Written Answers Nos. 851-871
851. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to allocate a quota for fish for an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54187/18]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon. IFI is supported in its management role by scientific advice from Ireland’s independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC), comprising scientists from a range of organisations. IFI also has to have regard EU legislation, most notably the Habitats Directive under which salmon habitats are protected.
Scientific and management assessments of each of the distinct stocks, including the river Shannon, are carried out every year with IFI engaged in extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the SSC's annual reviews. The SSC analyses data from the previous five years and an average of the 5 years of data is used to estimate expected returns for the coming year. The use of a 5 year average ensures that a good or bad year does not have a disproportionate impact on the stock assessment in any single year.
Since single stock management was introduced in 2007, the river Shannon has been assessed as the Upper Shannon (upstream of Parteen) and Mulkear. The section of the lower Shannon, below Parteen to Limerick was included in the Mulkear. The salmon stock assessment in this regard was based on the run of salmon recorded on the Mulkear fish counter.
In this year’s assessment, the Scientific Group, at the request of local angling groups to establish a separate conservation limit for the Lower Shannon, assessed the wetted area elements of the entire Shannon catchment and determined that it was appropriate to calculate a separate conservation limit for the Lower Shannon, separate to the Mulkear. This has been set at 4,204 fish in order to sustain a healthy population.
Based on the scientific assessments and management advice from IFI, there is no quota (sustainable harvest) available for salmon for the Lower Shannon catchment for 2019. The lower Shannon is not, therefore, open to salmon angling for the 2019 season.
As part of the stock assessment process for 2019 full catchment wide electro-fishing surveys are planned Positive results from such surveys may result in a river opening to catch and release angling but would not support a harvest fishery.
852. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports available to homeowners and tenants who wish to carry out a radon test at their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1106/19]
View answerA number of companies provide radon testing services, with an average cost of €50 for a test. Currently there are no financial supports in place in relation to radon testing. The National Radon Control Strategy Group continues to examine radon testing levels and how they might be increased. Research on behavioural aspects of radon testing and remediation is on-going. The cost of testing, while relatively low, is recognised as a barrier to testing. A research survey was carried out in the Roscommon/East Galway area during late 2018, where a number of householders were offered a free radon test, a 50% grant towards the cost of any necessary remediation work (subject to a maximum of €500), and a free follow-up test following any remediation.
The findings of the survey and other on-going research in the area will form part of the second stage of the National Radon Control Strategy which is currently under development. The strategy will aim to increase radon awareness and testing levels.
853. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 13 December 2018, if the Rural Independent Group motion in relation to An Post passed by Dáil Éireann in November 2016 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54079/18]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No 181 of 13 December 2018. The position is unchanged.
854. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount in the salmon conservation fund; the number of stakeholder conservation projects drawn down from the fund in the past five years; the reason for the radical reduction in the works carried out under the fund; if the criteria defined by Inland Fisheries Ireland have resulted in a significant reduction of the works; his views on whether the criteria for planning permission imposed by Inland Fisheries Ireland have been detrimental to the delivery of the works; and the reason the fund for the national strategy for angling development was cut in 2018. [54094/18]
View answerThe Salmon Conservation Fund (SCF) is generated from fees, due to the State, for commercial and rod licences for salmon and sea trout. 50% of fees are ring-fenced for reinvestment in projects under the SCF aimed specifically at promoting the recovery of salmon stocks and habitats. The fund was established in 2007 and facilitates stakeholder and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) projects. It was first opened to third party (stakeholder) projects in 2011. Since then, draw-down of funds by stakeholders totalling close to €800,000 has been made across 83 projects. There is a further €1.48 million committed to projects awaiting project completion and drawdown.
I am advised by IFI that the fund currently contains €1.49 million for further allocation and receipts for 2018, currently being processed, are expected to generate an additional €300,000.
Following significant research and consultation IFI launched the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) as the first comprehensive national framework for the development of Ireland’s angling resource. The strategy supports IFI’s role to conserve, protect, manage and promote Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resource which contributes some €836 million annually to the economy.
IFI recognises the key role played by angling clubs and other stakeholder organisations in fisheries development and the NSAD aims to engage stakeholders and maximise the use of volunteerism where it is of benefit to habitat and fisheries development.
