Written Answers Nos. 321-330
321. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of public lights and the cost, by county, in tabular form; his plans to retrofit public lighting and to invest in alternative light sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8964/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvision and maintenance of public lighting is the responsibility of each individual local authority and in the case of motorways Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
In my role as Energy Minister, I have an interest in ensuring that the significant potential of public lighting to deliver energy efficiency is realised in pursuit of the 33% energy efficiency target for all public sector bodies. The upgrading of public lighting by Local Authorities and TII, using proven energy efficient technologies, will be an important project in the forthcoming Public Sector Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
A National Public Lighting Steering Group was established in 2014 to provide strategic direction and further impetus for the upgrading of public lighting in Ireland. The Group is chaired by the City & County Managers Association CCMA) and includes representatives from TII, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and My Department.
Under the leadership of CCMA and TII, and with funding support from both of those bodies, work is currently underway on preparation of inventories of current lighting assets across the various authorities. This will enable procurement of the upgrade of the lighting stock to deliver energy efficiencies and cost and maintenance savings for the relevant public bodies. I understand that that inventory and cost information will be issued in the context of that procurement exercise.
322. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he plans to introduce Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grant assistance for homes built after 2006. [8981/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2009 the Better Energy programme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department, has provided over €400 million for energy efficiency upgrades in almost 300,000 homes, supporting an average of 2,300 jobs per annum in the construction sector. The aim of the programme is to improve the energy efficiency of homes built prior to the introduction of more energy efficient building standards.
Dwellings constructed on or after 1 July 2006 are subject to Statutory Instrument No. 873 of 2005, Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations and subsequent revisions. These regulations, transposing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), require all new homes to meet certain energy efficiency standards. These standards include limiting the CO2 emissions associated with energy use, limiting heat loss through the fabric of the building, controlling the output of the space heating, hot water systems and limiting the heat loss from pipes, ducts and vessels used for the transport or storage of heated water or air. Therefore, homes constructed in accordance with this legislation do not require the type of upgrades supported by the Better Energy Programme. Consequently, there are no plans to include homes built after 2006 in the Better Energy Programme.
323. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the cost of a telephone service in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry compared to average costs nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9051/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of fixed line electronic communications networks connections is undertaken on a commercial basis by competing networks providers.
The Commission for Communications Regulations (ComReg), the independent market regulator, has imposed a universal service obligation (USO) on eircom Limited (trading as “eir”) to provide fixed line telephone services at geographically averaged prices across the State to ensure all users have access to standard usage charges.
Any complaint that eir is failing to comply with its USO obligation in any particular case should be addressed directly to ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its function in accordance with a requirement of section 11 of the Communications Regulations Act 2002.
I have no statutory authority to participate in ComReg’ investigation of any complaint that eir is failing to perform its USO obligation to apply standard charges across the State or in any subsequent prosecution by ComReg of any related offence.
324. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 463 of 20 April 2016, to reply to the two questions raised, namely, the adequacy of the national broadband strategy in view of concerns raised by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation as outlined, and the cost of upgrading the national broadband strategy to the specifications outlined in the question. [9085/16]
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 Broadband Intervention strategy for Ireland, which is available at
http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Ireland's-Broadband-Intervention-Strategy-update.aspx,
sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement that the State-funded network must
- be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30 mbps download and 6 mbps upload to all citizens
- be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with consumer demand
- ensure the availability of high quality wholesale services to allow retail competition to develop.
During pre-procurement consultations, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation correctly highlighted the need to address the specific needs of businesses. This is reflected in the Intervention Strategy published in December 2015, and, in this context, bidder(s) will be invited to put forward minimum speeds for businesses, which can be built into the service standards of the winning bidder(s) contract.
Because a competitive procurement process is currently in train, it would be neither advisable nor appropriate to speculate about the potential overall cost of the NBP at this stage. Ultimately, the outcome of the procurement process will determine the final cost of the intervention and will influence the amount of Exchequer funding that will be required for the NBP.
325. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding he can provide to parents to install a landline telephone in their home to assist a child with severe learning disabilities to avail of broadband services in order to download tailored online programmes which are crucial to the progression of the child's education and learning development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9128/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of fixed line electronic communications networks connections and broadband services to users is undertaken on a commercial basis by competing electronic communications networks and services providers.
The Commission for Communications Regulation has imposed a universal service obligation on Eir, which, among other things, obliges it to provide landline connections at a standard connection charge across the country unless the costs incurred in any individual case exceeds €7,000. The standard connection charge is currently €121.93.
My Department has no funding available to it to assist users to meet the standard charge imposed by Eir for connections to its network.
326. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the national broadband plan will be operational in Saint Johnston, in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9144/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra327. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the national broadband plan will be operational in Corlea, in Ballyshannon, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9145/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.
