Written Answers Nos. 259-277
259. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if small quotas of dogfish will be made available to inshore fishermen for a three-month period annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29013/20]
View answerIt is prohibited to target, retain on board, tranship or land picked dogfish, also known as spurdog, in North Western Waters. The stock was subject to high harvest rates for more than four decades, and fisheries were not managed during this time.
The spawning biomass of this species is at an extremely low level, although conservation measures in recent years have had an impact in terms of stabilising the decline. However, the recent period of stability is short compared to the longevity of the species. The species is a long-lived, slow growing and late maturing species and is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to over-fishing.
For 2020, there is a very limited quota available (53 tonnes for Ireland) for use only in pilot schemes designed to reduce bycatches. Any such schemes are subject to European Commission approval and must relate to reducing bycatches of dogfish in other fisheries, i.e. the targeting of dogfish would remain prohibited. A scheme for dogfish avoidance was explored by the Marine Institute but, following consultation with the Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), it was decided not to proceed further with a scheme taking into account how such a scheme would operate.
The latest advice issued by ICES on 2 October 2020 is that there should be no targeted fisheries for dogfish in 2021 and 2022. On the basis of the available scientific advice on the current state of the stock, there is currently no possibility of re-introducing a targeted fishery in the near future.
260. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a tree felling licence will be issued to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact the application was submitted on 13 May 2020 and the delay is having a negative financial impact on the applicant; the timeframe for dealing with such applications; and his plans to clear backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29014/20]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence for the person named was received on 19th May. Every application must be carefully assessed for its potential impact on the surrounding countryside and environment. The application was referred to my Department's Archaeology Unit and their report has been received.
The proposed site of the felling operations lies within the zone of impact of two designated sites. Therefore, the application must be carefully assessed by my Department's Ecology Unit. The person named may, if they wish and at their own expense, submit a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), which can considerably reduce the length of time required to consider the application. If they so choose, they can contact my Department, where they will be provided with guidance on what areas the NIS must focus. Once the assessment of the application is complete, a decision will issue.
261. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the EU clause contained in EU Directive 2019/6 allowing a professional person or responsible persons to issue a veterinary prescription for all medicines currently classified as LM in view of the fact it helps to achieve the best outcomes for farmers, licensed merchants, co-ops and pharmacists while safeguarding these essential medicines; his views on the submission by an association (details supplied) to his Department; if legal opinion has been sought on the matter; if a risk analysis has been conducted by his Department; his further views on the issues relative to the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29024/20]
View answerEU Regulation 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products comes into effect in January 2022. This Regulation is binding in full and has direct effect on all Member States.
Two issues have now arisen
1. The new requirement under EU Law for a veterinary prescription to be issued before antiparasitic products can be dispensed and
2. The question as to whether Ireland can avail of a derogation in the Regulation which permits professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions
In relation to the first issue, since 2004 European legislation established a requirement that all veterinary medicinal products that are intended for use in food-producing animals should be subject to a veterinary prescription. However, a 2006 EU Directive allowed for the maintenance of non-prescription status for certain veterinary medicinal products which did not present a risk to human or animal health or to the environment. Ireland availed of the exemption in Directive 2006/130/EC at the time and antiparasitics were allowed to continue to be available without prescription.
There is a similar exemption available under the new EU Regulation 2019/6. However, since that time, our knowledge regarding the impact of extensive use of antiparasitics has changed. In 2019, the Health Product Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) established a Task Force to review the method of supply of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products that are intended for food-producing animals against the criteria set out in Regulation 2019/6. A copy of the Report is available on the HPRA’s website www.hpra.ie.
The Report states that the available scientific evidence shows that antiparasitic veterinary medicines that are intended for use in food-producing species do not comply with the criteria for derogation from veterinary prescription specified in EU Regulation 2019/6. Therefore, antiparasitic veterinary medicines must require a veterinary prescription before they can be dispensed from January 2022. Ireland has no national discretion on this issue.
On the second issue, there is a separate derogation in the Regulation, which allows professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions, in limited circumstances, but only if this was provided for in a Member State's national legislation prior to Regulation 2019/6 coming into force in January 2019.
Ireland's national legislation has never permitted anyone other than a veterinarian to issue a veterinary prescription. Therefore, Ireland has no national discretion to now provide for a regime which would permit Responsible Persons in Licensed Merchants or pharmacists to dispense antiparasitic veterinary medicines without a veterinary prescription issued by a veterinarian.