All projects are expected to comply with general, financial and environmental governance requirements. IFI acknowledges the challenges for many stakeholder voluntary organisations in meeting governance requirements and has provided a project management office, project officers, online guidance, workshops and meetings to support applications. Developing a project necessarily involves multiple considerations, including Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) under the Habitats Directive, Special Protected Areas (SPA’s) under the Birds Directive, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the obligation to achieve good ecological status of water.
As the Deputy will be aware the issue of permission under the Planning Acts is a matter for the relevant Local Authority. As with all funding schemes subject to public governance, requirements relating to statutory permissions, landowner consent etc. are standard. Applicants are asked to confirm that all statutory and environmental requirements are met before funding can be paid. It is for applicants to take a cautious and responsible approach in these matters and IFI cannot set aside or ignore established statutory requirements.
Specifically in relation to planning permission, while not all projects require planning approval, IFI does not adjudicate on planning issues which are in the remit of Local Authorities. IFI work with planning authorities and facilitate pre-planning meetings to assist project applicants.
Funding of €500,000 was approved under NSAD during 2017. In 2018 funding of €2.2 million was approved for delivery of 114 development projects across 23 counties nationwide. This round of funding covered capital infrastructure works.
IFI have ensured support for the implementation of the projects under the strategy. Given the large number of stakeholders, collaboration and partnership is encouraged to ensure the objectives of the NSAD are achieved, particularly the protection and conservation of the resource through stewardship and environmental compliance.
855. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a universal service obligation on mobile telephony providers in relation to the need to provide adequate and up-to-date mobile telephone coverage nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54105/18]
View answer856. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the perceived inadequate mobile telephone coverage in many parts of counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he or the Communications Regulator will engage with mobile telecoms providers to ensure that customers in the area are provided with improved coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54106/18]
View answer858. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate mobile telephone coverage in many parts of counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he or the Communications Regulator will engage with mobile telecoms providers to ensure that customers in the area are provided with improved coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54127/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 855, 856 and 858 together.
The EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications allows for the application of a Universal Service Obligation (USO) in respect of fixed voice services. The existing framework for telecommunications relates solely to voice telephony and Functional Internet Access (28.8 kilobits per second). There is no provision in European or national regulation for a USO in relation to mobile voice services.
The Directive Establishing a European Electronic Communications Code (Directive (EU) 2018/1972), which will come into force following transposition in late 2020, aims to incentivise and encourage increased investment in high speed broadband networks, and contains a provision that would allow Member States to apply a USO for high speed broadband, in specific circumstances, where such networks are available.
Mobile operators are, however, rolling out 3G and 4G networks across Ireland following ComReg’s 2012 Multiband Spectrum auction, with at least one operator now having over 90% population coverage of 4G services.
Furthermore, the EU Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy highlights the importance of the 694-790MHz (700MHz) spectrum band for ensuring the provision of broadband services in rural areas. The band is particularly attractive for wireless broadband services, allowing higher speeds and greater coverage over long distances. An EU level Decision has been adopted in order to co-ordinate release of the band in all Member States by 30 June 2020. This proposal will allow mobile broadband services to use this part of the spectrum band, which will provide enhanced mobile services. My Department and ComReg have been working to ensure the necessary measures are taken to facilitate a clearance of the spectrum to meet the 2020 timeline for clearing broadcasting services from the band. In addition, ComReg published a preliminary consultation in June 2018 on a proposed award of spectrum rights of use covering multi- band spectrum, to include the 700 MHz band.
In terms of ongoing efforts to improve mobile telephony coverage nationally, the Programme for Government specifically included a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The Taskforce which is led by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development worked with key stakeholders to produce a report in December 2016, available on my Department’s website, containing 40 actions to alleviate some of the deficits. An Implementation Group is overseeing implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. The Implementation Group meets on a quarterly basis and publishes quarterly progress reports on the implementation status of actions.
Various initiatives are underway under the aegis of the Taskforce, in order to address mobile coverage blackspots:
- My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development have worked to achieve a greater consensus around site selection for telecoms infrastructure and therefore improve mobile phone coverage.
- Both Departments also worked with a pilot group of local authorities to identify issues relating to mapping local blackspots. This pilot exercise has been completed, with all local authorities having been asked to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be used to provide additional coverage on an economic basis.
