Written Answers Nos. 602 - 617
602. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Construction Industry Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18639/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government published a comprehensive Construction 2020 Strategy in May 2014 aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any critical bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. The Strategy incorporates 75 specific actions encompassing the development of an overall strategic approach to housing supply, identifying and implementing further improvements to the planning system to facilitate appropriate development, and seeking to improve financing options for development and mortgage provision.
I have responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the Construction 2020 Strategy on behalf of the Government and in the period since its publication, we have already begun to see some welcome and positive signs of recovery in the sector. Particularly notable in this regard are the increase in the number of house completions in 2014 to 11,016 units nationally, an increase of 33% on the 2013 figure, and announcements of committed funding of €3.8 billion towards the provision of 35,000 social housing units in the period to 2020. I will continue to liaise with representatives of the construction industry and other stakeholders in relation to the implementation of further measures to assist in the development of a strong and sustainable construction sector, particularly in the area of housing construction.
The only matters in the list of measures proposed by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in its 12 steps to increase employment in the construction sector by 20,000 jobs that fall under my area of responsibility are the Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill and the placing of the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) on a statutory footing.
The General Scheme of the Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill was published in January of this year and is available on my Department’s website. It provides for the implantation of the primary planning-related recommendation of the Mahon Tribunal, namely the establishment of a new Office of the Planning Regulator. It also provides for:
- a legislatively defined approach to the development of a successor strategy to the 2002 National Spatial Strategy,
- the National Planning Framework, and
- enhanced transparency in, and streamlining of, the planning system, with regard to -
- the publication of all submissions received on local area plans and development plans on the website of the relevant planning authority,
- the Chief Executive’s report on such submissions to be also published on the website of the relevant planning authority,
- the forwarding of any proposed grants of planning permission in material contravention of a local area plan or development plan to the relevant regional assembly for observations,
- the provision of legislative underpinning for E-Planning to facilitate the introduction of online planning applications and appeals,
- the payment of reduced fees, or no fees, by elected members when making submissions on applications for planning permission, and the noting of such representations on the relevant planning file,
- the taking into account by Irish Water of the likely sequencing of housing and economic development as indicated in local area plans and development plans when preparing its Water Services Strategic Investment Plan.
In addition to the provisions outlined in the General Scheme as published, it is also proposed to introduce a number of further amendments at Committee Stage of the Bill to address a range of issues, including the streamlining of the existing provisions relating to the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities, and improving the procedures relating to the designation of Strategic Development Zones.
The General Scheme of the Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill is being progressed in parallel with a General Scheme for a Planning and Development (No. 1) Bill aimed primarily at addressing the current constrained housing supply situation, which is particularly acute in the Dublin area. The main provisions in the Planning (No. 1) Bill are:
- revision of the Part V arrangements on social and affordable housing,
- retrospective application of reduced development contribution charges, and
- the introduction of a vacant site levy to incentivise urban regeneration and the provision of housing in central urban areas.
The Government has also signalled its commitment in the Construction 2020 Strategy to placing the Construction Industry Register Ireland on a statutory footing in 2015. This is seen as an essential consumer protection measure giving consumers who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. Legislative proposals in this regard are currently being prepared by my Department with a view to their being presented to Government for consideration in the near future.
603. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the number of homelessness declarations made to local authorities in County Donegal in 2014, and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18651/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Data on homeless households in emergency accommodation is provided through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). Quarterly reports from lead housing authorities are being published on my Department's website as soon as these are available. In addition, lead housing authorities provide monthly reports on homelessness which identify the number of people utilising State-funded emergency accommodation on a regional and county basis. These monthly reports also provide details of the breakdown of the individuals and the numbers of families and dependents that are in emergency accommodation. Both the quarterly and monthly reports are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
604. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the details of meetings held between himself or any of the Ministers of State in his Department with a company (details supplied); the outcome of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18684/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither I nor Mr. Paudie Coffey, T.D., Minister of State at my Department, have had meetings with the company referred to in the Question.
