Written Answers Nos. 992-1011
992. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 5 July 2017, the reason for conflict with state aid rules that would be presented by a PSO levy system based on a per kWh basis. [33573/17]
View answerThe conflict with state aid rules that would be presented by a Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy system based on a per kwh charge is set out most recently by the European Commission in correspondence with the Department on the State Aid re-notification for the PSO related to peat stations, C (2013) 5832 section 3.4 (49) “Compatibility with other Treaty provisions.”
In this notification letter, the European Commission states “In accordance with the case law of the Court and the Commission’s case practice, parafiscal charges and levies which are imposed on the consumption of a product (e.g. electricity) regardless of whether it is domestic or imported, but the proceeds of which only benefit domestic production, are not compatible with Articles 30 or 110 TFEU.”
In practical terms, the above provision means that a simple consumption based-levy is not allowed under state aid rules. This is because it could theoretically benefit supported generators/suppliers in Ireland by imposing a levy on all electricity supplied including that imported from another Member State, thereby discriminating in favour of generators/suppliers in one Member State, potentially distorting competition and affecting trade between Member States.
Therefore a kWh charge is not possible under EU law in these circumstances whereas a flat charge based on the connection level is permitted.
The European Commission has made similar ruling for the PSO levy in notification approvals in respect of the original PSO scheme (C (2001) 3265) and also in respect of renewable support schemes (C (2002) 2 and C (2002) 5).
993. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 5 July 2017, the reason for his determination that €75 would cover the cost of disposing 650 kg of waste under the new waste system in view of the fact that he has repeatedly emphasised that the Government plays no role in setting prices within the waste collection sector. [33574/17]
View answerThe charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
Waste collection prices vary across the country and between service providers. Therefore, estimating the approximate cost of collecting 650 kg of waste is extremely challenging which is why the disposal estimate is used.
The figure of €75 represents the estimated cost of disposing of 650 kg of waste over the course of a year, based on landfill and incineration gate fees.
I am establishing a pricing monitoring function that will provide monthly reports on pricing developments and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission will also be asked to report on the operation of the household waste collection market in order to inform the future development of national waste management policy before year end.
994. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expenditure of the budget allocated to the regional waste management planning offices in 2016 and 2017, by campaign, nature of expenditure and date. [33575/17]
View answerIn 2016, approximately €28,000 was provided to the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOs) for the preparation of an awareness campaign for the proposed introduction of a per kilogramme pay by weight on 1 July 2016; it was decided in June 2016 not to proceed with the introduction of pay by weight at that time.
To date in 2017, approximately €500,000 has been committed by the RWMPOs to fund the continued roll out of a comprehensive waste campaign. This campaign includes a programme of education and awareness using radio and cinema advertisements to encourage the use of brown bin and focusing on food waste prevention, backed up with social media campaigns; the development of a master recycling programme by the RWMPOs, working with the environmental pillar, to roll out workshops across the country training recycling ambassadors to bring the recycling message and understanding to a wide variety of communities; and, a billboard campaign to promote the prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling of waste.
995. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the departmental spend on setting up eircode; the original budget; the spend on ongoing maintenance costs since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33576/17]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the use of the National Postcode System "Eircode".
The cost to date for establishing the National Postcode System (NPS) is €21.48m (VAT inclusive) and is broken down as follows:
|
Contractual Costs |
Expected Cost to Exchequer over life of the contract (VAT inclusive) |
Paid to end June 2017(Vat inclusive) |
|
NPS Design |
€3.20m |
€3.20m |
|
PSB Database encoding |
€11.50m |
€11.50m |
|
NPS Launch and dissemination |
€3.77m |
€3.77m |
|
On-going maintenance and Service costs |
€14.75m |
€0.11m |
|
Subtotal |
€33.22m |
€18.58m |
|
Other Costs |
|
|
|
Specialist and Staffing Costs |
€4.80m |
€2.90m |
|
Total Cost |
€38.02m |
€21.48m |
996. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011 in tabular form. [33577/17]
View answerMy Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy. While it has a total complement of around 345 full time equivalent staff of whom a number are technical personnel, the technical, commercial, legal complexity and evolving nature of sectors with which the Department deals requires access to external professional expertise to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and that these services contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making.
