Written Answers Nos. 610-634
610. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to improve the speed and quality of the broadband service to the Castletroy, Annacotty area of County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30430/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The procurement process aims to identify an entity or entities to build, roll-out, operate and deliver high speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload speeds to all premises within the intervention area. Last week, I announced that the three bidders in the procurement process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland under the National Broadband Plan intervention. Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30Mbps but up to 1Gbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is a solution that will endure for 25 years and beyond and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.
The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.
The areas marked BLUE, which includes the Castletroy, Annacotty area of County Limerick represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or previously indicated that they have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. While I cannot compel any operator to provide services to a particular premises or area, my Department is currently examining deployment plans in the BLUE area. Direct feedback from consumers is an important part of this process and I thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention. When this examination is complete I expect to make a recommendation to Government.
If customers within these areas cannot access high speed services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dcenr.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode, and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services.
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 and mobile telecoms services. These investments are continuing to improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
I consider that all citizens should have access to reliable and quality broadband services and I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by business and households alike due to poor quality broadband and I am working to alleviate the frustrations being felt. In July I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys. The Taskforce aims to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband technologies. It has already met 11 times and a number of helpful initiatives are emerging. I intend to report on the outcomes of this task force towards the end of this year.
611. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans in place to upgrade mobile telephone coverage in an area of County Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30437/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTelecommunications service providers operate in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of ComReg.
Notwithstanding the independence of ComReg, I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect. The Programme for Government therefore committed to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. In July, I established the Taskforce, with my colleague, Minister Heather Humphreys. The Taskforce aims to unlock barriers to investment in mobile and broadband services. The Taskforce has already met 11 times and a number of helpful initiatives are emerging, in the areas of planning, Local Authority engagement, and consumer information/engagement.
The Taskforce involves a number of Government Departments and agencies, as well as engagement with ComReg and telecommunications operators. I expect that we will bring a report to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's work.
Under the Programme for Government Minister Humphreys is also establishing two regional action groups. Working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices, LEADER Groups and other relevant agencies these groups will help accelerate the roll-out of broadband and mobile services at local level.
These new structures at a national and local level, are designed to address as far as possible immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage.
In addition, I intend to sign Regulations over the coming days, which will allow ComReg to proceed with an auction of the 3.6GHz spectrum band in early 2017. This auction will provide an 86% increase in total harmonised spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless broadband services.
I have also secured €8m in the Budget for RTÉ which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to auction this spectrum, which will provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. My Department has already established a working group with ComReg and RTÉ to deliver this important project.
These initiatives should assist in significantly enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland, and particularly in rural Ireland.
In the meantime any customer, including those in County Waterford and its environs, who experience service difficulties should raise the matter with the service provider in the first instance. If this fails to resolve matters, customers can refer a complaint to ComReg, who will investigate the service provider’s compliance with its contractual obligations.
In parallel with these initiatives to resolve issues in relation to mobile and wireless services, the National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The procurement process aims to identify an entity or entities to build, roll-out, operate and deliver high speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload speeds to all premises within the intervention area. Last week, I announced that the three bidders in the procurement process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland under the National Broadband Plan intervention. Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30Mbps but up to 1Gbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds. The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process and includes Dunmoon, Co Waterford.
The procurement process to select a contract(s) to deliver the NBP network has commenced and intensive dialogue with the three bidders is currently underway. Ultimately, this should deliver a solution that will endure for 25 years and beyond and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.
612. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the roll-out of broadband in Robinstown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30459/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The procurement process aims to identify an entity or entities to build, roll-out, operate and deliver high speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload speeds to all premises within the intervention area. Last week, I announced that the three bidders in the procurement process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland under the National Broadband Plan intervention. Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30Mbps but up to 1Gbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is a solution that will endure for 25 years and beyond and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.
The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including Co Meath. The townland of Robinstown is included in the AMBER area and is therefore included in the procurement process. Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.
The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network to the over 750,000 premises in Ireland, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland. This includes over 31,000 premises in Co Meath. Since bidders were invited to participate in dialogue with the Department, there have been approximately 150 hours of meetings, with considerable more interaction to follow over the coming months.
