Written Answers Nos. 1266-1285
1266. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a grant application (details supplied) under the better energy communities scheme was declined; the total envisaged spend under the scheme in 2017; the projects which will be funded in Waterford city and county in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19586/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Communities (BEC) scheme on behalf of my Department. Neither I or my Department have any function in relation to evaluating or selecting individual grant applications to this scheme.
The BEC scheme is application led. Each year, SEAI publishes the guidelines for the scheme which covers what the scheme is intended to deliver and details how each individual application will be assessed and ranked. Following the publication of these guidelines, applications are invited from interested parties. Following the closing date, all applications are evaluated, projects are selected on a competitive basis and are approved by SEAI’s Board. Projects are assessed based on four criteria: value for money; community and partnership approach; innovation and technical characteristics (including the ability to leverage funding from non-State sources); and quality/delivery.
I have forwarded to the Deputy information 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.
1267. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of prosecutions taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland against persons or groups in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the nature of the prosecutions; if the prosecutions were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of prosecutions taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017 are set out in the following table:
|
National Total |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (to date) |
|
Prosecutions Completed |
115 |
141 |
116 |
79 |
112 |
85 |
66 |
8 |
|
Prosecutions for fisheries offences |
102 |
130 |
100 |
72 |
100 |
73 |
52 |
7 |
|
Prosecutions for Environmental Offences |
13 |
11 |
16 |
7 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
1 |
|
Successful Prosecutions |
114 |
139 |
110 |
70 |
104 |
85 |
61 |
5 |
IFI continue to be vigilant and pro-active in protecting Ireland's valuable inland fisheries and Sea-angling resources. I am advised that IFI deploys significant protection and conservation resources including day and night surveillance operations, boat, kayak and foot patrols and monitoring of water quality. IFI also has a 24 hour telephone hot-line 1890 34 74 24 to facilitate anglers and others to report any suspicious activity.
1268. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on phone reception in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the service providers concerned which operate in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
I am, however, critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, including in Listowel, County Kerry, where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect, and of the critical importance that access to such services is in rural areas. Recognising this frustration, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force. In July 2016, I established the Task Force 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 NBP State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available on both Departments' websites.
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 is driving and monitoring 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 be formally reporting every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys. I am expecting the first such quarterly report in the coming weeks.
The benefits that the implementation of the actions in the Task Force report will bring will be felt across Ireland.
In addition to the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force, other initiatives are underway to enhance services across the State. 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.
In terms of commercial investment, mobile operators have invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage. However, as mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by topography, quality of handsets and the capacity of the network, as well as by and proximity to mobile telephone antennas.
These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland and particularly in rural Ireland.
1269. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to provide broadband to persons residing at addresses (details supplied). [19645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1270. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to provide broadband to persons residing in an area (details supplied). [19646/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1271. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to provide broadband to persons residing at an address (details supplied). [19647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1269 to 1271, 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 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. 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 eircodes referred to by the Deputy within the townlands of Ballygroman Lower and Barrahaurin are in the AMBER area and will require State Intervention. In addition the Map shows that 79% of the townland of Ballynora and 100% of the townland of Curraheen (Ed Inishkenny) Co Cork fall within the AMBER area and will also be part of the State Intervention. The remaining 21% of the townland of Ballynora falls within the BLUE area and will be covered by commercial operators and includes 2% 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 finalisation of the State Intervention Area for the procurement process 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. 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 State Intervention network will be a wholesale network and retail service providers will be able to use the network to provide enhanced broadband services to their customers.
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 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 a Mobile Phone and Broadband 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 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.
1272. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff of Inland Fisheries Ireland in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the job descriptions within the agency; the number of staff assigned to each job description, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1273. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed by Inland Fisheries Ireland qualified to carry out environmental inspections for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19709/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1272 and 1273 together.
Details of staff of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 are shown in the table below.
The IFI Environmental Officers are dedicated to protecting the environment and ensuring best practice with regard to engineering works. Additionally, environmental protection is an element of the role of Inspector, Assistant Inspector, Fisheries Officer and General Operative grades, in addition to their duties in fisheries protection and development.