The bulk of the studies are technical and specialist in nature and were necessary to address specific issues as they arose and enable the Department to discharge its policy and project responsibilities in the areas concerned.
Details of external consultant reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011 are set out in the following table:
|
Consultancy Name |
Title |
Cost to date |
Date of Commission |
Date or expected date of publication |
|
Environ UK Limited |
Corrib gasfield project – monitoring compliance with the Conditions of the Department’s Letter of Consent dated 25 February 2011 |
€924,111.81* |
June 2011 |
Report published on the Department’s website Dec 2015. |
|
Dr Michael Johnson |
Silvermines Vegetation Study |
€5,848 |
August 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Camp Dresser McKee CDM |
Sampling of Gortmore and Silvermines Vegetation |
€13,890 |
July 2011 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Purvin & Gertz |
Strategic Case for Oil Refining requirements |
€193,997 |
August 2011 |
July 2013 |
|
PA Consulting Group |
National Digital Research Centre |
€29,040 |
July 2011 |
Published on the Department website. |
|
OHH Energy Ltd |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€41,120 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
Elimark |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€38,786 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
2B Energy |
Independent Commission on Meath Tyrone Power Line |
€32,284 |
July 2011 |
17/1/2012 |
|
SLR Consulting |
Core Library Holdings Review |
€39,688 |
Sept 2011 – Dec 2011 |
Jan 2012 |
|
Jenny Deakin |
Preparation for the Graigue Group Water Scheme Report |
€1,750 |
April 2011 – Sept 2011 |
Sept 2011 |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Economic/Socio-Economic Analysis of options for rollout of next generation broadband |
€28,167 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Analysys Mason |
Analysis of options for potential State intervention in the rollout of next generation broadband |
€30,522 |
May 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive and may impact on Government procurement in Broadband provision. |
|
Thornton’s Chartered Surveyors |
Provision of land valuation and negotiation services |
€3,690 |
July 2012 |
This Report will not be published until completion of land purchase. |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Assessment of Economic Contribution of Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland |
€53,690 |
October 2012 |
Published September 2013. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Provision of a Macro-Economic Research Exercise under the National Digital Strategy to Determine the Value of Internet/Digital to the Irish Economy |
€72,474 |
November 2012 |
Published July 2013. |
|
CDM Smith Ireland Limited |
Environmental Monitoring at former mining areas of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary and Avoca, Co. Wicklow |
€650,336 |
December 2012 |
On completion of scheduled reports. |
|
AMEC Earth & Environmental (UK) Ltd |
Expert Services to Monitor Mining Activities and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences. |
€140,621 |
December 2012 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
Wardell Armstrong LLP |
Provision of Expert Services for Mine Inspection, Environmental Advice and Compliance with terms of State Mining Leases/Licences. |
€45,918 |
May 2016 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd |
Scheduled review of INFOMAR Project |
€59,505 |
Dec 2012 – May 2013 |
Published September 2013. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for (1) a 2D regional seismic survey and (2) an offshore exploration well (Dunquin) (2 reports received) |
€11,211 |
February 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Det Norske Veritas |
Expert technical advice to the Department in connection with offshore drilling |
€52,088 |
March 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Irish Geoscience Sector |
€10,000 |
March 2013 – June 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications (six reports completed in 2013) |
€18,266 (€3,044 fee payable for each report received) |
April 2013 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd |
Market analysis of backhaul infrastructure in Mayo and Galway |
€10,500 |
May 2013 |
Published June 2013. |
|
Selgovia Limited |
Offshore exploration well technical assessment |
€4,429 |
July 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
To provide draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report for the Renewable Energy Policy and Development Framework |
€95,940 |
September 2013 |
This report has not been published but is expected to be published shortly. |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Conduct of an Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment |
€23,247 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Establishment of an Administrative Framework for the Acquisition of Baseline Information on Marine Species |
€21,973 |
November 2013 |
Not published. Commercially sensitive. |
|
AECOM Ltd. |
Economics and Financial Consultancy |
€52,988 |
November 2013 |
This Report will not be published as it remains confidential. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Economic Analysis of the Advertising Market in Ireland |
