Written Answers Nos. 577-592
577. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to upgrade or provide new facilities in 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54061/17]
View answerCoillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the development of recreational facilities on its lands, are the responsibility of the company.
The matter was, however, raised with Coillte, who advised that it currently has no plans to provide new facilities in 2018 in the forest parks named by the Deputy. Coillte advise that a review of each of Coillte’s forest parks will be carried out, in early 2018, to assess potential new facilities that could be provided and what resources are available to do so and add that the regular annual programme of works will be undertaken in 2018 to maintain and upgrade the existing trails, picnic areas, play areas and visitor facilities at all of Coillte’s recreation sites and forest parks.
578. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give further consideration to the introduction of a fodder aid scheme following the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion on this issue and the difficulties facing farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54121/17]
View answerWeather conditions over much of this Autumn have been challenging for farmers and created difficulties for farmers particularly in the Western regions and on heavier land types.
Grass growth rates through the autumn have been ahead of last year. However the poor weather resulted in cattle being housed earlier than normal in places, particularly on the heavier soils; it also affected late cut silage making operations.
I have asked Teagasc to work locally in areas with fodder difficulties, supporting good budgeting of fodder supplies on farms for the winter ahead.
The European Commission agreed to my request for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme. This meant an increase from 50% to 70% in the rate for the BPS to those applicants whose applications were confirmed fully clear and 85% payment of our main Agri-environment scheme, GLAS. Issuing of these payments commenced after 15 October.
Over €1.2 billion in payments has issued to farmers over recent weeks, something that has significantly improved cash flow on these farms.
In order to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the issue of fodder availability, I recently convened a fodder group which is made up of all the main stakeholders including feed merchants and co-ops, banking, farm bodies etc and the first meeting took place on Monday 11th December chaired by Teagasc. The group's objective is to actively monitor the situation and to ensure co-ordinated expertise and guidance is available to all farmers impacted.
Arising from the meeting, Teagasc will begin a survey of fodder availability in the east and south of the country to ascertain what supplies are still available for purchase, across the country.
Exploring these avenues means my Department will be fully informed of the situation on the ground and the best possible advice will be provided to farmers re their options which may include sourcing alternative feed, reducing non breeding stock numbers and ensuring they carry out a fodder budget.
I will continue to actively monitor the situation in the impacted areas over the coming period.
579. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the use his Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54188/17]
View answer580. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the use his Department has made of the Government jet in each of the years March 2011 to February 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54204/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 580 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is publically accessible on the website of the Department of Defence at www.defence.ie.
581. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used, in tabular form; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54220/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy with regard to photography is available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/aboutus/ministers/photographycosts. This information is regularly updated by my Department. Wherever possible, the Department avails of internal photography skills.
582. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department in each year since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54236/17]
View answerMy Department generally does not employ external public relations firms and did not employ any external public relations firms from 2011 to 2016. Public relations advice is provided by my Department’s Press Office.
In April of this year, the services of "All Good Tales", a public relations company, were used to provide training for staff members for the National Animal Surveillance Programme. The cost of this training was €5,965.
583. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date, in tabular form. [54252/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is outlined in the link.
584. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of expenditure by his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on advertising of Government information campaigns published specifically in national and regional newspapers in addition to all online advertising for all such Government information campaigns; the name for each such information campaign to which this expenditure related; the cost of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54268/17]
View answerThis year, my Department ran 6 public information campaigns during which the services of an advertising agency "MediaVest Limited" were used. For these campaigns the Department generally advertised through MediaVest but occasionally went to some publications to advertise directly. The expenditure for the 6 public information campaigns is set out in the following table:
Advertising and Publicity 2017
|
Event/Campaign |
Company |
Total - € |
|
Backyard Poultry campaign in response to Avian Influenza Outbreak |
Agriland |
923 |
|
MediaVest* |
25,722 |
|
|
Basic Payment Scheme Campaign encouraging farmers to use the Departments online application system, www.agfood.ie, to apply for their Basic Payment. |
Agriland |
2,460 |
|
Ear to the Ground |
1,875 |
|
|
ICMSA Dairy Digest |
2,500 |
|
|
ICSA Magazine |
1,000 |
|
|
Irish Farmers Journal |
19,188 |
|
|
Irish Farmers Monthly |
13,068 |
|
|
MediaVest |
6.795 |
|
|
MOB Media |
799 |
|
|
Farm Hazardous Waste Campaign |
Agriland |
7,380 |
|
Irish Farmers Monthly |
1,538 |
|
|
Dog Purchase Radio Campaign – Campaign giving advice to people intending to purchase a puppy or a dog – Ran in December 2016, paid for in January 2017 |
MediaVest |
19,265 |
|
Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment (GLAS) Scheme radio advert encouraging Farmers to submit their Nutrient Management Plan in order for their payment to issue. |
MediaVest |
30,350 |
|
New Tree Felling Requirements – Campaign informing of updated legislation with regard to Tree-Felling. |
Irish Farmers Monthly |
2,614 |
|
Poultry Registration Radio Advert – Campaign to encourage Backyard Poultry Owners to register with the Department |
MediaVest |
22,592 |
*Mediavest held the central Government contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. They are currently a framework member on the Framework Agreement for the Media Planning Strategy & Buying in Lots 2 and 3. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
585. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54284/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy with regard to photography is available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/aboutus/ministers/photographycosts.
