Written Answers Nos. 51-71
51. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the ownership of the broadband infrastructure as part of the national broadband plan intervention strategy; the cost to the public Exchequer; and the date for the construction of this project. [44814/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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 proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) represents a very significant capital investment project for the State.
On 29 September the Government published its 6 year Capital Plan, Building on Recovery, which included an allocation of €275m for the National Broadband Plan. This will provide the initial stimulus required to deliver the Government's intervention.
Funding of €75m is committed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); state expenditure of €150m is required before the €75m under the European Regional Development Fund can be drawn down.
On 14 July last I published a detailed draft Intervention Strategy for public consultation. The strategy addressed a number of issues in relation to the intervention among these the proposed ownership model for the infrastructure. The options ranged from a commercial stimulus model, in which a limited amount of Government funding is used to stimulate commercial investment in the intervention area, to a fully owned public utility, funded entirely by the Exchequer.
This consultation closed on 25 September last. 41 submissions were received to the public consultation and non-confidential versions of these submissions are available on the Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie.
These submissions have been carefully considered and the Intervention Strategy is now being updated in advance of moving to formal procurement by the end of the year. The ownership model is being considered as part of this process.
Regardless of which ownership option is chosen, the exact amount of funding required will ultimately be determined by a competitive procurement process. It would not therefore be appropriate in advance to speculate on the potential cost. Bidders will be expected to meet the standards set out in the finalised strategy, at least cost to the Exchequer.
The Department will design a tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost of the network build as low as possible. I anticipate that the physical build of this network will commence from 2016 and be completed by 2020.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3 to 5 years of the contract award. Our aim is to ensure that 85% of Ireland's premises have high speed broadband by 2018, with an ambition of 100% coverage by 2020.
52. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he has taken to ensure Whitegate oil refinery in County Cork will remain in operation after July 2016. [44817/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Whitegate refinery was privatised as a result of its sale by the State in 2001. Under the terms of the sale, the owners are obliged to continue to operate the refinery for a minimum of fifteen years, a commitment which remains in place until July 2016. Thereafter the future of the refinery is a commercial decision for the owners.
The Government views the continued operation of the Whitegate refinery on a commercial basis as highly desirable from an energy security and economic perspective. Security of supply remains a fundamental tenet of our energy policy. Officials from my Department and I have been in regular contact with the management of the Whitegate refinery and have also met several times with union representatives. Officials from my Department have also discussed the future of refining with the Irish Petroleum Industry Association and with other Government Departments and public bodies. I have recently met a number of my Cabinet colleagues to discuss the refinery and I updated Government on the matter last week.
The owners of the refinery, Phillips 66, advised my Department in October that they were putting the Whitegate refinery up for sale and indicated their intention to market it for sale as an operational refinery, and not as a terminal. A refinery sale would be a commercial matter between Phillips 66 and a potential purchaser. As this process is underway Whitegate will continue to be operated on a business as usual basis.
53. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has reached agreement with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on the regulation of wind farm projects. [44813/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government began a review of the existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
The review focused on the specific issues of noise, proximity, and shadow flicker. It is set against the backdrop of the need to tackle global warming, reduce Ireland's reliance on fossil fuels, and meet our legally binding EU and international obligations including in relation to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and the generation of renewable energy, as well as real and legitimate concerns about the impact of essential energy infrastructure on local communities.
There has been ongoing engagement between the two Departments in what is a very technical area. Studies have been obtained on various aspects of the issues, particularly noise - including separation distance - and detailed assessments of various options have been undertaken by the two Departments.
Any revisions to the guidelines following the conclusion of deliberations, will be introduced by issuing the guidelines to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if and when high-quality, high-speed broadband will be provided in all urban and rural areas; if the frustrations experienced by the domestic, business and commercial sectors due to the lack of this provision, as compared with other jurisdictions, will be addressed; if he agrees this provision is a vital prerequisite to continued economic recovery; the areas which currently have the required quality and standard of broadband services and the timescale for its provision in the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44818/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. 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.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention. All premises within the AMBER areas 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 or 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. The High Speed Map contains a breakdown of premises covered per townland.
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.
Consumers can also consult the websites of the various commercial operators to ascertain details of current and planned future deployment plans.
Over 40 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy in July last. Non-confidential versions of these submissions are being published and can be accessed at www.Broadband.gov.ie.
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals.