€71,438 |
December 2013 |
Report published on the Department’s website. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2D/3D offshore Seismic Surveys and exploration drilling applications (five reports completed to date in 2014). |
€66,124 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received) |
February 2014 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Wood Mackenzie |
Review of Ireland’s Oil and Gas Fiscal System |
€212,873 |
12/3/2014 |
Published June 2014 |
|
Neary Marketing & Communications |
Review of Geoscience Ireland Business Cluster |
€5,000 |
March 2014 – July 2014 |
This Report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
PA Consulting |
Post Project Evaluation of the Tellus Border project |
€24,750 |
March 2014-July 2014 |
Published July 2014 |
|
Perspective Associates Ltd |
The provision of independent expert advice relating to the identification of an appropriate framework for determining whether a compilation of programme material offered by a contractor under s. 71 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 has the ‘character of a public service’. |
€5,000 |
18/07/2014 |
Report published on the Department’s website |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Assistance with the Production of the Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment (IOSEA) 5 |
€218,399.51 |
October 2014 |
Report published on the Department’s website Sep 2015 |
|
KN Network Services |
To provide a due diligence assessment on the current status of the Galway-Mayo telecoms duct. |
€62,500 |
2014 |
The report will not be published, it will be used to assist with the appointment of a Management Services Entity for the duct. |
|
Gemserv |
To provide a privacy impact assessment for the National Postcode System. |
€59,340 |
August 2014 |
The report is published and available on the Departments website. |
|
Ricardo - AEA |
REFIT 3 Review |
€4,500 |
2014 |
This document remains part of the deliberative process and contains commercially sensitive information. |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd. |
Assistance with the screening of the National Broadband Intervention Strategy for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. |
€4,500 |
25/08/2014 |
This report will be published on completion of the consideration of the SEA/AA assessments. |
|
RPS Group Limited |
To undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment / Appropriate Assessment on the Draft Bioenergy Plan |
€54,930 |
September 2015 |
March 2016 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Review of Designated Events of Major Importance to Society under the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
€82,719 |
23 October 2015 |
The report will not be published, it is used to assist in the review of designated events. |
|
Tekenable |
Provision of TV Licence Database and System Review. |
€36,017 |
29 October 2015 |
This report is commercially sensitive and confidential, and will not be published. |
|
Compass Informatics, |
Scoping Study for a National Geological Data Centre |
€29,625 |
October 2015 |
December 2015 |
|
Ramboll Environ UK |
Corrib Pipeline Consent environmental consultancy services for gap analysis for Corrib pipeline consent to operate |
€85,634 |
August 2015 |
Report published on the Department’s website December 2015. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2/3D offshore seismic survey and exploration drilling applications. |
€21,918.60 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received. |
April 2016 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Norcontel |
Financial advice relating to the concessionaire model for the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS) |
€22,950 |
30 March 2016 |
This report is commercially sensitive and confidential, and will not be published. |
|
Indecon |
Assessment of the Macro-Economic Impact of Internet/Digital on the Irish Economy |
€74,070 |
30 November 2015 |
Published on the Department’s website on 31 May 2016. |
|
Eamon Halpin & Co. Ltd |
Valuation Report and advice on Waterford & Dungarvan MAN Networks |
€5,000 |
25 November 2015 |
This report forms part of an ongoing legal process and will not be published. |
|
Element Energy
|
Provision of consultancy services to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) for an economic analysis of the Renewable Heat Incentive for Ireland |
€105,500 |
17 May 2016 |
This report will not be published as it is commercially sensitive. |
|
SLR Environmental Consulting Ireland |
Expert Consultancy Services to provide environmental guidance documentation in respect of mineral exploration activities |
€59,040 |
10th October 2016 |
Ongoing |
|
Crowleys DFK |
Review of the Tax Implications of the Formation of the Digital Hub company |
€12,000 |
31 July 2015 |
This report is commercially sensitive and will not be published. |
|
Indecon |
Review the Impact of Opt-Out Advertising on the Irish Broadcasting Sector |
€45,446 |
11th October 2016 |
September 2017 |
|
Cambridge Economic Policy Associates (CEPA)
|
Provision of an Economic Analysis to Underpin a New Renewable Electricity Support Scheme in Ireland
|
€125,700 |
13 December 2016
|
Report not yet complete.
