Alan Kelly
Ceist:295. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of fibre broadband provision for an area (details supplied). [10511/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Broadband Plan Implementation
Ceisteanna (295, 297)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:297. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the amber status in the broadband roll-out for the village of Knockavilla, County Tipperary, in view of the fact it suggests the number of houses in the area is too small to be included as a blue status area when, in reality, Knockavilla comprises numerous townlands (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 297 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.
There has been significant progress in relation to broadband rollout so that today, approximately 1.4m or 61% of premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector, which is continuing to expand this footprint.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE 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. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
Knockavilla, Oughterleague, Ballinamona, Ballygarrane, Ballywalter, Bishopswood, Clonaspoe, Clonkelly, Cumask, Killenure, Kilmore Lower, Kilmore upper and Lisloran are in the AMBER area. Dundrum, Donohill & Donaskeigh are in the BLUE area and so are in areas earmarked as commercial by commercial operators.
Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
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 (AMBER) Area. My Department will shortly update the High Speed Broadband map to finalise the Intervention Area for the Procurement process, taking into account industry investments that have not materialised in BLUE areas, together with new industry investments within the proposed State Intervention Area, along with concrete and credible commitments by industry for further new investments within the current 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 rollout 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 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 Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
Question No. 296 answered with Question No. 293.
Question No. 297 answered with Question No. 295.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (298)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:298. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10665/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The paper of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, entitled "Brexit's impact on gas markets", to which the Irish Times article refers, sets out a number of potential scenarios in relation to the gas market operation and security of supply, depending on what type of Brexit is negotiated between the EU and the UK. As the report suggests, the issue of security of supply is extremely important, and preserving the existing structures with the UK is the best way to ensure this security. In this regard, the continued secure trade in energy between the UK, and Ireland as part of the 27 Member States of the EU, is a priority for me.
To underpin the security of supply, Ireland has existing intergovernmental agreements with the UK in relation to trade in natural gas across the two interconnectors connecting Ireland with Scotland. In addition to these bilateral agreements, there are agreements and protocols in place between the transmission system operators in Ireland and Great Britain.
In addition, natural gas is now being provided to the Irish market from the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo. Prior to the advent of Corrib, over 95% of our gas was imported, via the two gas interconnectors, from Great Britain. In the short term, Corrib can meet over half of Ireland's gas demand. However, our gas import dependency is likely to increase again when Corrib depletes. It is important to emphasise that, after Brexit, Ireland will still be connected by the same gas interconnectors with the UK, and will still be importing gas from the UK.
The Oxford Institute report goes on to say that, if the existing arrangements with the UK, which is the cheapest way to provide security of supply to Irish consumers, are not preserved, an LNG regasification terminal might be needed. I agree that the potential benefits of importing LNG directly onto the island of Ireland, and also the role of natural gas storage, should be examined in the context of Brexit. However, LNG is just one of the options that will be considered to ensure our security of supply.
My Department has recently commenced the process of developing a report to identify options in order to ensure Ireland's resilience to a long-term gas and electricity disruption. This was partly prompted by the fact that, prior to Corrib, over 95% of our gas was coming from a single source - the UK. Although not impacting on the physical structures in place for the supply of gas, the emergence of Brexit is an additional factor that needs to be considered. Part of this report will identify potential options to improve resilience, including the potential for LNG, storage, interconnection and fuel diversification. All options, including LNG, will be given full consideration to ensure the best options, at least cost to the consumer, are identified.
Postal Codes
Ceisteanna (299)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:299. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in devising Eircode, the postcodes assigned to certain addresses around the country do not reflect the county the property is in but rather the county assigned to it by An Post in a postal distribution system based on the railway lines dating to the 19th century; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that many property owners are reluctant to use their postcode for this reason; his plans to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10717/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the use of the National Postcode System "Eircode".
All postal addresses, geographical addresses and geo-locations are provided to Eircode from authoritative sources, namely An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland through their subsidiary company An Post GeoDirectory.
Eircode does not change existing addresses and the Eircode can be added to the address normally used for the property. This address can be the most commonly used address, postal address or/and the geographical address. The free to use online Eircode Finder (https://www.eircode.ie/) provides both the geographical and postal addresses for properties in the state.
Increasing numbers of the public are looking-up Eircodes on the Eircode Finder, which remains very popular, with just under 10 million searches since the finder went live at launch. Because Eircode helps provide speedier access to care, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) actively encourages people who are seeking an emergency ambulance to have their Eircode available and pass it on to the call taker to ensure an ambulance can quickly and accurately be routed to someone in need of medical help. In addition, Google now integrate Eircodes within their Google Maps app.
While An Post uses the postal address to effect postal deliveries, property owners can simply append the Eircode to whatever form of address they normally use.
Wild Atlantic Way Project
Ceisteanna (300, 301)
Noel Grealish
Ceist:300. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the impact of a foreshore application (details supplied) on the Wild Atlantic Way route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10518/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNoel Grealish
Ceist:301. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether an application (details supplied) for a foreshore lease may have a negative impact on present and future tourism jobs and enterprise opportunities on the Wild Atlantic Way route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.
