Written Answers Nos. 540-561
» ...
»
Written Answers Nos. 540-561
540. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans for affordable measures and schemes for farm scale renewable energy generation projects (details supplied); his views on whether assistance should be given for farm scale renewable energy generation such as the absence of a feed in tariff to sell electricity to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7092/18]
View answerMy Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, including Anaerobic Digestion and rooftop solar PV, at various scales, 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 assessment included analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.
Micro generation was also appraised as part of the RESS economic assessment and the analysis identified a number of challenges that may need to be addressed before a support scheme for micro generation can be developed. The reality is that bringing microgen onto a system designed for large generators is complicated. It impacts how we pay for the network, how we manage regulation and how we technically manage the system. My Department will continue to work closely with the micro generation sector and the SEAI to better understand how to validate and further develop micro generation policies in a fair and cost effective manner.
Following on from the recent RESS public consultation and review, a final design proposal will be brought to Government for approval in the coming months, including the overall costs, the number of categories and the technologies to be supported. A formal application for State Aid clearance from the European Commission will then commence.
At this stage no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies will be supported under the new RESS.
541. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to extend the roll-out of fibre broadband in an area (details supplied). [7094/18]
View answer552. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to examine the implementation of the national broadband plan in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7367/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 552 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. Today 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By the end of this year that number will rise to nearly 8 out of 10 premises and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises or 90% of premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection.
In April 2017 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 rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of this year as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
The areas referred to by the Deputy, Raheenmore Road, in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath and an area known as the Back of the Hill, Ardagh, Co. Longford both fall within AMBER areas on the map and will get access to high speed broadband through the State led intervention.
With regards to the Deputy’s query regarding the extension of the eir 300,000 rural rollout to these areas, the decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the rollout and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. The process is at an advanced stage. When the procurement process reaches a satisfactory conclusion for Government, a contract will be awarded and the network rollout will commence.
Delivering high speed broadband to citizens across Ireland remains a firm commitment of mine and this Government.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, 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
542. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the extension of broadband to the Bohernabreena area; the reason there are no plans under way to extend to areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7095/18]
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. Today 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By the end of this year that number will rise to nearly 8 out of 10 premises and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises or 90% of premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection.
In April 2017 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 rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of this year as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
All 33 premises within the townlands of Allagour, Ballymorefinn and Ballymaice are in the AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. They will therefore be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. This process is at an advanced stage. When the procurement process reaches a satisfactory conclusion for Government, a contract will be awarded and the network rollout will commence.
Delivering high speed broadband to citizens across Ireland remains a firm commitment of mine and this Government.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, 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.
543. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the names, qualifications and companies of the 80 international experts working with his Department in supervising the roll-out and implementation of the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7212/18]
View answerThe key personnel responsible for the National Broadband Plan comprise a senior management team from my Department supported by various work streams. Given the complex nature of the project, it was also necessary to acquire specialist advice, including external advisors. The external advisors, who are listed below, include a range of national and international experts with commercial, economic, environmental, financial, insurance, legal, procurement, state aid, tax and technical, expertise and experience.
Analysys Mason – technical advice, particularly mapping and network development;
KPMG – financial and procurement expertise, particularly input into the procurement process;
Mason Hayes & Curran – legal advice, particularly on contract development and bidder engagement;
PwC – strategy development, economic analysis and state aid advice.
RPS Group - Environmental Advice
Peter Smyth Management Consultancy Ltd - Process Auditor
Deloitte - Tax/VAT Advice
Marsh Ireland - Insurance Advice
Here and Now Business Intelligence - Demand Stimulation
In addition, the procurement process is supported by a Procurement Board and a Steering Group that include both national and international experts and respectively provide advice on the procurement process and the NBP strategy.
Key individuals on the NBP procurement team and the membership of both the Procurement Board and the Steering Group are listed on my Department's website https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/state-intervention/Pages/Connecting-Communities.aspx).
544. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent on the public network of electric charging points for electric vehicles in each of the years 2013 to 2017; and the amounts allocated for 2018 to 2021, respectively. [7215/18]
View answerThe ESB, through its eCars programme, has rolled out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points for electric vehicles.