My Department has sought legal opinion and clarification from the EU Commission on the issue. Both responses reaffirmed my Department’s understanding of the Regulation as outlined above.
I recognise these legislative changes will result in challenges for all impacted stakeholders. In recognition of this, my Department has established an Antiparasitic Resistance Stakeholder Group which is chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Licensed Merchants and Co-Op organisations are both represented on this Group. Two meetings have been held to date and a programme of work containing over 30 antiparasitic related projects is currently underway. Risk analyses of various elements of the issues are addressed within this work programme. This group will examine all the issues related to the changed route of supply with two principal objectives
- Protecting the efficacy of antiparasitics which are critical to the Irish pasture-based production model.
- Establishing a regulatory system that is pragmatic, retains a substantive role for existing stakeholders and delivers value for money for farmers
A 5-week Public Consultation process on the Regulations, hosted by my Department, closed in late July with in excess of 100 submissions received, including from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. All submissions are being analysed by my officials and considered in the context of the implementation of the Regulation.
My Department is fully committed to working with all stakeholders in considering how best to implement the new EU Regulations on veterinary medicinal products. There is a dedicated email address allowing communications on the new Regulation: vetmedregs@agricuIture.gov.ie.
262. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to extending consanguinity relief from 31 December 2020 to 31 December 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29034/20]
View answerWhile taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Finance, our two Departments work closely to ensure it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agrifood sector.
Consanguinity relief from stamp duty provides, under certain conditions, for a 1% stamp duty rate applicable to transfers to certain close relatives, as compared with the standard rate of 7.5%. It is an important relief to facilitate the lifetime transfer of family farms and to encourage generational renewal.
Earlier this year, the extension of this relief was reviewed by the Department of Finance in the context of the Budget 2021 process, with input provided by my Department. The outcome of this review will be announced on Budget Day.
263. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to establishing a dedicated debt mediation service for farmers in which funds are ring-fenced and used to provide fair and reasonable access to mediation between financially struggling farmers and creditors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29035/20]
View answerThe Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is the State's money advice service. It is available to farmers and provides confidential advice on budgeting as well as assistance with financial difficulties. It may be accessed via their website www.mabs.ie.
264. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to introducing a voluntary individual income volatility initiative to allow farmers deposit a defined percentage of profits to a fund in a good year and withdraw funds during poor years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29036/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to, "Consider further taxation measures to manage evolving issues such as market volatility". While taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Finance, our two Departments work closely to ensure it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agrifood sector. Therefore, my Department will be engaging with the Department of Finance on this issue, which has previously been considered.
An analysis of proposals for an income stabilisation tool was published as part of Budget 2019 and is available at: http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2019/Documents/Tax%20Expenditures%20Report%202018%20FINAL%2017.10.18%20(002).pdf
265. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to extending tax relief on the leasing of farmland to include agreements between parents and children who are young trained farmers up to 30 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29038/20]
View answerWhile taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Finance, our two Departments work closely to ensure it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agrifood sector. The ‘Agri-taxation Review’ put in place a comprehensive taxation strategy for the sector with specific policy objectives to increase the mobility and the productive use of land; assist succession; and complement wider agriculture policies and schemes.
The “Exemption of Certain Income from Leasing of Farmland” measure encourages longer-term leases of farmland, thereby increasing the mobility and the productive use of land. While leases between family members are not eligible for this relief, it should be noted that there is a wide range of measures to assist succession and the transfer of family farms such as: Stamp Duty Consanguinity Relief; Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers; Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax and Retirement Relief from Capital Gains Tax, all of which support transfers of land between parents and children. Also, the Succession Farm Partnerships Scheme provides an income tax incentive to encourage farmers to transfer the farm business to their identified farming successor or successors.
266. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to establishing a targeted annual investment allowance which would focus on smart agriculture, renewable energy equipment and climate change mitigation infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29041/20]
View answerThe long term vision for the agricultural sector is an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production. Our policy approach is based on three principles:
i reducing agricultural emissions
ii. increasing carbon sequestration; and
iii. displacing and substituting fossil fuel and energy intensive materials.
There are a significant number of measures already in place which support these principles.
