Written Answers Nos. 1-20
1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the most relevant and current position of the Government and his Department on statutory redundancy during this and additionally all ongoing Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3112/21]
View answerThe Redundancy Payments Act 1967 (as amended) outlines the rights and obligations of employers and employees in relation to statutory redundancy entitlements.
Section 12A of the Act is the Covid-19 emergency provision which suspends an employee’s entitlement to claim redundancy from their employer following certain periods of lay-off or short time work due to Covid-19. The decision to extend this suspension to 31st March 2021 was a difficult one to make and was disappointing for those employees who are experiencing uncertainty. But in making this decision the Government was conscious that Quarter 1 of 2021 will be particularly difficult for many employers with ongoing closures and restrictions and we had to consider the need to ensure businesses survive and that permanent job losses and insolvency situations are avoided as much as possible.
It was also considered that an extension of the end-date was important for employees to ensure that they have a continued link to their job and a pathway to return. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will remain open until the end of March 2021 in order to support affected employees as will the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.
The Government has not made any decision on a further extension of Section 12A at this stage. In its deliberations, the Government will have regard to the criteria and principles underpinning the emergency provision, the public health and labour market situations and the social partners’ views.
All other redundancy provisions remain unchanged and in force. If an employer is making employees redundant, protections such as notice periods for redundancy and the payment of a redundancy lump-sum to the affected employees still apply and the existing range of employment rights legislation remains in place.
2. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details of plans for an IDA site (details supplied) in 2021; if he will confirm if planning has been secured for the developments; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2975/21]
View answerIDA Ireland owns approximately 10.6 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Sligo Road in Quignashee, Ballina. The site has been concept master planned by the Agency in order to demonstrate its potential to investors.
Planning permission was previously obtained for infrastructural development, although this has since expired. The IDA continues to market the site to existing and prospective investors that may be interested in expanding or locating in County Mayo. IDA are working in collaboration with Mayo County Council to review the best potential for the IDA Ballina lands to further support the objectives of IDA’s new strategy 2021-2024. IDA has now appointed an engineering firm to undertake detailed technical due diligence, review the master plan design and submit a Stage 1 Infrastructure Planning application which IDA anticipate will be ready for submission in Q3 2021 subject to on-going review.
3. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will engage with the Companies Registration Office, CRO, to resolve the issue of levying late fees to the original date for filing despite providing leeway for companies to file up until October 2020 (details supplied). [3036/21]
View answerThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function.
The filing of annual returns by a company with the Registrar is a matter of law in accordance with Chapter 13 of Part 6 of the Companies Act 2014. Section 343 of the Act places the responsibility on every company to deliver its annual return to the Registrar of Companies on time. Under the Act, the Registrar does not have any discretion in relation to the waiving of late filing penalties.
A company has the option of applying to the District Court for extra time to file their annual return. The Court may, if it is satisfied that it would be just to do so, make an Order extending the time in which the annual return may be delivered to the Registrar. Should the order be granted there would be no late filing penalties or, if applicable, no loss of audit exemption. Further information on this option is available in information leaflet no. 39 Extension of time to file an Annual Return on the Companies Registration Office (‘the CRO’) website https://www.cro.ie/Publications/Publications/Information-Leaflets.
A major upgrade of the CRO IT system went live with effect from 16th December 2020. This was a significant modernisation project which significantly increases the range of documents that can be filed electronically, with resulting efficiency gains for both business and the CRO. The new CRO cloud-based IT platform is designed to provide improved and faster user experience for presenters and a fully paperless interaction with the CRO for certain transactions, including all the most common ones carried out by companies such as the filing of annual returns. In addition, the new one-stage filing deadline of 56 days from a company's annual return date went live on 16th December 2020, over-hauling the previous two stage annual returns filing process.
4. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the total number of applications for the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Covid-19 working capital loan scheme; the number of successful applications; the value of same; the number of unsuccessful applications; the value of same; the number of ineligible applications; and the breakdown of same by county and lending institution in tabular form. [3043/21]
View answerThe SBCI COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme makes lending available to eligible businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Loans under the scheme range from €25,000 to €1.5 million and are for terms of up to three years and are offered at favourable terms. For example, the maximum interest rate on loans under the scheme is 4% and there is no requirement for security on loans of up to €500,000.
This scheme features a two-stage application process, whereby businesses must first apply to the SBCI to confirm their eligibility for the scheme. Successful eligibility applicants are then issued an eligibility reference number which they can use to apply with a participating finance provider for loan approval.
As of Monday, 18 January 2021, the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme has had a total of 4,305 applications for eligibility to the scheme, of which 3,871 have been approved and 37 deemed ineligible. 971 loans have been sanctioned at bank level to a total value of €130,310,263.
Granular details of the scheme, including the per-county breakdown of eligibility applications and draw down of loans for the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, are reported on a quarterly basis, and so the attached document includes eligibility data and loan draw down data as of the most recent quarterly report, dated 30 September 2020. Details by county up to December 2020 are currently being compiled and will be published as soon as available.
Details on the breakdown of uptake of lending across the participating financial providers would constitute commercially sensitive information and thus has not been included in this response.
5. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a Covid-19-related support payment in respect of rent will be available to a company (details supplied) that is currently meeting 50% of its rent requirements but due to lockdown cannot fund the balance; if, given the importance of the fact that it caters for children up to eight years of age, consideration will be given to its particular situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3110/21]
View answerThe issue of commercial rents is primarily a contractual matter for the parties involved, and as such, I cannot advise or on an individual case.
The Government has urged landlords and tenants to talk to one another and come to some arrangement, as it is in everybody’s interest that terms are amicably agreed. With this in mind, on 1st October 2020, I published the Code of Conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents. The aim of the voluntary Code is to facilitate discussions between landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19. It sets out a structured approach for engagement between both commercial landlords and tenants, based on their mutual interest in continuing to work together.
However, this Code should not be seen in isolation. To date, over €24 billion had been made available in financial support for businesses, including the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme, wage subsidies, a commercial rates holiday, low cost loans, and a VAT reduction. The Code of Conduct and the full list of supports is available on my Department’s website.
The Government is committed to ensuring as many businesses as possible survive this challenging period, and it will continue to look at how we can support businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
6. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made on examining an alternative to a scheme (details supplied), given that a growing number of businesses in the entertainment, tourism and hospitality support sectors in County Mayo urgently require assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3132/21]
View answerI am aware that there are a range of businesses which are not eligible for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS).
My understanding is that the design of the scheme is such that eligibility is dependent on the level of public health restrictions in place in the business’s local area and the extent to which customer access is restricted from the business premises during that period of restriction.
As we are now unfortunately at Level 5, it is likely that many businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors including hotels and restaurants can now avail of the CRSS. I appreciate however, that some businesses still fail to qualify for the scheme.
I would note that in the recent Budget the Government has allocated significant additional resources to Departments to provide help to different sectors. This included €395m provided to the Department of Transport and the €222m allocated to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
On the examination of an alternative scheme to CRSS, I have directed my officials to engage with other relevant Departments to identify the type of businesses that fall outside of CRSS and what other sectoral aids are available. I hope to be in a position to provide a further update in the near future.
7. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for mandatory human rights due diligence legislation as recommended by a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3157/21]
View answerGovernment policy on Human Rights is led by my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs whose Department chairs the Inter-Departmental Committee on Human Rights.
The recent report referred to by the Deputy will be considered by officials, along with other proposals from civil society and interested parties, and feed into overall government consideration of this matter.
8. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if information will be provided to small businesses importing goods from the UK (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3208/21]
View answerAs the UK has also left the Single Market and Customs Union, 1 January saw the introduction of a range of customs and regulatory controls at EU and UK ports.
The data required from small businesses importing goods from the UK are needed by Revenue and other public bodies. These are operational matters for those bodies and my Department has no function in this regard.
9. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to issues with the new online CRO system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3315/21]
View answerThe Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function.
A major upgrade of the CRO IT system went live with effect from 16th December 2020. This was a significant modernisation project which greatly increases the range of documents that can be filed electronically, with resulting efficiency gains for both business and the CRO. The new CRO cloud-based IT platform is designed to provide improved and faster user experience for presenters and a fully paperless interaction with the CRO for certain transactions, including the most common ones carried out by companies such as the filing of annual returns and the changing of directors and their details. The introduction of a fully paperless system for these transactions provides certainty of delivery for companies. In addition, the new system allowed for the go live of the new one-stage filing deadline of 56 days from a company's annual return date, over-hauling the previous two stage annual returns filing process.
I am informed that issues have been identified since go-live, the majority of which are a relatively minor nature and generally not impeding the filing of documents. I am assured that such issues are being addressed on a prioritised basis, with the most significant having already been dealt with and the remaining issues are being addressed over the coming weeks.
The CRO helpline is available for those experiencing difficulty and can be contacted on (01) 804 5200; Lo call 1890 220 226 or at electronic.filing@enterprise.gov.ie.
10. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if supports will be available to assist non-essential retail businesses that closed as a result of recent restrictions when they reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3380/21]
View answerI am keenly aware that businesses are continuing to make massive sacrifices to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible. My Department has worked to ensure that appropriate supports are in place for businesses that require finance as they develop their response to their exposure to impacts arising from COVID-19. The uptake of these supports has been robust and indicates that businesses are taking action in response to this period of disruption.
Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. The measures in the Budget are in addition to those announced in the July Stimulus, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities. Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
As part of Budget 2021, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), operational through Revenue, offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week.
As a result of the fact that businesses have to close, we have made changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the EWSS. The new payment structure for the PUP includes the increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. This change to payment rates will apply in respect of all existing and new applicants.
The EWSS was also amended to align with the amendment to PUP, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme. I announced the reopening of MFI lending on 31st August and I launched the €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme on 7th September.
We have also announced a six-month reduction in the VAT, going down from 23% to 21%, a reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9% which will benefit the hospitality sector, together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
These supports are supplementary to the wide range of existing loan and voucher schemes available to assist businesses affected by COVID-19 provided through the July Jobs Stimulus and other Government initiatives.
11. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to include baby and nursery shops in the list of essential retail, given the fact that many expectant parents and new parents are not in a position to order the necessary goods online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3458/21]
View answerUnder Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open. Further information can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/. The decision to move to full scale Level 5 was not taken lightly and all factors were considered. The restrictions are in place for a period of at least one month from 31 December 2020.
S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 and S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/) clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. A list of essential services can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/ and the list of essential retail outlets at Level 5 can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/
Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product, it does however restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores. This is to stop people making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.
Under the current temporary restrictions click and collect from non-essential retail outlets is no longer permitted. Click or phone and deliver will continue.
We are asking retailers to fully get behind the spirit of the regulations. In particular, we are asking retailers with mixed retail offering which have discrete spaces for essential and non-essential retail to make arrangements for the separation of relevant areas. We are also asking retailers to operate staggered opening and closing hours, as well as facilitating starting and finishing hours, in order to minimise the impact on public transport and to continue to provide dedicated hours for vulnerable customers.
Retailers can and have made arrangements, on compassionate grounds, for individual customers to urgently purchase a non-essential item in store. This is only in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to plan ahead and avail of remote ordering services such as in emergencies, e.g., admission to hospital.
My colleague Minister English has met regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to continuously assess adherence to the public health restrictions.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) ‘The Work Safely Protocol’ incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces. The Protocol is available on www.gov.ie The HSA is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the Protocol in the workplace. If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.
In addition, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) have also produced two guidance documents, one for the retail Sector and one for Shopping Centres. Both documents can be found on www.nsai.ie
I would like to thank retailers and their customers for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of these new rules and working together we can hopefully return to a lower level of the Living with COVID-19 framework.
12. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures in place to ensure remote working wherever possible; the body responsible for the oversight of compliance by employers with the advice on remote working; the steps employees can take where they believe they can conduct their work remotely but their employers have required them to attend the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3465/21]
View answerThe Government advice is clear. We are currently at Level 5 of the Government’s Living with COVID-19 Plan and within Level 5 people should work from home unless it is absolutely necessary to attend in person for the delivery of an essential service as listed on www.gov.ie.
The Health and Safety Authority has produced detailed guidance for both employers and employees in relation to home-working on a temporary basis during COVID-19 restrictions. This guidance will help employers to understand the requirements, and steps to take, when setting up working-from-home arrangements for employees from a health and safety perspective. The guidance is available on-line at www.hsa.ie.
While an employer is responsible in the first instance, for determining what work can be done remotely, employers and workers should seek to resolve any matters relating to remote working at a local level through mutual dialogue and engagement. Where this is not possible and an employee is dissatisfied, a compliant may be made to the State's workplace relations services. Advice can be obtained from the Information & Customer Service of the WRC at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90 or 059 9178990 or from its website www.wrc.ie.
It should be noted that responsibility for health and safety at work rests with the employer whether or not that work is being done at the employee’s home and, in this regard, work being done from home needs to be managed and coordinated to ensure that employees are not put at risk from long-term health and safety hazards.
Separately, I would like to highlight the report “Making Remote Work” which I launched recently. This is Ireland’s National Remote Work Strategy and sets out the path to making remote working a more permanent option in workplaces across Ireland after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. Its actions will be progressed over the course of 2021 and includes commitments to legislate for the right to request remote working and new rules to allow employees the right to disconnect. The strategy can be viewed on my Department's website.
13. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the home of a person (details supplied) will be connected to high-speed broadband under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2982/21]
View answerThe Question refer 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 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.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 8 January 2021, over 158,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the schedule projected by the company. Surveys in County Louth have been completed in Areas around Dundalk and Drogheda. Further details are available on specific areas within County Louth through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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. As of 10 January, 243 publicly accessible 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. BCPs installed and connected in Louth are Mattock Rangers Gaa Club, Killanny GAA Club ( which is 1.7km from the premises referred to in the Question), Annaghminnan Rovers Gaa Club (1.75km from premises), Clogherhead, Port Beach Knockbawn and Templetown Beach. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Walshetown and Saint Enda’s National School are connected by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see almost 700 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
14. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the transposition of the EU electronic communications code; if the directive will be transposed prior to a temporary derogation that is currently subject to a rapid agreement at trilogue on a final text; his views on the concerns expressed by persons (details supplied) in regard to a lack of derogation and its consequences on the production and circulation of child sexual abuse material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3024/21]
View answerMy Department has been working to implement the new EU Communications Code. The transposition process has included extensive and ongoing engagement with relevant key stakeholders, including industry, the Regulator and the European Commission. In keeping with that stakeholder engagement, my Department has shared the text for the end user rights element with industry which is available to view on gov.ie. Following the expected finalisation of the draft text in the coming weeks, my Department will publish the full text in a public consultation. The text will then be finalised having considered submissions received, following which the European Commission will be notified of the transposition. It is expected that transposition will be completed in late Q1 or very early Q2.
Separately, work is ongoing at trilogue level to agree a temporary derogation to the ePrivacy Directive to ensure that number-independent interpersonal communications services can continue to detect and report child sexual abuse material online. Ireland has been very vocal about the need to ensure that the proposed ePrivacy Regulation does not inhibit this vital work continuing. Ireland is supportive of the derogation and looks forward to these negotiations being concluded as soon as possible.
15. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a fibre broadband service will be provided to an area (details supplied) as part of the current roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3071/21]
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 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.
Eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and, as such, decisions regarding the areas and premises served are made by eir. My Department has no role in the matter and has no statutory authority to intervene in decisions of commercial operators as to where they build infrastructure and provide services. Throughout rural Ireland, eir’s fibre deployment is primarily focussed on towns and villages and the premises on their outskirts. Where that network ends is where the National Broadband Plan in effect commences to ensure that nobody is left behind.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 8 January 2021, over 158,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys in County Clare have been completed in Cratloe, Ballycannan, Ballyglas, Cloghrea, Kilkishen, Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Broadford and Clontra. Further details are available on specific areas within County Clare through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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. As of 10 January, 243 publicly accessible 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. BCP’s installed and connected in Clare are Cree Community Centre, Michael Cusack Visitor Centre and Loop Head Lighthouse. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Shragh, Ennistymon and Stonehall National Schools are connected by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see almost 700 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
16. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 14 October 2020, if a new strategy statement for An Post has been finalised. [3109/21]
View answerThe preparation of a new Strategy Statement is a matter for the Board and Management of An Post. There has been engagement with my officials on the matter in line with my Departments responsibilities under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
An Post has recently submitted a new draft Strategy for analysis and consideration by the shareholding Ministers.
17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a public service obligation and associated funding to support the post office network in view of its importance to communities throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3171/21]
View answerThe importance of the post office network has been clearly demonstrated throughout the pandemic where we have seen a range of initiatives through our post offices which have helped support local communities, the elderly and vulnerable.
The serious decline in mail volumes and the impact of Covid-19 on footfall through post offices has had a severe impact on the postal network and the revenue being generated for postmasters.
A lot of work has been done over the past few years to develop the network and this has had a positive effect for both postmasters and customers. This momentum needs to be maintained and if An Post, the postmasters and Government work together we can ensure that the network can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community-focused services.
Government believes An Post has untapped potential to do more and make a further significant contribution across many areas of public, business and community life in Ireland. What we are doing now is working with An Post to investigate the scope to channel additional services through the network. As with any business the post office needs to develop commercial strategies to enable it to grow and maintain its relevance for its users. All options will be considered fully and efforts will be redoubled to give effect to our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and viable post office network.
In the circumstances, there are no proposals to introduce a Government funded subsidy for the post office network.
18. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when surveys for the national broadband plan are expected to be carried out in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3172/21]
View answerThe Question refers to an area 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 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.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 8 January 2021, over 158,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the schedule projected by the company. Surveys in County Cork have been completed in Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick. Build works for the NBI network are underway in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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. As of 10 January, 243 publicly accessible 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. BCP’s are installed and connected at Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre and T.O. Park Labbamollaga. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools are planned to be connected by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see almost 700 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/
19. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be able to avail of efibre broadband. [3173/21]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 8 January 2021, over 158,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the schedule projected by the company. Surveys in County Westmeath have been completed in Mullingar, Sonna, Stonehall, Taghmon, Jamestown, Hopestown and Athlone. Further details are available on specific areas within County Westmeath through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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. As of 10 January, 243 publicly accessible 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. BCP’s are installed at Streete Parish Park and Community Hall, Whitehall Community Centre, Milltown Emper Community Centre and Ballycomoyle GAA Club. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Saint David's National School and Rathmore National School are installed by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see almost 700 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
20. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a direct contact will be provided for Members of Dáil Éireann to access information regarding the provision of broadband (details supplied). [3246/21]
View answerNBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
· Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
· The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
It would appear from the information provided in the Question that the premises referred to are located in the Amber area with one premises in the Blue area. 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. Notwithstanding this, our investigations show that the premises referred in the BLUE area is being served by a commercial operator (SIRO) delivering fibre to the home services.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is under way.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 15 January 2021, over 161,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys in County Cork have been completed in Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick. I am further advised that build works for the NBI network are underway in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie . Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding the level of information available on the deployment of the NBI network and I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.
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. As of 10 January, 243 publicly accessible 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. BCP’s are installed and connected at Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre and T.O. Park Labbamollaga. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools are planned to be connected by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see almost 700 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