|
|
Risk Solutions |
Review of INFOMAR Programme |
€24,989 |
26th November 2015 |
Completed March 2016On INFOMAR website www.infomar.ie |
|
SLR Consulting |
Report on Social Acceptance of Geoscience Activities and Earth Resources in Ireland |
€21,445 |
Contracts signed late Nov 2015 |
Published online May 2016 (www.gsi.ie/reserach) |
|
Analysys Mason
|
Review of pricing and access arrangements relating to the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) |
Total cost - €90,000 No payments to date |
24th March 2017 |
This report will contain commercially sensitive information, and will not be published. |
|
Indecon |
Review of policy underpinning the NDRC endeavour |
Total cost - €51,948 of which €10,389.60 paid to date |
9th March 2017 |
Ongoing |
|
RPS Group Limited |
To undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the National Broadband Intervention Strategy |
€22,205 |
April 2016 |
This report will be published on completion of the consideration of the SEA/AA assessments. |
|
KHSK Economic Consultants |
Review of the Obstacles that hindered the planned introduction of pay by weight charging in July 2016 |
€10,920 |
29/11/2016 |
This report has not been published to date. |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers |
Review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines |
€21,985 |
December 2016 |
This report will be published on completion of the consideration of the SEA/AA assessments. |
|
Indecon |
An Economic Evaluation of the Geoscience Sector |
Nil cost to date |
1/06/2017 |
Report to be completed in Q4 2017 and will be published online. |
|
Indecon |
Review of policy underpinning the NDRC endeavour |
Total cost - €51,948 of which €10,389 paid to date |
9th March 2017 |
Work is currently ongoing and there are no plans to publish the report. |
|
BEC consultants |
Assistance with statutory assessment of Environmental Statements and Natura Impact Statements accompanying applications for geophysical surveys including 2/3D offshore seismic survey and exploration drilling applications. |
€40,184 (€3,653 fee payable for each report received. |
June 2017 |
Reports published on the Department’s website. |
|
Envecon Decision Support Ltd ** |
Consultancy to support work of the Technical Research and Modelling (TRAM) Group.
|
€352,200 due under contract for whole of 2017.
|
Contract commenced on 1 January and will end 31 December 2017. |
The Final National Mitigation Plan will be published by DCCAE in mid-July 2017. |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and University College Cork (UCC)** |
Consultancy to support work of the Technical Research and Modelling (TRAM) Group.
|
N/A |
Contract commenced on 1 January and will end 31 December 2017. |
Ongoing. |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Limited |
Strategic Environmental Assessment Statement |
€73,530 |
July 2015 |
This will be published alongside the Final National Mitigation Plan by DCCAE in mid-July 2017. |
|
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine |
An assessment of the health benefits of the Warmth & Wellbeing Pilot Scheme |
Nil |
28/04/17 |
The Warmth & Wellbeing scheme is a pilot initiative that will run for at least 3 years. Research work will proceed in parallel with scheme delivery and will completed after the scheme’s conclusion. |
*These costs are recouped from the Operator of the Corrib gasfield project
**Technical support for the development and management of key operational elements in the national climate and energy policy process is provided by the Technical Research and Modelling Group (TRAM). TRAM has assisted the Government in developing the NMP. TRAM research is paid for from the Subhead F7 of the DCCAE Vote and in 2017 €1.75m was allocated for this work.
997. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date by which he will announce the details of the next REFIT scheme; if it will be expanded to include more types of renewable production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33578/17]
View answer998. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost efficiencies for all renewable technologies by megawatt in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33579/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 997 and 998 together.
The 2015 Energy White Paper and the 2016 Programme for Government recognise that Ireland’s long-term interests are best supported by further decreasing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels through the continued development of indigenous renewable energy. To support the delivery of this ambition, my Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030.
In July 2015, my Department published the first Technology Review consultation on a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and over 800 submissions were received. Following this, in December 2016, my Department appointed consultants to carry out an independent evidence based economic appraisal to underpin the proposed new RESS. This appraisal is on going, and involves comparing the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies including Solar Photovoltaic (PV), both ground mounted and rooftop, Offshore Wind, Onshore Wind, Ocean Energy including Tidal and Wave technologies, and various Bioenergy technologies including Biomass Combustion, Biomass CHP, Anaerobic Digestion CHP, Sewage Gas, BioGas and Waste to Energy.
