Written Answers Nos. 1248-1265
1248. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of schools in receipt of the EU school milk scheme for each of the past five years at primary and secondary level; the number of students who received an allocation from the EU school milk scheme for each of the past five years at primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20826/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested regarding the EU School Milk Scheme is in the following tables.
The number of schools in receipt of the EU school milk scheme
|
School Type |
2015/16 |
2014/15 |
2013/14 |
2012/13 |
2011/12 |
|
Montessori |
11 |
20 |
98 |
95 |
103 |
|
National |
693 |
782 |
845 |
855 |
862 |
|
Secondary |
54 |
69 |
78 |
84 |
81 |
|
Special |
24 |
28 |
40 |
43 |
44 |
|
Total |
782 |
899 |
1061 |
1077 |
1090 |
The number of students that received an allocation from the EU school milk scheme for each of the past five years
|
School Type |
2015/16 |
2014/15 |
2013/14 |
2012/13 |
2011/12 |
|
Montessori |
596 |
1062 |
4707 |
4711 |
5405 |
|
Primary |
37702 |
41573 |
40723 |
41979 |
45006 |
|
Secondary |
2940 |
3670 |
3786 |
4129 |
4210 |
|
Special |
1306 |
1486 |
1944 |
2118 |
2276 |
1249. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of products that are provided here under the EU school milk scheme for each of the past five years in respect of the five heat-treated milk products under category 1 and category 2 of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20827/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information regarding the EU school milk scheme is in the following table:
|
School Year |
2015/16 |
2014/15 |
2013/14 |
2012/13 |
2011/12 |
|
Milk Cat I |
€538,649 |
€614,125 |
€650,320 |
€671,365 |
€714,653 |
|
Cheese Cat V |
€ 2,389 |
€ 2,887 |
€ 2,806 |
€ 2,721 |
€ 1,299 |
1250. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the digital hubs that exist here that are in receipt of public money; the location of same; the details of State funds received each year for the previous five years; the start-up costs for each one; and the capital and current costs of each on an annual basis. [19210/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) which was established under the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003 to support digital entrepreneurship through the creation of a cluster of enterprises focussed on digital content and technology. The Digital Hub project in Dublin commenced in 2000 with the establishment, on an interim basis, of Digital Media Development Limited. In establishing the Digital Hub, the State invested €73.6m in a portfolio of investment properties in 2001 and 2002, and a further €2.29m in broadband infrastructure.
The Digital Hub campus comprises a nine-acre site and the DHDA’s property portfolio consists primarily of protected structures, including vacant and derelict buildings which must be maintained pending their redevelopment. Over 50% of the campus has been developed and there are currently nine properties available to let to digital clients.
The DHDA meets its operational costs from a mix of Exchequer subvention and commercial income. A number of strategic digital initiatives undertaken by the DHDA have also been funded by my Department. In addition, it has received grant funding from sources other than my Department.
The following table sets out the Exchequer grant funding received by DHDA in each of the previous five years.
|
Year |
Exchequer Funding (Capital) |
Exchequer Funding (Current) |
Other Grants |
|
2012 |
€1.148m |
€2.067m |
|
|
2013 |
€0.323m |
€2.046m |
|
|
2014 |
€0.849m |
€1.774m |
|
|
2015 |
€0.72m |
€1.643m |
€0.02m |
|
2016 |
- |
€1.587m |
|
The DHDA is currently focussed on implementing its strategy which envisages a significant expansion of its office capacity through the development and refurbishment of its properties. It aims to increase commercial income with a view to eliminating reliance on the Exchequer, while simultaneously contributing to the major regeneration of the Dublin 8 area.
My Department also provided €20,000 in 2016 to the Ludgate Digital Hub in Co. Cork for a report relating to its approach to stimulating demand for high speed connectivity among citizens and businesses at a local level.
1251. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Ministers and their Departments that now have statutory responsibilities for the environment, detailing each of the statutory responsibilities. [19301/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1252. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Ministers that now have responsibilities relating to the environment; the exact responsibilities relating to the environment of each of those Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20381/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1251 and 1252 together.
Following the reorganisation of Departments in 2016, my Department took over responsibility for the following areas from the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government:
Environment Policy & Awareness;
Climate Policy;
EU and International Environmental Policy;
Waste Policy & Resource Efficiency;
Air Quality/Environmental Radiation Policy;
the Environment Advisory Unit.
Details are set out in the Climate Action and Environment (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2016, S.I. No. 393 of 2016.
Other Government Departments have responsibility for functions that could be broadly classified as "environmental functions". For example:
responsibility for water quality rests with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government; and
responsibility for biodiversity rests with the National Parks and Wildlife Services of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
1253. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the agreement he reached with waste management companies in relation to the introduction of a pay-by-weight system with regard to bin collection charges; if changes in the bin charges regime will be introduced in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20501/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1283. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if provision can be made in regard to one or two-person households at which waste collection would be required less frequently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20077/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1253 and 1283 together.