The 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 is being 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 has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement process commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire and Project Information Memorandum. Five responses were received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March. This second stage in the process will be formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. This is scheduled to commence in June and will take place over the Summer. The timing of each stage of the procurement is dependent on a number of factors including the number of bidders shortlisted and the complexities that may be encountered during the dialogue process.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE, including 93% of the townland of Saint Johnston, represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. Based on information received from commercial operators, a fibre build has commenced in this area and high speed broadband will be available shortly. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that all of the 1.6m premises, where commercial operators have committed to providing services will have access to High Speed Broadband of at least 30mbps.
The areas marked AMBER, inlcuding all of Corlea, Ballyshannon and 7% of Saint Johnston represent the target areas for the State Intervention. Members of the public can view whether their premises are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
The Intervention Strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement 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.
The intention is to build out the network in the AMBER area as quickly as possible. The Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network rollout and will be agreed during the procurement process.
Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement consultations has indicated that the network in the Amber area could be achieved within 3-5 years, after contract(s) is awarded.
328. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to provide the timeframe on the implementation of a broadband network in Tarmonbarry, County Roscommon. [9153/16]
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 is being 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 has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement process commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire and Project Information Memorandum. Five responses were received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March. This second stage in the process will be formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. This is scheduled to commence in June and will take place over the Summer. The timing of each stage of the procurement is dependent on a number of factors including the number of bidders shortlisted and the complexities that may be encountered during the dialogue process.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area.
The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that all of the 1.6m premises, where commercial operators have committed to providing services will have access to High Speed Broadband of at least 30mbps.
The areas marked AMBER, including the village of Tarmonbarry, represent the target areas for the State Intervention. Members of the public can view whether their premises are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
The Intervention Strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement 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.
The intention is to build out the network in the AMBER area as quickly as possible. The Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network rollout and will be agreed during the procurement process.
Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement consultations has indicated that the network in the Amber area could be achieved within 3-5 years, after contract(s) is awarded.
329. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of a proposal by Inland Fisheries Ireland to close fish hatchery farms at Cullionmore, in Mullingar, County Westmeath and in Roscrea, County Tipperary, which are the only two brown trout hatcheries left in Ireland; if he will consult the said board with a view to getting this proposal scrapped as there is no cost saving but the proposal will cause significant adverse circumstances and difficulties for lakes which are reliant on farm-reared brown trout and negatively impact upon the angling industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9191/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal around rationalising the fish farm operations of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is a day to day operational matter for the Board of IFI.
I understand, however, that IFI’s intention is to phase out fish farming operations over the coming years and that it is intended by IFI that the phase out plan will include consultation with affected stakeholders.
I would be happy to organised a detailed briefing for the Deputy with IFI.
330. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the implications for counties Cavan and Monaghan of the further delay in the roll out of the national broadband plan; if he is aware of the urgent need to provide much-needed investment in upgrading the broadband telecommunications infrastructure throughout both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9193/16]
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 is being 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 has invested over €2 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services in the last four years, and is continuing to invest. These very significant investments represent a step change in the quality of broadband services available.
On 22 December 2015, I formally launched the procurement process for the State intervention to provide high quality, high speed broadband to all premises in Ireland that may not be served through commercial investment. The formal procurement process commenced with the publication of the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and Project Information Memorandum. Responses were received from five consortia, which include over 30 individual companies, by the deadline of 31 March. The second stage in the process will be formal Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. This is scheduled to commence in June and will take place over the Summer. The timing of each stage of the procurement is dependent on a number of factors including the number of bidders shortlisted and the complexities that may be encountered during the dialogue process.
The number of responses received on 31 March, the complexity of the process, and an earlier extension to the PQQ submission deadline which was requested by respondents, will necessitate an adjustment of a number of months to the anticipated timeframe for tender negotiation and contract award.
The High Speed Broadband Map 2020, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that all of the 1.6m premises, where commercial operators have committed to providing services will have access to High Speed Broadband of at least 30mbps.
The areas marked AMBER represent the target areas for the State Intervention. Members of the public can view whether their premises in Cavan and Monaghan are in the BLUE or AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
The Intervention Strategy sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement 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.
I am conscious of the need to deliver the State intervention as a matter of priority and the intention is to build out the network in the AMBER area as quickly as possible. The Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) on the optimum rollout strategy, and on the sequencing of the network deployment to maximise efficiencies during network build, having regard to business and consumer needs, and to areas of particularly poor service and areas of strong demand. All these factors will need to be balanced against the most efficient network rollout and will be agreed during the procurement process.
Engagement with industry stakeholders as part of the pre-procurement consultations has indicated that the network in the Amber area could be achieved within 3-5 years, after contract(s) is awarded.
