no statutory function.
The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) manages and administers the National Numbering Scheme which lists all numbers and codes that are available for use on public telecommunications networks. ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, has established a variety of access code types, in accordance with international norms, including:
- geographic numbering where charges are incurred by the caller at a local or national rate;
- 1850 numbers which share the costs between the caller and the service provider at a fixed rate when called from a fixed line number;
- 1890 numbers which share the costs between the caller and the service provider having regard to the duration of the call when called from a fixed line number; and
- 0818 numbers (designated as Universal Access Numbers), used by many large companies and charities that also have significant numbers of international callers, allowing calls to be routed to various company offices.
Neither my Department nor ComReg has any authority to compel public bodies, including State Agencies, to use or display any particular telephone access codes in preference to alternative codes available.
I would draw the Deputy's attention however to arrangements in my Department which operates an 1890 lo-call option for users contacting my Department from fixed line numbers and a standard 01-6782000 access code which allows mobile phone users to contact my Department at the standard rate charged by their service provider or within bundled minutes, depending on the package any customer has chosen.
1688. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high speed broadband will be extended to Bracken Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18; the length of time this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25394/16]
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 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 formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE, which includes the majority, 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, which are the subject of the current procurement process. Premises within this area will services of at least 30mbps when the procurement process is completed and network rollout.
The areas marked BLUE, which includes Bracken Road in Sandyford Industrial Estate in Dublin, represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or previously indicated that they have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. My officials have checked availability on Bracken Road and the result of this exercise would imply that the area in question is covered by High Speed Broadband. However, if customers on that road cannot access high speed services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dcenr.gov.ie , quoting their address and Eircode, and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services.
While I cannot compel any operator to provide services to a particular premises, my Department continues to actively monitor the deployment plans in the BLUE area and direct feedback from consumers is important in this regard. Over 750,000 premises are the focus for the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015. On 5 July, I announced that my Department has 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. Further analysis is being conducted on these additional premises with a view to including them in the formal procurement process. This work will conclude in the coming months and will be reflected in a further update to the High Speed Broadband Map.
The Department has now moved to the third stage in the procurement process, the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) phase, and is now engaged in the formal dialogue process with three qualifying bidders. The qualifying bidders have been furnished with a draft contract containing certain specifications for a quality and affordable high speed broadband network.
Following the ITPD Phase, and an invitation to bidders to submit detailed proposals, 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(s) in 2017.
As part of the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated that it could take 3-5 years to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. It is however open to bidder(s) to suggest more aggressive timescales as part of their bids. 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 Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
The timing of each stage of the procurement is dependent on a number of factors including the number of bidders short-listed and the complexities that may be encountered during the procurement process. It must be noted that bidders will need several months to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids and get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at these stages of the process.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland. The Taskforce, which I co-chair with Minister Humphreys, was established in July. The Taskforce is now underway and will recommend practical actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland, working with Government Departments, Local Authorities, ComReg, State Agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The work of the taskforce will also assist Local Authorities in preparing for the rollout of the new NBP network once contract(s) are in place. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.
1689. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the landlords that his Department or bodies under his aegis paid rent to in each of the past three years; and the sums paid in each case. [25413/16]
View answerAll of my Department's accommodation needs are provided for by the Office of Public Works and therefore no rents are paid directly to landlords by the Department. The information regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