- A focus group was established to provide guidance on categories of location where high quality reliable mobile coverage should be made available as a priority. The report of the focus group was published on my Department’s website on 31 August 2018. It is anticipated that the output of the group should influence the actions of the mobile network operators in working to reduce blackspots. It will also inform future policy with regard to priorities for mobile phone services.
- A working group has been established to investigate the feasibility of developing standardised policy for accessing and utilising State and publicly-owned assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
- ComReg is delivering a composite national coverage map, which will, in tandem with its work on handset testing and activities to raise consumer awareness, allow people across Ireland to optimise the services available to them.
- ComReg has developed a licensing scheme enabling households and businesses to use mobile phone repeaters to boost signals into their premises and bring immediate improvements in mobile coverage.
On foot of feedback received from a wide variety of Stakeholders at the National Stakeholder Forum 2018, a suite of new Taskforce actions is currently being developed in ongoing discussions with potential action holders for 2019.
All of these initiatives should help enhance the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan.
857. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress achieved in 2018 and to date in 2019 and his plans for the upgrade of broadband telecommunications infrastructure throughout counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54107/18]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. There are approximately 42,000 premises in County Cavan. Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high speed broadband in Cavan has increased by 5,317, a 13% increase. In total, the number of premises in Cavan with access to high speed broadband is now 23,535, or 56% of the total premises in the county. Approximately another 1,570 premises will be served by eir under that company’s ongoing rural deployment.
There are approximately 33,000 premises in County Monaghan. Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high speed broadband in Monaghan increased by 2,270, a 7% increase. In total, the number of premises in Monaghan with access to high speed broadband is now 16,325, or 49% of the total premises in the county. Approximately another 1,000 premises will be served by eir under that company's ongoing rural deployment.
The remaining 16,985 premises in Cavan and 15,675 premises in Monaghan will be connected under the Government’s National Broadband Plan State led intervention.
In April 2017 my Department 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. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/Eircode. The Map is updated on a quarterly basis as more premises gain access to high speed broadband.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible and I will bring a recommendation to Government in this regard in the coming weeks.
Question No. 858 answered with Question No. 856.
859. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of broadband coverage at a location (details supplied); his plans to improve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54132/18]
View answerThe premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process. The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible and I will bring a recommendation to Government in this regard in the coming weeks.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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.
860. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Inland Fisheries Ireland has withheld its design and deliver service for in-stream works with its new working agreement with the OPW. [54141/18]
View answerFisheries enhancement and in-stream works are now primarily progressed through the National Strategy for Angling Development (NASD). Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) provides a project management office, project officers, online guidance, workshops and meetings to support applications under the NSAD. In addition a panel of appropriately qualified consultants has been formed to provide advice on the design and installation of instream and riparian fisheries enhancement works. IFI and the Office of Public Works (OPW) Flood Risk Management Unit signed a shared service agreement in July 2018, which will see continued collaboration over the next five years in the protection of fishery requirements while carrying out flood risk management investment activities. The agreement will see both parties work closely together to help ensure the country’s statutory drainage objectives are achieved with an appropriate focus on the protection of fishery habitats and resources.
The OPW is the lead statutory body for Drainage Maintenance and Flood Risk Management (FRM) in the State, while IFI is the statutory body responsible for the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Over recent years, IFI has provided training for OPW in the core elements of fish friendly riverine design and channel maintenance.
The revised 5 year agreement, which includes inter alia the provision of dedicated staff support from within IFI, has been secured at a time when Government investment in flood risk management operations is increasing. It follows the recent publication of the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans which will see some €1 billion in funding under the National Development Plan invested in projects across the country to mitigate flood risk. The new partnership formalises the historical working relationship between the two organisations and commits them to continuing their positive engagement for Ireland’s fishery habitats and resources.
861. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of compressed natural gas public fuelling stations open and operational; the location in which they are based; the number planned and scheduled to open in 2019; the location in which the scheduled stations will be based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54167/18]
View answer862. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 14 compressed natural gas refuelling sites were scheduled to be opened between 2016 and 2020 and to date there are none open; the number of stations that will be open by 2020; if the funding that has been made available for the 14 service stations will be lost if they are not all open and operational by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54168/18]
View answer863. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether there are regulatory problems in relation to the provision of compressed natural gas fuelling stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54169/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 861 to 863, inclusive, together.
