Written Answers Nos. 656-670
656. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a school (details supplied) has not been included in the fibre roll-out plan in view of the fact that the old abandoned school house in the village which closed 30 years ago has been included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33039/17]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan will provide high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.4m or 61% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second and this footprint is expanding.
In April, eir signed a agreement with me committing them to follow through on their commercial plans to provide new high speed broadband infrastructure 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. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie. 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.
Quarterly updates on progress of the eir 300k roll-out will be published on my Departments website. The Q1 figures have been verified by my Department and the eir roll-out is in line with the Commitment Agreement.
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.
Scoil Iosagain Primary School in Upperchurch, Co. Tipperary is within an AMBER area and will be part of the State led Intervention under the NBP. Specific premises information can be obtained by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering the premises Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
My Department is in 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. On 20 June 2017 my Department wrote to the three bidders in the NBP procurement process inviting them to submit their “Detailed Solutions” by 26 September 2017. The 'Detailed Solutions' stage is the last stage of the procurement process before Final Tenders..
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 roll out 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 roll-out 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 my Department's 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 established an Implementation Group to drive and monitor 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 13 June 2017, which is available on my Department's website at 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.
657. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/17]
View answer658. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33052/17]
View answer659. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/17]
View answer660. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33054/17]
View answer661. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33055/17]
View answer662. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33056/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 657 to 662, inclusive, together.
The Government's 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.
The National Broadband Plan will provide high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.4m or 61% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second and this footprint is expanding.
In April, eir signed an agreement with me committing them to follow through on their commercial plans to provide new high speed broadband infrastructure 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. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie. 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.
Quarterly updates on progress of the eir 300k roll-out will be published on the Departments website. The Q1 figures have been verified by my Department and the eir roll-out is in line with the Commitment Agreement.
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.
There are over 89,500 premises in County Kildare of which c.13,400 or 15% fall within an AMBER area and will be part of the State led Intervention under the NBP. The remaining 85% fall within a BLUE area and will be covered by commercial operators; this includes c.9,100 premises that form part of 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/. A breakdown of the townland areas the Deputy refers to are included in the table. Specific premises information can be obtained by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering the premises Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie
|
County |
Townland |
AMBER Premises within the NBP intervention area |
BLUE Premises covered by commercial operators |
LIGHT BLUE Premises in the planned rural deployment |
Total Number of premises in townland |
|
Kildare |
Ballycaghan |
1 |
1 |
48 |
50 |
|
Kildare |
Ballyoulster |
2 |
88 |
0 |
90 |
|
Kildare |
Barreen |
9 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
Kildare |
Cappagh |
57 |
0 |
7 |
64 |
|
Kildare |
Donaghcumper |
17 |
760 |
0 |
777 |
|
Kildare |
Killbrook |
17 |
0 |
25 |
42 |
|
Kildare |
Killeenlea |
7 |
0 |
17 |
24 |
|
Kildare |
Kilmore (Ed Cadamstown) |
44 |
0 |
3 |
47 |
|
Kildare |
Kilmore (Ed Carbury) |
13 |
0 |
5 |
18 |
|
Kildare |
Knockanally |
40 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
|
Kildare |
Newtown (Ed Donaghcumper) |
67 |
183 |
0 |
250 |
|
Kildare |
Turnings |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
Kildare |
Turnings Lower |
2 |
6 |
29 |
37 |
|
Kildare |
Turnings Upper |
12 |
0 |
34 |
46 |
My Department is in 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. On 20 June 2017 my Department wrote to the three bidders in the NBP procurement process inviting them to submit their “Detailed Solutions” by 26 September 2017. The 'Detailed Solutions' stage is the last stage of the procurement process before Final Tenders.
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. 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.
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 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 my Department's website.
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 established an Implementation Group to drive and monitor 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 13 June 2017, which is available on my Department's website at 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.
663. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the National Trans Frontier Shipments Office investigation regarding a shipment that was part returned to a port of origin here from Holland in 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/17]
View answerOn foot of the repatriation of a number of containers from Rotterdam, the National Transfrontier Shipments Office (NTFSO) instructed the waste broker who organised these exports to arrange for each shipping container to be returned to the waste facility from where it originated and has carried out inspections of these facilities. The NTFSO oversaw the return, off-loading, breaking open of each bale and reprocessing of the material from all shipping containers at the sites of origin. All wastes have at this point been reprocessed at the respective material recovery facility. The NTFSO has also engaged with the waste broker with a view to improving the broker’s inspection and monitoring procedures in order to reduce the risk of repeated incidents in the future.
The NTFSO in Dublin City Council is responsible for the enforcement of the Waste Management (Shipments of Waste) Regulations, 2007. As Minister, I am precluded under Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a local authority of their statutory functions under the Act.
664. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Government's decision to establish a master licence record for road traffic offences has progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32111/17]
View answerThe Master Licence Record (MLR) system, which will link vehicles with drivers on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), is envisaged as a key element to deliver on a system to ensure all offences are successfully endorsed on driving licences. The MLR, however, will not cater for situations where the offender has no direct association with the vehicle. The project is progressing and in order to mitigate any legislative and administrative problems, the project team has engaged with the Office of the Attorney General, the Data Protection Commissioner's Office, the Gardaí and other key stakeholders to finalise the requirements.
665. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated first and full-year cost of extending toll waivers to electric and hybrid vehicles. [32188/17]
View answerI and my Department are considering a range of policy options to encourage the use of electric and hybrid vehicles of which extending toll waivers to such vehicles is one. However, the cost implications would have to be considered particularly in the context of the potential impact on long-term PPP contracts.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, have jointly convened an interdepartmental LEV Task Force to consider the range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies, especially electric vehicles (EVs). The wide ranging work of the Taskforce has been divided between three working groups addressing: Market Growth Stimuli and Visibility; Infrastructure, Energy Regulation and Pricing; and Planning Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership. As part of its programme of work, Working Group 1 of the LEV Taskforce, which is chaired by my Department, is assessing options for public administration and leadership incentivisation for private car owners. This will include due consideration for the introduction of incentives such as the extension of road charging exceptions for electric and hybrid vehicles, amongst other measures. Details of the progress of the Taskforce will be made available on my Department’s website in due course.
666. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider granting taxi licence holders a new grant towards the cost of purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicles for use in their businesses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32441/17]
View answerThe Government is committed to facilitating the increased uptake of low emitting vehicles (LEVs). It is Ireland's ambition that all new cars and vans sold in this country from 2030 will be zero emission (or zero emission-capable) and my Department's long-term vision for the decarbonisation of the transport sector will encompass the electrification of the passenger car fleet, including SPSVs.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, have jointly convened an interdepartmental LEV Task Force to consider the range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies, especially electric vehicles (EVs). The wide ranging work of the Taskforce has been divided between three working groups addressing: Market Growth Stimuli and Visibility; Infrastructure, Energy Regulation and Pricing; and Planning Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership.
As part of its programme of work, Working Group 1 of the LEV Taskforce, which is chaired by my Department, is assessing amongst other measures options for public administration and leadership incentivisation for private car owners. This includes consideration of the opportunities to promote the possibility of transitioning to EVs within the SPSV sector.
It is expected that preliminary recommendations from the Taskforce will be presented to the Government in Q3 of 2017, in advance of this year's Budgetary and Estimates Process. Details of the progress of the Taskforce will be made available on my Department's website in due course.
Furthermore, under a measure outlined in the soon-to-be-published National Mitigation Plan, my Department has recently established a Green Public Transport Fund to support the uptake of low carbon technologies within the public transport sector. The fund will support pilot demonstrations of emerging low emission technologies and will also support measures to encourage the transition of the national taxi fleet towards alternative technologies.
667. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the National Transport Authority proposals for bus transport in Dublin and on the additional resources needed to improve the Dublin regional bus network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32819/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) recently launched the BusConnects initiative which proposes a radical transformation of the bus system in the Dublin region that will involve, inter alia, the development of a network of 'next generation' bus corridors and a complete redesign of the network to be accompanied by a network of bus-based park and ride sites at strategic locations.
