Written Answers Nos. 1514-1533
1514. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to extend broadband cover to a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1835/17]
View answer1515. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will extend broadband cover to a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1837/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1514 and 1515 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- 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. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map currently indicates that 100% of the townland of Monkstown 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. The Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all premises can get access to services. In this regard, direct feedback from consumers is important and if customers in these areas cannot access high speed broadband services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services. The Department will also shortly update the High Speed Broadband map and finalise the Intervention Area for bidders, taking into account any industry investments that have not materialised and potential other new investments.
A formal procurement process is now in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
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.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report which was published in December, is available at the following link: www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with the allocation of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band, in early 2017. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
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 €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including Co Cork.
1516. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1891/17]
View answerAs I have outlined previously for the Deputy, progress is continuing to be made in relation to the energy efficient upgrades of national public lighting assets.
Upgrading Ireland's public lighting infrastructure is central to the achievement of the challenging public sector target of a 33% reduction in energy usage by 2020. Given the scale of the retrofitting required, a co-ordinated effort is necessary if we are to achieve this target. The process must be effectively planned, co-ordinated and managed to ensure that the optimal national strategy and project pipeline is devised and implemented so as to ensure economies of scale (particularly in terms of procurement and project management), value for money for the tax payer and efficiency of works.
It is for this reason that it is essential to have those best placed to devise and manage this project in place to ensure its success. The National Public Lighting Steering Group, which is charged with the task of co-ordinating, driving and overseeing this process, consists of representatives from the City & County Management Association (CCMA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and therefore has the requisite level of expertise and experience to ensure that the optimal solution and plan of action is developed and implemented. The Group is also fully supported by officials from my Department, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
1517. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns in communities in counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath over the EirGrid proposal to construct the North-South interconnector; if he will direct EirGrid to underground these transmission cables if the project proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1918/17]
View answerEirGrid is the designated Transmission System Operator and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. As detailed in the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure, the Government does not seek to direct EirGrid in the development of energy infrastructure to particular sites or routes or technologies.
EirGrid made a formal application for the North-South 400 kV Interconnector project to An Bord Pleanála on 9 June 2015. A ten week oral hearing took place in 2016, concluding on 23 May. After their deliberations, An Bord Pleanála announced on 21 December 2016 their approval of planning permission for the project, with a number of conditions attached. The planning process in Northern Ireland is still ongoing, with a planning inquiry due to commence on 22 February of this year.
I am aware of the concerns surrounding this decision within the communities of Meath, Cavan and Monaghan and I have agreed to meet with a number of representative groups to fully hear their concerns.
1518. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the design manual for urban roads and streets is mandatory for each local authority area and open to variable interpretations based on the judgment of individual local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41571/16]
View answer1519. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will define an urban road and street in the context of the design manual for urban roads and streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41572/16]
View answer1520. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Church Hill, Maugheraboy Road, Sligo is an urban road and street subject to the design manual for urban roads and streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41573/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1518 to 1520, inclusive, together.
Section 1.3 of the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) defines an Urban Road and Street as those in an urban area with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less.
Use of the DMURS Manual is mandatory both in the design of new urban road and street schemes as well as in instances where significant upgrades are being designed. However, as the Manual cannot account for every scenario (particularly when retrofitting existing streets), a limited degree of flexibility is provided. In such exceptional circumstances, where designs are not compliant with the Manual, a written consent from the relevant sanctioning authority is required. These are Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority and my Department as appropriate.
1521. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to facilitate the broadcasting of the full range of radio channels within Dublin Port Tunnel and end the current situation whereby only a limited number of channels are able to broadcast to vehicles within the tunnel. [41588/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation and management of individual national road projects, including the Dublin Port Tunnel, is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the TII for direct response. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a response within ten working days.
1522. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Coast Guard units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1360/17]
View answerFrom the outset I would like to emphasise that the safety of IRCG staff, volunteers and the public is of primary importance to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS). In recent years, within the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), significant changes in organisational structures, Human Resource deployment and management have taken place. These include IRCG volunteer unit safety oversight and inspection. Each of the primary activities of the IRCG Units is subject to an annual inspection, and any safety issues are identified and addressed.
In addition, over the past two years, the IRCG have invested in extensive training, including boat and cliff training, to ensure its volunteers are trained and equipped to the highest standards in order to minimise the inherent risks involved in search and rescue activities.
I am very aware of the resourcing issues within the Coast Guard, including the requirement to bolster support of the Coast Guard Units. This is built into my Department's current workforce planning programme and into business cases for additional resources. As I have previously mentioned in the House, Officials in my Department are seeking additional staffing resources to support the Coast Guard, including its volunteers, in delivering the service around the coast.