In March 2014, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities approved an application from ESB Networks to recover the costs of a pilot project to a maximum of €25 million from use of system charges to cover the rollout of this infrastructure. Following a public consultation process, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities published its independent regulatory decision in relation to the ownership of this infrastructure in October 2017. A key outcome of the decision is that the charging network should not form part of the regulated asset base and therefore expansions of the network should not be funded from network charges. This is in keeping with the proposals set out by the European Commission in the Clean Energy for All Europeans package which was published in 2016. The decision also set out the need for the electric vehicle charging infrastructure to operate on a commercial basis. In the absence of State-led support, this is unlikely to happen in the near term.
In order to support the provision of public charging, funding has been allocated in my Department's budget for the first time this year, with a particular focus on increasing the number of rapid chargers on key national routes. A total of €1.8m consisting of €1.5m capital and €0.3m current spending has been allocated for 2018. No decision has been reached yet on allocations for future years.
545. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the objectives of the recently launched fish stock management plan for the Owenriff catchment; the way in which the objectives will be achieved; and the benefits for brown trout fishing on Lough Corrib. [7286/18]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) are commencing fish stock management operations on the Owenriff catchment, near Oughterard, Co. Galway to protect and restore trout stocks which have been impacted by recent introductions of pike to the catchment.
The Owenriff catchment is one of the most important spawning and nursery tributaries of Lough Corrib, our most renowned wild trout fishery. Previous scientific studies have shown it contributed 15% of the wild trout found in Lough Corrib, and each year thousands of wild trout and salmon migrate upstream into the Owenriff to spawn. I am committed to protecting and rehabilitating the system and welcome IFI’s stock management Plan which I have asked to be implemented immediately.
Inland Fisheries Ireland will be commencing a focussed and intensive effort aimed at reducing the numbers of pike in the Owenriff catchment over the coming year. The project will reduce pike numbers to a level where they are not impacting significantly on salmonid stocks. It is expected that on going maintenance operations will be required in future years to help maintain the trout population.
In tandem with the stock management plan, Inland Fisheries Ireland is also preparing an Owenriff Fish Population Rehabilitation Plan, which aims to ensure trout stocks and habitat are restored and protected thereby providing the best opportunities for a successful trout population. Details of this plan will be available shortly.
546. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the efforts to manage pike in the western lakes, particularly Lough Corrib; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7287/18]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
In 2014, IFI developed policies on the management of Wild Brown Trout, Pike and Bass. These policies were agreed with the main Trout and Pike angling representative bodies and were scheduled to be reviewed in 2017. However, recognising the concerns of some stakeholders in relation to elements of the pike and wild brown trout policies, the Board of IFI decided to bring forward the review period for these policies and commence the process in 2016, focusing initially on the element of the management of pike in designated wild brown trout fisheries.
While the review is underway, stock management will continue in line with existing policy and IFI has now set out its 2018 Stock Management Plan for designated trout lakes. Details of this plan will be published in the coming days.
Stock Management has been undertaken for the conservation of wild brown trout in waters which are managed by IFI as wild brown trout fisheries. Such waters are identified in IFIs pike and trout management policies. The 2018 plan will again include operations on Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra, Conn, Cullin, Arrow and Sheelin. In addition, I have asked my officials to consider how the designation of these waters may be given statutory status.
A separate management plan was put in place last week for the Owenriff system following the introduction of pike to those waters. IFI’s rehabilitation plan for that system, based on work they have been doing since Summer last year will be announced shortly. Previous scientific studies have shown the Owenriff contributed a significant portion of the wild trout found in Lough Corrib.
547. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans the State companies and agencies under his aegis have in place for Bliain na Gaeilge 2018; the initiatives each will be undertaking; the amount allocated to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7294/18]
View answerThe information requested regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
548. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to protect the REFIT revenue due to small and community renewable generators when I-SEM market structure goes live; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7359/18]
View answerMy Department has committed to updating the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) and other electricity support schemes funded by the Public Service Obligation (PSO) so that they are compatible with the new wholesale electricity market design on the island of Ireland, the Integrated-Single Electricity Market (I-SEM), which is due to go live in May of this year.
