Written Answers Nos. 551-571
551. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the young farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11679/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted applications under the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. These applications were fully processed and payment issued to the person named on 28 January 2016.
Delivery of the Green Cert programme is an operational matter for the course provider Teagasc and not the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Teagasc advise that the person in question has been absent from the 2015/2017 part-time Green Cert programme in Macroom due to illness. She has been in contact with Teagasc education staff in Macroom and hopes to return to the programme next week when she is deemed medically fit. Arrangements will then be put in place to run repeat exams in due course.
552. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) under the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11680/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment / Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received from the person named on 18 May 2015. The relevant advance and balancing payments under the Basic Payment Scheme issued to the bank account of the person named in November and December of 2015.
The person named has submitted documentation in respect of an outstanding query regarding the ANC scheme. This is currently being examined by officials in my Department and the person named will be notified of the outcome shortly.
553. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effect of the number of solar energy companies seeking to lease lands for energy production on the basic payment scheme in the future. [11683/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupport under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is payable upon activation of an eligible hectare per payment entitlement. In general terms an eligible hectare is one that is used for an agricultural activity or, where the area is also used for a non-agricultural activity, is predominantly used for such activities. An area is predominantly used for agricultural activity if that activity can be exercised without being significantly hampered by the intensity, nature, duration and timing of the non-agricultural activity.
While cases involving solar panels will be examined on an individual basis, the European Commission has advised that the area covered by the solar panels will be deemed ineligible for the purposes of claiming BPS. Furthermore, in line with the Department’s current approach on land eligibility, where the area of a parcel covered by solar panels is 70% or greater of the overall parcel, that parcel will be wholly ineligible. If less than 70% is covered by solar panels and the agricultural activity is not hampered by the presence of the solar panels, the area not covered by solar panels may be eligible.
With regard to entitlements it is important to note that a farmer must use all entitlements at least once every 2 years. Therefore, if the land is deemed ineligible for BPS the farmer would lose the entitlements after 2 years unless he (a) got a comparable amount of eligible land to activate his entitlements, (b) leased out his entitlements or (c) sold the entitlements.
Finally it is important to note that all agricultural land used to claim BPS must be owned/leased, used and managed by the applicant. If the applicant is not the owner of the land, they must have a lease or rental agreement in place with the owner of the land. There must be independent and suitable access for animals and/or machinery for the farming enterprise being conducted. Independent access means access by public or private roadway or by a defined right of way. Access over adjoining landowners' land, or over land which is subject to a lease or rental agreement to another person, is not acceptable.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has informed me that before a final decision is taken on introducing a new support scheme - which may include support for solar PV - that Department will run a public consultation, which will give all interested parties an opportunity to participate in the development of the scheme. Details of the next public consultation will be advertised on their website www.dcenr.gov.ie. Before any such scheme could be introduced, it would have to secure Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.
554. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to immediately suspend the Irish foal levy which was introduced in 2000 which is based on the advertised nomination fee of the foal's sire rather than the actual payment for the stallion's services and where the suspension of the current system which has been the subject of an adverse court judgment will allow for a proper review to take place and deal with actual fees paid for services rather than punitive figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11844/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Foal Levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland.
The proceeds of the levy are used by Horse Racing Ireland to help fund the Irish Equine Centre, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. These organisations provide key support structures to the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry.
The foal levy is a relatively small element of the overall cost of keeping and covering a mare, and for reasons of practicality, is based on the advertised nomination fee rather than actual fee paid.
There is currently a very high compliance level with the Foal Levy scheme and it is kept under review to ensure fairness in its application.
My Department is seeking legal advice on the implications, if any, of the Court judgement.
Against the background outlined, I have no plans to change the current arrangements for the Foal Levy.
555. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will have an inspection carried out for a person (details supplied) under the pig and poultry investment scheme, targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2. [11875/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in question has passed the initial administrative checks on the application submitted. The technical aspects of the application will be examined shortly with a view to issuing approval in a matter of weeks.
556. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the sections, and the Departments in which they are currently based, he will subsume into the new climate change section in the Department of Communications and Climate Change; the primary roles and responsibilities of this new section; if he will retain all the current sections and units from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in this new Department. [11441/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn addition to its current functions, my Department will assume responsibility for the Environment Division of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which includes:
- Environment Policy & Awareness;
- Climate Policy;
- EU and International Environmental Policy;
- Waste Policy & Resource Efficiency;
- Air Quality/Environmental Radiation Policy; and the
- Environment Advisory Unit.
The high level goals, actions and expected outcomes of the work of the Environment Division are set out in the Statement of Strategy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which is available at www.environ.ie.