|
GRADE |
STAFF NUMBERS BY YEAR |
||||||
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
CEO |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Heads Of Function |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
RBD Director |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Engineer Grade 2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
13 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
15 |
15 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
Environmental Officer |
19 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
17.5 |
16.5 |
15.5 |
|
Fishery Inspector |
28 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
26 |
24 |
24 |
|
Assistant Fishery Inspectors |
42 |
41 |
41 |
40 |
38 |
38 |
38 |
|
Fisheries Officer |
107.4 |
105.4 |
102.4 |
96.4 |
125 |
130 |
131 |
|
General Operative/ Foreperson* |
58.6 |
51.1 |
49.1 |
46.1 |
8.1 |
7.7 |
7.7 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
29.25 |
29.6 |
28.6 |
27.1 |
25.1 |
25.1 |
25.1 |
|
Senior Research Officer |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Research Officer |
10 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Senior Research Technician |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Research Technician |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
|
Totals |
341.25 |
323.1 |
314.1 |
299.6 |
291.7 |
300.3 |
302.3
|
*The inland fisheries resource benefitted from the upgrade of some 36 existing Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) staff to the grade of Fisheries Officer in 2015. Previously General Operatives, the new Fisheries Officers received training in the skills and competencies to allow then to enforce fisheries legislation thereby protecting and conserving Ireland’s valuable inland fisheries and sea angling resource.
1274. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of each of the 12 completed environmental prosecution cases taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland in 2016; the geographic location each case related to; the sector or industry each case related to; the number of successful prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of environmental cases completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in 2016 are set out in the following table.
|
No of Environmental Cases Completed in 2016 |
Sector |
Location |
No of Successful Prosecutions |
|
1 |
Industrial |
Dublin |
Struck out following agreement between parties. |
|
8 |
Agriculture |
2 Cork, 1 Kerry |
8 |
|
Industry |
Cork |
||
|
Drainage |
Cork x 3 |
||
|
Sewage |
Cork |
||
|
3 |
Agriculture |
Longford |
3 |
|
Construction |
Kerry |
||
|
Treatment Plant |
Offaly |
||
|
1 |
Agricultural |
Galway |
1 |
|
2 |
Water Treatment Plant |
Cavan |
2 |
|
15 |
Sewage Treatment Plant |
Cavan |
14 |
IFI’s Environmental Officers are dedicated to protecting the environment and ensuring best practice with regard to engineering works. Environmental protection is an element of the role of Inspector, Assistant Inspector, Fisheries Officer and General Operative grades, in addition to duties in fisheries protection and development.
IFI continues to respond to environmental incidents which impact of fisheries and I would encourage anglers and others to report any incident to the IFI telephone hotline 1890 34 74 24.
1275. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will allocate extra resources to Monaghan County Council in view of a recent incident (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19806/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for bringing to my attention the latest in a long line of incidents of tyres being dumped around our countryside. It is precisely this type of incident that confirms my resolve to introduce new structures for the tyre sector that will address the lack of regulation in the tyre market and reduce the stockpiles of waste tyres that could have a detrimental effect on the environment and human health.
A new compliance scheme for tyres will be operated by Repak End of Life Tyres (ELT) with a registration and reporting role for the Producer Register Limited. The scheme will carry out all regulatory functions on behalf of its members and will be funded by a visible Environmental Management Cost (vEMC). All operators will be obliged to provide data on the numbers of tyres coming on and off the market. This will be the first time that there will be clarity in this regard. It will be mandatory for anyone placing tyres on the market in Ireland to join the compliance scheme.
Monaghan County Council received funding in 2016 from my Department for the clean-up of tyres stockpiled in their functional area. The provision of funding in 2017 to address issues such as those raised in the question is currently under consideration in my Department.
1276. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of trading online vouchers allocated in the first quarter of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19929/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1277. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of trading online vouchers that were allocated in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19932/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1278. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding allocated to the trading online vouchers scheme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1276 to 1278, inclusive, together.
My Department’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme, administered by the national network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices, offers a financial incentive of up to €2,500 along with training, mentoring and networking support, to help small and micro enterprises to trade online.
Over 3,300 vouchers have issued to successful small businesses since the launch of the scheme in mid-2014. In addition, more than 7,000 businesses have benefitted from advice and peer-to-peer support through their participation in the information and training seminars delivered by the LEOs.
Some 1,150 businesses were approved for trading online vouchers during 2016. I have allocated €3m to the Trading Online Voucher Scheme in 2017 to support 1,000 more small businesses to trade online. Between January and mid-March 2017, 196 applications had been approved under the scheme.
The scheme is helping to revitalise small businesses, including sole traders, from across a wide range of sectors including retail, arts, crafts and design, manufacturing, food, and professional services. An evaluation of the enterprise impacts of the scheme which I published in May 2016 shows that the scheme is helping small businesses to grow on average by 21%, increase employment by 35%, and 3 in 5 begin to export. Digital trade is contributing to sustainable regional economic development, with both urban and rural based businesses benefitting equally from the online opportunity.
My Department is currently scoping initiatives to build on the success of the scheme, putting Ireland further ahead of our European counterparts in realising the benefits of selling goods and services online.