While overall responsibility for the application referred to in the Deputy's question rests with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, commissioned an assessment of the proposed Galway Bay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site at Spiddal, Co. Galway, to determine the potential impacts of the proposed development on tourism amenity.
It is the policy of Fáilte Ireland to support the development of sustainable and renewable energy generation facilities at appropriate locations and in accordance with proper planning and development. The assessment found that, in relation to changed views of Galway Bay, these impacts are not significantly different from the existing activities which take place in this working bay, and that there is unlikely to be any significant negative impact on tourism in the area arising from the current proposal.
Fáilte Ireland has also made a number of recommendations with regard to the conditions that would apply to any foreshore consent.
Cycling Policy
Ceisteanna (302)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:302. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected increase in the number of children cycling to school he estimates will result from the Cycle Right initiative; if he or his officials have explored the idea of introducing a scheme for bike purchases for children whereby parents could claim tax relief in a scheme similar to the cycle to work initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10572/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2014 my Department engaged Cycling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard which would ensure a standardised level of cycle training around the country. The new standard Cycle Right which was launched in January, 2017 will be rolled out during 2017 to as many primary schools as funding allows. I am confident that this new cycle training, which includes an on-road element will result, over time, in an increase in the number of children choosing to cycle to and from school. It is not possible to provide an estimate of children who will continue to cycle to school but it is expected that between 12,000 to 15,000 children will avail of the training in 2017.
Cycling Ireland will administer and manage the Cycle Right scheme registration and will maintain a web-based public register of qualified and approved Cycle Right providers (www.cycleright.ie). My Department has also allocated €350,000 for the purpose of subsidising participating schools for the cost of the training which will also be funded by parental and local authority contributions. I understand that the Road Safety Authority are also contributing significant funding towards this initiative.
The Cycle to Work Scheme is a Department of Finance initiative and so any consideration of a possible expansion of the scheme to school children with tax relief accruing to parents is a matter for that Department.
Cycling Facilities Funding
Ceisteanna (303)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:303. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the transport budget he allocated directly to the cycling scheme and-or initiatives in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10573/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Details are set out in the following table of the funding amounts drawn down in 2015 and 2016 under the various programmes administered both directly by my Department and by the National Transport Authority (NTA) that provide infrastructural and behavioural change measures to support cycling.
Under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme, my Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) for the implementation of sustainable transport measures that includes cycling and walking infrastructure. My Department also provides funding to the NTA for works and measures in the Regional Cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford to support cycling.
Funding was also provided for National Cycle Network (Greenways), Smarter Travel Areas, Active Travel Towns, Green Schools, mobility management programmes and for the development of the new national cycle standard - Cycle Right. These are contained within the Smarter Travel heading in the table.
As the Deputy will be aware, a mid-term review of the Capital Plan is taking place and I intend to seek additional funding for cycling and other sustainable transport measures as part of that review.
|
Programme |
2015 (€m) |
2016 (€m) |
|
Smarter Travel |
19.7 |
11.47 |
|
Sustainable Transport Measures GDA |
25.41 |
21.59 |
|
Sustainable Transport Measures Regional Cities |
10.70 |
12.97 |
|
Total |
55.81 |
46.03 |
The total capital funding allocated for Public Transport and Sustainable Transport in 2015 and 2016 was €358.7m and €366.47m respectively, with increased funding to public transport in that year. The percentage of the total Public and Sustainable Transport budget spent on the sustainable transport programmes above was 15.5% in 2015 and 12.5% in 2016. The total capital allocation for land transport was €870m in 2015 and €977m in 2016.
Cycling Facilities Provision
Ceisteanna (304)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:304. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures in place to ensure local authorities designing cycle routes comply with the National Cycle Manual (details supplied). [10603/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Cycle Manual has been prepared by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in order to guide planners and engineers in their work to improve cycling provision in urban areas. The National Cycle Manual is available at https://www.cyclemanual.ie.
In relation to Greenways and rural cycling infrastructure, local authorities receiving funding from my Department are instructed to follow TII Standard DN-GEO-03047 where applicable and to notify my Department where any deviations to the Standard are necessary.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Railway Stations
Ceisteanna (305)
Robert Troy
Ceist:305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the most recent feasibility study into the reopening of Killucan railway station was carried out; and his views regarding the potential and likelihood of same. [10636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the rail network and stations on the network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance, including any relevant feasibility studies.
Iarnród Éireann remains in a challenging position financially and has limited resources of its own available to fund new projects. The company has not made any proposal to my Department regarding Killucan station and the reopening of the station is not included in the public transport projects under the Government's current Capital Plan.
The first priority under the Capital Plan is to ensure the maintenance of our existing transport infrastructure at steady state levels so that it remains safe and fit for purpose. Present funding allocations should see steady state levels of maintenance by 2020. In view of the current constraints on funding, the priority for the heavy rail network under the Plan is to improve efficiency and maintain safety standards, rather than expanding the network, opening new stations or re-opening existing stations.
The Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan this year will take stock of progress and provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, including in the transport sector, taking economic growth and fiscal progress into account.
There would be many competing demands within the Public Transport Sector if additional funds were to become available arising from the mid-term review. All projects would be subject to robust analysis and would require strong business cases to justify their value and demonstrate how they would significantly improve the public transport system.