Written Answers Nos. 388-409
388. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on sustaining the post office network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49062/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49063/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra390. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the post office network. [49086/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra391. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the sustainability of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49087/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra392. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding sustainability of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49099/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 392, inclusive, together.
Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard.
An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence in the country. I have been supportive of its attempts to diversify its income streams and to win a wider range of commercial contracts offering higher margins.
I read the Irish Postmasters' Union report on The Future of the Post Office Network and earlier this year I emphasised to the IPU the intrinsic strengths of the network and the opportunities for new developments.
I have welcomed the selection of An Post as the provider of over the counter cash services for social welfare customers. The social welfare contract is the largest contract held by the post office division of An Post. The Department of Social Protection intends to implement a strategy whereby the bulk of social welfare payments will be made electronically. I understand An Post will pitch strongly for the social welfare e-payment business when it is put out to tender by the Department of Social Protection.
Having invested in the computerisation of all post offices, An Post is well positioned to become the front office provider of choice for Government and financial services sector. Progress towards diversification within the financial services sector is already underway with the enhanced arrangement with AIB and the agreement with Aviva for the transfer of their branch offices personal insurance business to One Direct.
In the context of the public sector transformation agenda I will continue to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to consideration, as appropriate, of the post office network for transactional elements of the business of Government Departments and Agencies and have stressed to my Government colleagues that the network is ideally configured for over the counter transactions. I see a strong future for the network by using its existing strengths to remain a significant player as a front office for Government services. In this connection, An Post has secured over the counter Local Property Tax payments. Garda fixed fines, TV licences and passports can all be paid or purchased at the post office as well as dog licences and toll fees. I also see a strong role for the post office network in the next phase of the standard bank account project as the target segment for this project are already comfortable in using post offices for financial transactions.
Overall, it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices.
393. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide any assistance in relation to the difficulties being experienced by workers (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49114/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for Bórd na Mona and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.
394. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the new licensing fee which is replacing the television licence, if he will give consideration to allowing some of the additional €30 million, which is anticipated to be collected from the new fee, to be distributed to the independent broadcasters who provide a valuable service to our local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49137/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 6 of 17 July 2013.
395. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve the broadband service in Cloghan, County Offaly and the surrounding area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49142/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he will take to improve broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49341/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 404 together.
Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including Counties Meath and Offaly, can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses, including those in Counties Meath and Offaly. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. ComReg has put in place a new regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and for service bundles, both of which are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by service providers. ComReg’s multiband spectrum auction, completed in 2012, is also enabling the rollout of advanced mobile broadband services.
The State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market fails to deliver such services. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector to identify where the market is expected to deliver high speed broadband services over the coming years. The results of this mapping exercise will inform the precise areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
399. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department, in consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland, has completed a review of the provisions of the Fisheries Acts dating back to 1959, with particular reference to the licensing regime; if IFI has made any particular recommendations on future licensing regimes for all types of angling in respect of any proposed legislation; if he will confirm that the Government will not introduce a general angling permit, or rod licence by any other name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49185/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, working closely with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), is finalising a wide-ranging and comprehensive review of the 1959 Fisheries Act with a view to introducing Heads of a new Inland Fisheries Bill as soon as possible. The aim is to ensure that the sector, valued at €755m annually to the national economy and supporting 10,000 jobs in rural and peripheral areas, is underpinned by a robust and modern legislative code. As part of this review, I organised a series of public information and consultation meetings and attended these meetings accompanied by senior officials from the Inland Fisheries Division of my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland. Those meetings, which were held on a regional basis in Drogheda, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam, Clonmel and Dublin, were well attended and laid out transparently the principal themes to be considered in the context of new legislation. There was widespread positive reaction to proposals at the public meetings and I am happy to advise the Deputy that a significant number of angling representative bodies have expressed their support to me for the broad proposals. The submissions received in the course of the public consultation sessions are available on the Department's website, www.dcenr.ie. The themes which were the subject of the consultation process included:
- proposals to address the complex fishery ownership and title issues and to reform the fisheries rates system;
- the funding needs for the sector including provisions to enable the possible introduction of a single angling contribution to the development and protection of the resource;
- the introduction of an angler identification system;
- simplification of offences provisions in existing legislation;
- the establishment of an Inland Fisheries Reserve to replace the current water-keeper system.
I am arranging for a copy of the document covering these themes to be forwarded to the Deputy for his information and I will be happy to arrange a full briefing for him on any aspects of the proposals.
