Written Answers Nos. 709-26
709. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy and targets with regard to solar farms and solar energy output in view of the large increase in applications for solar energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17524/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. Analysis is on-going on the types of technologies to be included such as biomass, offshore and onshore wind, waste, and combined heat and power. This analysis also includes an assessment of the cost of supporting Solar Photovoltaics (PV) - both rooftop and ground-mounted. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy projects in Ireland. This builds on the 2015 Energy White Paper and recognises that solar has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland's energy future.
The new scheme design requires detailed economic analysis on the viability and cost effectiveness of supporting several renewable technologies at various scales. Once this analysis is complete, my Department will publish a public consultation on the design of the new support scheme. There will be many decisions to be made on this scheme with regard to scale, technologies and – in particular – how communities will have a greater involvement than in previous schemes. Following the outcome of this public consultation, and before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and state aid clearance from the European Commission. Subject to this, it is expected that the new scheme will become operational in the first half of 2018.
I am fully aware of the level of interest in the solar PV sector in Ireland. I am advised that there have been over 550 applications, amounting to about 3,900 Megawatts of solar capacity, seeking a connection to the electricity grid in the last 18 months.
Notwithstanding the level of solar applicants seeking connection to the grid, my stated position is that while solar has a role to play in Ireland’s energy future, we cannot have a situation where a new support scheme leads to a disproportionate increase in people’s electricity bills through the Public Service Obligation levy. In designing the new RESS, the cost implications for people and businesses will, therefore, be a high priority.
710. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will sanction the public commercial draft net licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17550/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
IFI manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon. IFI is supported in its management role by the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC), comprising scientists from a range of organisations. Scientific and management assessments of each stock are carried out every year with IFI engaged in an extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the scientific committee's annual reviews.
Following scientific assessment and management advice, the surplus (if any) available in each river is established for the forthcoming fishing season so that it may be apportioned between anglers and commercial fishermen where a commercial fishery exists.
As each stock is assessed annually, the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order is enacted each year and sets out, in line with the conservation imperative, the maximum number of public draft net licences that are available to fishermen, for the forthcoming season, in each of the specific Fishery Districts where a commercial fishery exists.
The Order also authorises the issue of commercial fishing licences by IFI and sets out the clear criteria under which those licences may be issued. The maximum number of licences available in the Kerry District is 14 for the 2017 season. This has been the case each year since the 2011 season.
711. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of the 58 recommendations of a review of the Environmental Protection Agency of May 2011 that are fully, partially and yet to be implemented, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Environmental Protection Agency was completed in 2011 and found that the EPA overall has provided ‘considerable benefit for Ireland’s environment and for the health and well-being of its people.' The assessment of the EPA was structured under a number of themes including:
- Governance,
- Internal Structure and Resources;
- Licensing and Enforcement;
- Assessment and Monitoring;
- Environmental Research and Information;
- Relationship with Stakeholders; and
- Legislative Framework.
An Action Plan was developed to consider and address the 58 recommendations contained in the Review. An Implementation Report was published in 2014 and is still available on the EPA website. This Report outlines the follow up actions taken by 2014 in relation to each of the 58 recommendations. It shows that 43 of the recommendations were fully completed, with the remaining 15 “in progress”.
The recommendations remaining are generally more complex or rolling in nature, some with a variety of possible solutions, and/or require further consultation and possibly primary legislation. Furthermore, in the case of a small number of these recommendations, on fuller consideration of the potential implications of their implementation on the effectiveness of the EPA to carry out its important statutory functions, or where practical or technical issues have been identified, it is not proposed to implement them at this time.
I have asked my department and the EPA to prepare a short report on the outstanding recommendations which I will furnish to the Deputy as soon as possible.
712. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a fibre broadband solution be provided at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17597/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
On 4 April, I signed a commitment agreement with eir in relation to their plans to provide broadband to an additional 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Eir has committed to doing this work over the next 90 weeks, an average of 500 premises passed per day. My Department will be monitoring this rollout to ensure that they meet their obligations under the Agreement. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my website www.dccae.gov.ie.
On the same day I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie., and which finalises the State Intervention area. The updated Map shows the following categories of areas for delivery of broadband:
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
It is intended that all premises will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The eircode referred to by the Deputy falls within a BLUE area where eir is planning to deliver high speed broadband by the end of 2018. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
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 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 rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP once contracts are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded.
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 and a prioritisation programme.
713. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be allocated an Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17709/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapita Business Support Services Ireland was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop and implement the National Postcode System "Eircode".
Capita, trading as Eircode, allocates Eircodes on a quarterly basis to residential and commercial properties within the State. As the case referred to by the Deputy relates to a non-unique address, the person concerned should contact Eircode directly by phone on 0818 300 015, e-mail: hello@eircode.ie or post to Block C, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 F854.
714. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position in respect of air quality standards regulation in respect of whether these apply or if some other regulations apply in relation to the pollution that comes from aircraft flying over the country in view of the increased numbers of these for persons that live in the fly paths and the impact it can have on the air quality in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17719/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegulations which set the standards for limiting harmful air pollutant emissions from aircraft, are covered in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 16 Volume II. These regulations are implemented and enforced in the EU via Regulation (EC) No 216 of 2008, within the framework of the work of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In addition, the EU Aviation Emissions Trading Scheme (DIRECTIVE 2003/87) is implemented in Ireland by SI 490 of 2012.
As regards the climate effects of aircraft emissions, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the main EU tool for bringing about reductions in aviation greenhouse gas emissions associated with flights within its own administrative area. The International Civil Aviation Organisation has agreed to develop a global market based measure to address international aviation, aiming to stabilise international aviation emissions at 2020 levels. The first phase of this mechanism, which the EU and its Member States intend to apply, will operate on a voluntary inclusion basis.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from the monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network. The results of this monitoring which can be found in the EPA’s Air Quality in Ireland 2016 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality. This latest report and previous years’ reports as well as a recent public consultation document are available on their website: www.epa.ie. Emissions from aircraft have not been identified as negatively impacting on air quality standards in Ireland in any reports from the EPA to date.
Periodically some concerns are expressed about the condensation trails which can be seen from aircraft. I am not aware of any credible information or evidence that the trails from aircraft passing over Ireland are anything other than normal condensation trails, referred to as “contrails”, the appearance of which is known to vary according to atmospheric conditions, and which have no observable impact on air quality or human health.
715. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the progress of the tender for the national emergency 999 service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17743/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe contract for a new Emergency Call Answering Service Operator is subject to a procurement process which commenced on 15 April 2016. This procurement process is currently on-going and is being conducted in accordance with the relevant national public procurement policy and European Union Directive 2004/18/EC.
716. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of a scheme (details supplied); the areas in which it is operational; and the steps he is taking to draw the attention of the general public to its existence. [17894/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Stay Warm savings scheme is run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. It makes €5 stamps available to the public through retail outlets. These stamps are collected in a savings booklet which can then be used to pay for all or part of a home heating bill. The aim of the scheme is to offer a convenient solution that helps householders to save towards the cost of their home heating bills.
My Department has committed to funding the scheme on a pilot basis for two years. As a pilot, it is operating in parts of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. In total, 70 retailers are selling stamps and promoting the scheme, with 55 fuel suppliers accepting the stamps as part or full payment for all deliveries. In Dublin, the stamps are available in the Finglas and Cabra areas, with 20 retailers and 12 fuel suppliers participating in the scheme in those areas. Informing the public is part of the work the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul do to run the scheme. I understand that this takes the form of advertisements in the local newspapers and on the local radio stations along with leaflets being circulated in the locations where the scheme is available. From a policy perspective, the scheme is included in the National Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty.
717. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of vacant buildings in his Department’s ownership or control; the locations of same; and the time they have been unoccupied in each case. [17918/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll property occupied by my Department is either leased by or owned by the Office of Public Works and my Department has no vacant buildings.
718. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when Milltownpass, County Westmeath, will be catered for in the recently announced broadband scheme. [17997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
On 4 April, I signed a commitment agreement with eir in relation to their plans to provide broadband to an additional 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Eir has committed to doing this work over the next 90 weeks, an average of 500 premises passed per day. My Department will be monitoring this rollout to ensure that they meet their obligations under the Agreement. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie.
On the same day I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The updated Map shows the following categories of areas for delivery of broadband:
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
It is intended that all premises will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map shows that 72% of Milltownpass in the townland of Miltown (Fartullagh By) falls within a BLUE area and will be covered by commercial operators while the remaining 28% is within the AMBER area and will require State Intervention. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
With the publication of the updated High Speed Broadband Map the State Intervention Area has now been finalised. 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 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 rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP once contracts are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded.
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 and a prioritisation programme.
719. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the World Health Organization protocol on monitoring food and beverage marketing to children via television and the Internet; if he will undertake work to quantify the extent and nature of children's exposure to marketing for HFSS foods (details supplied) via television and the Internet as per the protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18011/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the establishment of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) as the independent regulator responsible for the oversight of compliance in relation to broadcast content in the State. One of the objectives of the Authority, set out in Section 25(2)(f) of the Act is to protect the interests of children taking into account the vulnerability of children and childhood to undue commercial exploitation. As such, I, as Minister, have no role in developing or amending BAI codes on advertising.
Section 42 of the 2009 Act requires the BAI to draw up and from time to time revise Broadcasting Codes on the standards and practice to be observed by Broadcasters.
In this context, the BAI has drawn up the Children's Commercial Communications Code which it published in September 2013. In finalising its Code, the BAI included the principle that all children’s commercial communications for fast food products, outlets and/or brands must display an acoustic or visual message stating ‘should be eaten in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.