The company concerned is involved in a pilot rural broadband initiative in a number of areas around Ireland. I understand that my colleague, Ms. Ann Phelan T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Rural Affairs has met with the company on two occasions in order to gain a deeper understanding of the key issues involved in the context of her Ministerial responsibilities.
The National Broadband Plan, which aims to ensure that all citizens have access to high speed broadband no matter where they live or work, is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
605. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the 2014 to 2020 Leader programme funding is to be delivered locally, under revised structures; when the funding programme will commence; the way the new delivery process will differ from the previous programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18704/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the purposes of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, rural areas in Ireland are considered to be those areas outside the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
Ireland is reconfiguring the way in which local and rural development interventions are implemented. This is in line with Government policy to ensure that local government is well positioned to support the effective and efficient delivery of local and rural development.
Accordingly, funding under the new LEADER programme for the 2014-2020 period has been allocated based on administrative or county boundaries . In view of the size of the Cork County Council area, there will be three sub-regional areas for that County. This will mean a total of 28 sub-regional areas in Ireland for LEADER purposes. It will be the responsibility of the Local Action Group to determine the eligible areas within individual administrative areas for the purposes of their Local Development Strategy.
Under the EU regulatory framework governing the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, each EU Member State must conduct an open and transparent process to select both the Local Development Strategies and the Local Action Group(s) for each sub-regional area. Accordingly, my Department is conducting a two stage process. The first stage, which is an Expressions of Interest (EOI) stage, was recently launched and any entity wishing to be considered as a Local Action Group for their area has until 15 May 2015 to submit an EOI. This stage is open to any entity that can show broad local and community participation and that has a coherent vision for the development of their area.
Local Action Groups successful in the first stage of the process will in turn be invited and supported to design a Local Development Strategy for their area in stage two of the process, which I envisage will begin in the early part of the 3rd quarter of this year.
In line with Government policy, it is intended to select a single strategy in each area. Where more than one group qualifies through stage one of the process the groups involved will be encouraged to come together in partnership to jointly prepare and agree a single strategy in order to ensure that the most comprehensive and coherent strategies come forward for consideration and approval. In the event that more than one strategy is ultimately submitted, it will be a matter for the Independent Evaluation Committee to a make a recommendation regarding the most appropriate strategy.
As the selection process for the new Programme will be an open process, I cannot say what entities will be successful, or how these might differ from the 2007-2013 LEADER arrangements.
I expect that some Local Development Strategies will be operational and that funding of these Local Development Strategies will be available by Autumn 2015. It is at this point that local groups and businesses will be able to apply to the designated Local Action Group in their area for funding to support specific projects.
606. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the efficiencies being achieved in the sectors under his remit, regarding the use of shared services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18834/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraShared services have been identified in the Local Government Efficiency Review and the Public Service Reform Plans as an important opportunity to make further savings in administrative costs, through streamlining and improving service delivery without impacting on front line services. This builds on practical experience, over many years, in the local government sector of local authorities co-operating in the performance of functions and the delivery of services, including on a regional basis.
To drive the reform agenda, and in particular shared service initiatives, in the local government sector, a dedicated Programme Management Office (PMO) has been established which reports to a high-level Oversight Group. The roll out of shared services and process improvements across the sector is supported by the use of shared expertise, a shared technical infrastrucutre supported by the Local Government Management Agency and a singular local government web portal.
Overall, 31 operational areas have been identified for examination for potential as a shared service or other collaborative approach that may provide efficiencies. The PMO has adopted a comprehensive methodology for the development and evaluation of projects including gathering and analysing baseline data, business case preparation and peer review of business cases.
Payroll/Superannuation, Building Control, Treasury Management, Procurement and Accounts Payable have been prioritised in the shared services programme in the short to medium term and the programme is being progressed using a lead authority model. A number of other shared services are currently under development including services in debt management, veterinary services, road management systems and the register of electors.
Following a competitive bidding process in 2013, Laois County Council was selected to provide Shared Payroll and Superannuation services on behalf of all local authorities and has established a shared services centre for that purpose in Portlaoise. This shared service commenced in January 2014 and all local authorities will transition to it in waves in the period to 2016.