The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised system which encourages people to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste. This approach is in line with Government waste policy to reduce our reliance on landfill for waste disposal and will also facilitate the provision of a range of options for people to manage their waste costs.
1254. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the legal firms contracted to work for ComReg on a consultancy basis; and the amount in fees paid to them since 2013. [19145/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Commission for 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 for reply directly.
1255. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific projects funded in 2016 by SEAI under its better energy communities programme; the projects that were unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19161/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Communities (BEC) Scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme aims to support and encourage community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area. To date the scheme has supported the upgrade of more than 12,000 homes and several hundred shared community facilities, from sports clubs to community centres and childcare facilities.
In 2016, almost €20 million in grant support was awarded under this scheme to 35 community projects. An additional two projects which sought funding of less than €50,000 were funded. This provided for energy efficiency upgrades to more than 2,000 homes and 405 community and commercial facilities. The total investment in energy efficiency, including funding from local communities themselves, was almost €48 million, supporting an estimated 700 direct and indirect jobs across the country. There were 63 applications to the scheme in total.
The full list of successful projects is available on SEAI's website at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_Energy_Communities/BEC-projects-2016-Oct-revision.pdf.
This year, more than €26m in grant funding has been provided to 44 projects across the country. This funding will provide for energy efficiency upgrades to over 2,000 homes, of which 1,510 are energy poor, and a further 479 community, public and commercial facilities. The projects include a wide range of upgrades to building fabric, heating systems, lighting and solar heating. The total investment in energy efficiency is almost €67 million, supporting more than 1,000 jobs in the construction sector across the country.
I have set out for the Deputy's information details on every project that has received funding under this year's scheme. In total, 62 applications for funding were received under the scheme.
I would encourage all unsuccessful applicants to the scheme to contact SEAI directly for feedback on their application and how it could be improved for future iterations of the scheme. The team can be contacted at bec@seai.ie or call 01 808 2162.
In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
1256. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the new nitrogen oxide emissions test will be introduced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19168/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significant contributor to the rise in NOx emissions in recent years throughout the EU has been the higher than expected emissions from the new fleet of road vehicles, particularly diesel vehicles. Over time, discrepancies have come to light between the emissions recorded from vehicles during emissions testing and ‘real’ driving. The European Commission has introduced revisions to the test cycle to be more representative of emissions from the real-world driving experience (RDE). Ireland fully supports this approach and its early implementation. The EU position in this area is managed by the Technical Committee - Motor Vehicles. The Road Safety Authority, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is the agency attending that committee's meetings on behalf of Ireland. From 1 September 2017, the new RDE tests will be compulsory to determine whether a new car model is allowed to be put on the market. I am, of course, conscious of the links across different policy sectors. With this in mind, my Department recently undertook a public consultation on Ireland's first ever national Clean Air Strategy. The strategy will provide a framework for a formal set of cross-Government policies and actions to reduce harmful emissions from all sources, including transport, thereby improving our air quality and public health. I look forward to engaging with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and his Department, through the strategy formulation process, to identify all practical means of reducing emissions from the transport sector.
1257. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current stage of the tendering process for the national broadband plan. [19228/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1258. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a legal opportunity to seek the acceleration of the procurement process under the national broadband plan for the supply of high-speed broadband at this stage. [19229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1257 and 1258 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) represents a very significant capital investment project for the State and aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.
The Government’s Intervention Strategy is available on my Department's website at: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Ireland's-Broadband-Intervention-Strategy-update.aspx and sets out a detailed service specification including a requirement that the State-funded network must be capable of delivering high-quality, high speed broadband of at least 30 megabits per second download and 6 megabits per second upload, in addition to being future proofed.
On the 4th April, 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The 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.
The updated Map gives certainty to the bidders in terms of the State Intervention Area for the procurement process. This is an important milestone as it means that bidders can progress their business plans and the Department can move to the next stage of the procurement.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will rollout 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 NBP procurement process is following the “Competitive Dialogue” model and intensive dialogue with bidders is ongoing.
Following the Competitive Dialogue stage, the next step in the process is to formally invite bidders to submit detailed solutions which will be evaluated by the Department in line with the approved evaluation methodology. This in turn will be followed by the issue of the final tender. The evaluation of final tenders will lead to the selection of a preferred bidder(s) fit to fully deliver on the Government’s objective of a truly open-access, wholesale network that delivers quality, affordable high speed broadband services to all premises in the intervention area.
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.
1259. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of broadband in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1285. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the roll-out of fibre broadband in Ballyhaise, County Cavan and in particular, to persons in a housing estate (details supplied) in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1259 and 1285 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 4 April, I signed a commitment agreement with eir in relation to its 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 a 90 week period, with an average of 500 premises passed per day. My Department will be monitoring this rollout to ensure that eir meets its 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 for the remainder of the procurement process. 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 the townland of Peast, Co Monaghan and 21% of the townland of Townparks (EdBallyhaise) Co Cavan which includes Annalee Manor Housing Estate falls within the AMBER area and will be included in the State Intervention. The remaining 79% of the townland of Townparks (ED Ballyhaise) falls within the BLUE area and will be covered by commercial operators. 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 three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. 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 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.