Earlier this year, before I came into office, the Department announced that it would be June 2017 before contract(s) were awarded under the NBP. The bidders in the process have recently indicated that they may need more time to conclude the procurement process. The timing of each stage of the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team, and bidders, during the procurement process. Bidders need adequate time to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids and get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at key stages of the process. It is also important to ensure that risks in this multi-million euro procurement are carefully managed. I do not propose to comment any further at this juncture, given that discussions are ongoing in the procurement process. I can assure the Deputy however, that the procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years.
As part of the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated that it could take 3-5 years to roll-out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. It is however open to bidder(s) to suggest more aggressive timescales as part of their bids. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out 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 roll-out plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed roll-out plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the roll-out of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
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 and mobile telecoms services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys in July 2016. The Taskforce will recommend practical actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland, working with Government Departments, Local Authorities, ComReg, State Agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The work of the task force will also assist Local Authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contract(s) are in place. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.
613. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the fibre broadband roll-out map for the rural town of Oldtown, County Dublin, indicates that the scheme will stop just meters short of Clonmethan; if he will confirm this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30517/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming. The formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.
The procurement process aims to identify an entity or entities to build, roll-out, operate and deliver high speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload speeds to all premises within the intervention area. Last week, I announced that the three bidders in the procurement process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland under the National Broadband Plan intervention. Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30Mbps but up to 1Gbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is a solution that will endure for 25 years and beyond and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.
The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including County Dublin. The townlands of Clonmethan and Oldtown, County Dublin are both included in the AMBER area and will therefore included in the procurement process. Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.
Over 8,000 premises in County Dublin are within the AMBER area and will be covered by the State Intervention.
614. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grant schemes that are available through his Department or organisations funded by his Department for persons who live in houses and need improvement works carried out to improve the heating and insulation in their houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30523/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of grant schemes on behalf of my Department that help people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. As of the end of September 2016, these grant schemes have supported the upgrade of 327,504 homes in Ireland.
There are three key schemes and one pilot measure that are currently available to households:
- The Better Energy Homes scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER).
- The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the eligibility criteria. The measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation.
- The Better Energy Communities scheme supports community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of a range of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area. This year's scheme will provide for energy efficiency upgrades to more than 2,600 homes and almost 300 community and commercial facilities.
- Under the Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme healthcare professionals can refer patients living in Dublin 12 or 24 to SEAI for energy efficiency treatments in the similar manner to other medical treatments. A household is eligible to receive intervention if a person in the household aged over 55 is suffering from asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and if a member of the household is in receipt of the Fuel Allowance. This pilot scheme aims to demonstrate that energy efficiency improvements to the home can have a positive effect on health and wellbeing.
I have secured increased funding for these programmes for 2017 in the Estimates. With these resources, I anticipate that up to 30,000 more homes will receive energy efficiency upgrades in 2017, supporting some 3,000 jobs in the construction sector. Full details of all the schemes administered by SEAI are available from their website http://www.seai.ie/ or Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Wilton Park House, Wilton Park, Dublin, D02 T228.
616. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 5 October 2016, if he will identify the private operator that is servicing 65% of the site in question; the reason they are not covering the whole estate; if his Department will further engage with the operator to establish their plans to deliver high speed broadband to the whole estate; if the operator has no plans, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30793/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The procurement process aims to identify an entity or entities to build, roll-out, operate and deliver high speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload speeds to all premises within the intervention area. Last week, I announced that the three bidders in the procurement process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland under the National Broadband Plan intervention. Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30Mbps but up to 1Gbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is a solution that will endure for 25 years and beyond and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.
The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
High speed services that are rolled out in BLUE areas are done so on a commercial basis by telecommunications operators. Due to confidentiality agreements with the operators who supplied coverage data for the NBP mapping exercise, it is not possible to provide you with specific operator details in the areas, nor can I compel commercial operators to extend their coverage areas. I can however assure the Deputy that my Department is actively monitoring the High Speed Broadband map to ensure that any area which is not covered by the commercial sector, is covered in the State intervention.
617. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a detailed timeframe for the roll-out of the national broadband plan; if reports that some homes and businesses will not have connectivity until 2023 are accurate; and if the proposal for the rural roll-out of a fibre to the home solution will follow the same timeframe. [30805/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The procurement process aims to identify an entity or entities to build, roll-out, operate and deliver high speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload speeds to all premises within the intervention area. Last week, I announced that the three bidders in the procurement process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland under the National Broadband Plan intervention. Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30Mbps but up to 1Gbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is a solution that will endure for 25 years and beyond and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.
The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that those services are delivered.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county. Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.
The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network to the Intervention Area - over 750,000 premises in Ireland, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland. Since bidders were invited to participate in dialogue with the Department, there have been approximately 150 hours of meetings, with considerable more interaction to follow over the coming months.
Earlier this year, before I came into office, the Department announced that it would be June 2017 before contract(s) were awarded under the NBP. The bidders in the process have recently indicated that they may need more time to conclude the procurement process. The timing of each stage of the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team, and bidders, during the procurement process. Bidders need adequate time to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids and get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at key stages of the process. It is also important to ensure that risks in this multi-million euro procurement are carefully managed. I do not propose to comment any further at this juncture, given that discussions are ongoing in the procurement process. I can assure the Deputy however, that the procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century.
As part of the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated that it could take 3-5 years to roll-out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. It is however open to bidder(s) to suggest more aggressive timescales as part of their bids. As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out 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 roll-out plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed roll-out plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the roll-out of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
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 and mobile telecoms services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys in July 2016. The Taskforce will recommend practical actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland, working with Government Departments, Local Authorities, ComReg, State Agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The work of the task force will also assist Local Authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contract(s) are in place. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.
618. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the rolling out of fibre broadband along the L2026 from Droichead Bhaile an tSléibhe to the junction with the N25 in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30814/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming. The formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015.
The procurement process aims to identify an entity or entities to build, roll-out, operate and deliver high speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload speeds to all premises within the intervention area. Last week, I announced that the three bidders in the procurement process have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution for rural Ireland under the National Broadband Plan intervention. Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30Mbps but up to 1Gbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is a solution that will endure for 25 years and beyond and put Ireland to the forefront internationally in terms of connectivity.
The High Speed Broadband Map, 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 previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.
Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.
Over 17,800 premises in County Waterford are within the AMBER area and will be covered by the State Intervention, including the area between Droichead Bhaile an tSléibhe to the junction with the N25 in Waterford. This area will therefore be included in the procurement process.
The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network to the over 750,000 premises in Ireland, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland.
In parallel, 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 and mobile telecoms services. These investments will further improve the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys in July 2016. The Taskforce will recommend practical actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland, working with Government Departments, Local Authorities, ComReg, State Agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The work of the task force will also assist Local Authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contract(s) are in place. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.
619. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the north-west greeenway project which has been submitted to the SEUPB for funding under the INTERREG project on a partnership basis between Donegal County Council and Derry City Council; if he is committed to the co-funding requirement for this project; if his attention has been drawn to the status of the SEUPB funding in view of the UK decision to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30227/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that this project consists of a number of Greenways in the Northwest, including Derry to Muff, Derry to Buncrana and Lifford to Strabane. While the project has been the subject of an assessment process led by the Special EU Programmes Body, uncertainty surrounds the availability of EU funding as a consequence of the UK decision to leave the EU.
My officials are in ongoing discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which, as the Department responsible for overseeing Government's approach on this issue, are working to address the financial, legal and technical issues that arise to ensure that programme beneficiaries can be made robust offers of funding that will survive the impact of Brexit.
620. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department plans to give South Dublin County Council written approval to move to stage 3 of the Lucan swimming pool project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30231/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides for grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. There are four stages in the development of a project under the Local Authority Swimmimg Pool Programme, namely Preliminary Report, Contract Documents, Tender and Construction.
In January of this year, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, it was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP.
