Written Answers Nos. 302-318
302. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on reported labour shortages in the dairy sector; the policy steps being taken to deal with this by the Government; his views on the number of graduates from agriculture colleges actively seeking employment in the dairy industry; the steps being taken to alleviate this by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5184/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the issues facing the entire farming sector, particularly dairy, in relation to the impact of the availability of sufficiently skilled labour. The ambitious growth targets for the sector laid out in Food Harvest 2020(FH2020) and Food Wise 2025 (FW2025) will require the availability of a dynamic and adequately skilled labour force in order to come to fruition. The tightening situation in the dairy sector is of course influenced by the broader economy and the increasing competition for labour from other sectors.
The expansion of the dairy sector, as envisaged in FH2020 and FW2025 is resulting in a continuous increase in the numbers of cows being milked by individual farmers. The general rule is that a single labour unit can handle 80-100 cows effectively. The increase in cow numbers is causing a demand for additional personnel. However the lack of people with the necessary skills to work and manage these dairy farms has the potential to hinder development in the sector.
My Department has formulated a number of responses to this, including the commissioning of Teagasc to conduct research into the factors affecting the labour shortage in the dairy sector in order to inform the development of the necessary interventions. I intend to have the Teagasc findings discussed at the Dairy Forum in the near future with all stakeholders.
My Department also co-funds a milking skills training course run by Teagasc and Farm Relief Services aimed at providing the necessary skills to ensure efficient milking on an expanded scale. I have recently met with Farm Relief Services to discuss their concerns in relation to the shortage of labour in the sector and my officials are meeting them to review the milking skills course in the near future.
Current data from Teagasc shows that the number of graduates from Agricultural Colleges actively seeking employment in the dairy industry is lower than might be expected. Teagasc is keeping this issue under continuous review.
303. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of commonage farmers by county in tabular form; the total number of commonage farmers who have applied to GLAS 1, 2 and 3; the total number of commonage farmers who have had their applications processed by county; the total number of commonage farmers by county who have received and not received GLAS payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5185/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out (i) the total number of commonage farmers by county, (ii) the total number of commonage farmers approved in GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 and the total number of commonage farmers that have applied to GLAS 3, (iii) the total number of commonage farmers that have received a 2015 or 2016 GLAS payment, (iv) the total number of commonage farmers that have not yet received a GLAS payment.
|
County |
Total number of Commonage Farmers by county |
Total number of GLAS 1 Commonage Farmers that have had their applications approved by county |
Total number of GLAS 2 Commonage Farmers that have had their applications approved by county |
Total number of Commonage Farmers that have applied to GLAS 3 by county |
Total number of GLAS Commonage Farmers that have received a GLAS Payment |
Total number of Commonage Farmers that have not received a GLAS payment |
|
Carlow |
173 |
53 |
25 |
27 |
70 |
8 |
|
Cavan |
139 |
23 |
23 |
32 |
36 |
10 |
|
Clare |
384 |
85 |
55 |
75 |
109 |
31 |
|
Cork |
1,002 |
324 |
250 |
139 |
490 |
84 |
|
Donegal |
2,730 |
664 |
485 |
629 |
928 |
221 |
|
Dublin |
45 |
12 |
0 |
4 |
12 |
0 |
|
Galway |
2,674 |
690 |
391 |
427 |
857 |
224 |
|
Kerry |
1,923 |
604 |
404 |
268 |
845 |
163 |
|
Kildare |
58 |
5 |
14 |
14 |
11 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
36 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
12 |
1 |
|
Laois |
106 |
16 |
11 |
20 |
21 |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
487 |
138 |
99 |
109 |
199 |
38 |
|
Limerick |
58 |
16 |
5 |
9 |
18 |
3 |
|
Longford |
62 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
15 |
4 |
|
Louth |
168 |
36 |
32 |
16 |
36 |
32 |
|
Mayo |
3,284 |
797 |
613 |
704 |
1,100 |
310 |
|
Meath |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
40 |
1 |
5 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
157 |
31 |
21 |
18 |
45 |
7 |
|
Sligo |
486 |
111 |
86 |
97 |
168 |
29 |
|
Tipperary |
321 |
93 |
57 |
27 |
108 |
42 |
|
Waterford |
180 |
64 |
27 |
23 |
72 |
19 |
|
Westmeath |
25 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wexford |
96 |
34 |
6 |
17 |
38 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
338 |
68 |
68 |
69 |
93 |
43 |
|
14,987 |
3,884 |
2,692 |
2,745 |
5,287 |
1,289 |
The first payment due to GLAS 3 approved farmers is for the 2017 scheme year.
All applications have now been processed and applications that have successfully completed the prepayment checks have gone for payment. Applications that have yet to successfully complete the required prepayment checks are actively being worked on by officials in my Department with a view to issuing payment as early as possible.
304. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of commonage farmers who have completed a commonage management plan, CMP, by county in tabular form; the total number of commonage farmers who have not completed a CMP; the total amount of commonage farmers who have received GLAS payments to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5186/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe deadline for submission of final Commonage Management Plans (CMP) for GLAS is 1 September 2017 to facilitate the inclusion of commonage farmers in the third tranche of the Scheme (GLAS 3) in these plans.
In respect of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 2016 payments an interim CMP provision was put in place to support payment of the GLAS commonage action pending the submission of final complete CMPs in 2017.
The following table below sets out (i) the number of commonage farmers approved into GLAS in the first two tranches of the Scheme (GLAS 1 and GLAS 2) and that will be required to complete a CMP and (ii) the number of commonage farmers that have, to date, received a GLAS payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
My Department is actively working on outstanding cases with a view to resolving all issues as quickly as possible and as cases pass all the required validation checks they will be processed for payment.
|
County |
Total number of Commonage Farmers approved in GLAS and are required to complete a CMP |
Total number of GLAS 1 Commonage Farmers that have received a payment for 2016 |
Total number of GLAS 2 Commonage Farmers that have received a payment for 2016 |
Total number of GLAS Commonage Farmers that have received a payment for 2016 |
|
Carlow |
78 |
39 |
18 |
57 |
|
Cavan |
46 |
17 |
13 |
30 |
|
Clare |
140 |
55 |
29 |
84 |
|
Cork |
574 |
218 |
170 |
388 |
|
Donegal |
1,149 |
414 |
277 |
691 |
|
Dublin |
12 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
|
Galway |
1,081 |
355 |
196 |
551 |
|
Kerry |
1,008 |
406 |
251 |
657 |
|
Kildare |
19 |
3 |
6 |
9 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
8 |
3 |
11 |
|
Laois |
27 |
12 |
6 |
18 |
|
Leitrim |
237 |
99 |
66 |
165 |
|
Limerick |
21 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
|
Longford |
19 |
9 |
6 |
15 |
|
Louth |
68 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1,410 |
468 |
317 |
785 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
6 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
52 |
25 |
14 |
39 |
|
Sligo |
197 |
75 |
58 |
133 |
|
Tipperary |
150 |
46 |
18 |
64 |
|
Waterford |
91 |
30 |
9 |
39 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
40 |
28 |
6 |
34 |
|
Wicklow |
136 |
44 |
25 |
69 |
|
6,576 |
2,368 |
1,493 |
3,861 |
305. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of commonages under GLAS 1 and 2 that have no planner approved to complete a commonage management plan by county in tabular form; the total number of commonages under GLAS 1 and 2 that have been approved a planner to complete a commonage management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5187/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out on a county by county basis, the number of commonages under GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 where an approved GLAS Commonage advisor has been assigned and also the number of commonages where no advisor has been assigned.
The commonages that have yet to be assigned an advisor are currently being dealt with by GLAS Officials with the intention of appointing advisors as soon as possible. The Department has contacted the GLAS shareholders on these commonages directly to facilitate the processing of their 2016 GLAS payments.
An interim solution in the form of interim Commonage Management Plans has been put in place to facilitate the inclusion of GLAS 3 participants in the process, with full Commonage Management Plans to be submitted by September 2017.
|
County |
Total number of commonages under GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 that have been approved a planner |
Total number of Commonages under GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 that have no planner approved |
|
Carlow |
22 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
29 |
0 |
|
Clare |
64 |
0 |
|
Cork |
250 |
3 |
|
Donegal |
574 |
13 |
|
Dublin |
7 |
0 |
|
Galway |
391 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
421 |
19 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
0 |
|
Laois |
15 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
110 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
10 |
0 |
|
Longford |
7 |
0 |
|
Louth |
22 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
541 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
25 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
100 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
66 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
43 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
16 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
70 |
0 |
|
2,794 |
35 |
306. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to facilitate all commonage farmers who wish to submit an application to GLAS by the extended deadline in view of the fact planners have encountered difficulties logging into the online system or completing commonage management plans as is mandatory under the scheme; if he will ensure that no delay to payments will occur in view of the fact the issues being encountered are beyond the control of commonage farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5188/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no extended deadline for the submission of GLAS 3 applications for commonage or any other farmers.
The deadline for the submission of Commonage Management Plans (CMPs) for farmers who have submitted a GLAS application was extended to 1 September 2017 to allow adequate time for inclusion of GLAS Tranche 3 applicants in the preparation and completion of the CMPs.
In respect of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 2016 payments to commonage farmers I put in place interim CMP provisions and commonage farmers who signed up to interim CMPs for all of their commonages and who have passed all of the scheme pre-payment validation checks have been paid. My Department is reviewing applications which have not yet passed all validations and once resolved these cases will be processed for payment.
307. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of suckler beef farmers per county in tabular form; the number of suckler farmers enrolled in the BDGP, beef data and genomics programme, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5189/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not yet available but is currently being compiled. It will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as it is finalised.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
308. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in each county that have suckler cows broken down by herd size, zero to ten, 11 to 20, and so on, in tabular form; the number of farmers broken down on the same basis that have applied for the beef data and genomics scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5190/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not yet available but is currently being compiled. It will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as it is finalised.
309. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5215/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named has been approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.
The first payment due to GLAS 3 participants is in respect of the 2017 scheme year and processing of such payments will commence towards the end of the year.
310. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and any Minister of State under his Department use a personal e-mail account for work purposes; the security controls that are in place for the use of personal e-mail accounts for Department related business; if his Department has a policy on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to note that my official business is carried out in the main through secure official email accounts. As confirmed previously, I have occasionally used my personal Gmail account for official correspondence. There is currently no policy preventing members of Government from using personal accounts for official business. However this situation is under review and I intend to follow any recommendations emerging from that review. Minister of State Doyle conducts official business through his secure official email accounts.
311. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Acts, or sections or other provisions of Acts, coming wholly or partly under the auspices of his Department, or for the commencement of which his Department is wholly or partly responsible, which are not in force and which require the future making of a commencement order; if, in each case, it is intended to make such an order; if so, when; the reason for the failure to make such an order to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table.
|
Act |
Section Not Commenced |
Reason |
|
Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 |
18 12 |
Pending commencement of the Forestry Act 2014 Pending resolution of operational issues |
|
Forestry Act 2014 |
Whole Act |
The regulations necessary to facilitate the commencement of the Act are complete. A technical issue in relation to one element of the Act is close to being resolved and the intention is to commence the Act within the first quarter of this year. |
|
Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 |
Parts 5 & 12 |
Parts 5 & 12 on Health Levies and Marts provide for future changes to two existing schemes. Until new legislation in this area is both needed and ready to replace the existing one there is no need to commence. |
|
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 |
13 |
No plans at present for commencement. |
|
Sea Fisheries & Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 |
98 |
The systems and conditions in place for licensing sea fishing boats are considered adequate. |
312. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to alleviate local concerns over the planning of forestry and planting in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraForestry makes a valuable contribution to the economic, social and environmental well being of County Leitrim. According to the national forest inventory 16.7% of Leitrim is under forestry, 27% of which is broadleaf. In 2016 alone forestry payments worth over €2.6m were paid by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to over 300 landowners with Leitrim addresses, 70% of whom were farmers. Over 400 farmers living in Leitrim see forestry as an option for them and have participated in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s afforestation scheme.
In terms of forest planning the afforestation scheme already includes a number of measures that take into account local concerns. Proposals to plant trees under this scheme are subject to rigorous checks and balances and undergo careful planning by professional foresters. Notice of all applications for afforestation is placed on the Department’s website showing townland, area of site etc. In addition, the Department publishes notices in local newspapers where applications are made for afforestation in sensitive high-risk areas such as within a NHA, SAC, SPA or National Park or within a prime scenic area in the county development plan. In addition to these measures site notices will also be a requirement at the proposed entrance to the site once the new Forestry Act is commenced. Environmental concerns have been further addressed with the Department's recent Environmental Requirements document. These rules introduce, in certain circumstances, new setbacks and increases in some existing setbacks, in order to deliver more focused protection of water quality.
313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of laboratory services to meet the needs of all sectors including beef, equine, swine and poultry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5299/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe facilities at the central laboratory complex in Backweston and at regional laboratories are capable of meeting the vast majority of my Department’s analytical and diagnostic requirements. While DAFM Laboratories have the capability to carry out most of the tests in these areas, for cost efficient reasons, some low volume, highly specialised reference test methods that are periodically required are still outsourced to specialist centres. Examples of the type of tests still outsourced are the phage typing of bacteria and some confirmatory tests for toxins and chemical contaminants.
Amelioration works in one area, the category 4 containment laboratories, are in progress with a view to bringing that laboratory into operation. The building works are expected to be completed by May 2017 and, once commissioned for use, this containment laboratory will provide my Department with the additional containment facilities necessary to undertake testing for the presence of exotic animal diseases that may be introduced into Ireland.
Looking to the future, my Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of its Laboratory Services in order to develop a long-term strategy for the Laboratories and to build on the existing capability and expertise of the Service. The group considered both the Central Laboratory Complex at Backweston and the Regional Laboratories located in Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
1. Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities;
2. Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex;
3. Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories – with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers; and
4. Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning.
The Department is currently consulting with its laboratory-based staff on these recommendations and will proceed to consult with other stakeholders.
A decision on any of these recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In the case of the Regional Laboratories any decision will also be informed by a cost benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.
314. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a liaison person in his Department to whom public representatives can submit broadband queries on behalf of members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4986/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department welcomes queries from public representatives and members of the public in relation to the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and has a dedicated inbox, broadband@dccae.gov.ie, for this purpose. Queries received in relation to the NBP are then responded to by members of my Department’s NBP team. There is also helpful information on the NBP available through my Department’s website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
The National Broadband Plan aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
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 on the High Speed Broadband Map represent those areas where commercial telecommunications 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. Individuals can check whether their premises are in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
My Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all premises can get access to services. In this regard, direct feedback from consumers is important and if customers in these areas cannot access high speed broadband services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map and finalise this Intervention Area for bidders, taking into account any industry investments that have not materialised in Blue areas, along with new industry investments and concrete, commitments by industry for further new investments within the proposed State Intervention Area.
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. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The timeframe for 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. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to roll-out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. 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 a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Broadband/Pages/Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile 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 €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
315. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the funding for the intergenerational learning programme in DCU, Dublin City University, has been withdrawn; the total value of funding that has previously been allocated to the programme on an annual basis; the number of persons that benefitted from the programme; if his Department will consider reinstating the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not withdrawn funding in respect of the Intergenerational Learning Programme at DCU. The information sought regarding the funding of the Intergenerational Learning Programme and the numbers of persons that have benefitted from the Programme is a matter for DCU and not one in which I have a role.
Decisions regarding the operation and implementation of this programme are a matter for DCU. I understand from my officials that DCU is taking steps to restart its Intergenerational Learning Programme in the coming weeks.
316. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he is taking to speed up the rolling out of high-speed broadband into communities in which there is currently little or no service; if there is a timeframe on the urgent points identified in the implementation programme on the mobile telephone and broadband access document; if he will direct the broadband and mobile telephone service providers to extend connectivity to all households when they are working within an area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that service providers currently consider it acceptable to connect some households within an area and not others; the timeframe on the roll-out of high-speed broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5042/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he is taking to speed up the roll-out of high-speed broadband into communities in which there is currently little or no service; if there is a timeframe on the urgent points identified in the implementation programme on the mobile telephone and broadband access document; if he will direct the broadband and mobile telephone service providers to extend connectivity to all households when they are working within an area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that service providers currently consider it acceptable to connect some households within an area and not others; the timeframe on the roll-out of high-speed broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he will take to speed up the roll-out of high speed broadband into communities in which there is currently little or no service; the timeframe on the urgent points identified in the implementation programme on the mobile telephone and broadband access document; if he will direct the broadband and mobile telephone service providers to extend connectivity to all households when they are working within an area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that service providers currently consider it is acceptable to connect some households within an area and not others; the timeframe on the roll-out of high-speed broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5049/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 to 318, inclusive, together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband 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 a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
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 on the High Speed Broadband Map represent those areas where commercial telecommunications 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 are in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
The Eircode referred to by the Deputy falls within a BLUE area and is therefore expected to be covered by commercial operators.
The map currently indicates that 77% of the townland of Muchgrange falls within an AMBER area and will therefore will be included in the State Intervention procurement process under the NBP. The remaining 23% of Muchgrange falls within a BLUE area and is therefore expected to be covered by commercial operators.
The map also currently indicates that 100% of the townland of Annagh McCanns falls within an AMBER area and will therefore will be included in the State Intervention procurement process under the NBP.
While I cannot compel any operator to provide services to particular premises, the National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that all premises can access high speed broadband. My Department is therefore closely monitoring the roll-out of services in the BLUE area, including Dundalk. I would encourage consumers in Dundalk who cannot access high speed broadband services to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode, and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services. This information will assist the Department in keeping track of progress in those areas and following up if necessary.
My Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area including over 15,100 premises in Co. Louth, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland.
Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second. 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 timeframe for 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. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to roll-out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP.
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 a Partnership Government gave a commitment to establish a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to identify immediate solutions to broadband/mobile phone coverage deficits and to investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention (NBP).
The Taskforce, which I co-chaired with my colleague, Minister Humphreys, was established in July last year and published its report in December and is available on both our Departments' websites. The report can be accessed in my Department via the following link:http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
The Taskforce included representatives from across Government and agencies as well as engagement with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and the telecoms industry. ComReg participated on the Taskforce as an observer in order to provide advice and guidance in its capacity as the independent regulator of the telecommunications market.
The Taskforce met on approximately twenty occasions with a number of helpful initiatives emerging in the areas of planning, local authority engagement, and consumer information and engagement.
The report of the Taskforce and an Implementation Programme on Mobile Phone and Broadband Access, identifies 19 of the 40 actions contained in the report as areas where immediate and direct action by Government Departments and State Agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers.
The work of the Taskforce will also assist Local Authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contract(s) are in place.
Arrangements are now in place to deliver the Year 1 actions identified in the Implementation Programme.
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.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile 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 €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including County Louth.
