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Wednesday, 15 Apr 2015

Written Answers Nos. 825-838

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (825)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

825. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on National Asset Residential Property Services Limited; the number of units that have been delivered to local authorities to date; the number of units the National Asset Management Agency has identified as being available and potentially suitable for social housing; the number of the agency's residential properties made available to Dublin City Council; the number of these which have been taken up for social housing. [14878/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department continues to work closely with NAMA, the Housing Agency, local authorities and approved housing bodies in relation to the delivery of social housing. NAMA has made significant numbers of housing units available through the Housing Agency to local authorities and approved housing bodies for social housing. This includes units provided through the NAMA special purpose vehicle, the National Asset Residential Property Services . Information in relation to the delivery of NAMA sourced units, including a full breakdown by county, of units delivered on a quarterly basis, is available on the Housing Agency’s website at www.housing.ie/NAMA. Since the process began in December 2011 up to the end of December 2014, 1,068 NAMA-sourced units have been delivered nationally through all delivery mechanisms. A further 686 property transactions are under active consideration whereby either terms are agreed, negotiation is on-going between the parties concerned or where a detailed appraisal (i.e. determining the most likely delivery mechanism) is being carried out.

In the Dublin City Council area 813 units have been identified of which 409 have had demand confirmed and 336 have completed. I am satisfied that NAMA has facilitated the delivery of social housing to Local Authorities and approved housing bodies through the existing residential stock securing its loans and it has clearly signalled its commitment to doing likewise through its funding for new residential development. I am confident that significant social housing units will continue to be delivered through this process.

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (826)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

826. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide clarification on the waiting lists for voluntary housing; the way these allocations are being decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14879/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Allocations of social housing units provided by approved housing bodies under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme are made by the approved housing body in consultation with the local authority. The approved housing bodies can opt to have all tenancies taken from the local authority housing waiting list, in which case funding of up to 100% of the approved cost of the social housing development can be provided under the Capital Assistance Scheme. Where an approved housing body retains 25% of tenancy nomination rights, funding for the approved cost of the development is up to 95%. In the latter cases, the 25% of tenancy allocations are made at the discretion of the approved housing bodies. This can allow flexibility within a housing project in order to accommodate those persons who may not qualify for the local authority waiting list but would be in need of housing.

Full details in relation to the Capital Assistance Scheme, including the lettings policy, are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,2082,en.pdf

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (827)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

827. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the process of reviewing the 2007 planning guidelines on development plans, with particular reference to the process of enhancing the guidance for Gaeltacht areas, has commenced and, if so, if he will provide an update. [14887/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department’s statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans (June, 2007) continue to provide a sound basis for planning authorities when preparing and implementing their development plans. I intend to publish a draft update of these Guidelines for public consultation during 2015 taking account of, inter alia, the changed wider legislative and policy context in which development plans have to operate. This draft update will also be considered against the backdrop of EU environmental legislation, planning legislation and local government reform in Ireland, as the development plan process requires a plan-led, evidenced based rationale which drives and supports sustainable development. My Department will consider the scope for enhancing the existing extensive guidance therein relating to Gaeltacht areas. My Department’s statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Local Area Plans (June, 2013) on the preparation of local authority local area plans, together with an accompanying non-statutory Manual for Local Area Plans, are also key documents as they are aimed at bringing about higher standards in the preparation, presentation and implementation of local area plans and ensuring that such plans both reflect the needs of local communities, including Gaeltacht areas, and comply with national legislative and policy requirements.

Question No. 828 answered with Question No. 757.

Semi-State Bodies Dividends

Ceisteanna (829)

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

829. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the semi-State commercial companies under his control; the policy of a dividend payment to the Exchequer from each company; the dividend paid by each company to the Exchequer for each year from 2000 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14964/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Irish Water is the only commercial semi-state Company under the aegis of my Department.

Irish Water has not paid a dividend since its incorporation and in the medium term it is not envisaged that any dividends will be paid by Irish Water.