I expect to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year. The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with an ambition of 100% coverage by end of 2020.
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 businesses to make better use of the internet so that they can reach wider markets, grow their business and create jobs.
55. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the State subsidies available to energy providers, including the amounts spent, by category, in each of the past ten years in tabular form; if future policy towards the subsidisation of fossil fuel-derived energy sources will change, given the specific emissions reduction targets proposed for the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44793/15]
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.
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy is the support mechanism used for two very important objectives. Firstly, it supports electricity generation which was constructed for security of supply purposes, including peat generation. Secondly, it supports the development of renewable electricity which is important for both security of supply and for reducing carbon emissions from electricity generation. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers. It has been in place since 2001. The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in Regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (S.I. 217 of 2002). The PSO Levy is a charge on all electricity customers without exception and is determined by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The total amounts spent, and details by category, for each of the past ten years, are available in the public domain in annual CER PSO Levy Decision papers at www.cer.ie.
It should also be noted that from March 2016 the PSO levy will no longer support natural gas electricity generation, as supports for Aughinish and Tynagh thermal gas plants are terminated. Furthermore the PSO levy support for peat-fired generation at Edenderry Power Plant will end in December 2015. Lough Ree Power and West Offaly Power are the only remaining peat-fired electricity generation plants on the Irish electricity system. Support for such electricity generation will end for these plants after 2019.
The forthcoming White Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, will inform future policy on the subsidisation of fossil-fuel derived energy sources.
56. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Ireland will opt in to the mandatory smart metering system. [44815/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSmart Meters are the next generation of energy device which will replace the traditional electricity and gas meters. These devices work by communicating with both the consumer and their energy provider, giving a view of actual energy usage. This provision of actual consumption information, as well as a range of possible additional services such as time-of-use tariffs, can deliver numerous benefits to both consumers and the wider environment.
European Directive 2009/72/EC requires, where the roll-out of smart meters is assessed positively, at least 80% of consumers shall be equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020.
The National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP) is a programme of work which aims to successfully rollout electricity and gas smart meters on a national basis. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), working closely with my Department, established the NSMP in 2007.
To date the programme has involved various consultation phases, the most recent of which commenced on 8 December 2015 with the publication of consultation papers on consumer policy.
Decisions on the timing and scale of any rollout of smart meters will only be taken subject to the cost-benefit analysis results which are due in Q3 2016.
57. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will call off the research project currently being carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency into hydraulic fracturing, given there is no public health research or researchers with medical expertise included in the study and there will be no external peer review component to the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44801/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) on the environment and human health. It should be noted that the draft Terms of Reference for this programme were the subject of a public consultation process which resulted in an amended and strengthened scope for the programme, including a key recommendation that the potential impacts from UGEE on human health be considered as part of the project.
In this regard, the Tender Documents refer specifically to potential health impacts arising from impacts on environmental media, including exposure to chemicals, vibration, light, noise, and the potential pollution of environmental media including soils, air and water.
The research programme will also specifically consider the potential role of Health Impact Assessment in the regulation of UGEE projects and operations, based on the experience in other countries, and will make recommendations towards developing a protocol in an island of Ireland context.
However, I would like to stress that the requirement for Health Impact Assessment into UGEE, or otherwise, would only arise if an application to carry out a development proposing the use of this technology were being considered.
As I have advised previously, no application to engage in UGEE has been received in my Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.
58. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of research directed at examining the potential environmental and human health impacts of hydraulic fracturing commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency; the position of the Government on hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44812/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have advised previously, the all-island Joint Research Programme (JRP) which is being administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and co-funded by the EPA, my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency into the potential impacts from Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) on the environment and human health is on-going.
It is anticipated that the outcomes of this research programme will be published once the Steering Group, appointed to manage this programme, makes its recommendation.
There has been good progress made on the programme to date which is evident from the updates published by the EPA on its website.
I would like once again to confirm that no application to engage in UGEE has been received in my Department, nor would any such application, if submitted, be considered until the research programme has concluded and there has been time to consider its findings.
59. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of research he has carried out as part of a cost-benefit analysis on wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44805/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been working with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation, to assess the costs and value of choosing the path towards 40% renewable electricity generation in 2020. Quantifying the costs and benefits of reaching our renewable energy obligations is a complex task involving the examination of many interrelated variables. This work and the related findings will form the basis of a report that will be published shortly.