This information is regularly updated by my Department. Wherever possible, the Department avails of internal photography skills.
My Department generally does not employ external public relations firms. Public relations advice is provided by my Department’s Press Office. In April of this year, the services of "All Good Tales", a public relations company, were used to provide training for staff members for the National Animal Surveillance Programme. The cost of this training was €5,965.
Also this year, my Department ran 6 public information campaigns for which the services of an advertising agency "MediaVest Limited" were engaged. For these campaigns, my Department generally advertised through MediaVest but occasionally went to the advertiser directly. The expenditure for the 6 public information campaigns is set out in the table.
There was no expenditure in respect of Media Interview training in 2017.
The expenditure on website development in 2017 amounted to €10,332.
Advertising and Publicity 2017
|
Event/Campaign |
Company |
Total - € |
|
Backyard Poultry campaign in response to Avian Influenza Outbreak |
Agriland |
923 |
|
MediaVest* |
25,722 |
|
|
Basic Payment Scheme Campaign encouraging farmers to use the Departments online application system, www.agfood.ie, to apply for their Basic Payment. |
Agriland |
2,460 |
|
Ear to the Ground |
1,875 |
|
|
ICMSA Dairy Digest |
2,500 |
|
|
ICSA Magazine |
1,000 |
|
|
Irish Farmers Journal |
19,188 |
|
|
Irish Farmers Monthly |
13,068 |
|
|
MediaVest |
6.795 |
|
|
MOB Media |
799 |
|
|
Farm Hazardous Waste Campaign |
Agriland |
7,380 |
|
Irish Farmers Monthly |
1,538 |
|
|
Dog Purchase Radio Campaign – Campaign giving advice to people intending to purchase a puppy or a dog. – Ran in December 2016, paid for in January 2017 |
MediaVest |
19,265 |
|
Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment (GLAS) Scheme radio advert encouraging Farmers to submit their Nutrient Management Plan in order for their payment to issue. |
MediaVest |
30,350 |
|
New Tree Felling Requirements – Campaign informing of updated legislation with regard to Tree-Felling. |
Irish Farmers Monthly |
2,614 |
|
Poultry Registration Radio Advert – Campaign to encourage Backyard Poultry Owners to register with the Department |
MediaVest |
22,592 |
*Mediavest held the central Government contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. They are currently a framework member on the Framework Agreement for the Media Planning Strategy & Buying in Lots 2 & 3. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
586. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the use of smoky coals will still be allowed for certain types of engine for example vintage tractor engines and vintage locomotive engines; his plans to make provisions for the use of smoky coal allowable in very specific circumstances in view of his recent announcement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53543/17]
View answerThe ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, or the ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known, has proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels within the areas it applies, with an associated significant improvement in public health. Research indicates, for example, that the ban has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin alone. Residential burning of coal is a key source of air pollution and the ban on the use of smoky coal will, therefore, be extended nationwide from Autumn 2018 as part of the national Clean Air Strategy which will be published early in 2018.
I am disposed towards allowing limited exemptions for the use of vintage tractor and locomotive engines, and this will be considered in the context of the regulations currently being drafted to implement the ban.
587. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Acts, or parts of Acts, awaiting commencement within his area of statutory responsibility; the reason for the delay in the commencement of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53563/17]
View answerThere are two Acts for which all sections have yet to be formally commenced by my Department. The details are set out in the following table.:
|
Title of Act |
Section(s) not yet commenced |
Purpose of section(s) |
Reason for delay in commencement |
|
Energy Act 2016 |
Provisions not yet commenced are sections 8 and 19 |
Section 8 of the Energy Act provides for a revised legal definition of the existing Single Electricity Market (SEM) in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended. Section 19 places a statutory obligation on the CRU to produce a Strategy Statement every three years in respect of its energy and safety remit |
Section 7 of the Energy Act (which was commenced on enactment) provides for certain transitional measures for the Single Electricity Market (SEM) that will operate during the interim period until go live date of the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM). Section 8 of the Act, in relation to I-SEM, will be commenced when the new market goes live and operational in May 2018 and the transitional arrangements cease. The commencement of section 19 has been deferred on the basis that the CRU’s current strategic plan covering 2014 to 2018 covers energy, energy safety and water up to, and inclusive of, 2018. This deferral affords the CRU time to develop a new combined Strategy Statement for the three year period from 2019 to 2021, for water and energy regulation, on expiry of the current statement at the end of 2018. It is expected that the process of developing the new strategy statement will commence in 2018, with the new statement therefore commencing in 2019. Section 19 will be commenced during 2018 to enable the next such Strategy Statement to be completed, submitted to the Minister and laid before the Oireachtas, within the six month period stated in the section. |
|
Minerals Development Act 2017 |
With the exception of Section 212 in relation to Deemed cancellation of registration of excepted minerals which took effect on the date of passage of the Act, all other sections have not yet commenced. (256 Sections). |
The Minerals Development Act 2017, which was enacted on the 26 July 2017, will make further and better provisions for the development of minerals in the State and repeal the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. Parts 1 and 2 of the Act provide for the principles, policies and procedures for the regulating of mineral exploration and development. In order to commence these Parts detailed regulations are currently being drafted and it is expected that they will be completed in Q2 2018. It will then be possible to commence these parts of the Act. The remaining Parts of the Act relating to Mining and Rehabilitation will be commenced once the detailed Regulations have been drafted to allow commencement. It is expected that this will happen later in 2018. |
588. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress that has been made between his Department and private waste collectors in providing waivers or extra allowances in relation to the pay by weight system for families that have children or adults with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53586/17]
View answerIn line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory steps have been put in place to give effect to this measure.
It is worth noting that this measure is not ‘new’ for about half of kerbside household waste customers, who are already on an incentivised usage pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or weight related fee.
As announced in mid-2017, mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging is not being introduced. Allowing for a range of charging options, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Consequently, a pure per kilogramme charge for waste collection may not be selected by some households. Instead, some households may use a ‘per lift’ type charge or a ‘weight allowance’ collection service.
An annual support of €75 will be introduced next year and made available for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence. This will help people meet the average annual cost of disposal of medical incontinence products. My Department is in discussion with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive with a view to finalising the details and arrangements of the support as soon as possible, following further consultation with stakeholder groups.
589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if fibre broadband will be extended to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53591/17]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020. In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
In the absence of a specific eircode for the premises referenced by the Deputy, my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map shows that there are 65 premises in the townland of Crohane (Ed Aghadoe), Co Kerry of which 21 premises fall within the AMBER area and will require State Intervention. The remaining 44 premises fall within the LIGHT BLUE area and are to be covered by eir's planned rural deployment. Individuals can check whether their premises is in an AMBER, BLUE or LIGHT BLUE area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available from eir at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. The “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26 September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature. I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises (including the 21 premises in Crohane (Ed Aghadoe)) that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales, for the network build and roll-out. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
Any customer across Ireland who experiences difficulties with lack of phone service in their area including the townland of Crohane, should raise the matter with the service provider in the first instance. If this fails to resolve matters, customers can and should refer a complaint to ComReg, which will investigate the service provider's compliance with its contractual obligations.
However, notwithstanding the independence of ComReg, I recognise the frustration experienced across Ireland where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. In July 2016, I established the Mobile phone and Broadband Task force to identify how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the State led intervention under the NBP. The work of the Mobile and Phone Broadband Task force will continue to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Task force, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
590. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of full-time and part-time staff working directly in the Climate Change Advisory Council; the yearly running costs including staffing costs; and the Exchequer funding in each year since it was established. [53689/17]
View answerThe Climate Change Advisory Council was established by Ministerial Order (S.I. No 25 of 2016) on 18 January 2016 pursuant to section 8 of the Climate Change and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. The Advisory Council consists of eleven members appointed by Government, acting in a part-time capacity, four of whom are ex-officio members. The overall costs associated with the operation of the Advisory Council are provided for through the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is funded, in part, through my Department’s Vote.