The Housing Finance Agency plc. (HFA) is a company limited by shares, incorporated in 1982, under the terms of the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 as amended. Which the HFA is a non-commercial semi-State body, I can confirm that the agency did not make any dividend payments to the Exchequer in the years 2000 to 2014. In June 2014, the HFA’s Board agreed to adopt a dividend policy to award up to 30% of its ‘Total recognised gains for the previous financial year’, provided that the payment of a dividend is appropriate and prudent in the context of the HFA’s financial position, strategic objectives and prospects.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (830)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Ceist:

830. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the Geological Survey of Ireland recently published a tender for public relations services with a requirement for tenderers to demonstrate a turnover of a minimum of €200,000 per annum for each of the previous three years by way of audited accounts or similar when most small and medium-sized enterprises and sole traders cannot meet this stipulation and when it is counter to the Government’s expressed policy of encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14428/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The TELLUS project is a geophysical and geochemical analysis of the soils of the island of Ireland. Initially the six counties of Northern Ireland were surveyed and under the INTERREG IVA programme the survey was extended to the six border counties in this jurisdiction. Additional funding has now been provided for the extension of the survey across a number of counties in the Midlands and North Midlands, with the eventual aim of completing the survey of the whole island.

The Ex-post evaluation of the TELLUS border project by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) (published on my Department’s web site at http://www.tellusborder.eu/NR/rdonlyres/7781AA33-AE06-4455-869A-3757FEE17685/0/TellusBorderpostprojectevaluation.pdf) concluded the project was fundamentally sound, was well scoped and planned, and “engaged with stakeholders/the wider community through an exemplary communications campaign”.

In extending the programme to other parts of the country, it is recognised that sustaining communications effort is fundamental in conducting the airborne programme in particular, and external public relations support is required to inform, in advance, land and animal owners of the flights. This includes a range of skills and capacities, requiring engagement in extensive outreach to a wide range of stock owners and managers, local farmers, landowners and other stakeholders over an extended geographic survey area for up to 33 months, including capability to sustain a continuous freephone hotline.

As part of this next phase of the project, the Geological Survey of Ireland, a division of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, recently published a tender for public relations support for the next phases of the Tellus Survey Programme, a low level airborne geophysical survey and soil and stream sediment chemical survey.

Circular 10/14 issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, entitled ‘Initiatives to assist SME’s in Public Procurement’, has guided the overall procurement approach and provides that “Buyers (of services) should ensure that capacity levels set for candidates/tenderers are relevant and proportionate in the circumstances of a particular contract". The circular provides guidance on turnover requirements, and while this is not intended to express a predetermined decision of a public body of expected bid range, it provides guidance to public bodies in assessing the financial capacity and strength of a company to perform a contract without permitting turnover thresholds that are so disproportionate as to prevent tenders form SMEs.

The turnover requirement set out in the tender documentation has been determined in light of the guidance in circular 10/14, and the extent, range of stakeholder interests, complexity, intensity, geographic range and duration of the proposed project.

Electricity Transmission Network

Ceisteanna (831)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

831. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if EirGrid will continue with a 400 kV overhead tower and overhead lines at a location (details supplied) in County Cavan, despite concerns being raised on different occasions; if any further consultative process will be entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14858/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An Independent Expert Panel (IEP) was established in January 2014 to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link (GL) and Grid West (GW) projects. The IEP published the Terms of Reference for those studies in May 2014.

While the North South Transmission Line project (N/S) is outside of the IEP's Terms of Reference, the IEP did agree, on foot of a request by my predecessor, to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies to be employed on the GL and GW projects with what has already been done on the N/S project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the Panel decided to examine the N/S project.

Having considered and discussed all of the material, the Panel issued a statement on 1 July 2014, indicating its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the N/S project is compatible with the methodologies now being employed on the GW and GL projects. While the Panel acknowledged that no two grid infrastructure projects are identical, and that some non-comparabilities are likely to arise when assessing the potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors, the Panel was of the opinion that no material differences in the methodologies arise.

EirGrid has advised my Department that on 13 March 2015 it submitted a draft application file for the N/S project to An Bord Pleanála. In that draft application two overhead towers and a section of 400 kV overhead line are proposed to be located in the townland in county Cavan referred to in the Question. My Department has been further advised by EirGrid that the proposal in respect of that townland is likely to remain unchanged in EirGrid's final application.

A further consultative process will be open to interested parties following submission to An Bord Pleanála of the final application. Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) provides for the making of submissions in relation to an application for consent with respect to a development comprising electricity transmission infrastructure. A timeframe of not less than six week of public consultation is provided for under the section.