402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of broadband service currently available to residents in a rural area (details supplied) in County Donegal; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the service currently provided is inadequate; the measures in place to improve the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49265/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including County Donegal, can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie. The State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market fails to deliver such services, as in the case of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). My Department entered into a contract in late 2008 with Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd (“3”) for the delivery of the NBS to certain designated Electoral Divisions. The areas referred to by the Deputy are covered under the NBS. The broadband service contracted under NBS is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme in September 2007. The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses, including those in County Donegal. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. ComReg has put in place a new regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and for service bundles, both of which are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by service providers. ComReg’s multiband spectrum auction, completed in 2012, is also enabling the rollout of advanced mobile broadband services.
In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector to identify where the market is expected to deliver high speed broadband services over the coming years. The results of this mapping exercise will inform the precise areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014.
Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
403. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his legislative plans to introduce guidelines to cover the area of programme sponsorship to the public service broadcaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49271/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is not a matter in which I, as Minister, have a function. In accordance with section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, all commercial communications by broadcasters are subject to codes established by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). In particular, the BAI General Commercial Communications Code sets out the rules in respect of sponsorship of news and current affairs programming. I understand that the code prohibits the sponsorship of news and current affairs programmes on television and of news programmes on radio.
405. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the budget for Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and any proposed budget reductions to these bodies currently being considered. [49352/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Loughs Agency of Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) is jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARD) and my Department. The total funding provided by both Departments for the years in question is set out in the following table.
Annual State Grants Provided to the Loughs Agency of the FCILC.
|
Year |
Grant £ |
Grant € |
|
2010 |
4,831,700 |
5,428,876 |
|
2011 |
4,688,700 |
5,717,927 |
|
2012 |
4,545,700 |
5,224,943 |
|
2013 |
4,402,700 |
5,369,146 |
The Loughs Agency met its required saving targets as set down in an Efficiency Savings Delivery Plan targeting 3% annual savings from its baseline 2010 budget. As regards future funding, it has been agreed by the North South Ministerial Council that North South Bodies including the Loughs Agency would operate Efficiency Savings Delivery Plan targeting 4% annual savings from their baseline 2013 budgets.
406. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects to meet any of the applicants who put forward an expression of interest in providing new TV channels through Saorview in 2011. [49388/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt my request, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland undertook an Expressions of Interest process in 2011 in order to identify parties interested in providing new services on the SAORVIEW DTT network. Following completion of this process and subsequent engagement between my Department and the BAI, I wrote to the Authority in 2012 confirming my acceptance of its recommendations in regard to those channels that should be designated for carriage on SAORVIEW and requesting the Authority to contact the relevant applicants to confirm their continued interest in the matter. I am informed that, as a result of these contacts, it was confirmed to the Authority that none of the relevant applicants were in a position to proceed with their proposed new services at that time and the process has not advanced since then. In the meantime, UTV has recently announced the development of a new channel for the Irish market, with the intention that, subject to reaching the necessary commercial agreements, this service would be carried on as many platforms as possible, including DTT. In addition, I can confirm that, as part of its 2013 workplan, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is currently undertaking an analysis of the prospects for developing a commercial DTT offering and work on this is expected to be completed by year-end.
407. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from whom or from where he received a request to meet with UTV on the day of the UTV launch of its new services here; and if he agreed to attend this meeting. [49389/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an invitation from UTV Media for my attendance at a meeting with some of the company's representatives in order to discuss the proposed new television service which it plans to launch in 2015. I accepted the invitation as it afforded me a good opportunity to hear from its television management representatives on their plans for the introduction of the service in this jurisdiction.
408. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a decision will be made by RTE to move all children’s programming to RTEjr from RTE Two. [49393/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 103 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that a corporation requires my consent for new services and variations in channels. I have received a submission from RTÉ in respect of the proposal to which the Deputy refers and it is currently being examined by my Department in order to consider its public value. My Department has also consulted with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in respect of the sectoral impact of this proposal. I expect to be in a position to make a decision in the matter shortly.
409. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent closure of Dublin Community TV. [49398/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity media is an important and distinct third strand of Irish broadcasting, sitting alongside commercial and public service broadcasting. Community television and radio stations provide a social benefit to the communities they serve, allowing for community access and participation. They are uniquely situated so that the output of each station reflects the special interests and needs of its intended listenership. While I am very disappointed to hear of the difficulties being encountered by DCTV and of the station's impending closure, I understand that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland remains in a process of engagement with DCTV on this matter.