The financial allocation in respect of Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) for the full Rural Development Programme period is €395m. To date, total expenditure, including transitional expenditure, has reached €244m with commitments of an additional €130m made to scheme participants who have yet to draw down those commitments. The scheme currently supports investment in smart agriculture such as GPS equipment, in renewable energy equipment including solar panels, energy efficient lighting and variable speed drives in milking equipment and in climate mitigation infrastructure such as trailing shoe technology for application of animal manures.
To date 31,843 applications have been approved under the scheme.
Ireland has outlined its support for the increased environmental and climate ambition as set out in the EU Commission’s proposals for the new CAP. Ireland has accepted the 40% target for the EU CAP budget, the 30% national target for Pillar II spending, and the introduction of mandatory ECO schemes. The CAP Strategic Plan will be a key enabler for the substantive delivery of new environment/climate measures at farm level, however, it requires agreement at EU level on the budget and legislation.
267. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to fund a carbon sequestration programme similar to the agricultural sustainability support and advice programme which would offer free advice and guidance to all farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29043/20]
View answerThe ASSAP is an important targeted measure in the second River Basin Management Plan published in April 2018. This is an innovative Government and industry initiative running from 2018 to 2021 and is a well-structured collaborative initiative involving all stakeholders to facilitate improvements in water quality. The Department scheme to establish new native woodlands is promoted under ASSAP as a measure to help protect and enhance water quality.
Teagasc forestry staff currently provide comprehensive training and advisory support to all farmers which includes provision of guidance and advice on the range of options available for carbon sequestration, through integration of trees on the farm. My Department is further supporting Teagasc in developing a forest carbon online tool. This tool will be freely available and will provide indicative carbon sequestration trends for the range of available planting categories and different species groups. It will provide useful information on potential carbon sequestration by trees at farm level. This is the first iteration of such a forest carbon tool and will be available by the end of the year.
The current Forestry Programme supports opportunities for carbon sequestration on the farm by providing grants and premiums for afforestation. This programme is due to end in 2020 but delays in finalising the new CAP regulations means that this will extend into 2021. Work on a new Forestry Programme is due to start in the coming months which will involve an extensive public consultation process and engagement with stakeholders across the forest sector. My Department would be happy to give consideration to a submission on this subject within this framework.
268. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29061/20]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence for the person named was received in January this year. Every application must be carefully assessed for its potential impact on the surrounding countryside and environment.
The proposed site of the felling operations lies within the zone of impact of eight designated sites. Therefore, the application must be carefully assessed by my Department's Ecology Unit. The person named may, if they wish and at their own expense, submit a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), which can considerably reduce the length of time required to consider the application. If they so choose, they can contact my Department, where they will be provided with guidance on what areas the NIS must focus. Once the assessment of the application is complete, a decision will issue.
269. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with Kildare County Council in identifying publicly owned land banks to commence an ambitious planting initiative in County Kildare. [29062/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government has set a new ambition with regard to increased use of state lands for the creation of woodlands. My Department has responded with a specific scheme called the ‘Creation of Woodlands on Public Lands’ scheme which we launched in August. As part of this scheme, Government mandated public bodies to review suitable land available for planting. The aim of this exercise is to kick- start an ambitious programme of afforestation on state-owned lands.
This innovative scheme encapsulates the multifunctional benefits that forestry can deliver for the environment, society and the economy. By encouraging the planting of native species on suitable land, public bodies will be establishing habitats rich in biodiversity while recreating a landscape that existed in Ireland thousands of years ago. These forests will exist in perpetuity and are non-commercial insofar as they exist for the benefit of the public in general.
My Department is currently working with the Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO) to assist all Local Authorities in identifying suitable sites for planting and to access the necessary funding under the scheme. The first step is for Kildare County Council to complete a landbank analysis of suitable land for planting. The CARO together with my Department will be directly in touch with them to assist on this.
270. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) received a reduced payment rate of areas of natural constraint 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29071/20]
View answerThe person named applied for the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme and claimed a total of 23.83 hectares of ANC eligible land resulting in a total payment for 2019 of €2,141.
The person named also applied for the 2020 ANC scheme and claimed a slightly lower area of 23.45 hectares of ANC eligible land. This has resulted in a slight reduction to the overall payment for 2020 amounting to €2,107.46. I am pleased to confirm that 85% advance payment for the 2020 ANC scheme issued to the named individual on the 16th September.
In 2019, the person named also applied for the Basic Payment (BPS)/Greening Scheme and claimed a total of 37.14 hectares. The person named received payment totalling €6,122.58 under the BPS/Greening scheme. The person named has also applied for the BPS/Greening Scheme in 2020 and has claimed a total of 23.45ha. In accordance with the regulations, the earliest date that advance payments under the BPS/Greening scheme can commence is 16th October 2020.
271. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29081/20]
View answerThe advance payment for the 2020 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme has now issued to the bank account of the person named.
272. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a penalty points appeals mechanism outside of the courts will be put in place for fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29160/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, on 26 August 2020, the European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 318 of 2020) were signed into law by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Statutory Instrument establishes a point system, which will apply to the Licence Holder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected within the Exclusive Fishery Limits of the State or for an Irish vessel, wherever it may be.
S.I. No. 318 of 2020 provides for the establishment of a Determination Panel comprised of 3 independent legal professionals nominated by the Attorney General to determine if on the balance of probabilities a serious infringement has occurred. The instrument also establishes an independent Appeals Officer, also nominated by the Attorney General, to review the decision of the Determination Panel on the request of the licence holder. Both the Determination Panel and the Appeals Officer must grant the licence holder an oral hearing if he or she so wishes. A party to an appeal may subsequently apply to the High Court on a point of law regarding a decision of the Appeals Officer.
273. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the standards for beef products being imported here from both inside and outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29241/20]
View answerThe import of beef products from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety, to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards.
The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported beef products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. The third country of origin must be authorised for introduction of beef products into the EU and must have an approved residue plan. The establishment of origin must also be approved and authorised as an establishment from which beef products may be imported into the EU.
Import control procedures on beef products are highly prescriptive and take place at Border Control Posts operated by my Department. 100% of consignments are subjected to documentary and identity checks, and physical checks, including sampling of products, are carried out according to European regulations.
Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done via a combination of inspecting establishments and auditing the food safety management systems which operators have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulates that food business operators must, at all stages of production, processing and distribution within their business, ensure food law requirements are satisfied.
274. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if local co-ops will be in a position to dispense medication to farmers, as well as vets, to ensure that this does not become a monopoly for vets. [29242/20]
View answerEU Regulation 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products comes into effect in January 2022. This Regulation is binding in full and has direct effect on all Member States.
Two issues have now arisen
1. The new requirement under EU Law for a veterinary prescription to be issued before antiparasitic products can be dispensed and
2. The question as to whether Ireland can avail of a derogation in the Regulation which permits professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions
In relation to the first issue, since 2004 European legislation established a requirement that all veterinary medicinal products that are intended for use in food-producing animals should be subject to a veterinary prescription. However, certain veterinary medicinal products which did not present a risk to human or animal health or to the environment, such as antiparasitics, were retained as non-prescription under EU Directive 2005/130/EC.
There is a similar exemption available under the new EU Regulation 2019/6. However, since that time, our knowledge regarding the impact of extensive use of antiparasitics has changed. In 2019, the Health Product Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) established a Task Force to review the method of supply of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products that are intended for food-producing animals against the criteria set out in Regulation 2019/6. A copy of the Report is available on the HPRA’s website www.hpra.ie.
The Report states that the available scientific evidence shows that antiparasitic veterinary medicines that are intended for use in food-producing species do not comply with the criteria for derogation from veterinary prescription specified in EU Regulation 2019/6. Therefore, antiparasitic veterinary medicines must require a veterinary prescription before they can be dispensed from January 2022. Ireland has no national discretion on this issue.
This means that all current stakeholders that are already permitted to supply such products will be entitled to continue to supply them in the future (but from January 2022, a veterinary prescription will be needed to dispense them).
On the second issue, there is a separate derogation in the Regulation, which allows professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions, in limited circumstances, but only if this was provided for in a Member State's national legislation prior to Regulation 2019/6 coming into force in January 2019.
Ireland's national legislation has never permitted anyone other than a veterinarian to issue a veterinary prescription. Therefore, Ireland has no national discretion to now provide for a regime which would permit Responsible Persons in Licensed Merchants or pharmacists to dispense antiparasitic veterinary medicines without a veterinary prescription issued by a veterinarian.
I recognise these legislative changes will result in challenges for all impacted stakeholders. In recognition of this, my Department has established an Antiparasitic Resistance Stakeholder Group chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Two meetings have been held to date and a programme of work containing over 30 antiparasitic related projects is currently underway. This group will examine all the issues related to the changed route of supply with two principal objectives
- Protecting the efficacy of antiparasitics which are critical to the Irish pasture-based production model.