The bus network is undeniably the cornerstone of the public transport system. Therefore, the best and most timely option to tackle congestion in the Dublin region in the short to medium term is to radically improve the bus system.
I am seeking additional funding for public transport investment in the mid-term review of the Capital Plan to support this initiative.
668. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the latest data with the National Transport Authority and other State agencies of the relative percentage or portion of all journeys which are made by bicycle, motor bike, car, bus and rail, including DART and Luas on a daily basis during 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32820/17]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that my Department publishes an annual report on transport trends that includes data from the Central Statistics Office on the percentage of journeys by mode of travel. The 2017 report is available here: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/publications/english/transport-trends with the underlying data accessible through the CSO's website (www.cso.ie).
I would also refer the Deputy to the annual canal cordon reports available on the National Transport Authority's website which provide the percentage share for all modes of travel used by people crossing the canal cordon inbound for the years 2006 to 2016. The 2016 report is available here: https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Canal_Cordon_Report_2016.pdf and sets out the key travel mode changes across the canal cordon in Dublin.
For the Deputy's information, the following table sets out the share of journeys made nationally by various modes from 2012 to 2016:
Percentage of Journeys by Mode of Travel 2012-2016*
|
Mode of Travel |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2016 |
|
% |
% |
% |
||
|
Private Car |
76.5 |
74.8 |
74.4 |
74.3 |
|
Public Transport |
5.2 |
5.3 |
5.8 |
5.5 |
|
Walk/Cycle |
14.8 |
16.7 |
16.4 |
16.3 |
|
Other |
3.5 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
4.0 |
Source: National Travel Survey (CSO).
*2015 data not available.
The Deputy may also wish to note the forthcoming publication on 31 August of Census 2016 commuting data which will provide additional source of information in relation to his question.
669. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the further planning which has been carried out by his Department and State agencies under his aegis into the construction of the Dublin Airport Swords to central Dublin fixed line public transport system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32821/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to proceed with the new Metro North light rail link connecting St Stephens Green to Swords, via Dublin Airport. Funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 for planning, design and to begin construction of new Metro North. Funding in the initial years of the Capital Plan is for planning and design work with construction expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2026/2027.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the new Metro North project.
The NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have commenced preparatory work on the planning and design of new Metro North and a dedicated project Steering Group has been established which is meeting on a regular basis. The NTA, in collaboration with TII, is undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations. Arising from this work a final route and station configuration will be established. It is my understanding that the NTA and TII expect that this process will be complete by the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken in 2018.
670. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the precise criteria applying to applications under the disabled parking permit scheme; and the options open to a person to appeal a decision to refuse a permit. [32833/17]
View answerThe Disabled Parking Permit is available to people, as drivers and passengers, living in Ireland with a permanent disability, medical condition, severe mobility difficulties and to people who are registered blind.
The disabled parking scheme is operated on behalf of my Department by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), who are empowered to issue disabled parking permits. Details of the criteria and application process are available on the respective websites www.iwa.ie and www.ddai.ie. As Minister, I have responsibility for the regulations under which the scheme operates.
A first stage appeals process is operated by the authorised bodies whereby those refused the granting or renewal of a Disabled Parking Permit are offered the opportunity of having all the documentation regarding their case reviewed independently by an Occupational Therapist or Medical Practitioner nominated by the authorised body, and an adjudication made on whether in the opinion of the reviewer and having regard to the terms of the scheme the authorised body was correct in reaching the decision taken. Such an independent review costs €35 and is payable directly to the Medical Practitioner/Occupational Therapist concerned. Should the reviewer consider that the authorised body erred in refusing to grant or renew the permit, the authorised body will issue the permit sought. Any extra expenses which may occur by the applicant in relation to this review will be borne by the applicant. If the review results in recommending the issue of a permit to the applicant, the issuing authority will reimburse the applicant for all fees in relation to the review process.
