Written Answers Nos. 388-403
388. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent video showing cruelty to young calves exported taking place in Cherbourg, France; and the steps he plans to take to prevent this occurring again. [20930/19]
View answerI condemn in the strongest terms the ill treatment of calves highlighted in the video referred to. I am aware that an individual has been questioned in relation to the incident and that French authorities will decide how to prosecute the case in the coming weeks.
In relation to the export of live animals, Ireland applies strict controls in relation to welfare of animals including during transport and has procedures and checks in place to ensure compliance with relevant EU and national legislation.
Prior to export, all calves undergo an animal health and welfare check carried out by a Department Official Veterinarian to ensure that only fit and healthy calves are certified for export. All trucks are inspected and checked for water, spacing and other legislative requirements prior to departure. Irish legislation on sea transport is recognised by the European Commission as being among the most effective and stringent legislation in force on transport by sea. With regard to road transport, the Department does not approve journey logs from exporters for any live export where the destination country has an orange or red weather alert in place, or where a significant part of the transit route goes through an orange or red alert area. Where non-compliance is identified, appropriate remedial action is taken.
The export of calves is a legitimate trade which provides an important outlet for calves from the Irish dairy industry. The Department will continue to facilitate this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards.
389. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs incurred by his Department in respect of advertising in all forms to date in 2019 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/19]
View answerThe vast bulk of my Department's advertising is in respect of press notices in the specialised farming press, provincial and national newspapers. This expenditure includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. Decisions on the placement of notices are made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the advertisement and the target audience.
Advertising & Public Notices
2019
|
Event/Campaign |
Total € |
|
Public Consultation on Quota Balancing for Demersal Stocks |
503.80 |
|
Fishery Management Notice 7, 8, 9 & 10 of 2019 |
587.78 |
|
Getting Brexit Ready Ad |
1,476.00 |
|
Nitrates deadline |
600.00 |
|
Calls For Proposals for promotion of Forestry |
531.58 |
|
Calls For Proposals for promotion of Forestry |
395.97 |
|
Calls For Proposals for promotion of Forestry |
566.84 |
|
Calls For Proposals for promotion of Forestry |
842.55 |
|
BPS Clinics |
2,829.00 |
|
Ministers Aquaculture Foreshore licence decision T05/591 and others |
227.50 |
|
Ministers Aquaculture Foreshore licence decision T10/1320 and others |
253.99 |
|
Ministers Aquaculture Foreshore licence decision T06/392A and others |
1,074.79 |
|
Ministers Aquaculture Foreshore licence decision T12/203A and others |
1,584.21 |
|
Ministers Aquaculture Foreshore licence decision T32/27 and others |
263.44 |
|
Ministers Aquaculture Foreshore licence decision T12/387 and others |
447.31 |
|
Ministers Aquaculture Foreshore licence decision T05/314 and others |
166.82 |
|
Fisheries Management Notices No 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 & 71 of 2018 |
503.80 |
|
2019 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector |
554.36 |
|
2019 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector |
744.21 |
|
2019 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector |
793.57 |
|
Nitrates deadline |
4,305.00 |
|
Nitrates Deadline |
797.37 |
|
Nitrates deadline |
797.37 |
|
Sale of land advert |
278.52 |
|
S.I. 523/2018 |
629.76 |
|
Fisheries Management Notices No 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 & 06 of 2019 |
671.74 |
|
Promotion of EU Agricultural Products-Proposals |
510.15 |
|
Promotion of EU Agricultural Products-Proposals |
478.42 |
|
BPS clinic |
671.73 |
|
Fishery Management Notices 16, 17, 18, & 19 of 2019 |
587.78 |
|
Fisheries Management Notice 15 of 2019 |
587.78 |
|
Aquaculture Licences T06/301A, T6/305A, T6/306A, T6/340A and T6/340B |
507.53 |
Total paid in 2019 to date: € 25,770.67
390. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if coal mining was discussed at a recent European Council meeting. [20561/19]
View answerCoal mining was not discussed at EU Council meetings at which either I or Minister of State Canney were in attendance.
Officials from my Department attended the 4th Working Group of the EU Commission's “Platform for Coal and Carbon Intensive Regions in Transition” in April this year. The main objectives of the Platform are to enable multi-stakeholder dialogue on policy frameworks for successful transformation of coal and carbon-intensive regions, and to facilitate the development of strategies and projects in areas such as investment for structural transformation, growth and jobs. My Department attended this meeting in the context of a commitment to transition out of producing milled peat for power generation in the Midlands Region.
I have recently written to EU Commissioner Canete, requesting the inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Platform for Coal and Carbon Intensive Regions in Transition. The inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Platform would mean that a team of European Commission and external experts would be assigned to assist the relevant State bodies with refining project ideas and implementation strategies, including feedback on relevant EU policies, programmes, funds and financing instruments.