- Establishing a regulatory system that is pragmatic, retains a substantive role for existing stakeholders and delivers value for money for farmers
My Department is fully committed to working with all stakeholders in considering how best to implement the new EU Regulations on veterinary medicinal products. There is a dedicated email address allowing communications on the new Regulation: vetmedregs@agricuIture.gov.ie.
275. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to update the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878 and the associated Rules and Regulations for the Regulation of Burial Grounds 1888; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29019/20]
View answerThe regulations regarding burials and burial grounds are Part III of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, as amended in Part VI of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948; and more recently, the Local Government Acts, 1994 and 2001, and also in the Rules and Regulations for the Regulation of Burial Grounds 1888 and amendments thereto.
Having regard to other priorities, including legislative priorities, to be progressed across my Department's remit, there are currently no plans to introduce new legislation in relation to burial grounds.
However, if the Deputy is aware of any issue with a particular provision of the burial grounds legislation, it might be brought to my Department's attention for consideration.
276. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received from each local authority nationally under rural regeneration development funding since establishment of same in tabular form; the number of successful applications; the final amounts awarded to each local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28965/20]
View answerArising from the first and second calls under the Rural Regeneration scheme, 63 Category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €131 million and 76 Category 2 projects have been approved for funding of €35 million. Category 1 relates to major projects that can drive sustainable rural regeneration and development, while Category 2 supports projects that require development funding to bring projects to a stage where they are ready to apply under Category 1 calls.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications undergo comprehensive scrutiny, involving assessment by my Department under the oversight of a Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments as well as independent experts.
The following table below sets out the number of applications received from each local authority under the scheme, the number of successful applications and the total amount awarded
|
Local Authority |
Applications Received |
Applications Approved |
Approved Funding |
|
Carlow County Council |
10 |
1 |
€654,820 |
|
Cavan County Council |
11 |
5 |
€5,764,199 |
|
Clare County Council |
23 |
7 |
€8,757,871 |
|
Cork County Council |
52 |
7 |
€5,590,543 |
|
Donegal County Council |
15 |
5 |
€8,821,493 |
|
Fingal County Council |
4 |
0 |
€0 |
|
Galway County Council |
17 |
7 |
€7,647,546 |
|
Kerry County Council |
15 |
2 |
€3,601,380 |
|
Kildare County Council |
18 |
5 |
€10,162,397 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
10 |
2 |
€5,234,010 |
|
Laois County Council |
10 |
0 |
€0 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
5 |
4 |
€3,854,858 |
|
Limerick City County Council |
13 |
3 |
€5,554,657 |
|
Longford County Council |
5 |
4 |
€5,132,468 |
|
Louth County Council |
6 |
3 |
€3,384,724 |
|
Mayo County Council |
13 |
7 |
€6,176,268 |
|
Meath County Council |
12 |
6 |
€7,343,629 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
17 |
6 |
€6,464,360 |
|
Offaly County Council |
13 |
3 |
€992,457 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
9 |
4 |
€6,436,259 |
|
Sligo County Council |
9 |
4 |
€1,671,002 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
11 |
5 |
€6,956,146 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
3 |
2 |
€4,933,500 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
4 |
2 |
€911,250 |
|
Wexford County Council |
9 |
5 |
€7,500,116 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
9 |
2 |
€3,032,976 |
|
Total |
323 |
101 |
€126,578,929 |
277. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of the broadband connection points that are now live by county; the date for each of the outstanding locations will go live by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29150/20]
View answerThe Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative will deliver high-speed broadband connectivity to approximately 300 publicly accessible sites across the country. These sites are located primarily in rural and remote areas, including our offshore islands, which currently do not have reliable broadband services.
Broadband Connection Points will be among the first sites connected under the National Broadband Plan and represent a collaboration between my Department, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Local Authorities and the communities that will host and benefit most from the initiative.
There are currently over 200 public access BCP sites, in addition to 75 school BCPs, scheduled for connection before the end of 2020. A further 50-100 additional sites are expected to be connected in early 2021. By the end of the connection phase of the project, there will be BCPs in every county in Ireland.
A list of the sites which have currently been selected as BCPS are available on National Broadband Ireland's website at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
At present there are a number of sites that have had both the initial connection installed by National Broadband Ireland, the company contracted to deliver the NBP, and by Vodafone, the company contracted to provide user equipment and support.
I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in relation to the operationalisation of the BCPs shortly.