Our transition to a greater use of renewable energy in the energy mix has been analysed in a number of previous studies. The All-Island Grid Study, published in 2008, assessed the technical feasibility and the relative costs and benefits associated with various scenarios for increased shares of electricity sourced from renewable energy in the all island power system. The scenarios were informed by the resource available, technological readiness of the various generation technologies and cost required per generated unit. The mapping for the analysis also assessed the deployment potential based on where the resource was and an overview of environmentally designated areas. This study informed the decision to move towards achieving 40% renewable electricity generation in Ireland by 2020. It concluded that, based on assumptions set out in the report, wind energy represented a cost effective source for electricity generation.
The abundant wind resource in Ireland means that each unit of installed wind generation capacity generates more units of electricity when compared with other countries and hence needs a lower rate per generated unit of electricity in order to recover the overall costs of the project. The existing feed-in tariff, REFIT, which is funded from the Public Service Obligation levy on consumer bills, is a very cost effective support for onshore wind development, as indicated by a report published by the Council of European Energy Regulators earlier this year.
This position has been underpinned by other published reports and analyses which have examined the effect of renewables on electricity prices.
Furthermore, renewable electricity generation in Ireland in 2014 is estimated by the SEAI to have avoided €250 million worth of fossil fuels imports.
60. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of steps to maintain the existing post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44811/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. However, the postal sector is undergoing systemic change, with migration towards electronic communications resulting in significant core mail volume decline year-on-year.
In recognition of the changing commercial environment I established the Post Office Network Business Development Group earlier this year, the remit of which is to examine the potential from existing, and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the Post Office network. The Group presented its initial report to me in May 2015. In summary, the initial report outlined that the future of the Post Office network would be best secured by seeking out opportunities in the following areas: financial services, including services delivered by the Department of Social Protection, and basic banking for the unbanked; Government services; social capital and enterprise; and white labelling of financial and other products.
To gain further insight into these areas, a public consultation exercise was held from 16 June to 28 July last, inclusive. Interested parties were invited to submit their views on the initial report. It is clear from the responses received that there is a strong public desire to maintain the nationwide network of post offices. The consultation responses are assisting the Group in identifying opportunities that can benefit the post office network and will inform the final report, which I expect to receive presently.
It is premature to speculate, in advance of receiving the final report, on matters until I have had the opportunity to consider in detail the findings of the Group.
61. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will carry out mapping of broadband speed-up, downtime and latency by geographic area; if he has investigated mapping based on data rather than reported speeds; his views on whether speeds reported are consistent with speeds received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44797/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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.
Measuring speeds based on user experience, is challenging. Different technologies deliver different speeds and are impacted by a range of factors including the number of users at a given time and the services they are accessing, distance from a cabinet, line-of-sight issues, and in-house factors including wifi. I understand that the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, recently concluded a pilot study on broadband speeds to 1,000 homes. Arising from that study, I understand that ComReg is considering the merits of establishing a permanent broadband speed test, conducting an annual survey or making available a software tool to the public to support expanded data gathering. It is also considering consulting on the possibility of including contractually binding minimum speed into contracts. I also note the new transparency provisions under Article 4 of the new European Regulation which lays down measures concerning open internet access. I look forward to developments in this area which I hope will increase the transparency of services offered by commercial operators.
The proposed State Intervention under the National Broadband Plan sets out specific speeds that will be expected from any State funded network. It also specifies the minimum speeds deemed necessary in order to define an area as "commercial", and therefore exclude that area from the proposed State intervention.
The draft Intervention Strategy, published in July, specifies at a minimum, download speeds of 30 Mbps and an upload speeds of 6 Mbps with latency of no more than 25 milliseconds. A “High Speed Broadband Map 2016” published in 2014, shows the extent of industry commitments to end 2016 and indicates that 70% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband within that timescale. The balance of 30%, approximately 757,000 addresses, represents the current target for the proposed State intervention.
62. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to increase the availability of community renewable energy initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44800/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraVarious community level energy initiatives are supported by my Department through the Better Energy Areas and Communities Programme which is administered on behalf of the Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). That programme allows community and locally based organisations to apply for funding on a competitive basis to support sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities. It also promotes the creation and development of locally based entities that can engage and mobilise community resources to lower energy bills and boost local employment.