Notwithstanding the fact that some of these technologies are more market ready and cost effective than others, all technologies that are being appraised will remain open for consideration under a range of scenarios until a final decision on the scheme design is made.
The economic appraisal is being undertaken to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The appraisal also includes analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.
It is important to note that the Energy and Environment State Aid Guidelines, applicable from 2014 to 2020, will significantly limit the design options for the proposed new RESS. The guidelines indicate that all RES-E support levels must be set through competitive bidding processes and RES-E support should be set via a Feed in Premium payment as opposed to flat tariff structures that have been implemented in Ireland to date.
My Department will publish a final public consultation on the design principles of the new RESS this month. Following the outcome of this public consultation, and before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and state aid clearance from the European Commission. Subject to this, it is expected that the new scheme will become operational in 2018.
In terms of the costs associated with supporting renewable electricity technologies, the table below sets out the current Renewable Electricity Feed In Tariff (REFIT) rates for 2017.
Tariff per MWh (€)
|
REFIT 1 |
2017 |
|
Large onshore wind (above 5MW) |
69.72 |
|
Small onshore wind (equal to or less than 5MW) |
72.167 |
|
Hydro |
88.068 |
|
Biomass Landfill Gas |
85.622 |
|
Other Biomass |
88.068 |
|
REFIT 2 |
2017 |
|
Large onshore wind (above 5MW) |
69.72 |
|
Small onshore wind (equal to or less than 5MW) |
72.137 |
|
Hydro |
88.068 |
|
Biomass Landfill Gas |
85.622 |
|
REFIT 3 |
2017 |
|
Biomass Combustion |
89.314 |
|
Biomass Combustion - Energy Crops |
99.822 |
|
Large Biomass CHP (above 1500kW) |
126.091 |
|
Small Biomass CHP (equal to or less than 1500kW) |
147.106 |
|
Large AD Non CHP (above 500 kW) |
105.076 |
|
Small AD Non CHP (equal to or less than 500 kW) |
115.583 |
|
Large AD CHP (above 500kW) |
136.598 |
|
Small AD CHP (equal to or less than 500kW) |
157.613 |
999. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the Government has transposed the European broadband directive, 2014/61/EU, relating to infrastructure sharing which will reduce the cost of deploying high speed electronic communications networks; if not, when this is envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33580/17]
View answerDirective 2014/61/EU on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks requires operators of communications, district heating, electricity including public lighting, gas, transport and waste water networks to negotiate agreements to share their network physical infrastructure with public communications networks operators, if requested, unless there are objective reasons not to do so in any particular case.
The Directive provides, among other things, for infrastructure sharing requirements and a requirement to establish a dispute settlement body to adjudicate in disputes regarding access to other networks and the terms and conditions of such access. The European Union (Reduction of Cost of Deploying High Speed Public Communications Networks) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 391 of 2016) transposing these requirements of the Directive were signed into law by me on 20 July 2016.
I am advised that a further provision of the Directive to ensure that all newly constructed buildings at the end-user's location, with certain exceptions, or buildings undergoing major renovation works, for which applications for building permits have been submitted after 31 December 2016, are equipped with a high-speed-ready in-building physical infrastructure, requires an amendment to the Building Control Acts in order to effect transposition. My officials are working with officials in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on the necessary measures to transpose this provision.
1000. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the changes he is planning on making to the funding of public broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33581/17]
View answerI recognise the important part that public service broadcasters play in our democratic society and the consequent importance of stable and adequate funding to ensure the continued delivery of their role in this regard.
While the TV Licence system faces a range of challenges, including the current unacceptable levels of evasion, my Department is continuing to work with An Post and RTÉ so that all steps are being taken to ensure that, to the extent possible, it continues to deliver the necessary levels of public funding.
As the Deputy is aware, I have obtained Government approval to proceed with the drafting of a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009 including amendment of the provisions of the Act relating to the broadcasting levy to alleviate the burden on broadcasters. I also intend to introduce a new funding scheme to offer bursaries to journalists working in local or community radio stations and to provide for tendering for TV Licence fee collection. The proposed amendments are currently being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.
