Written Answers Nos. 160-168
162. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of money that was invested by the Irish Film Board in 2012 on film projects; the amount of this money that was returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3379/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions, is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). This agency is funded through my Department and is independent in its day-to-day operations.
I am advised that the total investment in film projects for 2012 was €13,979,291. No monies were returned on these projects in the year as the majority of projects had not reached completion by year-end and had not reached the market to generate sales. The IFB would expect these projects to begin remunerating their investment within 12 months of completion.
163. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown on a bog basis, of those who applied for compensation for cessation of turf cutting; if he will supply figures for those who accepted compensation as an interim measure while awaiting a relocation bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3458/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails are set out in the table below, on a bog by bog basis, of the number of applications received by my Department under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, as well as the number of applicants for compensation who have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. A total of 2,142 payments and 194 deliveries of turf have been made to date in respect of the 2,586 applications for compensation received and acknowledged by my Department.
|
Site code |
Name |
Number of applications received |
Number expressing an interest in relocation |
|
000006 |
Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) |
45 |
8 |
|
000231 |
Barroughter Bog |
63 |
23 |
|
000248 |
Cloonmoylan Bog |
75 |
8 |
|
000285 |
Kilsallagh Bog |
32 |
9 |
|
000296 |
Lisnageeragh Bog and Ballinstack Turlough |
20 |
9 |
|
000297 |
Lough Corrib |
85 |
8 |
|
000301 |
Lough Lurgeen Bog/ Glenamaddy Turlough |
29 |
9 |
|
000326 |
Shankill West Bog |
9 |
3 |
|
000382 |
Sheheree (Ardagh) Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
000391 |
Ballynafagh Bog |
56 |
28 |
|
000440 |
Lough Ree |
17 |
3 |
|
000497 |
Flughany Bog |
6 |
2 |
|
000566 |
All Saints Bog and Esker |
107 |
57 |
|
000572 |
Clara Bog |
4 |
3 |
|
000575 |
Ferbane Bog |
5 |
1 |
|
000580 |
Mongan Bog |
26 |
21 |
|
000581 |
Moyclare Bog |
0 |
0 |
|
000582 |
Raheenmore Bog |
2 |
0 |
|
000585 |
Sharavogue Bog |
175 |
44 |
|
000592 |
Bellanagare Bog |
3 |
0 |
|
000595 |
Callow Bog |
27 |
5 |
|
000597 |
Carrowbehy/Caher Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
000600 |
Cloonchambers Bog |
7 |
0 |
|
000604 |
Derrinea Bog |
2 |
0 |
|
000614 |
Cloonshanville Bog |
25 |
3 |
|
000641 |
Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
000647 |
Kilcarren-Firville Bog |
130 |
70 |
|
000679 |
Garriskil Bog |
13 |
4 |
|
001242 |
Carrownagappul Bog |
78 |
14 |
|
001818 |
Lough Forbes Complex |
295 |
92 |
|
002110 |
Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv Bog |
91 |
18 |
|
002298 |
River Moy |
71 |
9 |
|
002331 |
Mouds Bog |
94 |
39 |
|
002332 |
Coolrain Bog |
55 |
10 |
|
002333 |
Knockacoller Bog |
26 |
5 |
|
002336 |
Carn Park Bog |
60 |
33 |
|
002337 |
Crosswood Bog |
69 |
32 |
|
002338 |
Drumalough Bog |
19 |
1 |
|
002339 |
Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough |
60 |
30 |
|
002340 |
Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs |
86 |
12 |
|
002341 |
Ardagullion Bog |
40 |
11 |
|
002342 |
Mount Hevey Bog |
67 |
39 |
|
002343 |
Tullaher Lough and Bog |
194 |
27 |
|
002346 |
Brown Bog |
6 |
0 |
|
002347 |
Camderry Bog |
14 |
8 |
|
002348 |
Clooneen Bog |
12 |
3 |
|
002349 |
Corbo Bog |
68 |
29 |
|
002350 |
Curraghlehanagh Bog |
46 |
19 |
|
002351 |
Moanveanlagh Bog |
27 |
3 |
|
002352 |
Monivea Bog |
45 |
6 |
|
002353 |
Redwood Bog |
77 |
6 |
|
002354 |
Tullaghanrock Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
002356 |
Ardgraigue Bog |
19 |
2 |
|
2,586 |
766 |
|
Site code |
Name |
Number of applications received |
Number expressing an interest in relocation |
|
000006 |
Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) |
45 |
8 |
|
000231 |
Barroughter Bog |
63 |
23 |