My Department wrote to SDCC in April 2016 advising the Council to undertake the Preliminary Report stage which includes the Feasibility Study, Appointment of Consultants for Preliminary Proposals and Design Brief. Documentation in this regard was received from SDCC in July and is currently under examination by my Department's technical advisor and my officials. In this regard, I have asked that this project would be prioritised in order to progress it to the next stage in the programme, i.e. the Contract Documents stage, as soon as possible.
621. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress on the N4 upgrade from Castlebaldwin to Collooney, County Sligo; the timeframe for tender, construction and completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30249/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.
The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects (such as the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
622. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if capital funding has been allocated for a new building (details supplied); if so, the total amount of funding which is being made available; the timeline for when the allocated funding is to be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30253/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo funding has been specifically allocated to a building project at Malin Head Rescue Coordination Centre, due to the fact that this project is in its infancy stage at present. I can confirm that my Department has submitted a request to OPW to renovate facilities at Malin Head. I am aware that the OPW is examining the feasibility of the site location and has a number of preliminary stage inspections to complete prior to commencing work on any detailed plans, which would ultimately inform funding requirements.
I am not in a position to anticipate the timeframe in relation to the completion of these inspections or the drafting of detailed plans.
623. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the NDLS has refused to renew a driving licence for a person (details supplied) despite the fact that the person provided the proof the NDLS requested in respect of their PPSN and later furnished a sworn affidavit through their solicitors affirming their name, address and the details of their PPSN as included on the application form and medical report; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the person has been driving for upwards of 58 years with a clear licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30261/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases.
I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
624. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when construction of the all-Ireland national indoor cycling velodrome will commence at the National Sports Campus, Abbotstown, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30264/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra626. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to advise when the planned all-Ireland national indoor cycling velodrome construction will commence at the National Sports Campus, in Abbotstown, Dublin. [30419/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 624 and 626 together.
I am advised that the next step for a proposed velodrome would be for Sport Ireland to undertake an appropriate financial appraisal, i.e. a Cost Benefit Analysis, in accordance with the Public Spending Code. Thereafter, any proposal to proceed would also be subject to the availability of capital funding.
625. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be greater capital investment in cycling as a mode of transport. [30268/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding of Smarter Travel Policy measures will be continued in 2017 with a particular focus on cycling and walking infrastructure in tandem with soft measures such as mobility management initiatives to support sustainable transport and travel.
Funding for Cycle Right, the new cycling standard for training of our young people will commence in 2017 and this will target training in our schools and will assist in further increasing the numbers cycling for education, work and leisure.
Furthermore my Department is developing a new strategy to set out a cohesive and forward-looking approach to the development, funding and promotion of greenways which will help inform our input into the mid-term review of the Capital Plan. I will be seeking additional multi-annual funding for cycling infrastructure as part of that review.
627. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend the existing Dangan/Clooney bus service in County Clare by two kilometres to Quin village, in order to accommodate the 32 children who are currently car-pooling from Quin to attend a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30482/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom enquiries made it would appear that the existing service referred to by the Deputy is a school transport service and therefore any question about amending that service is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.
628. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 5 October 2016, the action he will take and-or the provisions in place; his views on whether the cost benefit analysis submitted by Sport Ireland regarding phase 2 of the national indoor arena determines the project to be not viable; if there is any other sporting organisation lined up to take on a role in the process if the partnership agreement in place between Sport Ireland and a sporting organisation (details supplied) fails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30571/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has reviewed the Cost Benefit Analysis submitted by Sport Ireland and has found that further work would be required on the Cost Benefit Analysis to ensure compliance with the Public Spending Code. I will shortly be reverting to Sport Ireland with detailed comments.
The Partnership Agreement in place between Sport Ireland and the organisation mentioned by the Deputy is a matter for Sport Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to whether it has engaged with any other organisation in the event that the existing agreement fails to proceed.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
629. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to next meet the CEO and chairperson of the Road Safety Authority to discuss the rise in the number of road deaths; if there are revised new RSA strategies to combat this rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30772/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI meet the CEO of the Road Safety Authority on a regular basis and my officials meet her on a monthly basis to discuss corporate governance and road safety issues. I met the chairperson of the RSA, together with its CEO, to discuss the RSA's corporate strategy and road safety issues on 25 July 2016.