In relation to procurement, the local authority sector is working closely with the Office of Government Procurement to deliver significant savings over the coming years. The table below shows the costs associated with each project to date, as well as the anticipated benefits. No costs were incurred for these projects prior to 2013.
|
Project |
- |
Costs |
Benefits |
|
- |
2013 |
2014 |
- |
|
MyPay (shared payroll and superannuation) |
€1,345,606 |
€ 1,784,549 |
- €4.3M savings per annum anticipated. • Project Net Present Value (NPV) €27,839,444 and Pay Back 7 years. - Creation of a Centre Of Excellence for Payroll and Superannuation to service Local Government staff and pensioners. - In order to realise the savings from the Shared Service Centre, surplus staff will need to be redeployed. An effective redeployment programme exists to support this. |
|
Building Control Management System |
- |
€240,000 |
- Reduction in over-the-counter transactions and correlating efficiencies in allocation of staff resources; - Improved system for public - Standardisation across the sector in approach to Building to Certificates - Improved compliance in building standards |
|
Local Government Strategic Procurement Centre and Local Government Operational Procurement Centre |
- |
€692,902 |
- Estimates savings of €4.25million in 2014 from procurement efficiencies - Forecast savings of €15.1million for 2015 as a result of procurement efficiencies to be made by the Local Government Operational Procurement Centre for all Minor Works and Plant Hire for the entire public service, including Health, Education and Government Departments. |
|
Treasury Management |
€ 14,950 |
€124,036 |
Local authority and sectoral savings and efficiencies through: - Aggregated approach to banking sector to deliver savings and efficiencies in treasury management - best practice treasury management systems |
Outside of the Local Government Efficiency Review, collaborative arrangements for service delivery are also being progressed in a number of sectoral areas, including in the fire and library services.
607. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects high speed fibre broadband will be extended to a townland (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18212/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.
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 Baytown, Co Meath. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 28,200 premises to date in Meath, with a further 23,000 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 31,000 premises in County Meath, including premises in Baytown are the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. In accordance with EU State Aid guidelines, the procurement process will be technology neutral, I intend to launch a consultation on the Intervention Strategy under the National Broadband Plan this summer with a view to moving to formal procurement towards the end of 2015 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.
608. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he expects to meet the 20-20-20 energy targets; if there is a renewable energy model in place; the role he envisages for solar, wind, wave, geothermal, and microgeneration; if he has a policy in relation to renewable energy feed-in tariffs for homes and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18422/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU's 2020 targets for emissions reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency form a cornerstone of EU energy policy. The EU aims to deliver a 20% improvement in energy efficiency, a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions and 20% of our energy coming from renewable sources by 2020.
The Government’s 2020 strategy is set firmly in the global and European contexts. Our objectives accord with the policy objectives set by the European Union. These are grounded in the economic, environmental and supply security imperatives to decarbonise energy systems and diversify energy sources by fundamentally de-coupling energy from reliance on fossil fuels.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. To meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources. Policies and schemes are in place to incentivise the use of renewable energy and Ireland has made significant progress with regard to renewable energy deployment. To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity.
The REFIT schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. These schemes support electricity generated from a range of renewable sources including small scale hydro, biomass and wind. Solar PV, wave energy, or geothermal are not supported by the REFIT schemes.
Given the emerging policy context and the requirements of the EU target market for electricity, my Department is beginning the process of developing a new support scheme for electricity, to be available from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of all available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of support required.
As regards energy efficiency, my Department is continuing to develop and enhance policy in this area and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is continuing to implement policy with the roll out of efficiency measures in homes and businesses throughout the country.
609. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within his Department, funded by or established by his Department, which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18430/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government, on completion of a wide ranging review of State Bodies, published its decision on the rationalisation of such Bodies in November 2012.
In relation to my Department, the Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) will be merged with the Property Registration Authority and the Valuation Office which will, this year, see it transfer to the Department of Justice and Equality, who are leading on the transfer process. Medium term savings are likely to be achievable in the areas of common back office functions such as HR, conventional (non-specialised) IT systems, Financial Management and Corporate Services. There may also be potential savings in the areas of accommodation and software licences. In the longer term, greater efficiencies/synergies in delivery of the merged organisation’s services may lead to further savings in operational areas. Additional commercial revenues which would reduce the burden on the State may also be achievable in the medium to long term.
