Written Answers Nos. 219-239
220. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of on-the-spot fines issued for alleged offences relating to the marketing, sale and distribution of prohibited fuels in low-smoke zones; the number of fines that have been issued versus the number of fines that have been collected by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14196/21]
View answer225. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of fines issued for offences relating to the marketing, sale and distribution of prohibited fuels in low-smoke zones by county; the number of fines; the amounts fined; the number of fines collected in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14318/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 225 together.
Enforcement action against breaches of the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations 2012 is a matter for Local Authorities and my Department does not compile statistics in relation to prosecutions taken or fines imposed. The Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections data collated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does include the following detail with respect to Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for breaches of the regulations for the years 2016 to 2019.
|
Local Authority |
FPNs under S.I. 326 of 2012 |
FPNs under S.I. 326 of 2012 |
FPNs under S.I. 326 of 2012 |
FPNs under S.I. 326 of 2012 |
|
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
Louth |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Total |
11 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
Further details with respect to how effectively Local Authorities are enforcing the provisions of environmental legislation, including the Air Pollution Act, are available from the series of Local Authority Environmental Performance Assessment reports compiled by the EPA. These reports can be accessed at: https://www.epa.ie/enforcement/pa/performanceframework/.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to further strengthen enforcement of air quality legislation by developing a regional approach to air quality enforcement. A coordinated approach is required given the links between burning of solid fuels and the health effects of air pollution, as well as the potential for market distortion for businesses properly adhering to the rules. Increased multi-agency inspections and enforcement, including the increased use of fixed payment notices, are required, and my Department is fully committed to supporting Local Authorities in this regard.
221. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to put in place a comprehensive anti-fuel poverty strategy; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14215/21]
View answerOverall, the Government envisages expenditure in excess of €700 million in 2021 on a number of measures to support households meeting the cost of energy. The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published in 2016. The Strategy set out several actions to alleviate the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society. The focus of the strategy was on high impact actions which aimed to make a real difference to the lives of those in energy poverty.
Good progress has been made under the strategy including:
- Free upgrades were carried out in over 23,000 lower income homes under the main Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) energy poverty retrofit schemes;
- A consultation on energy efficiency in the rented sector has also been completed which has informed changes to energy efficiency grant schemes with further recommendations to follow later this year;
- Funding for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased dramatically over the period from €15 million in 2015 to over €109 million for 2021.
- The allocations for retrofit of social housing have also increased significantly with an allocation of €65 million for 2021.
Income supports from the Department of Social Protection to help households with the costs of heating their homes have also increased. The Minister for Social Protection provides an estimated €300 million in 2021 for a Fuel Allowance payment, of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks, which is a total of €784 each year, from October to April, to an average of 372,000 low income households. In addition, the Minister for Social Protection also provides an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €265 million in 2021. This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year. The Department of Social Protection also funds an exceptional needs payment, which can include support with fuel bills in some cases.
Research undertaken by the Economic and Social research Institute shows that the proportion of households in or at risk of energy poverty has reduced from 28% in 2015 to 17.5% in 2020. The Survey on Income and Living Conditions also shows that the proportion of people who report that they are unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, has fallen from 9% in 2015 to 4.9% in 2019.
A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed this year and this will inform the next steps. Alleviating energy poverty will also be a key consideration for the National Retrofit Framework which will be published this year. Retrofitting of homes supports good physical and mental health by creating healthy indoor living environments with healthy air temperatures, humidity levels, noise levels, and improved air quality.
222. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagements his Department had with An Post and a union (details supplied) regarding the offline services report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14233/21]
View answer223. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected timeframe for the announcement of actions following the examination of the feasibility of directing more State business to the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14234/21]
View answer238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if community banking within the An Post office network will be supported; if he will ensure that the Minister for Social Protection will direct as much business as possible through the post office network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14761/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222, 223 and 238 together.
My officials and I have met with representatives of the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) to discuss matters relating to the post office network in general including the Offline Services Report.
An Post has been proactive in taking steps in recent years to diversify its offering through:
- An expansion of financial services products with the launch of the An Post Money brand and introduction of an An Post Current Account, Credit Cards Loans and growing foreign exchange business.
- An expansion of e-commerce services, with particular focus on the SME market, available across the counter in the Post Offices to facilitate the growth in parcel business.
- Facilitating growth in existing retail lines – Gift Cards, Lottery, Billpay services, Money Transfer and
- The introduction of new green based initiatives such as the Green Hub home refurbishment.
As part of its commercial strategy to increase banking services An Post recently announced a new partnership with Bank of Ireland to offer personal and SME withdrawal and lodgement services to Bank of Ireland customers across the An Post network of over 900 post offices nationwide. This builds on the agency banking services An Post already provides for a number of other leading banks including AIB and Ulster Bank with more than 4.5 million transactions and a cash value of almost €1.5bn annually.