One of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014, was citizen empowerment. Since its publication, the Department undertook a public consultation process which included analysis of over 1,200 written submissions and thirteen stakeholder seminars on the various priority areas highlighted in the Green Paper. A recurring message coming from both the written submissions and the seminars was the role that community energy could play in our future energy systems. The views submitted on this and other matters have been considered in the formulation of the Energy White Paper, which I intend publishing tomorrow.
63. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the consultation process he has had with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on the publication of wind farm guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44820/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government began a review of the existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
The review focused on the specific issues of noise, proximity, and shadow flicker. It is set against the backdrop of the need to tackle global warming, reduce Ireland's reliance on fossil fuels, and meet our legally binding EU and international obligations including in relation to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and the generation of renewable energy, as well as real and legitimate concerns about the impact of essential energy infrastructure on local communities.
There has been ongoing engagement between the two Departments in what is a very technical area. Studies have been obtained on various aspects of the issues, particularly noise - including separation distance - and detailed assessments of various options have been undertaken by the two Departments.
Any revisions to the guidelines following the conclusion of deliberations, will be introduced by issuing the guidelines to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
64. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress under the national energy efficiency action plan on retrofitting Government and public buildings; if the financial and environmental savings are known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44807/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) Ireland set a target of improving energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. At the same time a more challenging target was set for the public sector of 33%. Significant progress is being made on energy efficiency in the public sector. The Annual Report on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance, which will be published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) this month, will show that, on aggregate, the reporting public sector bodies have improved their energy efficiency by 17%. This means we are half way to the 33% target. The reported energy efficiency gains for 2014 amount to 1,840 gigawatt hours (GWh) which equates to a reduction in harmful emissions of 418,000 tonnes of CO2. This reduction in energy use has led to a saving on energy spend of €121 million for 2014, with cumulative savings of €424 million having been made since the baseline year of 2009.
While this progress is very positive, there can be no room for complacency. There will be a need for more, large scale, projects if the 33% target is to be reached. The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which I will publish early in 2016, will further strengthen governance requirements, set clear objectives for actions in areas such as the built environment and public utilities and enhance project development assistance.
65. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role he envisages social enterprises performing in reducing Ireland's dependence on fossil fuels and, in particular, the impact this sector can have compared with conventional private enterprise. [44664/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014, is citizen empowerment. Since its publication, the Department undertook a public consultation process which included analysis of over 1,200 written submissions and thirteen stakeholder seminars on the various priority areas highlighted in the Green Paper. A recurring message coming from both the written submissions and the seminars was the role that community energy and social enterprises could play in our future energy systems. The views submitted on this and other matters have been considered in the formulation of the Energy White Paper, which I am publishing tomorrow.
I believe that both social enterprise and private enterprise will have key roles to play in Ireland's energy future as we reduce our reliance on carbon intensive fossil fuels by delivering improvements in energy efficiency and increased deployment of renewable energy. In this regard, there are a number of schemes under the Better Energy Programme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), available to individuals, communities and businesses for sustainable energy upgrades.
The Better Energy Communities Scheme supports sustainable energy upgrades to buildings and facilities in the community sector as well as clusters of homes likely to be at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is open to a wide variety of actors. This includes public sector organisations, community and voluntary organisations, private sector actors and energy suppliers. The key is that each application has to demonstrate a partnership approach. Community action on energy conservation is a crucial first step for people to transform their energy use and take their own action to make our energy system more sustainable.
In 2015, the scheme received applications worth €45m from 74 projects. Successful projects have included upgrades to schools, community care facilities, fire stations, sports clubs, small businesses and homes throughout the country. A full list of the successful applications is available at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_Energy_Communities/Better-Energy-Community-Projects-2015.pdf
66. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the strategic importance to the State of the oil refinery in Whitegate in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44803/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has one refinery in Whitegate, Cork. While oil has been virtually eliminated from the electricity sector, Ireland is almost completely dependent on oil for fuel in the transport sector and is heavily reliant on oil for heating. All oil consumed in Ireland is imported (either as already refined product or as crude oil that is refined at Whitegate). The refinery supplies 30- 40% of the main oil products (excluding jet fuel) to the Irish market.
A study completed for my Department in 2012 on the strategic case for oil refining requirements on the island of Ireland concluded that an operating refinery provides an alternative source of product supply versus complete reliance on product imports and therefore provides flexibility in security of supply. It also concluded that a refinery delivers economic benefits and provides employment. A further conclusion was that the existing port infrastructure would be capable of supplying the required product imports if there were no refinery on the island. The Government considered the report and concluded that the continued operation of the Whitegate refinery on a commercial basis is highly desirable from an energy security and economic perspective. Security of supply, resilience and the ability to respond to an energy crisis remains a fundamental tenet of our energy policy.