The delivery of 14 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations, as part of the Causeway Project co-funded by the EU Connecting Europe Facility, is an operational matter for Gas Networks Ireland.
I have been provided with an update on the current status of these stations by Gas Networks Ireland which is set out in the following table.
|
- |
Location |
Status |
|
Station 1 |
Dublin Port |
The Commission for the Regulations of Utilities has issued Ireland’s first CNG Supplier License to Circle K in December. The introduction of public refuelling will commence shortly (in January) with access being managed at commencement to ensure smooth operation. |
|
Station 2 |
Exit 8, Cashel |
Planning permission is in place with programme on track for operation in July 2019 |
|
Station 3 |
Kinsale Road, Cork |
Project is progressing with programme on track for operation in August 2019. |
|
Station 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Louth, Limerick, Portlaoise and Tipperary (exact locations to be confirmed) |
Construction is expected to take place in 2019. |
|
Station 8-14 |
To be confirmed. |
Negotiations in relation to locations are ongoing. |
Gas Networks Ireland has stated that is committed to opening these 14 CNG filling stations and is aiming for all of them to be operational by the end of 2020.
864. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost incurred by his Department in 2018 for the use of taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54205/18]
View answerMy Department has a contract in place for the provision of taxi services in Dublin, which was sourced under an Office of Government Procurement framework agreement. In 2018, total expenditure by my Department on taxi fares, at home and abroad, amounted to €20,488. For comparison purposes, taxi expenditure has declined by 35% since 2010, notwithstanding an increase of 49% in staffing levels in the same period.
865. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the home energy grants under the auspices of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland by county (details supplied); the action he will take to increase the uptake of home energy grants in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54264/18]
View answer866. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications in relation to home energy grants administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland by county in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number refused, accepted and appealed, respectively in each of the years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54265/18]
View answer871. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of home energy upgrades by each of the four Dublin local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54387/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 865, 866 and 871 together.
The home energy grants administered by the SEAI are funded by my Department. The majority of these grants are available to homeowners whose properties were built before 2006. Since the introduction of these grants nearly 400,000 homes across the country have received an energy efficiency upgrade, representing nearly one home in five across the country.
Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive (typically covering 30% of the cost of works) to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme provides a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty who meet the defined eligibility criteria.
Better Energy Communities supports energy efficiency upgrades to mixed projects of homes, community facilities and businesses in a local community. This scheme provided funding of €20m in 2018 to 37 projects across the country, upgrading 1,189 homes and 454 community buildings.
The Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme is a joint energy, social and health policy initiative aimed at validating the health impacts of improved energy efficiency in a home. The pilot scheme was established in HSE Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) 7, specifically in Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 & 24.
The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme launched in 2017 is available to homeowners who want to upgrade their house to an A BER while availing of grant support of up to 50%.
The following table presents the number of homes upgraded and the investment made per county under these schemes in 2018.