On 14 January last, the Government approved my Department’s proposals for the merger of Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) with Dublin City Council (DCC) by means of an independent company, wholly owned by DCC, and the drafting of Heads of Bill to effect the merger. Drafting of the necessary legislative provisions to provide for the dissolution of the DHDA and the transfer of assets, functions and responsibilities to DCC is being progressed.
There is provision for certain back-office administrative functions of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to be merged. It should be noted that neither BAI nor ComReg is Exchequer funded and any savings achieved would not reduce Exchequer expenditure.
610. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the towns in County Longford and County Westmeath that will be connected with fibre-to-the-home by the end of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18452/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 579 of 6 May. As I outlined in that reply, the map available at my Department’s website www.broadband.ie shows the areas that will have access to high speed broadband by commercial operators and the target areas for the proposed State Intervention.
The reply also indicated that, in addition, the website provides detailed information on over 50,000 townlands in every county in Ireland including counties Longford and Westmeath.
611. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist, or on which vacancies are anticipated to arise, up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or a member; if he will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18475/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached table. In line with the Government's new arrangements for appointments to State Boards, all appointments are advertised through stateboards.ie, except where other processes are in place as specified in Section 9 of the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards (November 2014). Suitable candidates are identified following an assessment process conducted by the Public Appointments Service on the basis of criteria determined as necessary for the effective performance of the relevant role.
In addition, proposed chairperson appointees are required to appear before the relevant Oireachtas Committee.
Further details relating to the Boards of State Bodies under my Department's remit can be found on egovernance.ie.
Summary of Existing Vacancies as of 30 April 2015 and Vacancies due to arise in period May to December 2015
|
Board and No. of positions on Board |
Existing vacancies as at 30 Apr 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in May 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in Jun 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in Jul 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in Aug 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in Sept 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in Oct 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in Nov 2015 |
Vacancies due to occur in Dec 2015 |
|
An Post 15 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
1 31/12/15 |
|
BnaM 12 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Ervia 9 |
1 27/03/2015 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
ESB 12 |
2 08/09/2014 21/01/2015 (Chairperson) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
1 04/10/2015 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
IFI 10 |
n/a |
n/a |
2 30/6/15 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
2 2/11/15 16/11/15 |
n/a |
|
SEAI 12 |
5 30/04/2013 01/05/2014 14/09/2014 30/09/14 (Chair) 23/04/2015 30/04/2015 (CEO ex officio)** |
3 2/5/15 |
1 25/6/15 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Eirgrid 10 |
1 15 Sept |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
RTE 12 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
TG4 12 |
3 1 on 31/03/2012 1 on 31/03/2014 (ex officio) 1 on 18/01/2015 (staff nomination) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
1 28/9/15 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
BAI 9 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
DHDA 14 |
8* 1 x 27/01/2009 3 x 23/10/2009 1 x 10/11/2009 1 x 30/11/2009 1 x 23/10/2013 1 x 08/04/2015 |
1 28/5/15 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Mining Board 3 |
1 17/05/2013 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
1 1/9/15 Chairperson |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
OSI 10 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
NORA 6 |
2 26/09/2014 21/11/2014 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Loughs Agency 12 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
12 12/12/15 |
|
Total Vacancies |
23 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
* It is not proposed to fill 7 of the 8 vacancies outstanding on the DHDA Board for the time being given the proposals to merge DHDA with DCC.
** The SEAI vacancies have been subsequently appointed.
612. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources when e-fibre broadband will be available to residents on the Timahoe-Hodgestown Road near the Coolcarrigan mast in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18512/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra613. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources when rural areas such as Thomastown and Enfield in County Meath, which appear to be beyond the reach of Eircom's commercial efibre roll-out, may expect to have access to efibre broadband, under the Government's national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18513/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 612 and 613 together.
The National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.
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 that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016.