My Department will continue with the procurement process for the National Broadband Plan. I am in discussion with Minister Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan. That role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces and working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded. Minister Humphreys' Department will also assume responsibility for the post office network.
557. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of an issue regarding the removal of a weir (details supplied). [11654/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have been advised that the works to remove the weir require an application under the Planning Acts.
IFI staff have worked closely with consultant engineers to tender for six individual surveys of the site to secure topographical, architectural, archaeological, geomorphological, hydrological, and appropriate assessment reports. These are required to compile the necessary information that will be used during the design and planning processes.
Officials from IFI are liaising with Cork County Council to prepare the relevant planning application along with the required reports and drawings.
558. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the funding of €75 million that is committed through the European Regional Development Fund, in relation to the national broadband strategy, and which can be drawn down after Exchequer expenditure is first incurred, is in addition to the €275 million allocated for the strategy or included within the €275 million; if it is not allocated within the €275 million, how and when he will spend this €75 million. [11713/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra559. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the costings of the €275 million for the national broadband strategy which seeks to ensure a minimum download speed of 30 MBps and a minimum upload speed of 6 MBps, and if he has explored other options for providing minimum faster upload and download speeds, and the associated costs of the various increases in speed that he has examined. [11714/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra560. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of ensuring minimum download speeds of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 MBps in the national broadband strategy. [11715/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 558 to 560, inclusive, together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.
On 29 September 2015, the Government's six-year Capital Plan, Building on Recovery, was published. It includes an allocation of €275m for the National Broadband Plan (NBP). This allocation provides the initial stimulus required to deliver the Government's intervention and it is expected that further funding will be available over the lifetime of any contract(s). The scale of the planned intervention means it is likely that the overall cost will be significant.
Funding of €75m is committed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This will be drawn down as part of the overall initial funding envelope of €275m.
The State Intervention under the NBP sets out minimum speeds that will be expected from any State funded network. The Intervention Strategy published in July 2015 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 30mbps download and 6mbps upload with latency of no more than 25 milliseconds. It must also be capable of catering for higher performance in the future so as to keep pace with future consumer demand. The emphasis therefore is on putting in place a high quality infrastructure network that is capable of delivering at least 30mbps download and 6mpbs upload and higher speeds over time as demand increases.
The scale of the planned intervention means it is likely that the overall cost will be significant and the €275m allocated under the Capital Plan represents a portion only of the overall cost, which will be spread over the 25 years of the contract. While the Department has completed costings for the Plan, it would not be appropriate to publicise the expected cost of building the network or the likely cost to the State while a major public procurement process is underway. In any case, the costs will depend on a number of variables including the ownership model, the duration of the contract and whether there is a single contract or multiple smaller contracts. Ultimately, the costs will also depend on the price that bidder(s) quote in the tender process which, in turn, will reflect the strategic value they place on winning the contract.
In terms of the procurement, five responses have been received from prospective bidders to this stage of the competitive procurement process by the deadline of 31 March 2016. The five responses are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlisted qualified bidders that will proceed to the next stage of procurement.
The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the Intervention Strategy document. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that a contract will be awarded by June 2017. Rollout will commence once the contract is in place.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business need and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan.
I am in discussion with Minister Heather Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan. That role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces and working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
561. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the compensation procedure for eel fishers given that eel fishing has ceased permanently; and if compensation is available from a European Union fund. [11854/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the European Commission in 2009 under EU Regulation 1100/2007. The EMP included a cessation of commercial fishing for an initial three year period, after which the plan was reviewed and conservation measures renewed for a further three years. The review included a robust public consultation process and a detailed scientific assessment. A similar review was carried out in 2015 and the EMP will again be reviewed in 2018.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is currently developing a range of scientific eel fisheries in designated catchments. Expressions of interest have been sought from experienced fishermen who wish to partake in this process. The fisheries will be catch and release scientific operations with IFI staff on site to take biological measurements of eels. The fisheries will provide more detailed scientific information and facilitate an assessment of the potential for a return to commercial fishing for the 2018 review.
There is no property right attaching to public eel licences and consequently the issue of compensation is not relevant or appropriate, given that the closure of the fishery was applied for conservation reasons under the Fisheries Acts.
I am advised that the Deputy’s reference to EU funding, in a case where a permanent cessation of fishing activity has taken place, may relate to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). This is a European Union programme and the Competent Authority for administering the EMFF in Ireland is the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. I will ask the relevant Minister to respond directly to the Deputy on what opportunities may exist under this mechanism.
562. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his discussions with the Department of Social Protection on halting the changeover from cash to electronic welfare payments until a new e-payment account for recipients has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11219/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group was published in January. It clearly sets out the challenges that An Post and Postmasters face as they ensure the network remains relevant in the context of an inexorable shift in consumer preferences, including the trend towards digital transactions.