|
BE Homes |
BE Warmer Homes |
W&W |
Deep |
|||||
|
Home Energy Grants 2018 |
No. of Homes Completed |
Amount Paid (€) |
Homes |
€ |
Homes |
€m |
Homes |
€m |
|
Carlow |
75 |
86,750 |
63 |
284,919 |
0 |
|||
|
Cavan |
142 |
157,750 |
173 |
851,023 |
0 |
|||
|
Clare |
179 |
247,025 |
147 |
656,465 |
2 |
|||
|
Cork |
1719 |
2,032,533 |
506 |
3,219,158 |
4 |
|||
|
Donegal |
91 |
161,150 |
587 |
2,952,720 |
16 |
|||
|
Dublin |
4360 |
5,984,299 |
831 |
6,571,892 |
455 |
12.26 |
45 |
|
|
Galway |
688 |
714,975 |
242 |
1,346,008 |
6 |
|||
|
Kerry |
352 |
683,769 |
329 |
2,240,881 |
2 |
|||
|
Kildare |
881 |
883,550 |
167 |
900,981 |
3 |
|||
|
Kilkenny |
90 |
148,700 |
73 |
355,177 |
3 |
|||
|
Laois |
169 |
151,050 |
95 |
491,646 |
1 |
|||
|
Leitrim |
32 |
36,700 |
58 |
387,621 |
0 |
|||
|
Limerick |
548 |
757,207 |
160 |
862,130 |
6 |
|||
|
Longford |
56 |
57,000 |
72 |
302,427 |
0 |
|||
|
Louth |
1221 |
987,536 |
139 |
618,487 |
1 |
|||
|
Mayo |
265 |
452,800 |
214 |
1,102,689 |
64 |
|||
|
Meath |
1776 |
1,513,550 |
124 |
877,094 |
1 |
|||
|
Monaghan |
41 |
45,950 |
100 |
425,840 |
0 |
|||
|
Offaly |
112 |
162,900 |
90 |
444,022 |
0 |
|||
|
Roscommon |
90 |
103,500 |
116 |
769,398 |
0 |
|||
|
Sligo |
58 |
106,350 |
105 |
576,251 |
0 |
|||
|
Tipperary |
220 |
316,850 |
144 |
931,468 |
26 |
|||
|
Waterford |
238 |
325,940 |
117 |
1,083,426 |
11 |
|||
|
Westmeath |
126 |
139,515 |
140 |
725,098 |
1 |
|||
|
Wexford |
371 |
328,850 |
317 |
2,058,636 |
17 |
|||
|
Wicklow |
322 |
509,650 |
113 |
810,279 |
2 |
|||
|
Total |
14,222 |
17,095,849 |
5,222 |
31,845,736 |
455 |
12.26 |
211 |
4.72 |
A number of actions are already underway to encourage uptake of home energy grants by homeowners. For example, the Better Energy Homes Scheme was expanded in 2018 to support the transition away from fossil fuels, and achieve greater energy savings and emissions reductions, by introducing a new grant for heat pumps and increasing the grant amount available for all other measures. More information can be found on https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/ In addition, the Better Energy Warmer Homes was expanded in 2018 to include internal and external wall insulation which allows more people to avail of the scheme while also increasing the energy savings and emissions reductions.
The following table sets out the number of applications, completed and cancelled, per county under the Better Energy homes grant scheme. The number of appealed applications is not captured separately as these applications go on to become either completed or cancelled. Applications can be cancelled either by SEAI due to ineligibility or by the homeowner if they change their mind about getting work done.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
||||
|
Completed |
*Cancelled |
Completed |
*Cancelled |
Completed |
*Cancelled |
|
|
Carlow |
140 |
6 |
158 |
6 |
75 |
13 |
|
Cavan |
184 |
12 |
134 |
12 |
142 |
12 |
|
Clare |
294 |
19 |
297 |
28 |
179 |
22 |
|
Cork |
2,112 |
151 |
1,765 |
200 |
1,719 |
101 |
|
Donegal |
155 |
19 |
157 |
18 |
91 |
27 |
|
Dublin |
4,637 |
239 |
4,791 |
278 |
4,360 |
330 |
|
Galway |
766 |
70 |
811 |
65 |
688 |
68 |
|
Kerry |
412 |
35 |
373 |
29 |
352 |
48 |
|
Kildare |
634 |
35 |
751 |
51 |
881 |
56 |
|
Kilkenny |
218 |
15 |
123 |
21 |
90 |
14 |
|
Laois |
260 |
12 |
230 |
19 |
169 |
24 |
|
Leitrim |
39 |
6 |
46 |
4 |
32 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
995 |
43 |
965 |
41 |
548 |
48 |
|
Longford |
34 |
2 |
109 |
5 |
56 |
17 |
|
Louth |
486 |
32 |
538 |
27 |
1,221 |
43 |
|
Mayo |
415 |
30 |
386 |
34 |
265 |
32 |
|
Meath |
620 |
42 |
605 |
32 |
1,776 |
62 |
|
Monaghan |
79 |
3 |
73 |
6 |
41 |
4 |
|
Offaly |
153 |
24 |
181 |
7 |
112 |
14 |
|
Roscommon |
164 |
10 |
120 |
6 |
90 |
10 |
|
Sligo |
120 |
7 |
108 |
20 |
58 |
8 |
|
Tipperary |
491 |
29 |
378 |
23 |
220 |
21 |
|
Waterford |
413 |
21 |
328 |
28 |
238 |
17 |
|
Westmeath |
247 |
17 |
211 |
25 |
126 |
10 |
|
Wexford |
503 |
20 |
480 |
27 |
371 |
28 |
|
Wicklow |
402 |
25 |
500 |
20 |
322 |
17 |
|
Total |
14,973 |
924 |
14,618 |
1,032 |
14,222 |
1,051 |
The Deputy has also asked about homes upgraded in each of the four Dublin local authorities. Local authorities are responsible for maintenance and upgrade of their housing stock and my Department therefore does not keep a record of these upgrades. Government funding of approximately €116 million has been provided by the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government, from 2013 to the end of 2017 to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in almost 64,000 local authority homes. This was Phase 1 of the social housing retrofit programme and focused on the lower-cost improvements such as cavity wall and attic insulation. In addition, energy efficiency measures have been carried out in over 9,000 vacant houses that have been returned to use since 2014. This effectively means that approximately 50% of the social housing stock has already undergone a level of energy retrofit. Phase 2 will commence shortly and will target higher-cost and higher impact measures such as external insulation and replacement of single-glazed windows. Approximately 30% of the social housing stock, or 40,000 homes are more than 40 years old and will be the main priority for phase 2. The ambition is to achieve a BER B standard for these homes. The timeline will be determined by the funding available over the coming years.
867. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress to date for each of the 41 action points made in the mobile phone and broadband task force report published in December 2016 which his Department has lead or joint responsibility for implementing; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by the original timeframes set out in tabular form. [54283/18]
View answerThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce a report in December 2016, available on my Department’s website, which contained 40 actions to alleviate some of the coverage deficits across the country. An Implementation Group is overseeing the implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. The Implementation Group meets on a quarterly basis and publishes quarterly progress reports on the implementation status of actions. My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development published the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Review 2017 on 21 February 2018, which comprehensively outlines the progress made in 2017 on all of the actions identified by the Taskforce. Of the 40 actions, 29 have been completed, with work on the remaining 11 carrying into the 2018 Work Programme. Following close engagement with stakeholders at the inaugural National Stakeholder Forum 2017, an additional 23 new measures were identified for delivery in 2018.
The Implementation Review 2017 is available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie . The Quarter 3 Progress Report for 2018 has also recently been published on the website. The Annual Review Report for 2018 which will also encompass progress made on Quarter 4 actions will be published in February.
868. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the fact that a number of miles outside large towns such as Navan and Trim businesses, homes and farms are forced to operate with a substandard Internet service (details supplied); his plans for an interim solution to the matter; and if he will work with private enterprise in order to speed up the process. [54323/18]
View answer878. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes and businesses in County Meath without access to high speed broadband; the estimated date for these homes and businesses to receive access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1482/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 868 and 878 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. When this Government came into office, this had risen to 52%. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.
There are approximately 85,307 premises in County Meath. Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high speed broadband in Meath has increased by 31,564, a 36% increase. In total, the number of premises in Meath with access to high speed broadband is now 62,934, or 74% of the total number of premises in the county. Approximately another 2,468 premises will be served by eir under that company’s ongoing rural deployment.
The remaining 19,905 homes, schools and businesses in Meath will be connected under the Government’s NBP State Intervention.
In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website 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. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address or Eircode.
The specific premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the Map. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible and I will bring a recommendation to Government in this regard in the coming weeks.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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.
869. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount which has been received historically under the revenue share terms with Enet regarding metropolitan area networks, MANs, phase 1 concession; the amount Enet has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54338/18]
View answer870. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the nature of the revisions made to the revenue share agreement between his Department and Enet regarding the phase 1 concession agreement with effect from 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54339/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 869 and 870 together.
Enet has, to date paid over €8.8million to the State, under the terms of the MSE I Concession Agreement.
The State has not made any payment to Enet as part of the MSE I Agreement.
It was agreed, as part of the decision to extend the Concession Agreement with Enet in 2017, to increase the State’s revenue share in the operation of the Phase I MAN’s.
While the details of the revised Revenue Share arrangements are commercially sensitive, it is estimated that the extension of the Concession Agreements will result in a total of €21 million cost savings to the State between 2020 and 2030.