The owners of the refinery, Phillips 66, advised my Department in October that they were putting the Whitegate refinery up for sale. A refinery sale would be a commercial matter between Phillips 66 and a potential purchaser. As this process is underway Whitegate will continue to be operated on a business as usual basis.
67. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the commitment to provide fibre broadband to every house and business in County Donegal; the deadline for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44831/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) 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.
In July last I published a detailed draft Intervention Strategy for public consultation.
That strategy proposes that the State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30mbps download and 6mbps upload. It must also be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with consumer demand. This will be a specific requirement of the tender and it will be a matter for bidders to select the technology they consider will best deliver the service.
As I have repeatedly stated, we must observe a strict policy of technology neutrality in any procurement process and therefore I am not in a position to promise connectivity through any one particular technology platform. The Department will set out a detailed service specification, including a requirement to scale up services over the lifetime of the contract, and allow bidders show how they propose to meet these contractual requirements.
Given the quality of the services we wish to see delivered, and based on the current absence of significant fibre networks in many parts of Ireland, it is likely that fibre will play a major role in any proposed solution. However, the technology platforms that will provide the final connectivity to the premise will be a matter for commercial operators to decide on.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with all addresses passed by 2020.
More generally I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 21,200 premises to date in County Donegal, with a further 27,200 expected to be served by end 2016. The remaining 52,000 premises in County Donegal will be covered by commercial investment or be the target of the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan. The breakdown of premises covered, per townland, is available on the High Speed Broadband Map at www.broadband.gov.ie.
69. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had to ensure the oil refinery in Whitegate in County Cork remains in operation as a refinery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44802/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Whitegate refinery was privatised as a result of its sale by the State in 2001. Under the terms of the sale, the owners are obliged to continue to operate the refinery for a minimum of fifteen years, a commitment which remains in place until July 2016. Thereafter the future of the refinery is a commercial decision for the owners.
The Government views the continued operation of the Whitegate refinery on a commercial basis as highly desirable from an energy security and economic perspective. Security of supply remains a fundamental tenet of our energy policy. Officials from my Department and I have been in regular contact with the management of the Whitegate refinery and have also met several times with union representatives. Officials from my Department have also discussed the future of refining with the Irish Petroleum Industry Association and with other Government Departments and public bodies. I have recently met a number of my Cabinet colleagues to discuss the refinery and I updated Government on the matter last week.
The owners of the refinery, Phillips 66, advised my Department in October that they were putting the Whitegate refinery up for sale and indicated their intention to market it for sale as an operational refinery, and not as a terminal. A refinery sale would be a commercial matter between Phillips 66 and a potential purchaser. As this process is underway Whitegate will continue to be operated on a business as usual basis.
70. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to roll out broadband to rural areas in west Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44821/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. 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.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention. All premises within the AMBER areas 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.
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.
I would encourage consumers to consult the websites of the various commercial operators to ascertain details of current and planned future deployment plans.
I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 55,000 premises to date in Co Kildare with over 12,500 more expected to be served by commercial investment. Approximately 20,500 remaining premises in Kildare will be covered either by further commercial investment or the proposed State intervention.
Over 40 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy in July last. Non-confidential versions of these submissions are being published and can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie.
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals with a view to updating the intervention area Map.
I expect to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with an ambition of 100% coverage by 2020.
71. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to encourage the use of electric vehicles, given the very low take-up of such vehicles by public, commercial and transport interests. [45003/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme supports and incentivises, through grants of up to €5,000, the deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the Vehicle Registration Tax reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles. In addition, where technically feasible, customers who qualify for the grant also qualify for a free domestic charge point installed by the ESB.
The extent to which electric vehicles are adopted in the short-to-medium term will depend on a range of factors including, inter alia, the strength of the economy, the overall numbers of new cars being purchased, the cost of purchasing and running electric vehicles compared to fossil fuel comparators, and the number of different electric vehicle models available to purchase. There are signs that these factors are improving. In 2015, 547 new EVs have been supported through the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme which represents more than half of the total of 1,082 supported since the programme began in 2011.
The Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme will remain open into 2016.