1523. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the current punishments for speeding will be increased. [41508/16]
View answerOne of the main causes of road collisions in Ireland is excessive and inappropriate speed. The main goal of the penalty point system is to make drivers more aware of unsafe driving behaviour such as speeding and by doing so, improve that behaviour. Following a review of the penalty point system, by my Department, the Road Traffic Act 2014 increased the level of penalty points for the most dangerous offences including for speeding. Exceeding the speed limit now attracts three penalty points on payment of a fixed charge and five penalty points on conviction in court. There is also a fine of €80 if paid within 28 days and €120 if paid within 56 days.
Under current legislation, in addition to the imposition of a fine and the allocation of penalty points for speeding, an option exists for An Garda Síochána to prosecute an individual for dangerous driving where their speed is or is likely to be dangerous to the public. Given the recent increase in penalty points for speeding as mentioned above I have no plans at present to change the current punishments in relation to speeding offences.
As regards enforcement speeding laws, last week I held a Special meeting of the Ministerial Committee on road safety to ensure that all possible measures are being taken to improve safety on our roads in 2017. I very much welcome the assurance by An Garda Síochána at that meeting that there will be an increase of 10% in the traffic corps during 2017 resulting in more check points and greater enforcement of traffic law including regarding speeding and that road safety enforcement is a priority in the Garda Policing Plan for 2017.
1524. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost breakdown of the board and management of Bus Éireann; the positions and areas of responsibility they fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41080/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware Board fees of State bodies such as Bus Éireann are set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
With effect from the 1 May 2009 the approved fees for the Chairperson and directors of Bus Éireann are €21,600 per annum for the Chairperson and €12,600 for each other board member. The fees paid in any given year are published in the publicly available Annual Accounts which can be viewed on the company's website. The Annual Accounts also provide details of the CEO's remuneration.
While the publicly available Annual Accounts provide the substantial part of the answer to your question I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1525. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Expressway routes which are profitable, not profitable and cost neutral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41081/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1526. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of production, design, printing and distribution of the Bus Éireann quarterly staff magazine, Be Connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41082/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1527. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the legislation requiring cyclists to use cycle lanes at all times at locations they are available was amended; and if so, the amendments made to the original legislation. [41084/16]
View answerArticle 14 (3) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations of 1997 (S.I. 182) stated that all pedal cyclists must be driven on a cycle track where one is provided. The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 332) substituted article 14. The new wording in relation to the use of cycle tracks (sub article (4)) states:
(4) A pedal cycle shall be driven on a cycle track where (a) a cycle track is provided on a road, a portion of a road, or an area at the entrance to which traffic sign number RUS 021 (pedestrianised street or area) is provided, or (b) a cycle track, where traffic sign number RUS 059 is provided and pedal cycles shall only be driven in a contra-flow direction on such track.
My officials are currently reviewing the Department's policy with regard to the mandatory use of cycle tracks and are consulting with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána to seek their views. Before any amendments might be made to the Regulations with regard to the mandatory use of cycle lanes, I wish to satisfy myself that any such measures strike an appropriate balance between the views of stakeholders.
1528. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his predecessor has had any engagement with a group (details supplied) regarding the Waterford to Rosslare railway line; the nature of the engagement and issues discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41101/16]
View answerI have not had any engagement with the group referred to by the Deputy and there are no records in my Department of any engagement by my predecessor with this group either.
1529. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the position of CEO of Fáilte Ireland is still vacant; the name of the acting CEO; the status of the recruitment process for a CEO; the amount that the recruitment process has cost to date; the length of time it has taken; his views on whether it has been good value for money; and if the situation regarding the CEO was discussed at the last board meeting. [41188/16]
View answer1573. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a full breakdown of the remuneration of the newly appointed chief executive of Fáilte Ireland, including every aspect of the remuneration such as pension entitlements, any performance or bonus clauses, allowances such as a car allowance or travel allowances or anything else that is in any way related to the remuneration package. [41896/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1529 and 1573 together.
Fáilte Ireland announced the appointment of the New Chief Executive Officer on Wednesday 21st of December 2016. www.failteireland.ie/Utility/News-Library/Failte-Ireland-Appoints-New-CEO.aspx.
The appointment will be effective from the 1st February 2017. As your queries relating to the recruitment process and the matter being discussed at the last Board meeting are operational matters for the Fáilte Ireland, I will forward your query to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to you within 10 working days.