|
000248 |
Cloonmoylan Bog |
75 |
8 |
|
000285 |
Kilsallagh Bog |
32 |
9 |
|
000296 |
Lisnageeragh Bog and Ballinstack Turlough |
20 |
9 |
|
000297 |
Lough Corrib |
85 |
8 |
|
000301 |
Lough Lurgeen Bog/ Glenamaddy Turlough |
29 |
9 |
|
000326 |
Shankill West Bog |
9 |
3 |
|
000382 |
Sheheree (Ardagh) Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
000391 |
Ballynafagh Bog |
56 |
28 |
|
000440 |
Lough Ree |
295 |
92 |
|
000497 |
Flughany Bog |
17 |
3 |
|
000566 |
All Saints Bog and Esker |
6 |
2 |
|
000572 |
Clara Bog |
107 |
57 |
|
000575 |
Ferbane Bog |
4 |
3 |
|
000580 |
Mongan Bog |
5 |
1 |
|
000581 |
Moyclare Bog |
26 |
21 |
|
000582 |
Raheenmore Bog |
0 |
0 |
|
000585 |
Sharavogue Bog |
2 |
0 |
|
000592 |
Bellanagare Bog |
175 |
44 |
|
000595 |
Callow Bog |
91 |
18 |
|
000597 |
Carrowbehy/Caher Bog |
3 |
0 |
|
000600 |
Cloonchambers Bog |
27 |
5 |
|
000604 |
Derrinea Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
000614 |
Cloonshanville Bog |
7 |
0 |
|
000641 |
Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog |
2 |
0 |
|
000647 |
Kilcarren-Firville Bog |
25 |
3 |
|
000679 |
Garriskil Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
001242 |
Carrownagappul Bog |
130 |
70 |
|
001818 |
Lough Forbes Complex |
13 |
4 |
|
002110 |
Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv Bog |
78 |
14 |
|
002298 |
River Moy |
71 |
9 |
|
002331 |
Mouds Bog |
94 |
39 |
|
002332 |
Coolrain Bog |
55 |
10 |
|
002333 |
Knockacoller Bog |
26 |
5 |
|
002336 |
Carn Park Bog |
60 |
33 |
|
002337 |
Crosswood Bog |
69 |
32 |
|
002338 |
Drumalough Bog |
19 |
1 |
|
002339 |
Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough |
60 |
30 |
|
002340 |
Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs |
86 |
12 |
|
002341 |
Ardagullion Bog |
40 |
11 |
|
002342 |
Mount Hevey Bog |
67 |
39 |
|
002343 |
Tullaher Lough and Bog |
194 |
27 |
|
002346 |
Brown Bog |
6 |
0 |
|
002347 |
Camderry Bog |
14 |
8 |
|
002348 |
Clooneen Bog |
12 |
3 |
|
002349 |
Corbo Bog |
68 |
29 |
|
002350 |
Curraghlehanagh Bog |
46 |
19 |
|
002351 |
Moanveanlagh Bog |
27 |
3 |
|
002352 |
Monivea Bog |
45 |
6 |
|
002353 |
Redwood Bog |
77 |
6 |
|
002354 |
Tullaghanrock Bog |
1 |
0 |
|
002356 |
Ardgraigue Bog |
19 |
2 |
|
2,586 |
766 |
164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to engage in a publicity campaign to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in homes and places of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3427/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide gas to people in their homes and at their places of work.
That is why I launched the first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week on the 24th September 2012; a week which saw a sustained, multi-media publicity campaign to alert people to the dangers and give them advice as to what they should do to be safe. The issue was widely reported on television, on national and local radio and in both national and local press. This covered everything from personal testimony from bereaved family members to television demonstration of correct fitting of carbon monoxide alarms.
There have been similar media campaigns at the start of the heating season, to try to prevent the tragic loss. They have been organised by Bord Gáis, approved by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and reported to the CER’s Gas Safety Committee, in which my Department participates. While the focus is on the start of the heating season, when people start up boilers and appliances that may not have been used for some time, there are media messages throughout the year.
Publicity campaigns are only part of the work that the Government does to try to ensure people’s safety.
My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has recently revised the Building Regulations so that it will become compulsory to fit approved carbon monoxide alarms to certain types of new building. A lot of work has been done on the relevant standards that apply to these alarms, both at national and at European level. The Gas Technical Standards Committee of the National Standards Authority of Ireland is currently working on guidance documentation to assist with proper installation of such alarms. They also issued a special standard to fill the gap until the relevant European Standard can be enhanced.
