Written Answers Nos. 63-82
63. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the costings of Ireland's aid programmes in Sub Saharan Africa for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [49701/23]
View answerThe Government's international development policy, A Better World, emphasises the priority attached to Africa, with a particular focus on those countries and communities furthest behind. This policy guides our engagement with African partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on gender equality; reducing humanitarian need; climate action; and strengthening governance. Ireland has twelve Embassies in sub-Saharan Africa, including the newest Embassy in our network in Dakar, Senegal.
Each year the Department of Foreign Affairs reports to the OECD Development Assistance Committee on overall expenditure on Official Development Assistance (ODA) against a set of internationally agreed statistical standards. This informs the Irish Aid Annual Report, which details our activities in partner countries and highlights the impact of the international development programme.
Statistical annexes to the Annual Report contain details of the top 30 recipient countries of bilateral ODA, including our partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Extracts from these tables are reproduced below. The Annual Reports for 2021 and 2022 are available publicly on the Irish Aid website.
In relation to figures for 2023, the full analysis of Ireland’s ODA programme will be available in 2024 and will be reflected in the Annual report for 2023.
Top recipients of Ireland’s Bilateral ODA in Sub-Saharan Africa
|
2021 |
2022 |
|
Recipient Country €000s |
Recipient Country €000s |
|
Ethiopia 40,563 |
Ethiopia 41,189 |
|
Mozambique 27,113 |
Mozambique 27,302 |
|
Tanzania 25,195 |
Tanzania 24,996 |
|
Uganda 24,412 |
Uganda 24,352 |
|
Malawi 17,422 |
Malawi 22,537 |
|
Sierra Leona 16,218 |
Sierra Leone 18,356 |
|
South Sudan 9,752 |
Somalia 16,499 |
|
Zimbabwe 9,113 |
South Sudan 13,142 |
|
Kenya 8,765 |
Kenya 11,434 |
|
Somalia 7,214 |
Zimbabwe 11,360 |
|
DRC 6,639 |
Sudan 9,267 |
|
Liberia 5,879 |
DRC 7,486 |
|
Sudan 5,407 |
Liberia 6,560 |
|
Central African 5,267 |
Zambia 6,123 |
|
Zambia 4,974 |
Central African Republic 4,725 |
|
South Africa 4,812 |
Niger 4,214 |
|
Niger 3,232 |
South Africa 4,048 |
|
Nigeria 2,511 |
64. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on any recent meetings or communications he has had with the relevant EU bodies with regards to the situation in Israel-Palestine; and if there has been any meaningful outcome to these engagements. [49702/23]
View answerI have had regular engagements with my EU counterparts since the beginning of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Immediately following Hamas’s attack, I attended an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on 10 October, alongside my EU counterparts and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell to discuss the ongoing violence on the ground in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I underlined the importance of principled and collective action by the EU and its Member States and the need for the EU to act for the protection of civilians and adherence to international law.
At the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 23 October, I insisted that any review of the European Union's development cooperation funding should take place rapidly and in coordination with Member States. I welcomed the confirmation that EU humanitarian aid to Palestinians will continue uninterrupted, and for as long as needed. On 1 November, I spoke bilaterally to the EU High Representative and discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
I attended the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 13 November and expressed my serious concerns about the situation in Gaza. I again underlined the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow for the establishment of humanitarian corridors.
I have recently held bilateral meetings with several of my EU counterparts including Spain, Sweden and Italy. Ireland continues to advocate for a clear position from the EU, which emphasises the protection of civilians, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the need for a humanitarian ceasefire.
65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will take immediate action to stop the fighting in Sudan; if he will commit to delivering food and medical aid to the Sudanese people through organisations such as the UN World Food Programme and the Red Crescent; if he will strongly condemn the shipments of weapons into Sudan from countries that are opponents of peace, including but not limited to, the United Arab Emirates; and if he will urge military leaders (details supplied) to stop the conflict immediately and advocate for peace. [49787/23]
View answerSince the outbreak of hostilities in Sudan in April 2023, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need for an end to the conflict, protection of civilians, maintenance of humanitarian access, and for civil society to be placed at the centre of Sudan’s political future.