Ordinary members of the Advisory Council receive an annual remuneration of €9,800, with the Chair receiving an annual remuneration of €16,250, in line with the scale of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform approved fees for chairpersons and members of State Boards. Ex Officio members of the Advisory Council do not receive remuneration. In line with the ‘One Person One Salary’ remuneration policy for public servants, members of the Advisory Council already in receipt of a public service salary may not receive any further remuneration by virtue of their membership of the Council. However, in certain cases, remuneration is paid directly to the member’s parent institution to offset the costs of that member's commitments to the Advisory Council. Members of the Advisory Council also receive travel and subsistence expenses in line with public service rates.
I am advised by the EPA that the remuneration received in 2016 and in 2017 by members of the Advisory Council is as follows:
|
Name |
Category of Member |
Annual Remuneration |
|
Professor John Fitzgerald |
Chair of Council |
€16,250 (gross) direct payment |
|
Mr. Joseph Curtin |
Ordinary member |
€9,800 (gross) paid to University College Cork |
|
Professor Frank Convery |
Ordinary member |
Declined payment in both 2016 and 2017 |
|
Professor Anna Davies |
Ordinary member |
€9,800 (gross) paid to Trinity College Dublin |
|
Professor Alan Matthews |
Ordinary member |
€9,800 (gross) direct payment |
|
Professor Ottmar Edenhoffer |
Ordinary member |
€9,800 (gross) direct payment |
|
Professor Peter Clinch |
Ordinary member |
€9,800 (gross) paid to University College Dublin |
|
Ms. Laura Burke |
Ex Officio, Director General of EPA |
Nil |
|
Mr. Jim Gannon |
Ex Officio, Chief Executive of SEAI |
Nil |
|
Prof. Gerry Boyle |
Ex Officio, Director of Teagasc |
Nil |
|
Prof. Alan Barrett |
Ex Officio, Chief Executive Officer of ESRI |
Nil |
The Advisory Council is supported in its work by four full-time EPA employees. The EPA also provides corporate services to the Advisory Council which are reimbursed in accordance with guidelines on reimbursement of operational overhead costs set out in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/13, Public Spending Code: Expenditure Planning, Appraisal and Evaluation in the Irish Public Service - Standard Rules and Procedures.
I am further advised by the EPA that the overall operating costs of the Advisory Council during its first two years of operation are as set out in the table below.
|
Item |
2016 |
2017* |
|
Meeting costs (room, lunches, etc.) |
€3,248 |
€5,694 |
|
Travel expenses for Council members and guest speakers at Council meetings |
€7,441 |
€4,190 |
|
Remuneration of Council members |
€65,250 |
€65,250 |
|
Printing, publications and office |
€5,646 |
€17,302 |
|
Secretariat salary costs (4 fulltime staff)* |
€221,942 |
€222,209 |
|
Operational overhead costs |
€83,438 |
€119,698 |
|
TOTAL: |
€ 386,965 |
€ 434,343 |
*Year to end-November.
591. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of amber premises for the State intervention area; the number of blue and light blue premises to be covered by commercial operators; the number of premises that have been connected under the plan for each such category under the national broadband plan, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53723/17]
View answer592. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date by which the contract for the State intervention area will be awarded under the national broadband plan; and the approximate project build time from award of tender to construction and completion of all premises. [53724/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together.
The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
A tabulated list of the number of premises countrywide which fall into these categories is attached, as is a tabulated list on the number of premises passed under eir's rural deployment. As of Q3 2017 my Department can confirm that a total of 12,475 premises have been connected under this rural deployment. Recent reports by eir state this figure has risen to over 14,000, an increase of over 130% from Q2. This number is expected to continue to rise in coming quarterly reports.
Information on eir's planned rural deployment, including estimated roll-out times, is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie as are quarterly updates on eir's rural deployment. eir has committed to completing the roll-out by the end of 2018.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26 September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales, for the network build and roll-out. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract. Bidders have indicated that network roll-out will take 3-5 years following contract award.
I recognise the frustration experienced across Ireland where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Task force, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