I also wish to acknowledge the great work done by the gas industry to raise safety standards. The gas industry has worked with the energy regulator to establish a register of approved gas installers. This has been a hugely important development in improving quality control in gas matters, including reducing the risk posed by carbon monoxide in gas installations.
This “joined-up” approach to matters relating to carbon monoxide can be well demonstrated by the specific campaign last year to warn the public about gas cookers which could be operated in an unsafe manner, creating a carbon monoxide risk. Industry, government, regulator, standards authority and the National Consumer Agency all acted together to identify and promote the risks and the solutions to consumers. As a result, very many potentially dangerous appliances were identified and associated risks were mitigated.
I assure the Deputy that I take this matter very seriously and that I intend to launch this year’s Carbon Monoxide Week after the summer.
165. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the public procurement process for a post code provider; when it is envisaged the switch to post codes will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3153/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is Government policy to implement postcodes. The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a National Postcode System began in 2011 with the publication of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire on www.etenders.gov.ie. That process is still ongoing, and it is expected to conclude in the first half of 2013.
The final decision to proceed with implementation of a national postcode will be one for Government and will be based on appropriate financial, technical and operational considerations.
166. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of tags each angler will receive for the salmon season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3164/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by Inland fisheries Ireland (IFI) that in general an angler may receive a maximum of ten gill tags for the 2013 angling season for the harvesting of salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40cm) subject to the following:
An angler may receive three gill tags to the 11th May where they have been issued with:
- a salmon rod (annual) ordinary licence,
- a juvenile licence, or
- a district or 21-day ordinary licence
A further 7 gill tags (issued in lots of either 3 or 4) may be allocated from the period 12th May to 30th September, subject to a maximum of 10 gill tags in total. The latter allocation may be provided where anglers demonstrate that they have completed their logbook appropriately and used their initial gill tag allocation.
An angler may receive one gill tag where a one day ordinary licence is issued up until the close of the season.
Further controls on the issuing of gill tags will be implemented for certain rivers where it is considered necessary by IFI in the interest of conserving stocks to closely monitor the angling quotas and ensure that river based quotas are not exceeded.
With specific reference to the River Feale, as requested by the Deputy, the surplus available for harvesting is 1,992 salmon so that number of tags is available. There are 51 commercial draft net licences and approximately 600 angling licences are sold in the River Feale catchment. The split of the quota between commercial salmon fishermen and recreational salmon anglers is yet to be determined. For information, the allocation of tags for 2012 and 2011 was set at 60% to commercial draft net licence holders, 30% to angling with a 10% reserve withheld and divided between the sectors as the season progressed. As in previous years a decision on the proportional split of the salmon quota will be made following consultation with the Fishery District Committee. A Fishery District Committee meeting will take place on foot of the draft net licence applications being approved by the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland.
There is a further management proposal for the Feale fishery to introduce a bye-law for catch and release angling up to the 11th of May together with a daily bag limit of 1 fish per angler per day up to a maximum of 3 fish in total from 12th May to the end of the season. Support was expressed locally for this conservation measure at a public meeting in the area in November 2012 to discuss this option for the 2013 season.
167. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans regarding the establishment of wind farms to export energy to the UK; if he intends to engage in a bilateral agreement with the UK; if so, when he intends to sign a memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3374/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the energy sector between Ireland and the United Kingdom with Secretary of State Davey in Dublin on the 24th of January. The Memorandum of Understanding will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Any such trading of renewable energy between the two States will seek to: achieve more cost efficient uses of resources; drive down deployment costs; be sustainable in the long term; and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
168. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if NewERA has commenced or completed the assessment of State owned assets which is designated to identify and grasp opportunities to quicken and enhance the roll-out of high speed broadband. [3463/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 30th August 2012, I published ‘Delivering a Connected Society - A National Broadband Plan for Ireland’. The Plan sets the following high speed broadband targets:
- 70Mbps -100Mbps available to at least 50% of the population with a majority having access to 100Mbps;
- At least 40Mbps, and in many cases much faster speeds, to at least a further 20% of the population and potentially as much as 35%; and
- A minimum of 30Mbps available to all.
It is intended that the commercial sector will be the key driver of investment, with State intervention only where the market is unlikely to invest. In addition to investment in infrastructure, the National Broadband Plan contains actions relating to demand stimulation, infrastructure barrier removal, spectrum policy, potential contribution of State entities, as well as policy and regulation.
NewEra has commenced work on the element of Plan dealing with the potential contribution of State entities and has met with the State commercial and non-commercial entities and with industry. NewEra is working closely with the relevant stakeholders to progress this work and is represented on the High Level Implementation Group for Plan which is chaired by my Department.