I am advised that submission of the final application is expected in the coming weeks.

Natural Gas Grid

Ceisteanna (832)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

832. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to make gas available in a town (details supplied) in County Galway; to put in place the necessary infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13983/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. I have no statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network.

The CER, in 2006, approved a new network connections policy, which created the opportunity to reassess the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be met as a prerequisite. The policy framework provides that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting the town to the network are recouped through the actual consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. This is designed to obviate against uneconomic projects which would increase costs for all gas consumers. The policy framework allows for the appraisal of a town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns.

Under the 2006 network connections policy, which included a review of the feasibility of connecting towns to the natural gas network in Galway/Mayo, the CER made the decision to allow the network to be extended to eleven of these towns, including Athenry. Prior to the roll out of gas to each town, a detailed analysis of the loads within the town and the revenues associated with them is carried out. There is also a requirement to secure a certain level of customers prior to the development commencing. The gas network has been extended to eight of these towns. Work is ongoing to secure economic loads in the three remaining towns, i.e. Athenry, Knock and Balyhaunis, prior to the commencement of construction. To date, the projected loads are insufficient to justify commencement of construction.

Gaslink continues to keep under review the towns which did not qualify for connection under that study, and other towns, on an ongoing basis. The key factor which would qualify a town, or group of towns, in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, usually resulting from the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.

The CER recently organised a consultation on a Gaslink submission to it on revisions to the existing network connections policy, as mentioned above. The CER is currently reviewing the submissions received during the consultation period which closed on 13 March 2015.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Ceisteanna (833)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

833. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will include an area (details supplied) in County Clare in the national broadband scheme; and if he will provide an update on the provision of same. [14027/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie . The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER.

The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers plan to deliver high speed broadband services by end 2016.

The AMBER area on the map shows the target areas for the State intervention and includes Kilnamona, Co Clare. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.

Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.

Broadcasting Sector

Ceisteanna (834)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

834. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures in place, and planned measures, to encourage the development of home-grown Irish and Irish-language broadcast content, for both online and television media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14101/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The objects of the public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. In pursuit of these objects, which include the need to establish and maintain non-linear or ‘online’ audio-visual services, the broadcasters are charged, inter-alia, with ensuring that programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of Ireland and “have special regard for the elements which distinguish that culture and in particular the Irish language”. RTÉ and TG4 publish detailed commitments on an annual basis setting out how they intend to meet their public service obligations and objects as set out in the Act. The extent to which the commitments entered into by the two public service broadcasters have been met is reviewed annually by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), which provides an iterative approach that is sufficiently flexible to ensure that the changing needs of Irish society continue to be addressed. RTÉ is also obliged to make specific amounts available each year for the commissioning of television and radio programmes from the independent production sector. Section 116(8) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 fixes the formula for determining the minimum amount to be paid into the Independent Programme Account each year by RTÉ. While considerable cost reduction measures have forced RTÉ to reduce its expenditure on commissioned programmes in recent years, the value of programmes from the independent sector commissioned by RTÉ remains significant with over €39 million spent in 2014.

Section 118(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 outlines the objects of TG4 and section 118(3) provides that TG4 shall ensure that its programme schedules are primarily in the Irish language. In addition, section 120 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that RTÉ shall provide to TG4 programme material in the Irish language that will be the equivalent of one hour of daily programming throughout the calendar year.

In relation to radio and television services other than those provided by the national public service broadcasters, these are matters for the BAI, which is an independent statutory body.

In this regard, section 25 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that the BAI and its statutory committees, in performing their functions, shall endeavour to ensure that the number and categories of broadcasting services made available in the State best serve the needs of the Irish people bearing in mind their languages and traditions and their cultural diversity. The Contract Awards Committee makes arrangements to invite, consider and recommend to the Authority proposals for the provision of broadcasting services additional to the existing broadcasting services provided.

Commitments in relation to broadcast content on commercial and community broadcast services are the subject of contractual negotiations between the BAI and the relevant broadcasters. In submitting their licensing applications to the BAI, such broadcasters put forward commitments in regard to how they will deal with a range of broadcast issues including any public service commitments and, where appropriate, more specific commitments. If they are successful in their licence applications, these commitments form part of the terms and conditions of the relevant broadcaster's actual licence. This policy approach is seen as an effective means of leveraging public service type commitments from commercial broadcasters, in particular, while taking full account of the specific broadcaster’s business proposal.