The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention and includes the townlands of Timahoe East, Timahoe West, Hodgestown and Coolcarrigan in Co Kildare and the townland of Thomastown in Co Meath. Members of the public can consult the map to establish for themselves the precise location and status of their individual premises. All premises within the Amber area will be included in the State's intervention.
More generally, I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 54,000 premises to date in Kildare, with a further 13,600 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 20,500 premises in County Kildare, including premises in Timahoe, Hodgestown and Coolcarrigan are the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
In relation to Co Meath, next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 28,200 premises to date, with a further 23,000 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 50,800 premises in County Meath, including premises in Thomastown are the target for the proposed State intervention.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. In accordance with EU State Aid guidelines, the procurement process will be technology neutral.
I intend to launch a consultation on the Intervention Strategy under the National Broadband Plan this summer with a view to moving to formal procurement towards the end of 2015 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.
614. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the White Paper on Energy Policy will be published; the opportunity that will be provided for public consultation; if particular consideration will be given to the future of the oil refinery in Whitegate in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18517/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. A new Energy Policy Paper which will set out Ireland’s energy policy up to 2030 is being developed. To facilitate the development of the new Policy Paper, a Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland was published in May 2014 commencing a written public consultation process that concluded on 31 July last.
Over 1,200 submissions were received in the written consultation process. In addition, there was a targeted stakeholder consultation process involving 11 seminars with six on the priorities identified in the Green Paper, four regional seminars and a seminar on costs. My Department is now focused on finalising the detailed work required to produce the a definitive energy policy statement which I aim to publish in September 2015.
The future of the Whitegate oil refinery is primarily a commercial matter for the current owners of the refinery, Phillips 66. My Department commissioned a study into the strategic case for oil refining requirements on the island of Ireland which was published in July 2013. The key conclusion at that time was that the presence of an operational refinery on the island of Ireland provides flexibility, enhancing the options available to the State in the event of an oil supply disruption, by providing an alternative source of product thus mitigating a complete reliance on product imports. In light of that conclusion, the Government had agreed that my Department would liaise with the Irish oil industry and appropriate public bodies to determine any policy options that might facilitate the commercial future of refining in Ireland. I expect to be in a position to brief Government on the available policy options shortly.
615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress to date in respect of efibre roll-out, with particular reference to Johnstownbridg in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18567/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.
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 that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016.
All premises within the Amber area will be included in the State's intervention.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises/home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
Based on information provided by commercial operators, 99% of Johnstown Bridge situated in the townland of Carbury will be covered by the commercial sector. The remaining 1% of Johnstown Bridge will be part of the State intervention. Members of the public should consult the map to establish for themselves the precise location and status of their individual premises.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 54,000 premises to date in Co Kildare with a further 13,500 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 20,500 premises in Co Kildare are the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. In accordance with EU State Aid guidelines, the procurement process will be technology neutral. I intend to launch a consultation on the Intervention Strategy under the National Broadband Plan this summer with a view to moving to formal procurement towards the end of 2015 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.
616. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the roll-out of the broadband scheme; the time frame of same to maximise growth potentials in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18595/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.
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 that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention.
The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises/home will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 1.1m premises to date in Ireland with a further 500,000 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 700,000 premises in Ireland are the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. In accordance with EU State Aid guidelines, the procurement process will be technology neutral.
I intend to launch a consultation on the Intervention Strategy under the National Broadband Plan this summer with a view to moving to formal procurement towards the end of 2015 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.
It is envisaged that access to high speed broadband coupled with the measures being introduced under the National Digital Strategy will maximise growth potential in rural areas by encouraging small businesses to make better use of the internet so that they can reach wider markets, grow their business and create jobs.
617. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when Carrigaline and Douglas in County Cork will be provided with high-speed broadband; if he will provide details of the exact areas in each location that will benefit from high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18608/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.
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 areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention.
Based on information provided by commercial operators, 99% of Carrigaline Middle, 98% of Carrigaline West and 100% of Douglas Co Cork will be covered by the commercial sector. The remaining 1% of Carrigaline Middle and 2% of Carrigaline West, Co Cork will be part of the State intervention. Members of the public should consult the map to establish for themselves the precise location and status of their individual premises.
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 issues in mainly rural parts of the country.