The 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. In that regard, Government recently approved the Report on the Provision of Offline Government Services and the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Group, co-chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to, inter alia, examine the feasibility of directing more Government business to the post office network. The Group will report back to Government by the end of July.
224. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the North-South interconnector project; if he is satisfied the project follows international best practice; if an independent review will be carried out as part of the forthcoming review of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14295/21]
View answerThe North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also help Ireland to move towards our 70% renewable electricity target by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers.
Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies.’
The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently and fully in line with the resolution of Dáil Éireann of 16 February 2017, my department commissioned an independent report incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the north-south interconnector. The report from the International Expert Commission was published in October 2018 and it found that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this piece of critical electricity infrastructure. I do not intend ordering a repeat of such a review.
EirGrid and ESB Networks, as our electricity system operators, always seek to work in close collaboration with landowners and stakeholders in the delivery of electricity infrastructure. Both companies are engaging with those living closest to the route of the interconnector. In that regard I note that EirGrid has already set in place a variety of engagements locally, including the appointment of community liaison officers and a mobile information unit active in the area. I expect such engagements to intensify in the coming months, subject to Covid-19 public health guidelines.
226. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions being considered by his Department to tackle the spike in illegal dumping and littering; and if he will consider amending the Litter Pollution Act 1997 as amended by the Waste Management Act 2001 and the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 to include a name-and-shame approach which would allow local authorities to publicly name all offenders who have been successfully issued with dumping or littering fines. [14402/21]
View answerMy Department continues to work closely with both the EPA and the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) through the National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee to ensure that the legislation in place is robust and effective in assisting enforcement efforts. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy published in September 2020 contains a range of actions designed to enhance existing litter and waste enforcement activity. These include:
- an enhanced role for the WERLAs,
- the development of an anti-dumping toolkit for use by local authorities,
- the development of an illegal and unauthorised sites action plan to assist local authorities,
- greater use of fixed penalty notices,
- data-proofing of waste legislation to facilitate use of available and emerging technologies in a GDPR-compliant manner;
- a new national communications and education programme
- a deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans.
These will build on existing actions to combat littering and illegal dumping, such as the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme and the Anti-Dumping Initiative. Last year €3m was allocated to local authorities in support of the Anti-Dumping Initiative. This funding supported over 300 projects nationwide during 2020, including a national anti-dumping awareness communications campaign, "Your Country - Your Waste", which I launched in November 2020.My Department also supports local authorities and Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities through the annual Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, which supports the recruitment and retention of over 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel.
In relation to the issue of “naming and shaming”, the Data Protection Commissioner indicated to my Department in 2010 that actions taken by local authorities in publishing the names and addresses of persons fined as a result of littering or illegal dumping, whether by publication on their websites or by notices published in the local press and paid for by the local authority, were in breach of the principles of data protection. The issue was examined in some detail by officials in my Department at that time. Accordingly, I currently have no plans to introduce such an approach.
227. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting has been outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. [14418/21]
View answerThe process of preparing Government legislation is set out in the Cabinet Handbook at https://assets.gov.ie/6813/2a580791a7b24decb97a550539a0faff.pdf.
The preparation of the General Scheme of Bills initiated within my Department is undertaken by officials of the Department with legal advice provided by the Department’s Legal Unit or the Office of the Attorney General. The legal drafting itself, including on Bills progressed since I took office, is undertaken by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
228. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the largest circulated newspapers that are delivered free to homes in areas (details supplied) are not receiving Government advertising in the form of Covid-19 public health advertising. [14457/21]
View answerMy Department has no role or function in relation to the placement of COVID 19 public health advertising in any newspaper. Specific public health advertising, and overall Government messaging in this regard would primarily be a matter for the Department of Health and Government Information Services in the Department of Taoiseach.
229. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work he has carried out since taking office to implement a green hydrogen strategy; his views on whether enough attention and importance is being paid to this area in order to exploit its potential benefits; his work plan for the next three months in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14458/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out the need for research and development of hydrogen from renewable sources, known as ‘green hydrogen’, for use as a fuel for power generation, manufacturing, energy storage and transport.
In July 2020, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland welcomed the hydrogen strategy, including the need to support the deployment of green hydrogen in line with the Programme for Government. Ireland also supported the publication of the Council Conclusions on a hydrogen market for Europe in October 2020. In the development of these conclusions, Ireland strongly supported the need to focus on green hydrogen.
My Department is working with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to inform Ireland's future policies in relation to green hydrogen. The role of green hydrogen, and actions needed for its development, are being considered as part of the development of the next Climate Action Plan which is currently underway.
230. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work undertaken by his Department to date in addressing the issue of additional waste charges being incurred by households for the disposal of medical incontinence wear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14493/21]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question [8998/21] of 17 February 2021. The position is unchanged.
231. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1060 and 1061 of 7 September 2018, the conclusions of the report referred to in the reply; when the report was published; the further work completed on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14495/21]
View answerThe report referred to by the Deputy was completed in 2018 and I will publish it on my Department's website shortly.
The report examined potential extensions to the gas network in Ireland. This work was undertaken in the context of the national climate and energy policies that were in place at that time. In the period since, there has been significant development of national policy. I would highlight, in particular, the Programme for Government commitments to an average 7% pre annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 (a 51% reduction over the decade) and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. I would also note the commitment to electrification that includes the installation of 600,000 heat pumps by 2030.
In this context, I consider the 2018 report to be of limited, if any, relevance to current policy development. Furthermore, I can confirm that extending the natural gas network will not be included in the upcoming Climate Action Plan as a means of decarbonisation.
232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations still apply during the current Covid-19 emergency period, in particular in the circumstance in which a household must purchase new electronic white goods and need the old ones removed by the vendor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14516/21]
View answerThe take-back arrangements for WEEE continue to operate throughout the current restrictions. Old or obsolete goods should be removed by retailers on the purchase of new replacement goods. The Extended Producer Responsibility schemes have worked to ensure that services have remained in place while working within the restrictions. They have engaged regularly with retail members and other key stakeholders whilst also maintaining collection services from Civic Amenity sites and from retailers who continue to provide online sales to customers.
233. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has responded to the legal proceedings brought by six young persons from Portugal against Ireland and 32 other countries in the European Court of Human Rights (details supplied); if he is supporting or contesting the case; if a response has not yet been filed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14535/21]
View answerThe Government has been formally notified by the European Court of Human Rights that Ireland is a party to the legal proceedings referred to. My Department is currently engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to these proceedings, and the Department of Foreign Affairs is acting as agent for the Government in this regard. The Government will consider the issues raised in the proceedings, which are complex, and will provide its observations on or before the deadline determined by the Court of 27 May 2021.
234. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the roll-out schedule for bringing high-speed broadband to Arvagh, County Cavan and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14547/21]
View answerThe 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.
There are 42,250 premises in County Cavan of which 26,008 (62%) are in the commercial area and 16,274 (38%) premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised that premises in Arvagh are located in both Blue and Amber areas.
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.
In terms of the NBP State led intervention, NBI has advised that as of 17 March, 3,738 of Amber premises in County Cavan have been surveyed. Surveys have been completed or are ongoing in the areas of Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun and Erne Hill. Main build works commenced outside Cavan town including Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles and Caughoo. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and in a test and trial phase in Cavan and in Carrigaline, Co Cork. Technical testing and validation will be undertaken prior to a wider release of the areas. I am advised that almost 1,000 homes are passed and available for connection in both Counties Cork and Cavan.
Further details are available on specific areas within Cavan 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 when works are due to commence. 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 17 March, 289 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. Gallonray House Gallonreagh Maudabawn, Kildallan Parish Hall, Killenkere Leisure Centre, Castle Saunderson Scout Centre, Bunnoe Community Centre, Drumavaddy Community Centre, Templeport Community Centre, Cornafean Communty Centre (located within 6.4 kilometres of Arvagh), Mullahoran Community Centre and Glengevlin Community Hall have now been installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband. The site at Castlerahan Community Centre is installed and connected.
Laragh National School is planned 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 will see some 679 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/.
235. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to a household (details supplied) that is not included in the national broadband plan but in the blue area in which commercial providers are not providing an adequate service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question 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. My Department has, however, looked into the issue raised in the Question and I am advised that the area where the premises is located has been identified for further analysis as the Next Generation Access deployments planned by commercial providers in the area do not appear to have materialised. My Department is aware of these issues and is actively engaging with all relevant parties in an effort to find a solution for these and other similar premises.
236. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if additional investments have been made or planned since the formation of the Government to reinforce and develop the transmission network to facilitate the transfer of renewable energy from offshore wind turbines; and, if so, the regional breakdown of these investments. [14695/21]
View answerMatters relating to the cost of grid investment and projects funded are operational matters for EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). EirGrid is the transmission system operator and its responsibilities include the appropriate development of the grid and power system to achieve our energy policy objectives and underpin economic development. The CRU is the independent energy regulator and, through a formal price review process, it decides on appropriate spend by EirGrid on a five-year basis.