As a member of the UN Security Council in 2021/2022, Ireland advocated for the maintenance of the partial arms embargo on Sudan. In June 2023, as the conflict showed no signs of abating, Ireland initiated calls within the EU for use of additional sanctions tools and worked to ensure that a new EU autonomous sanctions framework was adopted in October. It targets those impeding peace efforts, perpetrating civilian harm and obstructing humanitarian access. We continue to condemn any actions which will prolong the conflict, including provision of weapons to either party.
At the Human Rights Council, Ireland has advocated for a ceasefire, an end to attacks on civilians, and protection of humanitarian access. In October, the Council established a Fact Finding Mission, charged with investigating human rights violations in Sudan. Ireland is also working with partners which support human rights defenders and civil society in Sudan, engage in peace mediation and inclusive dialogue, and promote transitional justice.
Over 42% of Sudan’s population – more than 20 million people – are facing hunger. To date in 2023, Ireland has provided over €7 million in assistance to the people of Sudan, including through contributions to the UN Sudan Humanitarian Fund (€4 million) and NGOs such as GOAL, Concern, Plan International and Trócaire. Additional funding has been provided to NGOs working in neighbouring countries hosting Sudanese refugees.
Ireland has provided €25 million this year in core funding to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), whose emergency operations in Sudan are providing both food and cash inputs.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is also providing emergency assistance and protection to people affected by the conflict. In March, Ireland signed a new three year agreement with the ICRC committing to a minimum of €10 million in funding annually for 2023-2025.
Ireland also provides annual funding to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), amounting to €12.5 million in 2023. CERF has allocated over $60 million to organisations operating in Sudan in 2023.
Ireland will continue to work with EU and other partners to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan and support a return to the democratic transition so urgently needed.
66. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if is aware that the UN has stated that there is a record 6.9 million people internally displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to escalating violence, for the sake of mining coltan and cobalt for the big tech companies of the world; the actions that have been or will be taken by his Department to bring an end to the violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49793/23]
View answerThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced periodic conflict over many decades, with an increase in insecurity and violence in eastern DRC in recent months, ahead of elections due to take place in December 2023. Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have remained at a high level for several months. Ireland has expressed concern at this escalation in regional tension. The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC is driven by a number of factors, including competing attempts by armed groups to control the rich mineral resources of the region. Ireland has stressed the importance of regional efforts to address this situation.
We worked closely with our EU partners on the development of a new EU strategy for the wider Great Lakes region that was adopted earlier this year, with a particular focus on the eastern provinces of the DRC. We fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the region and condemn any support to local or foreign armed groups.
Ireland has also emphasised the importance of the engagement of national and regional organisations in promoting peace and stability. We welcome the efforts of the East African Community Heads of State Conclave, including the Nairobi peace process, as well as the contribution by Angola and Kenya to advancing a peaceful resolution. Ireland will continue to highlight the importance of the ongoing implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region, and encourage implementation of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Roadmap. We welcome the renewed calls in the region for a ceasefire, including this month by the leaders of the Southern African Development Community.
Almost 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in DRC. There are an estimated 6.9 million people internally displaced and over a million refugees from the DRC are in neighbouring countries. Given the instability in the region, the DRC itself hosts more than half a million refugees.
Ireland is directly providing over €8 million this year in response to the situation in DRC. Over €4.6 million has been allocated to long-term development and chronic humanitarian crisis programmes under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership. Five partners (Christian Aid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam Ireland, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland) are operating in DRC. In addition, some €3.8 million of Irish funding to UNICEF to address child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa is earmarked for DRC.
This year, the EU will provide almost €92 million in humanitarian funding to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in the DRC.
68. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he will call on Pakistan to halt the forced deportation of 1.7 million Afghan refugees; and to detail the work being conducted by his Department on the issue. [49921/23]
View answerThe return of large numbers of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is placing a considerable strain on what is already a very fragile humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and is placing many vulnerable persons, including women and girls, in a precarious situation.
Pakistan has long been a global example of refugee protection stewardship and Ireland calls on it to preserve this decades-long commitment to Afghan refugees. While Pakistan has a right to regulate and manage its own borders, any return of refugees must be conducted in accordance with international law.