With regard to the CEO's remuneration package, details of remuneration packages are available in the Annual Report and Accounts. In the case of the new CEO, his salary remains the same as the salary of the previous CEO i.e. €151,010 p.a. The new CEO will be a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and his travel and subsistence allowances shall be paid at such rates and under such conditions as may be determined by the Agency from time to time with my approval and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. There are no clauses for a car allowance or for performance related payments.
1530. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Glenbeigh to Reenard greenway will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41189/16]
View answer1533. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding he has spent on greenways in 2016; if he will provide a breakdown in this regard; his plans to provide funding to greenways in 2017; and the locations of same. [41192/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1530 and 1533 together.
Under the National Cycle Network (NCN) Funding Programme 2014-2016, €3,458,281 was awarded to Kerry County Council for the construction of the Glenbeigh to Renard greenway. I understand that this project has experienced significant challenges in terms of costs, planning, engineering and engagement with local landowners which has resulted in the delay in delivering the project within the timeframe of the funding programme. The focus to date has been on progressing the planning and design elements of the route. My Department officials will continue to liaise with Kerry County Council regarding the future development of the project.
My Department is developing a new Strategy on Greenways to underpin the future development and funding of greenways. The proposed Strategy will include the approach to be taken by authorities and agencies tasked with delivering greenway infrastructure where engagement and consultation with landowners is required and, when finalised, will inform the approach to be taken to progress delivery of the South Kerry Greenway. The Department will undertake a public consultation process in the near future to inform the development of the new Greenways Strategy and all interested parties will have the opportunity to submit their views on such issues during the public consultation process.
Details of funding claimed and paid by my Department to local authorities for greenway infrastructure in 2016 are set out in the attached table. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the delivery of greenway infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) in co-operation with the relevant local authorities. In light of its role in this regard, I have forwarded your question to the NTA to provide you with the relevant 2016 figures for the GDA. If you have not received the requested information from the NTA within 10 working days please contact my office.
Funding for greenways infrastructure from 2017 onwards will be considered in the context of the new Greenways Strategy. The Programme for Partnership Government commits to making additional funding available for greenways and I will be pursuing this in the context of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan which is planned for later this year.
National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014- 2016 (2016 expenditure)
|
Local Authority |
Grant |
Project |
2016 drawdown |
|
Galway County Council |
2,000,000.00 |
Galway to Moycullen Greenway |
16,816.38 |
|
Kerry County Council |
3,458,281.00 |
Glenbeigh to Reenard Greenway (Phases 2 and 3 of the South Kerry Greenway) |
366,770.21 |
|
Kildare County Council |
841,673.00 |
Spin Bridge to Chambers Bridge (part of Dublin to Galway Greenway) |
816,977.47 |
|
Longford County Council |
513,000.00 |
Abbeyshrule to Ballymahon Greenway |
513,000.00 |
|
Meath County Council |
1,971,000.00 |
Croboy to Moyvalley and Cloncurry to Blackwater Aquaduct (part of Dublin to Galway Greenway) |
458,512.52 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
496,187.00 |
Garrycastle to White Gates Greenway |
496,187.00 |
|
TOTAL 2016 |
|
|
2,668,263.58 |
|
Government Stimulus Programme 2014 (2016 expenditure) |
|||
|
Local Authority |
|
Project |
2016 drawdown |
|
Kerry County Council |
450,000.00 |
Cahirciveen to Reenard (Phase 1 of the South Kerry Greenway) |
37,543.31 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
400,000.00 |
Boyle to Lough Key Forest Park |
28,319.11 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1,900,000.00 |
Clonmel to Carrick on Suir Greenway |
945,109.96 |
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1531. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the new round of sports capital grants will be open for applications; and the amount that will be in the scheme in total. [41190/16]
View answer1564. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department will be launching the application process for the sports capital grants for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41602/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1531 and 1564 together.
The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. On 21 December last, Minister Ross and I announced that €30m is being made available under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme to develop sports infrastructure around the country.
Applications will be accepted on my Department's dedicated online applications site www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie from the 23 January 2017 to the 24 February, 2017. The guide to making an application is also available on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
1532. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of user volume and trip volumes for the Cork, Galway and Limerick bike schemes; and if he will consider providing funding for similar schemes in Waterford and Kilkenny. [41191/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) established the public bikes scheme in Galway, Cork and Limerick and these are operated in cooperation with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The Programme for Partnership Government (PfPG) recognises the value of the public bike schemes and commits to supporting the extension of existing schemes and examining the roll-out of additional schemes in other urban areas. The current Capital Plan does not provide for funding for the establishment of any new public bike schemes but in light of the commitment in the PfPG this will be examined again in the context of the planned review of the Capital Plan later this year.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