While I am awaiting a response from the European Commission, I expect it to be positive.
391. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the regulations regarding the sale of smoky coal in smaller towns and villages in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/19]
View answerThe sale of smoky coal is regulated under the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels Regulations 2012 (S.I. 326 of 2012), as amended. An unofficial consolidation of the Regulations is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie.
In smaller towns and villages in rural areas, outside the Low Smoke Zones, a person or body may not market, sell or distribute bituminous coal unless certain criteria are met. These include:
- a maximum sulphur content of 0.7% by weight
- The coal must be sold in a sealed bag which bears a notice in the form set out in Schedule 5 to the Regulations
- The product must be supplied by a bagging operator or solid fuel supplier registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the operator must hold a current record setting out, inter alia, the registration number issued by the Agency and, where appropriate, the solid fuel supplier who supplied the product verifying that the product is compliant.
More generally, the Regulations also make it illegal to market, sell, distribute or burn for domestic heating purposes any solid fuel, whether it contains coal or not, having a sulphur content greater than 2% by weight on a dry ash-free basis.
392. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a property (details supplied) cannot avail of broadband while the neighbouring property can. [20407/19]
View answer404. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure a property (details supplied) is supplied with fibre broadband through the State supported roll-out by Eir. [20643/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 404 together.
The premises referenced by the Deputy are both 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 the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this.
The Government Decision of 7 May 2019 means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to the Bidder. This award is subject to contract close including finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the NBP State intervention will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation.
The Deputy makes reference to both premises' proximity to a commercial deployment of high speed broadband. This deployment is part of eir's commercial roll out of high speed broadband to 300,000 predominantly rural premises, in line with a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
eir’s rural investment in high speed broadband is an entirely commercial undertaking, and not part of the planned State Intervention network. Although the deployment is monitored under the terms of the Commitment Agreement, it is not funded by the State and it is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity.
Decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the roll out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis. I have no statutory role or function in such commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.
393. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost, including VAT, of a report (details supplied). [20465/19]
View answer394. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost, including VAT, of a report (details supplied). [20466/19]
View answer395. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost, including VAT, of a report (details supplied). [20467/19]
View answer396. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost, including VAT, of a report (details supplied). [20468/19]
View answer397. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost, including VAT, of a report (details supplied). [20469/19]
View answer413. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost of a report (details supplied), including VAT and expenses. [20742/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 393 to 397, inclusive, and 413 together.
In February 2015, following a tender process, my Department appointed KPMG to provide financial, procurement, commercial and specialist advisory services in relation to the NBP across a number of workstreams. The 2015 and 2018 reports referenced by the Deputy in his questions form part of the overall advice and support provided by KPMG to the Department. Total payments to KPMG for their services since their appointment in 2015 to date amounts to €11.6m including VAT.
Also in February 2015, my Department appointed PwC to provide strategy development, economic analysis and State Aid advice. The 2015 report referenced by the Deputy in his question form part of the overall advice and support provided by PwC to the Department. Total payments to PwC for their services since their appointment in 2015 to date amounts to €2.41m including VAT.
398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding provided to each local authority to tackle illegal dumping for 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20505/19]
View answerIllegal dumping is a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. While enforcement action in this area is a matter for local authorities, my Department encourages a multifaceted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education. As such, it provides funding to support the activities of the waste enforcement regional lead authorities of approximately €1 million per annum and of the network of local authority waste enforcement officers of approximately €7.4 million per annum. Individual allocations under this measure are detailed in the table below.
In addition, my Department has developed the anti-dumping initiative to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations in identifying high-risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses, and carrying out clean-up operations. Since 2017, funding of €3.3 million has been made available in this regard, which has supported more than 400 projects in all 31 local authority areas, remediating blackspots, and equipping local authority enforcement officers with the latest technologies available to support enforcement of our waste laws. Details of the projects funded per local authority for 2017 and 2018 can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/waste/enforcement/anti-dumping-initiative/Pages/default.aspx
I recently announced funding of €3 million for the 2019 Anti-Dumping Initiative, an increase of 50% on last year, to support communities around the country to continue to tackle illegal dumping. Innovation, surveillance using drones, special collections for awkward items like mattresses, spreading awareness among young people and recognising the work of volunteers will play a role in this year’s campaign. Applications for funding under this year’s initiative are currently being considered by each of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority Steering Committees and successful projects will be announced shortly.