In November 2017, my Department consulted on a number of proposed decisions setting out a preferred approach to adapting the existing electricity support schemes to the new market arrangements My Department is seeking to implement an approach that strikes the appropriate balance between providing certainty such that REFIT-supported generators are able to finance their projects and ensuring that electricity consumers do not bear the risk of increased costs, particularly around the costs of balancing across market timeframes.
The economic modelling that supports the proposed decisions illustrates that the Department’s preferred approach minimises the cost impact on consumers by incentivising wind generators to contract with the market and manage their own risks. In order to provide additional risk mitigation to smaller renewable generators, I have proposed applying a further level of protection from the costs of balancing for renewable generators below 5 MW.
Following extensive engagement with industry stakeholders, my Department intends to shortly publish a final decision on the transition of the electricity support schemes to the I-SEM.
549. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the upcoming RESS will include technology specific auctions in particular to enable deployment of solar PV generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7360/18]
View answerMy Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal which compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies including Solar PV at various scales including Utility (farm scale) 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 assessment included analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.
The new scheme will be defined by a series of renewable electricity auctions, where the most cost effective projects within an auction structure will receive financial support in a form of a premium, in addition to the price they receive from the market. The scheme will be flexible enough to respond to auction results and deliver key policy objectives as the scheme matures.
It is widely recognised that solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has become more cost competitive for electricity generation over the last few years, not only compared with other renewables but also compared with conventional forms of generation. Furthermore, a recent report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA 2017) forecasts that solar PV costs will continue to fall by a further 50% out to 2020.
Notwithstanding the level of solar applicants seeking connection to the grid and acknowledging that solar PV does have a role to play in Ireland’s energy future, the cost effectiveness of the new scheme is a key policy objective. I cannot stand over a scenario whereby electricity customers are locked into higher prices now for renewable energy as renewable technology costs fall. While increasing renewable technology diversity is one of several policy objectives the new RESS is trying to deliver, falling technology costs by themselves may lead to increased diversity of the renewable portfolio over the medium term.
Following on from the recent RESS public consultation and review, a final design proposal will be brought to Government for approval in the coming months, including the overall costs, the number of categories and the technologies to be supported. A formal application for State Aid clearance from the European Commission will then commence.
At this stage no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies will be supported under the new RESS.
550. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated additional renewable energy generation capacity in energy terms that will be required over the next five years to provide 100% renewable energy for the expanding data centre industry; the number of megawatts of each renewable technology in installed capacity terms which would be required to provide the target and the estimated requirements for wind, solar PV and biomass, in tabular form. [7361/18]
View answerData centres are becoming a key dimension of electricity demand growth in Ireland. While data centres currently account for less than 2% of Ireland’s total electricity demand, EirGrid have modelled a range of scenarios in their 2017 ‘Tomorrow's Energy Scenarios’ report including one scenario which provides for this to increase to as much as 36% by 2030. Given the quantum of electricity required to power data centres, and the clear preference of project promoters that data centres should be powered by electricity from renewable energy sources, there are clear policy choices to be made in order to meet the demand for additional renewable electricity generation. These choices include the need to align with climate obligations, population projections and energy policy objectives.
Data centres consume very large amounts of energy and have a flat, predictable demand profile meaning that they use the same amount of electricity throughout the day and night and therefore require a range of generation technologies to meet their demand.
Regarding renewable generation capacity, my Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. Following on from the RESS public consultation and review, a final design proposal will be brought to Government for approval in the coming months with the new scheme expected to open in 2019. At this stage no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies will be supported under the new RESS.
In recognition of the economic benefits that data centres can bring to Ireland the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation in conjunction with other relevant Ministers is leading a cross-government effort to develop a national policy statement on the strategic importance of data centres as part of Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy, taking account of wider energy policy developments including growth in renewable electricity capacity.
While intensified data centre activity will likely play a key role in stimulating demand for increased renewable electricity generation, the impact on the Public Service Obligation levies for consumers must also be considered. It is imperative therefore that Government considers an approach to cost allocation that does not impose disproportionate additional charges on ordinary consumers.
551. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a clear, detailed and specific roadmap to achieve the Government’s plan of having only electric cars on sale here in 12 years in 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7362/18]
View answerThe National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017-2030 was published in May 2017. It sets out the ambition that all new cars and vans sold in Ireland from 2030 will be zero emission (or zero emission-capable). A range of policy measures aimed at supporting the transition to low emission vehicles are set out in the National Policy Framework http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/public-transport/english/npf-picture/6186npfalternative-fuelsengv5.pdf.