In addition, a Code of conduct for On-demand audiovisual media services has been developed by the On-Demand Audiovisual Services Group (ODAS). This group, under the auspices of the Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation (IBEC), comprises the Advertisers Association of Ireland, the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland, the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland, and a representative group of Broadcasters, Telecommunication companies and other service providers.
The Code covers all on-demand audiovisual services made available under Irish jurisdiction and sets out the minimum standards required of service providers and provides for a complaint mechanism to the public.
720. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a scenario (details supplied) is correct in view of the passing of the Fianna Fáil Oireachtas motion concerning same and the stay currently imposed by the judicial review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18158/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe news article referred to by the Deputy outlines the Code of Practice drawn up by the ESB and IFA in 1985 and an agreement between the IFA and ESB Networks/EirGrid in 2009, which set out a framework for compensation payable to landowners for overhead transmission lines. In relation to the development of the North South Interconnector, three forms of payment were set out as part of the planning process. These are:
- landowner payments which apply to any lines placed across lands;
- proximity payments which apply to residential properties within 200 metres of the project; and
- a community fund for those areas in proximity to the project.
The section of the project in Ireland, which received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in December 2016, is currently the subject of judicial review proceedings. The planning process is still underway in Northern Ireland.
In light of the recent motions in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, my officials held meetings with representatives of the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign on 28 March and the Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee on 3 April in advance of the drafting of terms of reference for an updated independent study that will bring further clarity to the relative cost and technical merits of overhead and underground solutions for the North South Interconnector.
Construction of the project is not planned to commence before 2018 and I intend that this report be completed and published before the end of this year.
721. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total spend by ComReg in 2016 on outside legal services. [18164/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Commission of Communications Regulation (ComReg), an independent statutory body, established in 2002 under the Communications Regulation Act 2002. I have, however, sent the Deputy’s query to ComReg and I have asked it to reply directly.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
722. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a person (details supplied) is unable to access high-speed fibre broadband. [18171/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
On 4 April, I signed a commitment agreement with eir in relation to their plans to provide broadband to an additional 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Eir has committed to doing this work over the next 90 weeks, an average of 500 premises passed per day. My Department will be monitoring this rollout to ensure that they meet their obligations under the Agreement. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my website www.dccae.gov.ie.
On the same day I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie which finalises the State Intervention area. The updated Map shows the following categories of areas for delivery of broadband:
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
It is intended that all premises will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map shows that 68% of Castlelyons in the townland of Kill Saint Anne South in Cork falls within the AMBER area and will require State Intervention. The remaining 32% falls within the BLUE area and will be covered by commercial operators and includes 1% of premises where eir is planning to deliver high speed broadband by 2018. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
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 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 rollout a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP once contracts are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded.
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 and a prioritisation programme.
723. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the length of time he envisages the tender process taking in relation to the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra724. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to the recently published and updated high-speed broadband map, when the amber areas identified in County Louth will have access to high-speed Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18248/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra725. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will elaborate on his Department's short-term solution of providing wireless Internet service to those identified as amber areas in County Louth; the length of time this short-term measure is envisaged for; the areas in County Louth which will be covered; the organisation which will be providing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra726. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the length of time it will be before the network is rolled out in County Louth after the procurement process is completed. [18250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 723 to 726, 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.
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.
On the 4 April, I signed a commitment agreement with eir in relation to their plans to provide broadband to an additional 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Eir has committed to doing this work over the next 90 weeks, an average of 500 premises passed per day. My Department will be monitoring this rollout to ensure that they meet their obligations under the Agreement. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my website www.dccae.gov.ie.
On the same day I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. which finalises the State Intervention area. The updated Map shows the following categories of areas for delivery of broadband:
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
It is intended that all premises will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
There are c.60,000 premises in County Louth, of which approximately 8,700 premises are located in the AMBER area on the Map, and will require State Intervention. The remaining 51,300 premises are located in the BLUE area and will be served by commercial operators. Of the 51,300 premises, some 7,700 premises fall within eir’s plans to deliver high speed broadband by end of 2018. Further information of eir's planned rural deployment is available at a http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.
Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
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 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 once contracts are in place.
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 and a prioritisation programme.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded.
In this regard, I established the Task Force in July 2016 together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available at the following link:http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
In producing this report, the Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The report contains 40 actions that will alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland and the implementation programme on mobile phone and broadband access identifies 19 of these actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Departments and State agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers.
The work of the Task Force will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.
In order to maintain momentum, I, together with my colleague Minister Humphreys, have established an Implementation Group, which met for the first time on 8 March. This group will drive and monitor the implementation of the actions in the Task Force report, bringing together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery of actions. This group will formally report every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys. I am expecting the first such quarterly report in April, following the end of this quarter.
In addition, I have signed regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with a 2017 allocation of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz radio spectrum band. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.
In my Department's Estimates for 2017, I have secured an €8 million provision for RTE to allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to allocate this spectrum to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.
These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland and particularly in rural Ireland.
