Written Answers Nos. 130-151
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support and safeguard the jobs of 35,000 persons who have been locked out of their employment in the entertainment sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25374/20]
View answerThe scale of challenges faced by businesses in the entertainment sector due to Covid-19 has not gone unnoticed by Government, and efforts have been ongoing across Government Departments to provide supports to businesses and affected individuals. I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the entertainment sector and I have recently met representatives and businesses from the sector.
My Department and its Agencies have been focussed on coming up with solutions to help businesses overcome the challenges presented by the unprecedented difficulties caused by COVID-19. Details of the wide range of supports available are available on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
These supports include financial supports, training and guidance to help business mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and return to work safely, the COVID-19 Income Support Scheme to provide financial support to Irish workers and businesses affected by the crisis, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of eligible employees on the employer’s payroll. As well as the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment which is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Short-time Work Support whereby employees of businesses that need to reduce hours or days worked can avail of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Details of supports to the sector by the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht may be accessed through that Department’s website at www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding. A number of new measures have been introduced by my colleague Minister Martin TD, which include supports to aid employment in the creative industries through the Live Performance Support Scheme and the Music Stimulus Package.
The Government and my Department remain committed to supporting our businesses and citizens throughout and beyond the challenges posed by COVID-19.
131. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if measures will be put in place to ensure that persons born here post-2005 who are not Irish, UK, EEA or Swiss nationals will not need to apply for work permits or other authorisations to work here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25388/20]
View answerThe Irish State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the European Union and other EEA states. However, where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA, an employment permit may be sought in respect of a non-EEA citizen who possess those skills.
The employment of non-EEA citizens in the State is governed by the Employment Permits Acts 2003 – 2014. Under this legislation in order to work in the State all non-EEA citizens require a valid employment permit or relevant immigration permission issued by the Minister of Justice and Equality which allows them to reside and work in the State without the requirement for an employment permit.
The issue to which the Deputy refers is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
132. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the 40% restart grant plus top up for pubs, bars and nightclubs that remain closed will be paid; if extra provisions will be put in place for Dublin wet pubs which have to remain closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25390/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on 28th August 2020 the Government announced a further €16m support package to help pubs, bars and nightclubs, recognising the economic impact of COVID-19 on their businesses and to assist planning and adaptation for their re-opening.
Those businesses remaining closed and planning their re-opening are entitled to a 40% top-up on the Restart Grant Plus and can now receive a minimum of €5,600 and a maximum of €35,000 under the current scheme. This can be used to help towards additional expense and adaptations associated with re-opening when the time comes.
A further €30 million in funding has also been made available to provide support to those businesses located in Dublin which have been forced to close due to Level 3 restrictions imposed in line with the Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan for Living with Covid-19. Wet pubs will also be eligible for the top-up to their previously announced level of assistance.
Further information and application forms for the Restart Grant Plus scheme and how to avail of the additional top-ups are available on all Local Authority websites.
134. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will engage with workers in a company (details supplied) regarding their current situation and their treatment by their employer. [25458/20]
View answerI was sorry to hear Aer Lingus announce their intention to restructure the business in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. I fully understand the difficulties this may bring to workers, their families and their localities, during an already challenging period.
To help businesses and workers through such challenges, the Government introduced the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and its replacement, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). It appears that some Aer Lingus workers experienced difficulty accessing income support following the replacement of the TWSS by the EWSS on 1 September.
Whilst additional income supports for periods of unemployment, are a matter for my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, I am informed that following constructive engagement with senior representatives from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, it was confirmed that employees are eligible to apply for applicable jobseeker supports for days of unemployment, even when Aer Lingus is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.
I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature and that responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests in the first instance with the employer, the workers and their representatives. I would like to reiterate that the WRC is available to any interested parties who may require it. As part of its functions the WRC provides information relating to employment entitlements and obligations, equality and industrial relations matters by means of their telephone service. This service is manned by experienced Information Officers.
Any discussions entered into voluntarily by the workers and employers with one of the State’s industrial relations bodies, the WRC or the Labour Court, are confidential to the parties and I, as Minister, have no role in, or knowledge of, these discussions.
135. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if dedicated sector-specific supports will be provided to the forestry sector in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector. [25461/20]
View answerThis is a matter for my colleague Minister Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine.
