Thursday, 22 Jun 2017

Written Answers Nos. 174-193

Medical Card Applications

Questions (174)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29437/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (175)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29438/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

Orthodontic Services Provision

Questions (176)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29440/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (177)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

177. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the scheduled date for the dentist visit to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29449/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme Applications

Questions (178)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a grant application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29259/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The applicant has submitted a claim under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II. There is an issue with ineligible receipts submitted with the claim for payment. The case will be processed within the next number of days and finalised with a view to issuing payment as soon as possible.

Coillte Teoranta

Questions (179)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

179. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29272/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.  

This matter was, however, raised with Coillte who advise that Coillte facilitates grazing on its lands, in certain circumstances, under a licence as opposed to a lease, and that, in general, licences run for an 11 month period and are revocable at any time by the licensor.

The granting of such licences is an operational matter for the company and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to intervene.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (180)

Bríd Smith

Question:

180. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the monetary value of all work contracted out under the aegis of his Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations including hiring and interviewing of staff, disciplinary procedures and workplace related issues such as allegations of bullying and so on or dignity at work issues in each of the years 2015 and 2016. [29331/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The monetary value of all work contracted out by my Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations including hiring and interviewing of staff, disciplinary procedures and workplace related issues such as allegations of bullying and so on or dignity at work issues was €100,150.75 in 2015 and €64,975.58 in 2016*.

* while contracted out in 2016, some of the monies were actually paid in 2017.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (181)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

181. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the agreed terms between the Irish Greyhound Board and all other sectors of the greyhound industry in having the protest picket at Shelbourne greyhound park removed. [29372/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and improve and develop the greyhound industry.

Bord na gCon has informed me that, following mediation and a ballot of its members, the Dublin Greyhound Owners & Breeders Association on Thursday 15th June 2017, decided to support the resumption of live racing at Shelbourne Park Stadium. Racing is to re-commence from Tuesday 20th June and will see an increase in Live racing at Shelbourne Park and extra supports for the local greyhound community.

The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon but I understand that among the proposals agreed is that a dedicated racing manager will be provided in Shelbourne Park for Harold's Cross racing, there will be dedicated Harold's Cross  race nights in Shelbourne Park and all staff from Harold's Cross will be accommodated at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium.

In addition, Bord na gCon has committed to hosting a National Greyhound Consultative Forum within the next 30 days to seek feedback and engagement as to how the industry can move forward. 

Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme

Questions (182)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

182. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount and the number of persons refused under the agriculture cashflow support loan scheme as administered by the SBCI in categories (details supplied). [29383/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Last month I welcomed the release of preliminary information from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) regarding the uptake of the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme. The Scheme, which was developed by my Department in co-operation with SBCI, makes €150 million available to farmers at interest rates of 2.95%. Distributed and administered through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, the Scheme provides farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital, allowing them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises.

The SBCI reported that €60.2m had been drawn down by farmers to the end of April. The average loan size is €32,000, with more than half the loans being advanced for terms of four years or more. By sector, 42% of loan value has been to dairy enterprises, 41% to beef and 8% to tillage, with other sectors such as sheep, pigs and horticulture also applying. The banks advise that all of the remaining €150m is committed and is in the process of being drawn down. 

Normal bank lending criteria applies to the Scheme and the terms and conditions of each individual loan are agreed between the bank and the applicant according to the purpose of the loans and the circumstances of the farming enterprise. The banks do not report specific information on refusals but have stated that it is in line with their normal loan refusal rates. Applicants to the Scheme have a right of review with the Credit Review Office, which provides an independent review process for SMEs, sole traders and farm enterprises that have had requests for credit refused or had existing credit facilities reduced or withdrawn.

One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some agriculture sectors. I am pleased at the very positive reaction by farmers to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance. I have met with the Chief Executives of the participating banks to discuss this and other access to finance issues relating to the agri-food sector. I have asked the banks to respond positively to the demand that has been demonstrated by reducing interest rates and providing more flexible terms for cash flow loans in the future.

Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme

Questions (183)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

183. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether a tillage compensation package for 2016 harvest should be agreed by his Department and that all contributing factors be considered such as the costs associated with replanting of said same crops. [29394/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I hosted a Tillage Stakeholders Forum on the 16 February, following on from the first one in October 2016, which on both occasions consisted of representatives from all sides of this Sector. Addressing the most recent Forum, I took the opportunity to highlight that one of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some sectors, which have caused cash flow difficulties for farmers.

Therefore I was pleased to facilitate the “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme”and last month I welcomed the release of preliminary information from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) regarding its uptake. The Scheme, which was developed by my Department in co-operation with SBCI, makes €150 million available to farmers at interest rates of 2.95%. Distributed and administered through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, the Scheme provides farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital and allows them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises. The SBCI reported that €60.2m has been drawn down by farmers to the end of April. The average loan size is €32,000, with more than half the loans being advanced for terms of four years or more. SBCI report that some 8% of the loans to date have been drawn down by the tillage sector which is in line with borrowing levels for the sector as a proportion of total agricultural borrowings. The banks advise that all of the remaining €150m is committed and is in the process of being drawn down. I am pleased at the very positive reaction by farmers to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance. I have met with the Chief Executives of the participating banks to discuss this and other access to finance issues relating to the agri-food sector. I have asked the banks to respond positively to the demand that has been demonstrated by reducing interest rates and providing more flexible terms for cash flow loans in the future. Implementation of this Scheme is subject to the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 (de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector). Support provided under the de minimis regulation complies with State Aid rules in the agriculture sector and does not require prior approval by the EU Commission.

Under this regulation, I introduced the Tillage Investment Scheme under TAMS II which opened for online applications on the 8 March 2017. The specific areas of investment include Minimum Disturbance Tillage Equipment, Sprayers, Rain Water Harvesting, Grain Storage and Grain dryers. This Tillage Scheme is the latest of the Targeted Modernisation Schemes (TAMS II) to be launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The Scheme is co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

All applications must be made on-line, either by the farmer or by an adviser authorised to act on his or her behalf.  The closing date for applications under the first tranche of the new scheme is Friday 30 June 2017.  A further Tranche will open immediately on the 1 July with a closing date of the 6 October 2017.

As an additional support to cash flow on farms, including Tillage farms, up to €1.186 billion has been paid out under the Basic Payment Scheme to 124,112 farmers with payments ongoing. Payments of €202.34million have also been made to 94,552 applicants under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme.

I can also confirm that a wide ranging discussion took place among all the stakeholders who attended the Tillage Forum, including on the issue of crop losses as a result of the poor harvest conditions of last autumn. My officials have since then had some additional meetings with stakeholders and I will consider further the outcome of those deliberations. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (184)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

184. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent adoption of the European Parliament revised climate change targets that reduce the contribution of carbon sequestering via planting of trees and carbon storage in soils in meeting emission targets; his further views on proposals by MEPs to set 2020 as the starting point as opposed to 2005 for 2030 targets; if he raised these issues at the recent Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings with his EU colleagues; and, if not, the reason therefor. [29406/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The challenge of feeding an increasing world population, which is set to grow by 2 billion by 2050, in a sustainable manner whilst reducing GHG emissions has been recognised as uniquely challenging for the Agricultural sector.

There must be a coherent approach to the twin challenges of climate change and food security that does not force us to reduce our sustainable production of food. Such an approach is clearly recognised in the EU Council Conclusions of October 2014 and in the Paris Agreement which outlines that efforts to limit global temperature increases to less than 2 degrees and to pursue 1.5 degrees must do so in a manner that does not threaten food production. From the forestry perspective of land use, the Paris Agreement includes a strong recognition of the role of forests in mitigating climate change and the need to account for both emissions and removals.  