Furthermore, the National Mitigation Plan published in July 2017 reiterates the ambition and also includes supporting actions towards this objective https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/National%20Mitigation%20Plan%202017.pdf. While remaining technology neutral in the context of promoting greater uptake of zero emission capable vehicles, the full electrification of the car fleet represents a feasible option in Ireland, where supporting grid infrastructure is developed. Advances in battery technology, increasing competition in the market and falling vehicle costs would suggest that electrification will be the predominant low emission choice for private car, taxis and commercial vans in the short to medium term. In this regard, under a Programme for a Partnership Government commitment – that Ireland will become a leader in the take-up of electric vehicles (EVs) – a dedicated Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce was established to consider the range of measures and options available to Government to accelerate this aim.
The work of the Taskforce has been divided into three work streams focusing on: Market Growth Stimuli and Visibility; Infrastructure, Energy Regulation and Pricing; and Planning Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership. Preliminary recommendations from the Taskforce were considered in the 2018 budgetary process and a suite of continued and new EV supports were announced as part of Budget 2018 (please see the current incentives to promote EVs listed below – additional information is available at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/). In 2018 the Taskforce will also broaden its scope to consider measures to promote fuels such as natural gas, liquid petroleum gas and hydrogen. Currently, there is a Government commitment to maintain duty levels on natural gas at the minimum level for a period of eight years and an action in the National Policy Framework to develop the accelerated capital allowance type scheme to include gas refuelling infrastructure and vehicles.
The 2030 ambition will be met through: implementing the measures outlined in the above publications; realising the outcomes from the LEV Taskforce deliberations; and developing new and innovative policy interventions in the years ahead accounting for technological and market developments.
|
Electric Vehicle Incentives |
|
|
VRT Relief |
Continuation of VRT relief in Budget 2018: Up to €5,000 for new EVs until end 2021 Up to €2,500 for new PHEVs until end 2018 |
|
SEAI Grant Scheme |
Continuation of SEAI Purchase Grant : Up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new EV or PHEV |
|
Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) |
EVs and charging infrastructure are qualifying equipment under the ACA scheme |
|
Charging Supports |
A new grant to support installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs from January 1st |
|
SPSV Grant Scheme |
A new grant and supporting measures to stimulate take-up of EVs in the taxi /hackney/limousine sector |
|
0% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) |
A new BIK 0% rate to incentivise EVs without mileage conditions for at least three years |
|
Public Body Procurement |
National Procurement Service to introduce a new public procurement framework contract for EVs in 2018 to allow public bodies to buy EVs with reduced administrative burden |
|
Public Engagement Programme |
National awareness campaign Driver experience roadshow Public sector and commercial fleet trials Support for EV use in car sharing trials |
|
Toll Incentive Regime |
Funding to support a reduction in tolls for EVs |
553. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of his Department's review of the functioning of the household waste collection system here; the date by which he will provide an independent regulator for this market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7436/18]
View answerI have established a Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group (PMG) to monitor the rates charged by household waste collectors and to date the PMG has met on five separate occasions, 13 September, 11 October, 14 November, 12 December and 9 January 2018, and has considered four months of pricing data trends. Statements by the PMG have been released on a monthly basis since November 2017 and are available on my Department's website, as are details of the role and membership of the group and the market analysis of the cost of household waste collection carried out by the group in December 2017.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. The CCPC is conducting a separate study on the operation of the household waste collection market. The CCPC has indicated that it hopes to finalise the study in 2018.
The results from the PMG will be monitored and analysed and in conjunction with the study being undertaken by the CCPC will provide an evidence base regarding the future monitoring or the potential need for additional regulation of the waste market.
554. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of households and businesses waiting on the roll-out of the national broadband plan in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath and nationally, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7486/18]
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. Today 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By the end of this year that number will rise to nearly 8 out of 10 premises and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises or 90% of premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This will be achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
Premises in the AMBER areas of my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, are included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The number of premises in the AMBER area in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath as well as nationally is outlined in the following table.
|
- |
Total Premises |
Premises in the AMBER area |
|
National |
2,354,811 |
537,587 |
|
Cavan |
41,990 |
16,938 (40%) |
|
Monaghan |
32,939 |
15,654 (47%) |
|
Meath |
83,572 |
19,222 (23%) |
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. When the procurement process reaches a satisfactory conclusion for Government, a contract will be awarded and the network rollout will commence.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, 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.
555. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount budgeted for the preparation and publication of the post office business network development group report. [7494/18]
View answerThe total amount paid by my Department for the preparation and publication of the Post Office Network Business Development Group Report, which was Chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr, was €41,327. This Report was published on 20 January 2016 and is available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
556. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for road maintenance and repair to Cork City and County Councils in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6697/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant County or City Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
As regards State grants for regional and local roads in 2018, Cork County Council has been given a total allocation of €44,092,735 and Cork City Council has been given a total allocation of €4,125,500. Details of the grant allocations are included in the Regional and Local Road Grant Allocation booklet which is available in the Oireachtas library.
In addition ring-fenced funding of €10 million is being provided for the Community Involvement Scheme this year and local authorities will be able to apply for funding under that heading.
It will be a matter for each local authority to assess its priorities and draw up a roadworks programme for the year based on the State grant funding and own resources available to it.
557. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policies in place for statutory authorities to call upon volunteer organisations that are trained to help with search and rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6781/18]
View answerSearch and Rescue operations may be led by a number of different authorities, depending on the type and severity of incident. The Coast Guard, a division of my Department, is the principal emergency authority for marine search and rescue.
The Coast Guard operationally oversees 900 Coast Guard volunteers and has in place a wide range of internal policies to support this vital service. The policies include operational procedures for search and rescue, training policies, health and safety policies and general policies including an overarching "Code of Conduct".
The Coast Guard routinely works with a number of statutory authorities and voluntary organisations where search and rescue is concerned and has service level and/or liaison agreements in place with An Garda Síochána, the Navy, the Irish Under Water Council, Community Inshore Rescue Organisations and the Royal National Lifeboat Association, defining respective roles and responsibilities.
The National Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out in detail the policies for co-ordination between state authorities and between state authorities and voluntary organisations, in the event of a major emergency.
558. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount received in motor tax receipts for Cork County Council in 2017; the amount returned to the council from the Local Government Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7176/18]
View answerCork County Council collects motor tax on behalf of both Cork County and Cork City Council. A breakdown of receipts between the two authorities is not available. Total gross motor tax receipts for the two authorities in 2017 were €120,740,205.
As well as motor tax receipts, other payments to the Local Government Fund in 2017 included the equivalent to the amount of Local Property Tax collected during the year, which was paid to the Fund by the Minister for Finance, as well as an Exchequer contribution. Allocations from the Fund are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. However, I understand that the allocation to Cork County Council from the Fund in 2017 was €37,270,313.93.
From 1 January 2018, motor tax receipts are no longer remitted to the Local Government Fund, rather they accrue directly to the Exchequer.
559. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his officials have met the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment or his officials regarding the condition of roads in view of the recent audit report on same and the impact it is having on road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6699/18]
View answerNo; neither I, nor my officials, have met with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in relation to any such report.
560. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his Department on photography, by photographer and-or agency, public relations or communications advice external to the media officers of his Department, by agency; the use of public relations or communications advice by an agency fully funded by his Department by agency and month, in tabular form since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6756/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to photography costs is available on the Department's website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/photography-costs.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to public relations or communications costs is available on the Department's website at the following link
http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
With regard to Agencies, this is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded your question to the Agencies for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within ten working days please contact my private office.
561. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will advance the greenway cycle route from Athlone to Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6760/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware a decision was taken by my predecessor in 2015 to pause development of the Galway to Dublin greenway west of the Shannon to allow all stakeholders to consider how best to progress this project. This project remains a priority for my Department and my officials are considering the best approach to reactivating this project and resuming engagement with key stakeholders.
The Galway to Dublin Greenway will be addressed in my Department's Strategy for the future development of greenways which I expect to publish in April. The Strategy will include the recommended approach to be taken and provide guidance to local authorities or agencies tasked with the delivery of greenway infrastructure where significant challenges exist.