While Road fatalities in 2015 at 162, matched those in 2012, making it Ireland's joint safest year on record, the reality is that each of those deaths is one too many, and there has been an overall upward trend in road fatalities in Europe and in the US over the last few years and in Ireland to date this year.
I will be meeting the CEO of the RSA and all relevant stakeholders next month, following a meeting of stakeholders to carry out a mid-term review of the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020. The focus of this review is on the measures already introduced and the initiatives required to improve the country's road safety performance. The Ministerial Committee on Road Safety next month will focus on the rise in fatalities in 2016 and will explore what further measures can be taken to address these including in the light of the mid-term review.
I hope that the launch by the RSA of a number of new road safety campaigns including regarding low-level speeding, alcohol and driving, and a new seat-belt campaign combined with high visibility speed enforcement activities by An Garda Síochána focused on National "Slow-Down" day next weekend, on the November Bank Holiday and the Christmas road safety campaign in December 2016 will have an impact on road safety for the remainder of 2016.
630. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full year cost if the subvention allocated to Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann increased by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last available full year figures for subvention allocated to the three Companies are from 2015 when the total amount of money made available amounted to €209million. Included in that amount is €19m that was paid to Iarnród Eireann's Infrastructure management business under changes made in accordance with EU law.
The full year cost of a 10% increase in those figures would be approximately €21m.
As the Deputy is aware, in last week's Budget I was able to announce €31m increases to PSO subvention funding and rural transport programme funding for next year. The allocation of funding is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the NTA will decide upon 2017's exact allocation to each operator in the coming weeks.
However, I expect next year's additional money will provide for much needed improvements to public transport services such as -
- Rolling out 10 minute DART services;
- Extending Kildare Line commuter rail services through the Phoenix Park Tunnel and into the heart of the city;
- Maintaining progress with the bus market opening competitions.
It is clear that this increase in PSO funding is a welcome one and one which will assist the NTA and the operators in their delivery of services for next year.
631. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding available in the capital plan for 2017 for the road upgrade of the Grange Castle business park; the timeline for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30823/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including the upgrade of the road network at Grange Castle business park, is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority, that is South Dublin County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The timeframe for project delivery is, therefore, a matter for the Council.
My Department is providing grant support for this project and is liaising with South Dublin County Council on project implementation. The 2017 allocation for the project will be decided in the context of overall grant allocations for next year.
632. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the funding he is providing for 110 buses for the Dublin region fleet in 2017 is for new and additional buses or if it is to replace existing older buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30824/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and for securing the provision of Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services.
Under the Public Transport Capital Investment programme, funding is provided annually for the renewal of the PSO bus fleet. The bus replacement programme will ensure a modern, reliable, comfortable and accessible PSO fleet and help reduce the average age and associated maintenance costs of the fleet.
As part of Budget 2017, I announced that funding would be provided next year that will facilitate the purchase of 110 new buses for the PSO bus fleet for the Dublin region. This will allow for replacement of older vehicles and will also cater for increased demand. The extent to which these buses will be used to replace older vehicles or to expand the current PSO fleet will be determined by the NTA taking account of demand.
633. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role he and his Department have in providing transport for children who are in emergency accommodation, including hotels; the arrangements being put in place; when those services will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30876/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July this year Government approved the publication of the "Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness". Within the Action Plan there is an objective to support homeless families with child dependents. One of the action items under that objective is provide access to free public transport for family travel and for school journeys.
The Action Plan assigns 'ownership' of that action across a number of agencies and Departments - Túsla, the HSE, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
In line with the approved actions listed in the Action Plan it is those assigned agencies and Departments who are providing the lead role in fulfilling Government's objective to support homeless families with child dependents, including in relation to the issue of transport. Neither I nor my Department have a direct role in this action.
634. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be a sports capital grant allocation in 2017; the amount this allocation will be; and when the grant applications will open. [30881/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. The most recent rounds of the programme were in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
As was confirmed in last week's 2017 Estimates Statement, a new round of the Sports Capital Programme will be open for applications in January with the announcement of allocations expected later in 2017. I expect to announce more details in this regard shortly.