The provision of non-linear or ‘online’ services by commercial and community broadcasters is a matter for the broadcasters concerned.

Under the 2009 Act, the BAI is also assigned responsibility for the development and administration of funding schemes designed to support the production and transmission of high quality programming based on Irish culture and heritage to be funded from the allocation of 7% of the net television licence fee receipts. The current scheme, Sound & Vision III, which specifically provides for the development of programmes in the Irish language, was launched in February 2015 and will see up to €24 million in funding being made available to television and radio programmes through five funding rounds to be rolled out over the next two years.

Irish Language

Ceisteanna (835)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

835. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps being taken to promote the use of Irish in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has an Irish language officer available to oversee the translation of documents into Irish. The Department's website has Irish and English versions including bilingual Frequently Asked Questions in relation to each section of the Department. All guidelines, information leaflets and application forms in relation to the Department's schemes, programmes and processes are made available in both Irish and English.

My Department has also recently published the following documentation in Irish:

- A Geology book in Irish titled ‘An Gheolaíocht ó Bhun go Barr’ for use in primary and secondary schools;

- An Irish language version of the poster ‘The Bedrock Map of Ireland’ titled ‘Geolaíocht Bhuncharraige na hÉireann’ ; and

- An Irish version of ‘The Real Map of Ireland’ titled Fíor Léarscáil na hÉireann.

There is also an Irish language version of the geological education website ‘Geoschol’ currently in production.

Irish language training is also available on request to staff through our learning and development unit.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (836)

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

836. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to upgrade the broadband service at a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if he will make contact with the person concerned to discuss the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14255/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER.

The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers plan to deliver high speed broadband services by end 2016.

The AMBER area on the map shows the target areas for the State intervention and includes Ballinamona, Co Wicklow. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.

Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity challenges in Ireland.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (837)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

837. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to install e-fibre and high-speed broadband in the Dublin Fingal constituency, both urban and rural. [14287/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government's National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers plan to deliver high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention.

Under EU State Aid rules, public investment in a commercial market has to be targeted at areas where there is evidence of clear market failure. Therefore, the Government's proposed investment under the NBP will only apply to those parts of Fingal that are within the Amber areas of our map. Those premises in Fingal within the Blue areas will be provided with services through commercial investment.

Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to a formal procurement process towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Ceisteanna (838)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

838. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the decision was made for Inland Fisheries Ireland to open a research centre in Dublin 24; what is the rationale for this decision. [14315/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Matters in relation to accommodation are primarily a day to day operational matter for public bodies, in this instance Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). As the Deputy will appreciate, accommodation and staffing are amongst the most significant cost components of public sector bodies and it is incumbent on all agencies to achieve economy and efficiency. In this context, the Board of IFI continues to engage in a strategic rationalisation of its Dublin based accommodation into one location. On its establishment, IFI had accommodation at three locations in Swords including leasing a headquarters building (this included IFI’s research and development operations), a laboratory and a warehouse. In addition IFI had premises in Glasnevin and Blackrock. As part of this rationalisation, and in keeping with Government policy to exit from expensive leases wherever possible, IFI exercised the break clause on the Swords Headquarters when it arose and has already disposed of the Glasnevin premises.

The rationalisation and amalgamation strategy for all Dublin property will generate efficiencies and also savings over time in relation to lease rents and in terms of the significantly better energy efficiency of the new Headquarters facility in Citywest, which will also be consistent with Government commitments as regards reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption.

IFI recently identified suitable premises near its HQ in Citywest to house its warehousing, laboratory and archiving facilities and purchase of this premises is under consideration. The cost of this facility will be met from IFI’s own resources. This element of the project continues the policy of exiting from expensive long term leases and will complete the rationalisation of IFI’s operations in Dublin. Aside from the strategic benefit of co-locating this facility with the new HQ, from a response capability perspective, further savings are anticipated both in financial terms and in staff time.

I am informed that this rationalisation is being undertaken in conformity with Public Financial Procedures, including capital appraisal, and that IFI has engaged with all staff on these matters and are continuing to do so through the normal Industrial Relations channels.

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