The recent price review decision by the CRU on the allowable spend on our electricity grid over the next five years signalled a significant and necessary increase in funds for grid enhancement. EirGrid already seeks to optimise the existing electricity grid to minimise the need for new infrastructure through upgrades, refurbishment or up-voltaging of existing infrastructure, where possible. However, in light of the Government's ambition to have 70% renewable electricity on the power system by 2030, and with demand profiles increasing as we continue to electrify more sectors of our economy, further investment in the power grid is required over the coming decade.
The Programme for Government includes the target of increased installed capacity of offshore wind generation in Ireland to 5 GW by the end of the decade. To facilitate future integration of the 5 GW of offshore wind generation, officials in my Department have been developing a framework for Ireland’s future offshore electricity transmission system. This framework will include provisions for the planning, development, and operation of the offshore grid. In addition, the CRU has directed EirGrid to undertake a study examining the options, including required network reinforcement, for connection of offshore projects that are successful in Ireland’s first dedicated offshore renewable energy auction, which is expected to take place in late 2021 or early 2022.
237. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that will have broadband installed under the national broadband plan by county; the percentage of these homes that have been surveyed to date; the percentage of these homes in which broadband has been installed under the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14715/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract 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 over 546,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced 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.
Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic throughout 2020 and which are continuing into this year, NBI has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by NBI that, as of 17 March 2021, nearly 194,000 premises across 26 counties have been surveyed.
A breakdown of the premises in the intervention area by county and surveys undertaken to date is set out in the table below.
|
COUNTY |
number of premises in the IA |
surveys completed |
% surveys completed |
% surveys underway or planned |
|
Carlow |
8,190 |
7,772 |
95% |
5% |
|
Cavan |
16,274 |
3,738 |
23% |
77% |
|
Clare |
22,719 |
3,556 |
16% |
84% |
|
Cork |
79,663 |
22,602 |
28% |
72% |
|
Donegal |
32,483 |
6,389 |
20% |
80% |
|
Dublin |
13,677 |
2,437 |
18% |
82% |
|
Galway |
38,887 |
14,914 |
38% |
62% |
|
Kerry |
26,988 |
16,382 |
61% |
39% |
|
Kildare |
14,085 |
2,818 |
20% |
80% |
|
Kilkenny |
18,416 |
5,951 |
32% |
68% |
|
Laois |
12,562 |
7,934 |
63% |
37% |
|
Leitrim |
11,614 |
3,576 |
31% |
69% |
|
Limerick |
21,293 |
8,583 |
40% |
60% |
|
Longford |
8,712 |
3,294 |
38% |
62% |
|
Louth |
8,423 |
7,850 |
93% |
7% |
|
Mayo |
36,614 |
7,888 |
22% |
78% |
|
Meath |
19,824 |
4,455 |
22% |
78% |
|
Monaghan |
15,332 |
8,863 |
58% |
42% |
|
Offaly |
12,216 |
1,275 |
10% |
90% |
|
Roscommon |
19,185 |
3,591 |
19% |
81% |
|
Sligo |
14,875 |
3,959 |
27% |
73% |
|
Tipperary |
29,810 |
8,643 |
29% |
71% |
|
Waterford |
15,048 |
6,871 |
46% |
54% |
|
Westmeath |
11,761 |
8,656 |
74% |
26% |
|
Wexford |
22,552 |
11,231 |
50% |
50% |
|
Wicklow |
15,464 |
8,285 |
54% |
46% |
|
TOTAL |
546,667 |
191,513 |
35% |
65% |
In relation to premises installed with high speed broadband under the NBP, the first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and in a test and trial phase in Carrigaline, Co Cork and Cavan. I am advised that almost 1,000 homes are passed and available for connection in Counties Cork and Cavan. I understand build works are continuing across the country in 9 Deployment Areas which cover some 34,000 premises. Pre build works are also underway in 18 Deployment Areas that cover 64,000 premises.
239. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. [14776/21]
View answerThe most significant capital infrastructure project in my Department is the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Key milestones for the NBP included:
- August 2012 - Proposed NBP intervention announced by Government
- July 2015 - Publication of draft NBP Intervention Strategy
- December 2015 - Commencement of the NBP procurement process
- May 2019 – Government approval of National Broadband Ireland (NBI) as Preferred Bidder
- November 2019 – State Aid approval of NBP intervention
- November 2019 – Following Government approval, NBP contract signed with NBI
- January 2020 – Mobilisation for construction commenced
- January 2021 – First homes connected
Development of the intervention strategy and the detail of the procurement process, together with the carrying out of the procurement process, took significantly longer than had been anticipated at the outset. This was primarily as a result of the unique nature of the project and the complexity of managing a procurement in what was a very dynamic environment for the provision of telecommunications services.