As the Deputy is also aware, I have requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of the public service media. The Committee's work is on going and a very useful consultative forum on this important topic was hosted by the Committee on 7 July. I am confident that its review will be comprehensive and thorough and will involve due consideration of all relevant issues. I very much look forward to receiving the Committee’s report in due course, which will inform future funding policy for public service broadcasting.
1001. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered the possible impacts that outsourcing the collection of television license fees could have on An Post's financial revenues and profitability. [33582/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I have obtained Government approval to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act, 2009, including amendments to allow for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection, and the proposed amendments are currently being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.
In tandem with this, I recently asked the Office of Government Procurement to issue a Request for Information to see what services the market may be able to offer in respect of TV Licence fee collection. The result of this will help inform any tender process once the legislative amendments are in place to provide for a procurement process.
Whatever form any future tender process might take, it is my intention that the post office network should remain central to the sale of television licences. I understand that when the cost of collection is factored in, the TV licence collection process has no material impact on An Post financials.
In the meantime, there will be no change to the existing TV licence fee arrangements and An Post continues to work as my issuing agent in accordance with Section 145 of the Act.
1002. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 25 May 2017, if he will elaborate on the engagement that he mentioned; and the number of meetings that he and his Department have attended regarding the implementation of EU roaming regulations in Northern Ireland following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. [33583/17]
View answerEU Roam Like at Home took effect by way of EU Regulation on 15 June 2017 and is now in force EU-wide. That includes in Northern Ireland as part of the UK. Therefore until the UK leave the European Union, this EU law has full effect in the UK, including Northern Ireland.
As stated previously, it is not yet possible to say what impact Brexit will have on cross-border roaming charges once the UK formally leaves the Union. That will be largely dependent on the future relationship between the EU and UK, which is a discussion that will follow the current negotiation phase of the Exit Deal.
The position remains that the UK Government White Paper on Brexit sets out that the UK wishes to ensure that the UK telecoms companies can continue to trade as freely and competitively as possible with the EU.
As you will be aware, my officials and I take every opportunity to discuss the potential impacts of Brexit with our EU and UK colleagues, including with the European Commission Article 50 Task Force.
With respect to Northern Ireland specifically, meetings have yet to take place at Ministerial level since the collapse of the Executive back in January. The Irish Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, continues to work towards the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive and there are ongoing contacts at official level.
Prior to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive, I attended the North South Ministerial Council which convened in November 2016 and included an audit of policy areas impacting North and South, which was to include a range of matters that affect both Northern Ireland and Ireland.
1003. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the rate of recycling here since 2005, by material type. [33585/17]
View answerThe Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with reporting data on waste management. A wide range of waste statistics is available on the EPA website (http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/waste/stats/), including national waste reports and data releases containing information on recycling rates for various waste streams. A progress report on how the State is performing in terms of various waste management targets under EU legislation is also available to download.
1004. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises in respect of the monthly and milestone deployments under the Eircom commitment contract that have been served under the contract in each of the months April to June 2017, by means of EVDSL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33718/17]
View answer1012. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out by a company (details supplied) of high fibre broadband to areas marked light blue on the national broadband plan; the reason some homes in areas are being connected by the company while neighbours are not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34081/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 and 1012 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. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5 bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
There has been significant progress in relation to broadband rollout so that today, approximately 1.4 m or 61% of premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector, which is continuing to expand this footprint.
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 at www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Commitment%20Agreement.pdf. 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.
The focus of the agreement is the delivery by Eir of its commitment to roll out a high speed broadband network to over 300,000 premises. The agreement includes quarterly milestones to be achieved by Eir, which are subject to formal evaluation by my Department. My Department has concluded that Eir has met its target to pass 40,000 premises by the end of Quarter 1 of this year. My Department understands that approximately 3,350 of these premises will be served by an eVDSL connection. Initial indications are that Eir has also met its Quarter 2 target. A formal evaluation of eir's Quarter 2 performance will be conducted by my Department shortly.
1005. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 23 May 2017, if he will clarify or publish the terms of the contract under which he is enabled to extend a MANS concession by 11 years without a public tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33719/17]
View answer1007. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the pricing review of the MANS network is complete in respect of task force action No. 19; further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 23 May 2017, his plans to publish the review; if so, the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33721/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1005 and 1007 together.