In this regard, in July 2016, together with Minister Humphreys I established the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce 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 shortly.
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.
1261. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the aim of the new proposal to implement a television licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19452/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the important role that public service broadcasters play in our democratic society and the provision of stable and adequate funding is essential to ensuring they can continue to deliver on that role. While the existing TV licence fee model has provided a measure of stability to date, the rapid changes in technology altering the traditional way in which television is watched, together with economic pressures generally, are having a growing impact on the funding now being provided by the model and raise a serious question mark over the future ability of the current model to continue to provide stable funding for public service media in the longer term.
With this in mind, in October last year I asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of public service media. As the Deputy may be aware, the Committee is currently considering this issue following a period of public consultation and stakeholder engagement. I look forward to receiving their report in due course which will help inform future funding policy for public service media in Ireland.
As I have previously indicated, I am also bringing proposals to Cabinet for amending the Broadcasting Act 2009. In addition I asked the Office of Government Procurement to issue a Request for Information to see what services the market may be able to offer in respect of TV Licence collection. This will help inform any tender process once the legislative amendments are in place to provide for a procurement process.
In the meantime, there will be no change to the existing TV licence fee arrangements.
1262. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 719 of 11 April 2017, the role his Department has with the on-demand audiovisual services group; the role his Department has with respect to the World Health Organization's protocol for monitoring food and beverage marketing to children via television and the Internet despite not having a role in developing or amending BAI codes on advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1263. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 719 of 11 April 2017, the role his Department has with the on-demand audiovisual services group in respect of membership; if there is a departmental representative on this group; the membership of this group; if public health or children’s organisations are members of this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1264. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 719 of 11 April 2017, if work will be undertaken to quantify the extent and nature of children's exposure to marketing of high in fat, salt and sugar, HFSS, foods via television and the Internet as per the protocol despite not having a formal role in developing or amending BAI codes on advertising in view of the importance of this for the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19560/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1262 to 1264, inclusive, together.
Statutory Instrument No. 258 of 2010 made provision for the self-regulation of on-demand audio-visual media services in Ireland. Subsequent to this, the On Demand Audiovisual Services Group (ODAS) was established under the auspices of IBEC and a Code of Conduct was devised which applies to all on-demand audio-visual service providers operating in the state. My Department has no role in respect of the membership of ODAS and there is no Departmental representative on the group. Further details in respect of ODAS and its current membership are available from IBEC.
In devising the Code, ODAS was required to co-operate with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) in relation to the Code’s development and the final Code required the BAI’s approval. The Code of Conduct was last reviewed by ODAS, in consultation with the BAI, in 2014. In terms of the Code’s operation, the BAI’s only role is that its statutory Compliance Committee acts as an appeals body, where a complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the on-demand service provider, on complaints relating to content. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding is in place between the BAI’s Compliance Committee and ODAS. The BAI does not have a role in relation to any complaints appeals in respect of commercial communications. This appeals function is carried out by the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI).
In relation to the BAI’s Children’s Commercial Communications Code, this Code makes specific provision for rules regarding the advertisement of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). This Code is scheduled for review over the next 12 to18 months and it is my understanding that the BAI intends undertaking research as part of the review and will have regard to the experience in Ireland since the Code’s introduction. The BAI will also consider regulatory practices in other jurisdictions and plans to consult extensively with relevant stakeholders including the Department of Health, who have primary responsibility for promoting WHO protocols, as part of the review process. In addition, the BAI participated in a working group, established by the Minister for Health in 2015, to develop rules for marketing communications for food including HFSS on digital media; the working group has now concluded and a draft code is expected to be submitted to the Department of Health shortly.
1265. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider introducing a scheme by which his Department would subsidise the cost to employers of installing car charging ports at the workplace for employee use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19565/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) scheme is a tax incentive whereby businesses offset the cost of investment in qualifying energy technologies, against their tax liabilities in year one rather than over a more prolonged period, thus aiding their cash flow. The technologies supported include charging equipment for Electric Vehicles (EVs). Information on the ACA scheme and qualifying technologies is available at http://www.seai.ie/Your_Business/Accelerated_Capital_Allowance/. In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are co-chairing a Low Emissions Vehicles (LEV) Task Force involving relevant Government Departments and agencies.
The work of the task force has been divided into two phases with the first phase focusing solely on Electric Vehicles (EVs). Three working groups have been set up with one group focussing on aspects relating to ‘Infrastructure, Energy Regulation and Pricing’ which will, as part of its work, consider potential incentives for domestic and private chargers including chargepoints in work places.
The Task Force is expected to report on an interim basis to Government on the first phase by June this year, with associated recommendations which will suggest a range of options for facilitating greater uptake of EVs in the coming years.