My Department and its agencies have been focussed on coming up with solutions to help businesses overcome the challenges presented by the unprecedented difficulties caused by COVID-19. These include direct supports such as the Restart Plus Grant, providing funding of up to €25,000 to eligible businesses, together a range of working capital and long term low cost loan options through SBCI, including the Government's new Credit Guarantee Scheme. These grants and financing options are in addition to the wage subsidy scheme which is available to employers in the sector through Revenue. My Department is not developing dedicated supports for the forestry sector as these are a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.
For a full list of supports for business, please see https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/Government-supports-to-COVID-19-impacted-businesses.html
136. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will engage with the trade fairs and exhibitions sector in order to work out a way for the sector to reopen in a safe and controlled manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25465/20]
View answerI recognise that the events and exhibition sector is a critical part of the ecosystem for business and commerce in the country, enabling buyers and sellers to meet and develop their businesses.
I am acutely aware of the difficulties the sector has faced in recent months due to the impact of social distancing requirements.
My Department officials are in continuous engagement with the sector and Minister of State Robert Troy TD in my Department is also in ongoing contact with sector representatives.
I am pleased the Government's COVID-19 published last week, 'Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19' specifically deals with this category of organised events and we will continue to work with the sector to progress the development of agreed protocols to enable the hosting of trade events in the near future.
My Department and its agencies have been focussed on coming up with solutions to help businesses overcome the challenges presented by the unprecedented difficulties caused by COVID-19. In that context I welcome contact with the sector regarding their challenges and suggestions.
Details of the wide range of supports available are noted on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
In the wider context of the Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, the operation and reopening of Ireland will be guided by the need to manage risk and repairing the damage that COVID-19 has inflicted on society, and the implementation of appropriate measures to do so across business and society as the situation evolves.
137. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a workplace accident which resulted in the tragic death of a person (details supplied) was reported to the Health and Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25473/20]
View answerI can confirm that the Health and Safety Authority were notified of an accident on a construction site in Cherrywood Avenue, on the 10th September 2020.
I have been informed that the Health and Safety Authority has commenced an investigation to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Health and Safety Authority does not publicly comment on workplace accidents reported to it.
138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the operation of the employment permit scheme; and the number of employment permits by category including general permit and skills shortage permits that have been issued since 2010 to or on behalf of or following an application from a third party such as an employment agency that is not the employer involved or the employee. [25597/20]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, however, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. The system is, by design, vacancy led and managed through the operation of the critical skills and ineligible occupations lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for consideration for an employment permit.
An employment permit may be granted where there is a direct contractual arrangement between an employer and an employee to fill a vacancy that qualifies for the type of employment permit being applied for, subject to other relevant criteria. Once granted, the employment permit allows the non-EEA national to commence employment in the State in the employment, with the employer, and for the period as stated on the permit.
Under the Employment Permits Acts applications for employment permits cannot be considered from employment agencies where it transpires that the foreign national is to be assigned to work for, and under the direction and supervision of, a person other than the employment agency. Therefore, an employment agency is precluded from applying for an employment permit for this category of employee as they are not considered to be the employer. No employment permits have, therefore, issued to a third party such as an employment agency.
139. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of general employment permits issued since 2010 to the meat processing sector. [25598/20]
View answerSince 2010, a total of 4,281 General Employment Permits (previously known as Work Permits) have issued to the Meat Processing sector.
A yearly breakdown is available below.
|
Permit Type |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
General Employment Permit/Work Permit |
281 |
82 |
129 |
35 |
41 |
13 |
168 |
174 |
923 |
1,129 |
1,306 |
141. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the steps he has taken to ensure a speedy roll-out of the National Broadband Plan to ensure persons in rural Ireland can work from home. [25305/20]
View answer163. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan including promised properties, delivered properties and the timeline for each by county in tabular form. [25306/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 163 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. As of 15 September, design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed to date. This activity is increasing week on week and NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys by the end of the year. This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The laying of fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools.
The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Programme for Government has also committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan.
My Department is continuing to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the plan to an earlier date. These discussions are on-going. Any changes proposed will require detailed technical, commercial and financial analysis.
Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which must be the primary focus at this juncture.