These objectives are in line also with the Government’s stated long-term ambition for the sector - an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.

Therefore, maintaining the current Commission proposal, which allows Ireland the potential to use up to a cap equivalent to 5.6% of 2005 emissions (2.7 Mt CO2eq per annum) from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) from the 280mt EU flexibility in order to meet its emission reduction requirements, is of major importance to Ireland.  This flexibility is based on a combined contribution of net afforestation and cropland and grassland management activities.

We continue to emphasise that the flexibility from the land use sector should not be seen as an offsetting proposal but rather as an effort to broaden the “toolbox” of abatement options available to achieve targets. This is particularly the case for Member States where existing abatement measures are costly and action in the LULUCF sector, that encourages removals and limits emissions, may present a more cost effective option.

Likewise, the starting point is critical to the achievement of a cost efficient burden which reflects the reality of our end-point in 2020 and not the assumption that we have reached our -20% target.

With specific regard to the proposals made by the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament, a range of actions are being and have been taken in respect of appropriate briefings with MEPs and on a bilateral basis with our fellow Member States on those elements of most importance to the agri-food sector.

I can assure you of my commitment and that of my officials to ensuring these negotiations result in the best possible outcome for Ireland. We will continue to work closely with the lead Department in this area, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, to ensure a whole of government approach to the negotiations.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (185)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

185. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the appointments made to State boards under his auspices in the period 1 May 2017 to 16 June 2017, by appointee name, position and relevant State board; the appointment process for each such appointment; and the State boards under his auspices in which vacancies remain unfilled. [29407/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I have not made any appointments during the period in question to the boards of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.

There are currently nine vacancies on the boards of the six State Bodies listed below. These vacancies are being processed in accordance with the Public Appointments Service Guidelines.

- Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (1 vacancy)

- Bord Bia (1 vacancy)

- Bord Iascaigh Mhara (3 vacancies)

- Marine Institute (1 vacancy)

- Bord na gCon (1 vacancy)

- Coillte (2 vacancies)

Departmental Communications

Questions (186)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

186. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a revised ministerial briefing will be published and downloadable on his Department's website. [29408/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department's updated brief will be available on my Department's Website http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ early next week.

European Innovation Partnerships

Questions (187)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

187. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 568 of 23 May 2017, the persons or bodies that made submissions prior to the launch and formation of the locally led scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29446/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Locally Led approach is a measure which was proposed as part of the Irish Rural Development Programme for the period 2014-2020. 

As part of the preparation of the RDP, my Department conducted an extensive and wide-ranging consultation process, which included open invitations to make submissions on any aspect of the design and direction of the new Programme.  A full description of that process, including a summary of the main points to emerge, can be found in the published version of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme.  Ideas pertinent to the Locally Led model feature in many of the submissions received and all of these have been uploaded to my Department’s website.  In addition, my Department also held an open public seminar in Portlaoise in October 2015 focusing specifically on the proposed new locally-led measure. There was a very wide representation of interested parties present at that seminar and feedback from the floor, and from workshops on the day, also influenced the design of the new scheme.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (188)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

188. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to avail of the European Commission’s programme under the WiFi4EU scheme to promote free Wi-Fi connectivity for EU citizens and visitors in public spaces and in particular for County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29260/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities - COM(2016)589 was agreed at political level on 29 May 2017. Known as "WIFI4EU", the proposal announced by the European Commission in September 2016, is designed to provide a limited number of public Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces such as parks, squares, libraries, and some public buildings.

Importantly, it is proposed that hotspots will rest on existing backhaul provided by public entities defined as municipalities, grouping of municipalities, and other local public authorities and institutions, libraries and hospitals. While these hotspots will provide additional connectivity, they are not designed to fill in broadband coverage gaps, or replace mobile phone services. They will, however, offer additional flexibility for internet connectivity in certain public areas for citizens. By stimulating integration with existing public services, the initiative will assist in promoting public interest in high capacity internet services and will contribute to the take-up of broadband services and also to the development of public infrastructure and digital inclusion. 