The Final Report represents an important step towards greater financial sustainability for the Post Office and the wider network. The Programme for Government commits to acting on the recommendations of the report including the introduction by An Post of an ePayment Account this year. In this connection, my Department is actively working with An Post and others, including the Department of Social Protection, to set out a clear implementation plan for all of the actions contained in the Final Report, including the ePayment account. Discussions are ongoing at official level and I anticipate being in a position to bring forward proposals to Government presently.
It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide network of customer-focused post offices in the community.
563. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to list all current procurement contracts that his Department has awarded, which are operational, if each such contract underwent a public tender process before being awarded, if he monitors contract spending on an ongoing basis for all contracts awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11220/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
564. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available for solar farms instead of windmills and the location of the closest grid connection to Broadford, County Limerick. [11271/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy projects in Ireland. This builds on the December 2015 Energy White Paper commitment to examine the potential for supporting Solar PV farms, and small-scale Solar roof-mounted installations.
It is widely recognised that Solar PV technology has become more cost competitive for electricity generation, not only compared with other renewables but also compared with conventional forms of generation. The integration of utility-scale Solar PV farms on the grid and the deployment of roof-mounted Solar installations have the potential to contribute to meeting Ireland's renewable energy objectives and have the potential to enable greater citizen participation in Ireland's future energy transition. The introduction of a support tariff for Solar PV is currently under examination in the context of a new support scheme for renewable electricity generation, and the provision and design of any subsidy will be the subject of detailed economic appraisal.
Before a final decision is taken on introducing a new support scheme - which may include support for Solar PV - my Department will run a public consultation, which will give all interested parties an opportunity to participate in the development of the scheme. Details of the next public consultation will be advertised on the Department's website, www.dcenr.gov.ie. Before any such scheme could be introduced, it would have to secure Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.
Information on available grid connection capacity near Broadford, Co. Limerick is a matter for the Transmission and Distribution system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks. I have forwarded a copy of the Deputy's question and my reply to the Transmission and Distribution system operators and asked that they contact the Deputy in relation to the matter.
565. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, with regard to the establishment of a taskforce on mobile telephones and broadband, he will ensure that the task force is chaired by and contains individuals independent of the current broadband or mobile regulatory regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11337/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra569. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will launch a process to measure blackspots where there is no broadband and no mobile coverage and to publish the results. [11342/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra570. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the rollout of broadband to rural areas, if his Department has conducted an impact assessment for rural businesses for the delay in some areas of broadband to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11394/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 565, 569 and 570 together.
The Department has conducted a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) on the potential impact of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) for those areas currently lacking access to high speed broadband. An extract from the CBA report showing the qualitative benefits entitled Benefits of High Speed Broadband was published on www.broadband.gov.ie. It is clear from this report and other research conducted by my Department that enterprises across Ireland will benefit from the rollout of high speed broadband and delivery of the National Broadband Plan is therefore a priority for Government.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the establishment within 100 days of a mobile phone and broadband Taskforce which will consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland. My Department will be engaging with the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht in relation to the terms of reference for the task force including its membership to ensure delivery of the Programme for Government commitment within the timelines set out.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband services including acquiring spectrum under ComReg's 2012 Multi-Band Spectrum Auction for rollout of 3G and 4G mobile services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country although I understand that some temporary disruptions to service have been encountered when upgrades are taking place.
The Department is working with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to removing planning and other infrastructure barriers to telecommunications infrastructure rollout.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband service to every city, town, village and individual premise in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. The procurement process is already underway and five responses have been received from prospective bidders to the first stage of the competitive procurement process. These are being assessed in line with the criteria set down by the Department with a view to shortlisted qualified bidders proceeding to the next stage of procurement.
The second stage in the procurement process will be a formal invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) to shortlisted bidders. I expect that my Department will move to this stage in the next month. The third stage of the procurement process involves the issue of final tender documentation which follows the dialogue process. Following the submission of final tenders by bidders, a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the Intervention Strategy document. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s). It is expected that a contract will be awarded by June 2017.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht.
I am in discussion with Minister Heather Humphreys on the detailed arrangements to give effect to commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government regarding her Department’s role in relation to the rollout phase of the National Broadband Plan. That role will include leading on the establishment of county or regional broadband taskforces and working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
566. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to evaluate the State funding required per metropolitan area network, MAN, to complete the business cases for the activation of each MAN which has not yet been used, assuming normal retail pricing for the end-users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11338/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe MANs are State-owned, underground telecommunications networks which facilitate telecommunications service providers in delivering high speed broadband services to their retail customers, without having to build their own networks. The 88 MANs which cover 94 regional cities and towns are managed, maintained, marketed and operated under a concession agreement by a Management Services Entity (MSE).