FUNDING PROVIDED FOR WASTE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY |
Amount Paid |
|
CARLOW COUNTY COUNCIL |
€165,000.00 |
|
CAVAN COUNTY COUNCIL |
€278,000.00 |
|
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL |
€403,000.00 |
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL |
€455,000.00 |
|
DONEGAL |
€298,150.92 |
|
DUN LAOGHAIRE/RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL |
€333,359.82 |
|
FINGAL |
€220,000.00 |
|
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL |
€72,000.00 |
|
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL |
€34,000.00 |
|
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL |
€78,000.00 |
|
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL |
€121,000.00 |
|
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL |
€153,000.00 |
|
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL |
€164,000.00 |
|
LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL |
€74,000.00 |
|
LIMERICK CITY AND COUNTY COUNCIL |
€377,000.00 |
|
LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL |
€200,000.00 |
|
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL |
€130,000.00 |
|
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL |
€156,000.00 |
|
MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL |
€259,000.00 |
|
MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL |
€219,000.00 |
|
OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL |
€295,000.00 |
|
ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL |
€136,373.00 |
|
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL |
€176,000.00 |
|
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL |
€130,000.00 |
|
TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL |
€211,000.00 |
|
WATERFORD |
€303,000.00 |
|
WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL |
€175,000.00 |
|
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL |
€236,885.00 |
|
WICKLOW |
€360,000.00 |
|
City Councils |
|
|
CORK CITY COUNCIL |
€180,700.00 |
|
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL |
€982,000.00 |
|
GALWAY CITY COUNCIL |
€50,000.00 |
|
TOTAL: |
€7,425,468.74 |
399. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of fibre in Lacken, Multyfarnham, County Westmeath. [20506/19]
View answerIn April 2017 my Department published an updated version of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map. This is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The 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 AMBER area represents the parts of the country where commercial operators have no plans to build high speed broadband networks. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through a State led intervention.
- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
There are 37 premises in Multyfarnham. 16% (6) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention. 84% (31) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be served by commercial providers.
In the event any premises within the Blue area of Multyfarnham cannot access high speed broadband I encourage people to email my Department at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with their Eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted and the issues encountered in respect of accessing high speed broadband.
The National Broadband intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to the completion of the final contract arrangements. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after contract signature.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. By end of the second year of rollout over 123,000 properties will be passed, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed.
400. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding planned to be spent each year for the next 25 years for the national broadband plan by capital and current expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/19]
View answer407. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the capital cost of the national broadband plan for each year of the 25 years of operation; the funds allocated for the plan to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20676/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 407 together.
Overall Exchequer funding requirement for the NBP is capped at €2.1 billion over 25 years, excluding VAT and contingency funding.
Funding for the NBP for 2019 is set out in the Revised Estimates Volume. I will be engaging with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on revised multi-annual budgetary ceilings for my Department to address the funds required in the early years of the NBP as part of the estimate process.
The NBP is expected to benefit from ERDF funding of €75m and this is likely to be drawn down in 2020 and 2021.
The government will provide additional capital from future revenues. No projects will be delayed or no changes will be made to the National Development Plan as a consequence of this decision.
401. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the ownership of the national broadband network will not be owned by the State after 25 years; if the cost of buying back the network at the end of the 25 years has been factored into the calculations for the cost of the national broadband plan; the expected cost in the event that the State wishes to buy back the network once the contract expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20630/19]
View answer402. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the duration of the contract for the national broadband plan is intended to be 25 years; to outline the potential cost to the Exchequer after the contract expires; if there will be terms and conditions in the contract that will apply after the 25 years that will restrict the cost to the State; if after the duration of 25 years another contract will need to be negotiated in order to use the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20631/19]
View answer403. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which the State will subsidise new premises over the life of the contract for the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20642/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 401 to 403, inclusive, together.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) will own any new infrastructure it builds for the National Broadband Plan. However, only a small percentage of the infrastructure to be used for the NBP intervention network will be new infrastructure. This is because most of the infrastructure to be used will be existing poles and ducts leased from other commercial operators. Infrastructure re-use in this manner ensures the State complies with State Aid guidelines, environmental sustainability best practice, and minimises costs. The majority asset at the end of the 25 years will be fibre on rented poles and rented ducts.
NBI will be required to manage these assets over the lifetime of the project, and will be liable for the associated costs where network assets are required to be maintained or replaced. At year 25 of the contract, there is a commitment to maintain the services at no cost to the State for a further 10 years. In the event the company is not willing to maintain services, the State has a right to purchase the business at market value.
It was a requirement of the procurement process for any bidder to commit to providing high speed broadband services to all premises in the intervention area - both existing premises and new premises built over the lifetime of the contract. Therefore National Broadband Ireland will be required to both pass and connect new premises in the Intervention Area over the next 25 years.
The cost to pass and connect new premises in the Intervention Area formed part of the final tender submission and was based on a conservative extrapolation from data from the Central Statistics Office projections on housing growth. These costs have been included in the overall subsidy estimate approved by Government.