The total amount available for the project across all EU Member States will amount to €120 million under the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding mechanism, which will be administered in a series of tranches over a period of three years. The total amount should result in approximately 6,000 – 8,000 local communities across the EU receiving hotspots at an approximate cost of €20,000 per hotspot. The first call for proposals amounting to €20 million is likely to be launched in late 2017, although no date is yet confirmed.

Details of the exact administrative process for applicants, are yet to be decided at technical level, and details of arrangements will be announced in due course by the European Commission.  It is known, however, that the hotspots will be paid for through a voucher scheme. The European Commission is working closely with EU Member States including Ireland to determine the logistics of the eventual process. It is not known how many hotspots Ireland will receive overall. However, the principle of geographical balance across Member States will apply so that Ireland should receive a proportionate share.

The potential applicants in Ireland’s case will likely include local authorities, with any local authority eligible to apply as long as their application fulfils the conditions set by the European Commission.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (189, 192)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

189. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for the rollout of at least 30 Mbps broadband speeds to a location (details supplied) in County Donegal as part of the national broadband plan; if such areas with poor or no broadband coverage shall be prioritised during the rollout phase as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29278/17]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

192. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date for the rollout of high speed broadband for Elm Grove, Sallybrook, Glanmire, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29409/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 192 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. As a result, the NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date, 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 and today, approximately 1.4m or 61% of premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second. This footprint is continuing to expand. 

In April, eir signed an agreement with me committing them to follow through on their commercial plans to provide broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas.  Eir has committed to doing this work over a 90 week period, with an average of 500 premises passed per day.  My Department will be monitoring this rollout to ensure that eir meets its obligations under the Agreement.  A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my website www.dccae.gov.ie.  

Quarterly updates on progress of the eir 300k rollout will be published on the Departments website.  The Q1 figures have been verified by my Department and I am pleased to announce that the eir rollout is in line with the Commitment Agreement.  My Department has informed me that in the period from 1 January to end March 2017 over 30,000 premises have been passed. This brings to over 40,000  the total subset of the 300k premises that eir has passed since they commenced work in late 2016.    

The decision by eir to invest in infrastructure to deploy high speed broadband services to an additional 300,000 premises in rural Ireland was taken by eir on commercial grounds. Neither I nor the Department have a statutory authority to direct eir in this regard.

In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map finalises the State Intervention Area for the procurement process and is an important milestone in the procurement process. The Map shows the extent of  the State Intervention area and also the areas targeted for commercial services.

The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services, 

- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.

The following table details percentage of  premises  to be covered by the State Intervention and through commercial investment in the areas identified by the  Deputies.

There are approximately 2.3m premises covering Ireland’s 26 counties, of which approximately 542,000 (23%) premises are located in the AMBER area on the Map.  These premises will require State intervention and are the focus for the State Intervention procurement process. The remaining 1.8m  premises are located in the BLUE areas and will be/are served by commercial operators. Of the 1.8m premises, 1.4m are already within a high speed broadband area and a further 300,000 premises fall within eir’s plans to deliver rural high speed broadband between now and end 2018 (Light BLUE on map).  Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at  http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.  

My Departments High Speed Broadband map www.broadband.gov.ie . provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county.  Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.   

In relation to the State Intervention; this is intended to ensure high speed broadband is made available to premises and businesses in the areas where commercial investment has not materialised. My Department is running a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The State Intervention network will be a wholesale network and retail service providers will be able to use the network to provide enhanced broadband services to their customers. 

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. The  three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. 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.

With the finalisation of the map and following extensive dialogue with bidders, the procurement is progressing to the next stage. This week, the Department wrote to the three bidders in the NBP procurement process inviting them to submit their “Detailed Solutions” by 26 September 2017. This is a significant milestone as the NBP procurement process moves to the next stage.