Based on information available at the 15 September, I can advise that the following is the number of premises per County that have been surveyed. I understand that surveying has recently commenced in other counties and will have commenced in all counties by year end.
|
County |
No of Premises surveyed to date) |
|
Carlow |
3,544 |
|
Cavan |
3,738 |
|
Cork |
12,858 |
|
Galway |
6,809 |
|
Kerry |
6,549 |
|
Kildare |
2,818 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,557 |
|
Laois |
2,459 |
|
Leitrim |
1,280 |
|
Limerick |
4,075 |
|
Longford |
1,050 |
|
Louth |
5,825 |
|
Mayo |
4,891 |
|
Monaghan |
4,355 |
|
Roscommon |
3,591 |
|
Sligo |
2,513 |
|
Tipperary |
4,206 |
|
Waterford |
6,183 |
|
Westmeath |
4,109 |
|
Wexford |
3,745 |
|
Wicklow |
4,715 |
|
Total |
91,870 |
142. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if research has been carried out into the potential job creation both direct and indirect in the anaerobic and biogas systems industry for both small and larger scale operations; if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25417/20]
View answerA wide range of research, including on the potential job creation impact, has been carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, research institutions and industry representative organisations in relation to the production of biogas from anaerobic digestion. In particular, I would refer the Deputy to the following report, which is published on the website of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Assessment-of-Cost-and-Benefits-of-Biogas-and-Biomethane-in-Ireland.pdf.
143. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the position regarding the classification of agricultural waste plastic in view of the costs and restrictions on export imposed by an office (details supplied) as a result of hipping agricultural films and plastics as amber; his plans to investigate the possibility of reclassifying agricultural waste plastic from amber to green as is the case in several other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25450/20]
View answer144. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the position regarding the agricultural waste plastic levy with respect to independent contractors (details supplied); if he is satisfied that the current arrangement ensures parity within the industry for all collectors; his plans to investigate the possibility of amending the current arrangement to ensure that the funds raised through the levy follow the plastic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25451/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
The National TransFrontier Shipment Office (NTFSO) which operates under the auspices of Dublin City Council, is Ireland's competent authority for the export, import and transit of waste shipments. The NTFSO has determined that used farm plastic for international export falls into two main categories:
1. Green waste - used farm plastic received and treated at an authorised facility in Ireland prior to export, and;
2. Amber waste - farm plastic co-mingled with other contaminants such as sand, grit, stones, soil or other organic material.
Such determinations are a matter for the NTFSO as competent authority for waste shipments. Under Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority of their statutory functions under the Act.
Under the farm plastics scheme producers pay an environmental levy to Irish Farm Films Producers Group (IFFPG) based on the quantity of product they place on the market. The levy, together with other sources of income, is used by IFFPG to fund and provide for the collection, transportation and treatment of farm film plastics. The charges set by IFFPG are a commercial charge rather than a statutory one.
While my Department sets the policy and legislative framework for the farm plastics waste stream, it has no role in the operational and day to day running of the scheme. It is not within the remit of my or my Department's to direct a reallocation of the financial assets of IFFPG to fund independent commercial activity which is outside of the approved scheme.
145. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Líonraí Cumarsáide an bhfuil sé ar an eolas go bhfuil athdhearadh déanta ar shuíomh idirlín RTÉ gan comhéadan a bheith ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge; agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aige cás na Gaeilge i dtaobh an tsuímh a phlé le RTÉ. [24723/20]
View answerIs craoltóir seirbhíse poiblí náisiúnta neamhspleách é RTÉ a bhfuil a shainchúram agus a oibleagáidí leagtha amach san Acht Craolacháin 2009 agus, dá bharr sin, níl aon ról ag an Aire ina chuid oibríochtaí ó lá go lá. Foráiltear in Alt 98 go mbeidh RTÉ neamhspleách i gcomhlíonadh a chuid feidhmeanna, faoi réir cheanglais an Achta Craolacháin 2009.
146. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the steps he is taking to speed up the process of applications for the warmer homes scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that homeowners in County Galway that are in receipt of fuel allowance and that applied for the scheme in October 2019 were informed in September 2020 that it will take two years before a surveyor is appointed; his plans to allocate resources to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24740/20]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. In 2019, €39.8 million was allocated to the Scheme with over 3,000 homes upgraded. Budget 2020 announced a budget allocation for the scheme of €52.8 million. This represents the biggest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Although the budget for the scheme has been significantly increased in recent times, the current very high level of demand does directly impact waiting times. Prior to COVID-19 disruptions, the waiting time on the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of works, was between 18 and 24 months. In line with Government guidelines, the scheme was fully paused between March and June. Works have recommenced for homes that can be categorised as lower risk, subject to homeowner consent, though some restrictions continue to apply. COVID-19 has therefore negatively impacted waiting times. SEAI has further advised that average waiting times should only ever be used as a general guide and waiting times may vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application. SEAI is continuing to work through applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need, including how to reduce waiting times. Recommendations in relation to the implementation of changes to the scheme will be finalised shortly.