Following two public procurement processes, enet was first appointed for a 15 year term to manage the 28 Phase I Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in July 2004, and was subsequently appointed for a 15 year term to manage the 60 Phase II MANs in July 2009. Each Concession Agreement contains specific provisions providing for an extension of up to a maximum period of 10 years. The Concession Agreements, which were due to expire in March, 2020 and July 2024 respectively, have been extended to co-terminate in March 2030.
The operational review of the MANs network, which is being carried out by independent consultants is ongoing. My Department anticipates receiving a report from the independent consultants in the coming months.
1006. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the progress report of the task force implementation group; the local authorities that remain non-compliant with the 2013 development contribution guidelines in respect of task force action No. 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33720/17]
View answer1008. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has completed its review of the issue of mobile coverage blackspots in respect of task force action No. 40; his recommendations in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33722/17]
View answer1009. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received the report of the telecommunications operators concerning the introduction of Wi-Fi and VoLTE in respect of task force action No. 39; his plans to publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33723/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1006, 1008 and 1009 together.
On 13 June, I published the first quarterly progress report on the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force, which is available on my Department's website. It shows that considerable progress has been made, particularly on implementation of actions identified for Q1 2017. I intend to publish the second quarterly report shortly.
27 of the 31 local authorities have adopted revised development contribution schemes in compliance with the 2013 guidelines, which exempt telecommunications infrastructure from development contributions. A further local authority is due to adopt its revised scheme shortly. Of the remaining three, one scheme will be reviewed this year, and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government are following up on the two other schemes with the relevant local authorities. The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government will continue to engage with relevant Councils and monitor the reviews of schemes, recognising the role of the elected members in this matter.
The updates provided by operators on network features and functionality enhancements have been integrated into the Q1 and Q 2 reports. As noted in the first quarterly progress report published in June, Eir launched Wi-Fi calling in early 2017. Since launch, the company have extended the supported device range of products. In the last quarter there has been strong take-up of the service with customers successfully making 1 million Wi-Fi calls throughout Ireland. Eir will continue to extend the device capability range over the next few months and are conscious of the positive experience enhancement for customers to make calls where never possible before. Operators will continue to report to the Taskforce Implementation Group on their ongoing work on introducing network features and functionality enhancements. The Implementation Group will continue to monitor the situation closely during the bilateral engagement with action owners in Quarter 3.
Significant engagement has taken place with each of the mobile operators where they have presented the key issues preventing them from serving blackspots. Each operator has proposed a series of initiatives and recommendations to help reduce the impact of blackspots both in rural and urban locations. The recommendations include:
- Operator led solutions – introduction of new network functionality and features such as HD calling and Wi-Fi Calling;
- Community and local authority led initiatives – to assist in the identification of suitable site locations or existing infrastructure;
- Updating of the Exempted Development Regulations to allow new equipment be deployed on existing sites; and
- Reducing site rental costs for State owned sites to use particular sites to alleviate blackspots.
A number of these initiatives are already being implemented through actions underway via the Taskforce Implementation Group. In addition, the operators have shared a list of their top 5 blackspots in each county where assistance is needed to alleviate the issues. This has resulted in a blackspots pilot exercise which is a significantly positive project, with collaboration and information sharing taking place between stakeholders at an unprecedented level. Telecoms operators have committed to providing details of their network coverage to local authorities, my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development in order to identify and ascertain solutions to specific blackspots areas. Both Departments will further refine recommendations to address the top 5 blackspots in specific counties and will review the effectiveness of the pilot exercise with a view to creating a formal blackspot engagement process with all local authorities.
1010. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way his Department is improving services and increasing supports for persons with disabilities during 2017. [34028/17]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for a diverse range of areas including communications, energy, environment, natural resources, postal and broadcasting sectors. The Department is central to the delivery of policies and programmes which support national economic development and improve services and supports to all citizens in the State, including persons with disabilities. Projects funded by the Department such as the roll-out of broadband facilities to all communities, the Getting Citizens Online Programme and the Warmth and Well-being scheme can provide tangible supports for those with disabilities. In addition the services provided by bodies under the aegis of the Department also have the capacity to support people with disabilities.
1011. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the investment by his Department since March 2016 in County Louth and parts of east County Meath. [34063/17]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