The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP, once contracts are in place.

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.

The rate of demand for data services has increased exponentially in the last four years and this presents a continuing challenge for telecommunication operators, regulators and policy makers both in Ireland and internationally. Recognising this challenge, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force. In July 2016, I established the Task Force together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers, prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available on both Departments' websites

In producing this report, the Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The report contains 40 actions that will alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland and the implementation programme on mobile phone and broadband access identifies 19 of these actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Departments and State agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers.

In order to maintain momentum created by the Task Force, I, together with Minister Humphreys, established an Implementation Group. This group is driving and monitoring the implementation of the actions, bringing together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery. This group will be formally reporting every 90 days on progress made on all actions.  I published the first such quarterly progress report on 13th June 2017, which is available on my Department's website  at http://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Taskforce%20Q1%20Progress%20Report.pdf  and which shows that considerable progress has been made, particularly in relation to the implementation of actions identified for Q1 2017.

The work of the Task Force will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.

In addition, following regulations which I signed last year, ComReg recently announced the results of its auction for the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which means an 86% increase in spectrum capacity to meet the growing demand for mobile and wireless broadband services across rural and urban areas. The Regulator has awarded 15 year licences for the rights of use in this band which will provide a degree of stability and create future investment certainty. Spectrum was also awarded in lots covering 9 urban and rural regions across the country.

In my Department's Estimates for 2017, I have secured an €8 million provision for RTE to allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to allocate this spectrum to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.

These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland and particularly in rural Ireland.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (190)

Bríd Smith

Question:

190. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the monetary value of all work contracted out under the aegis of his Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations including hiring and interviewing of staff, disciplinary procedures and workplace related issues such as allegations of bullying and so on or dignity at work issues in each of the years 2015 and 2016. [29334/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I can confirm that my Department did not contract out any work relating to human resources investigations or industrial relations issues during the years in question.

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.

North-South Interconnector

Questions (191)

Brendan Smith

Question:

191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will give urgent consideration to a request from a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29381/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

On 19 December 2016 An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector project in Ireland. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process which included an Oral Hearing completed over eleven weeks from March to May last year. The planning decision is currently the subject of Judicial Review proceedings. The planning process for the section of the project in Northern Ireland is ongoing with an oral hearing concluding on 27 February 2017.

In light of the motions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, I had proposals prepared for an updated independent study. In preparing the terms of reference for this study, my officials held meetings with representatives of the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign on 28 March and the Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee on 3 April. This engagement was important in facilitating local representative groups input into the terms of reference drafting process.

I approved the Terms of Reference for the study and published them on my Department's website on Monday 8 May. This study will bring further clarity to the relative cost and technical merits of overhead and underground solutions for the North South Interconnector.

Following the publication of the Terms of Reference, I met with the Deputy and a number of other Oireachtas members from Cavan, Monaghan and Meath on Tuesday 16 May. This meeting provided me the opportunity to update the members on progress in relation to the proposed study and for the members to provide feedback.

As discussed at that meeting, it is not proposed to include external factors (such as local tourism, health, landscape, agriculture and heritage). These were examined as part of the statutory planning process which is the appropriate method by which such impacts are assessed and evaluated and therefore there are no plans to re-draft the terms of reference. Apart from these external factors, the terms of reference is in keeping with all other factors contained in the motions passed.

The impact on land and property values and the level of compensation paid in lieu of such impacts was also discussed at the meeting with Oireachtas members and at the meetings with the community groups. Whilst it would not be appropriate for me to intrude on settled processes for addressing these issues between developers and affected landowners, in light of the concerns that have been voiced, I am commissioning research on international comparative practice on the approach to and levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage power lines.

Question No. 192 answered with Question No. 189.

Bus Services

Questions (193)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a bus stop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29265/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing or providing public transport infrastructure in the State in relation to bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, bus stands and bus fleets.

Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

The referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.