The July Stimulus commits to increasing the SEAI budget by €100 million in 2021. This additional funding will be focused on community retrofit schemes, retrofit schemes supporting those in energy poverty as well as other initiatives to support the achievement of our retrofit targets. The SEAI will shortly be announcing the first details of the new and expanded retrofit schemes. The additional funding will enable an increased level of activity which will positively impact the waiting list.
147. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of correspondence from this Deputy to him (details supplied). [24746/20]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed on last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties, including Co Carlow, and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed as at 15 September. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected in Cork around December this year. The first areas of Carlow have been surveyed and include the townlands of Oldleighlin, Clogrenan, Kellistown, Ballinacarrig, Killerrig, Johnstown, Fennagh, Nurney, Agha, Carlow Rural, Rathornan, Rathrush, Templepeter, Grangeford, Ridge, Muinebeag Urban, Burton Hall, Muinbeag Rural, Kineagh, Tullowbeg, Leighlinbridge, and Shangarry. This work involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the Intervention Area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/). Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools. There are a number of BCPs located across County Carlow. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities, and other public places are available to view on the High-Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. One BCP site, which is located at Newtown Community Centre, is located within 4 kilometres of the location referred to in Question, is targetted for installation by NBI in October. Another, at Borris Library, 8 kilometres away, has been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service is scheduled to be switched on shortly through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. This may assist residents in Tinahinch to access high speed broadband pending roll out of fibre in their area.
148. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the estimated cost of bringing waste collection services back into public ownership. [24798/20]
View answer166. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on the positive environmental impacts that would result from returning waste management to local authority control; if such a move will be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25356/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 166 together. 148 and 166 together.
Earlier this month I launched a new national waste policy for the period 2020-2025, “A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy”. This plan contains a range of measures to reform and strengthen waste management including the provision of an enhanced role to the Local Authority sector and a greater focus on the level of service provided to consumers by the waste collection industry.
Local authorities continue to be responsible for municipal waste collection within their functional areas. The obligations on local authorities in relation to collecting household waste are set out in section 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended. In summary, it provides that each local authority shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste within its functional area. The obligation to collect or arrange for the collection of household waste shall not apply if:
- an adequate waste collection service is available in the local authority's functional area,
- the estimated costs of the collection of the waste would, in the opinion of the local authority, be unreasonably high, or
- the local authority is satisfied that adequate arrangements for the disposal of the waste concerned can reasonably be made by the holder of the waste.
It is open to any local authority to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
149. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if Adelaide Street, Dún Laoghaire will be brought into the State intervention area to provide high speed broadband (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24852/20]
View answerAdelaide Street, Dún Laoghaire is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
150. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if fibre broadband will be put in place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24904/20]
View answerThe premises referred to is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or has indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Telecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) which operates independently of this Department. The telecommunications regulatory framework, which ComReg implements, requires each telecommunications services provider to establish and operate a code of practice, including requirements for complaint handling. Service Providers must implement these measures, at a minimum, to assist consumers (including businesses) when they need to contact them with a complaint. A copy of the code of practice, which includes the three ways in which consumers can contact service providers, can be accessed at: https://www.comreg.ie/code-practice-handling-complaints/.
151. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when broadband will be rolled out in Kiladoran, Delvin, County Westmeath (details supplied). [24909/20]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises which is located 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 area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). All premises within the AMBER Area will be surveyed as part of the national fibre network rollout. These surveys are required to produce a detailed network design for the high speed fibre broadband network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose, and is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The premises referred to is in an area where surveying is due to commence early next year. As of the 15 of September over 91,000 premises have been surveyed across 21 counties and detailed designs for laying fibre are also in process for areas throughout the country. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the AMBER area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/).
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP, providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the high speed fibre network. Approximately 300 broadband connections points (BCPs) were identified by local authorities to be connected to high-speed broadband this year. The BCPs will help communities to quickly access free public high-speed broadband in advance of the main deployment under the National Broadband Plan. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities, and other public places are available to view on the High-Speed Broadband Map on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. Over 100 BCP sites, including one within 10 kilometres of the location referred to in Question, has been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Another BCP site within 10 kilometres of the location is due to be installed in October.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. The Covid 19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility.