The MSE provides fibre-based services and products to licensed telecommunications operators on a wholesale, open access basis. It works with operators to encourage them to use the MANs to provide downstream services. The MSE does not, itself, offer services directly to retail customers. enet is currently the MSE for the MANs and further details relating to the MANs are available at www.enet.ie, or by phone at (061) 274000.
The MANs are now used by some 62 licensed telecoms operators and it is estimated that in excess of 600,000 end users are benefiting from services provided through the MANs. While 3 of the 88 MANs - Banagher, Belmullet and Knock – are not currently in use, they are available and ready to meet demand for services as it arises. The decision to avail of the MANs is ultimately based on the service provider’s own commercial business case.
Under EU State Aid rules, the State can only intervene in cases of clear market failure. Any question of subsidising connections to the MANs would come within the area of State Aid. The current focus of my Department is on the delivery of the National Broadband Plan and in particular, the procurement process, which is now underway, and is the subject of detailed State Aid discussions with the European Commission. MANs and other available telecoms infrastructure may contribute to the delivery of services under the Plan but I cannot mandate the use of any particular assets as part of competitive bids by prospective tenderers.
Demand for bandwidth continues to increase exponentially with the development of the digital economy and the increase in MANs usage is expected to continue, irrespective of the NBP procurement. As service providers bring optical fibre closer to their end users to meet this demand, the MAN networks are well placed to serve the needs of service providers and their end users throughout their regional footprint.
567. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to conduct a once-off national drive test measurement of the State's coverage under the mobile telephone network in lieu of its current measurement of motorways and main roads only. [11339/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions. Accordingly, I have no statutory function in this matter.
I am aware however that licences issued by ComReg apply terms and conditions on Mobile Network Operators, such as quality of service and minimum population coverage obligations. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. ComReg monitors compliance with licence requirements by means of bi-annual drive tests. I understand that current testing is designed to cover all primary and secondary national routes, with measurements being performed on all Mobile Networks.
Notwithstanding the independent role of ComReg, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the establishment within 100 days of a mobile phone and broadband Taskforce which will consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland. I am in discussion with my colleague Minister Humphreys in this regard and arrangements are being made to put this in place as a matter of priority.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband services including acquiring spectrum under ComReg's 2012 Multi-Band Spectrum Auction for rollout of 3G and 4G mobile services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country although I understand that some temporary disruptions to service have been encountered when upgrades are taking place.
The Department is working with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to removing planning and other infrastructure barriers to telecommunications infrastructure rollout.
Given that mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by several factors including topography, the capacity of the network and more generally the level and quality of access customers have to mobile phone antennas. Difficulties for service providers in erecting masts and antennas due to planning issues can also impact negatively on the quality of coverage experienced by consumers, and Local Authorities can play a strong role in supporting the roll out of telecommunications infrastructure.
The Government is aware of public frustration with the quality of mobile and broadband coverage. Delivery of the National Broadband Plan and establishment of the mobile phone and broadband Taskforce are therefore top priorities in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
568. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will launch a process to measure actual provision of broadband to patients in hospitals and to publish the results. [11341/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed access to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. It is expected that 70% of all premises in Ireland will receive high speed services from the commercial telecommunications market. The remaining 30% (over 750,000 premises) are the focus of a major State procurement process to make high speed broadband access available to all premises.
The NBP will make high speed broadband accessible at all premises. It is however for owners or occupiers to decide whether to subscribe to a broadband service at any premises. In the case of hospitals it is for each hospital operator to decide whether or not to make broadband access available to patients. It is also for each hospital operator to decide the quality of service it will make available, the platform or technologies it will use and any terms and conditions it will impose, if it is decided to provide broadband access for patients. Where hospitals are located in cities and towns, high speed broadband should already be available, through commercial telecoms operators.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. My Department’s current related priority is to complete all elements of the procurement phase of the NBP market intervention. At this time, my Department has no plans to conduct market surveys on profiles of customers’ of broadband services providers or, in the case of hospitals, the number of hospitals providing broadband access to patients, the quality of service provided or the terms or conditions imposed as conditions of access. The focus currently is on ensuring that hospitals, schools, homes and enterprises have access to such services, and this is being achieved through a combination of investment by the telecoms sector, and the procurement process currently under way as part of the State Intervention. Individual premises can be viewed by entering the relevant Eircode on the Department's High Speed Broadband Map (www.broadband.gov.ie); this will show whether those premises will be covered by commercial telecoms investment or by the State intervention.
571. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of his Department. [11416/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll property occupied by my Department is either leased or owned by the Office of Public Works and my Department has no vacant property or land holdings.