The UNHCR has offered its support to put in place measures to develop a system of registration for undocumented Afghans in Pakistan. The EU has indicated that it also stands ready to assist Pakistan, including with screening processes which would offer protection in particular for vulnerable groups and existing holders of Pakistan residency cards.
Last week the EU released an additional €61 million to support the people of Afghanistan and Afghan refugees within Pakistan. Ireland supports the EU’s response to the crisis in Afghanistan including the allocation of more than €1 billion for humanitarian assistance and basic needs.
Since 2021 Ireland has provided €12.7 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. In addition, as part of our response to the Pakistani floods, earlier this year we provided €5 million to fund the operations of UNHCR which is supporting Afghan refugees and their host communities in Pakistan. Ireland also contributes to global funds and key agencies active in Afghanistan, including the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which has allocated more than 145 million USD to Afghanistan since the beginning of 2021
My department has raised this issue with the Ambassador of Pakistan to Ireland and we are actively engaging with EU partners on this matter. The Irish Embassy in Türkiye, which is accredited to Pakistan, continues to monitor the situation.
69. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the pay, and any other benefits, including benefit-in-kind, of each CEO of State agencies under the remit of his Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form. [49308/23]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 83 from the 11th of September 2023 which laid out the information the Deputy has requested. Please see link below to view.
State Bodies – Monday, 11 Sep 2023 – Parliamentary Questions (33rd Dáil) – Houses of the Oireachtas
70. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department's plans for secure fibre in villages (details supplied) not covered by NBI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49381/23]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
• all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
• all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 35,400 homes and businesses in Louth with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 19,000 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €24m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Louth with SIRO recently passing over 22,490 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 13,580 premises.
I have been advised by my officials that Collon village is part of open eir’s fibre upgrade plan since Q1 2023 and all going well should be fully fibre enabled in the coming 2 years.
Commercial operators will continue work in County Louth, and all counties, over the next three years to complete their fibre rollouts and all efforts are bring made to speed up to the rollout. My Department is working hard with Local Authorities to ensure any barriers encountered by these operators are dealt with quickly through day to day engagement and through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 of 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing substantially as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c. 40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
71. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he will be engaging with European Union colleagues regarding the memorandum of understanding between the European Union, the State of Israel and the Arab Republic of Egypt in respect of the delivery of gas to the European Union, given that the memorandum of understanding lacks the application of long-standing European Union policy that all agreements with the State of Israel should be explicitly inapplicable to territories occupied by the State of Israel in 1967; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49409/23]
View answerThe EU is committed to ensure that all agreements between the State of Israel and the EU must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967. This is in line with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2334, which calls on all United Nations states to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed on 15 June 2022 is of non-binding nature, for which, because of this non-binding nature, in general no territorial clause on the applicability is deemed necessary. Nevertheless, the EU is strictly prohibited, also in the implementation of a non-binding instrument, from acting in a way, which would amount to recognise the illegal Israeli occupation. Therefore, the implementation of such Memorandum of Understanding will not apply in any form to the occupied Palestinian territory, which entails that Israeli supplies of natural gas as per the implementation of the memorandum of understanding may not originate from resources appropriated from Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. Implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding is a matter for the European Commission and I have no role in this matter.
72. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an address (details supplied) will be included in the Geo Directory. [49437/23]
View answerAll postal addresses, geographical addresses and geo-locations are provided to Eircode from authoritative sources, namely An Post and Tailte Éireann (Formerly Ordnance Survey Ireland) through their subsidiary company An Post GeoDirectory. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses, and Tailte Éireann provides the geo-locations for these buildings.
Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations.
While the use of the eircodes system is a very useful resource for identifying the location of a premises ordering a service such as broadband, an Eircode is not required to order a broadband service.
The eircode provided in the question is incorrect and therefore I cannot advise on the status of eircode regarding the inclusion on the GeoDirectory database. Please contact my officials via the DECC webform with the correct address details at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and the issue can be looked at further.
73. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of any cases where a post-BER rating of a retrofitted home has been downgraded following works carried out as part of the SEAI's retrofit programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49448/23]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
In line with the respective terms and conditions of the various SEAI energy upgrade schemes, a post-works BER is required on completion of energy upgrade works across all schemes. This allows SEAI to determine the Building Energy Rating (BER) achieved following retrofit works.
The BER assessment is a complex, technical assessment that is carried out by registered professionals according to national standards. Assessors are regularly audited and any failures are swiftly addressed.
In general, the SEAI recommend the following steps for anyone with a query regarding their BER:
1. Contact the BER Assessor directly as they have carried out the work and will be best placed to respond to any queries.
2. Contact SEAI’s BER Helpdesk if you have any further queries or a complaint regarding your own particular assessment or if you have any general queries at: info@ber.seai.ie.
3. Following contact with the BER Helpdesk, if you are still not happy you can make a complaint in accordance with the complaints process which is outlined in SEAI’s Customer Charter at: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/.
In relation to the specific question raised by the Deputy, as this is an operational matter for the SEAI, I have asked for it to be examined by them and to respond to you directly as quickly as possible.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
74. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise when the retrofit loan guarantee will be finalised and available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49482/23]
View answerIn order to assist with the achievement of our retrofit targets, the Programme for Government, Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan committed to the introduction of a new residential retrofit low-cost loan scheme. An agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group underpinning the new Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme was announced in recent weeks.
The €500 million scheme is the first of its kind for both Ireland and the EIB. Homeowners will be able to borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years. The interest rates will be significantly lower than those currently available on the market as a result of the combination of the EIB Group loan guarantee and a Government-funded interest rate subsidy.
The Home Energy Upgrade loans will help reduce the financial challenges for many homeowners and will play a crucial role in helping homeowners to invest in energy efficiency, making their homes warmer, cheaper to run and helping to lower emissions. It is anticipated that the loans will be available in Q1 2024 through participating retail lenders.
75. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the process of establishing new Fishery District Committees (provided for under the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme) for the 2024-2029 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49497/23]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy regarding the establishment of Fishery District Committees is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I, nor my Department have any function. Regulation 9 of S.I. No. 585/2018 - Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2018 - provides that Fishery District Committees are appointed by IFI.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
76. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI); if he will publish the minutes of ACCI meetings held since June 2023, 2022 review and 2023 ACCI work programme on his Department's website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49498/23]
View answerThe Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI) has met a number of times this year - in March, May, June and September 2023 - to discuss a range of policy issues across the angling sector and another meeting of the Council will be scheduled before the end of this year. The minutes of the June 2023 ACCI meeting will be published on the Department's website this month and the minutes of the September 2023 ACCI meeting will be published after they are agreed and the next ACCI meeting.
The 2023 ACCI Work Programme will also be uploaded on the Department's website this month.
77. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the warmer homes scheme operated through the SEAI that does not allow for the energy upgrade of one-off stone wall properties as they cannot meet the qualifying criteria for any primary measures, and by, extension, secondary measures; if this can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49501/23]
View answerThe Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded.
With specific regard to pre-1940s stone-built dwellings, all eligible homes are assessed and where they comprise stone, SEAI will not insulate the stone walls. SEAI will however assess, and insulate where appropriate, any post-1940 extensions that may be present in the same home.
Stone-built (traditional built) structures were designed to be vapour permeable. Therefore, the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings must be suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable. Otherwise vapour becomes trapped leading to problems which can cause harm to the building and its occupants. These walls are not suitable for the currently NSAI approved products and standards for retrofitting which are used on more modern construction types.
To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the public consultation with a view to publishing it this by the end of this year.
Once available this guidance will be an important resource to support contractors in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrade and renovation of older stone-build buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.
78. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the dates he last met each of the CEOs or equivalent in each State agency under the remit of his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49583/23]
View answerAs a matter of course I, as Minister, meet with the CEO or equivalent of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department as the opportunity or need arises. I last met formally with the CEO or equivalent on the dates outlined in the table below.
|
Bodies under Aegis of DECC |
Date Minister Ryan last met CEO/ equivalent |
|
An Post |
5th July 2023 |
|
Bord na Mona |
25th October 2023 |
|
Eirgrid |
10th November 2023 |
|
Electricity Supply Board |
31st August 2023 |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
18th July 2023 |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
17th May 2023 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
12th July 2023 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
12th December 2022 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
12th December 2022 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland |
14th September 2023 |
|
Commission for Regulation of Utilities |
7th November 2023 |
79. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on when his officials last met with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to discuss the delays in establishing new electricity connections to housing schemes, such as (details supplied); if he will provide an update on what his Department is doing to advance policy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49852/23]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.
The management of connection of domestic new builds to the electricity grid is a matter for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). ESB Networks are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions.
The CRU and ESB Networks have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in the question. In this instance, my Department has forwarded the query raised in the question to the CRU for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
80. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and to detail what work his Department are conducting to address this issue in Bandon and across rural Ireland during the rollout of broadband. [49919/23]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
• all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
• all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
The premises referred to in the question is connected to open eir’s cabinet number BND1_005 and is capable of getting 100Mbps. However, our data shows that this cabinet is full meaning there are currently no high speed broadband(HSBB) ports available too allow connection for the premises. While it may have been the case that the previous home occupant had broadband access via connection to the cabinet, once they moved out they ceased their service and the port allocated to this premises was given to another premises.
Open eir have informed my officials that they no longer upgrading capacity in copper cabinets as they are 100% focused on delivering fibre to these areas. The premises referred to was added to the open eir fibre upgrade plan in March 2023 and eir have advised that it should become fibre enabled in the coming 2 years (unless there are access issues).
I would advise the end user could raise a query via the DECC webform at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and officials in my Department will escalate into open eir to try and get a port freed up but requests for this are not always successful due to the high demand for HSBB in these cabinets. In the interim your constituent could explore other options such as wireless broadband providers that can offer very good basic broadband while your constituent is waiting for the eir fibre connection.
81. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the draft Codes of Practice for the use of CCTV by local authorities to deter and detect dumping have been submitted to his office by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA for approval); if he will provide an estimated date when the codes of practice will be approved once submitted, which will allow local authorities to be able to put in place both litter and waste-enforcement measures involving the GDPR-compliant use of technologies such as CCTV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49946/23]
View answerThe Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is continuing to work on the finalisation of draft Codes of Practice and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), which are fundamental to the future operation of CCTV schemes aimed at assisting waste enforcement and anti-litter efforts, including the monitoring of illegal dumping and dog fouling. The LGMA circulated draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice and the Data Protection Commission as part of the required consultation process and I understand all bodies have now responded to the LGMA with their views.
Separate codes of practice are required for the operation of CCTV schemes under both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act, while a further Code of Practice is required for the use of "mobile recording devices" (e.g. bodycams etc) under the Waste Management Act. DPIAs must also be carried out as part of this process.
I understand this LGMA process is now at an advanced stage so I hope to be in a position to give final approval to these Codes of Practice once they are submitted to my office by the LGMA.
82. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide in tabular form, the number of premises connected to broadband under the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) roll-out in counties Roscommon and Galway; the number of customers who signed up to NBI in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49970/23]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
• all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
• all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 12,400 homes and businesses in County Roscommon with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 6,400 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €11.5m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Roscommon, with SIRO recently passing over 1,570 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 798 premises.
In County Galway, Open eir have already passed over 68,100 homes and businesses in with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 33,000 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €50m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Galway, with SIRO recently passing over 32,300 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 38,300 premises.
The National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I am also advised by NBI that, as of 03rd November 2023, 196,243 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 58,931 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network
As of 31st October, 10,092 premises in County Roscommon are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 2,670 premises now connected. 16,510 premises in County Galway are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 5,203 premises now connected.
Commercial operators and NBI will continue work in Counties Roscommon and Galway, and all counties, over the next three years to complete their fibre rollouts and all efforts are bring made to speed up to the rollout. My Department is working hard with Local Authorities to ensure any barriers encountered by these operators are dealt with quickly through day to day engagement and through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force.
Further details are available on specific areas within Counties Roscommon and Galway and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 of 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing substantially as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c. 40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