In collaboration with the Local Enterprise Offices, my Department is delivering a series of regional events to showcase the benefits of trading online, provide training and increase awareness of the Government support available. To date, regional events have been held in Roscommon, Cork, Ballinasloe and in Dublin, with Kilkenny and Cavan/Monaghan to follow.
1279. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider implementing a refundable deposit scheme for recyclables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19986/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRepak is the approved producer responsibility compliance scheme for packaging in Ireland and is tasked with meeting recovery and recycling targets established under the EU Packaging Directive (94/62/EC). The most recent Waste Packaging Statistics for Ireland published by the EPA in May 2016 show that Ireland has met and exceeded the overall packaging waste recovery rate and the recycling rate targets since they came into force.
In July 2014, the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government published a Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative Model in Ireland. The aim of the review was to assess the nature and level of the challenges which are currently facing the existing Producer Responsibility Agreements, as well as the forthcoming challenges that are expected to arise in the management of various waste streams. A stakeholder consultation process was also conducted.
As part of this review, a wider examination of issues within the packaging sphere was undertaken and consideration was given to the introduction of a refundable deposit scheme for recyclables.
The review report did not recommend the introduction of a Deposit and Refund scheme and concluded that to establish such a scheme was inappropriate, in view of the operation of the existing packaging scheme (operated by Repak), and policies concerning household waste collection, plus the high administrative costs of introducing such a system.
1280. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of specific home upgrades covered in the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria.
The scheme is delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. The homes of beneficiaries are retrofitted free of charge, thus making those homes more energy efficient. The typical measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation.
Applications for the BEWH scheme are dealt with on a first come, first served basis. Once an application is made, contractors operating on behalf of SEAI survey the home to determine what measures are most suitable for that home. Once a survey has been completed, homes are issued to SEAI’s panel of appointed contractors and works typically proceed within a matter of days. Demand for the scheme remains strong, clearly demonstrating its potential to continue to deliver energy efficiency gains and related benefits, such as reduced energy costs and better health outcomes.
In March of this year I announced that a limited amount of deep retrofits will be available to those people who are eligible for the scheme and living in the poorest quality homes. SEAI are currently recruiting contractors to deliver these deeper efficiency measures on a nationwide basis and I expect the new upgrades to be available from this summer. I also announced that people who have previously received attic or loft insulation under the scheme but did not have their cavity walls treated can be revisited to now receive cavity wall insulation.
Full details of this and all the schemes administered by SEAI are available from their website http://www.seai.ie/ or directly from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Wilton Park House, Wilton Park, Dublin, D02 T228, phone 01 8082100.
1281. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase the number of wild salmon available for high-value angling in lakes and rivers, his views on whether netting in rivers is a problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20024/17]
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 as regards rivers and estuaries 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 commercial licences that are available to fishermen, for the forthcoming season in each of the specific Fishery Districts where a commercial fishery exists.
IFI manages salmon stocks diligently on the basis of the established "precautionary principal" and the basis of national management policy is to ensure that all activity, commercial and recreational, is sustainable. Commercial fisheries are only permitted on rivers where a sufficient surplus, above that rivers conservation limit, has been advised by the SSC and IFI to support a sustainable fishery. In the case of estuaries, each of the contributing rivers must be above their individual conservation limit before a harvestable fishery is permitted.
I am advised by IFI that, in relation to potential restocking of salmon, there are very significant genetic and ecological concerns when the progeny of wild salmon reared in a hatchery environment are released back into the wild.
IFI adopts a wide-ranging protection strategy and protection measures are delivered through the operation of highly trained, skilled and experienced inland fishery protection and surveillance teams, enabled through deployment of state-of-the-art technology and supporting infrastructure, on a 24 hour, 365 day basis.
The implementation of proven traditional work practices has been augmented by the increasing use of new innovative approaches such as kayak and bike patrolling, dog assisted patrolling and covert surveillance using advanced digital technologies. These innovations have assisted in deployment of protection resources and have delivered significantly improved efficiency and effectiveness.
1282. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason persons are being prevented from selling fish to local restaurants even if legally caught; the steps to be taken to ensure that persons and restaurants are both compliant with the law; the recent changes in the law in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20026/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sale of rod caught wild salmon or sea trout has been prohibited since 2001 as one of a range of measures aimed at conservation of stocks. This particular measure was introduced to preserve angling as a recreational pursuit and not in any way to promote its development into a commercial activity by encouraging the catching of salmon or sea trout for sale or commercial gain and thereby potentially incentivising further pressure on vulnerable stocks.
The conservation imperative demands that salmon stocks must be afforded the maximum protection to facilitate the recovery of the genetically individual stock in each of our salmon rivers. For the 2017 season, some 48 rivers are open with an exploitable surplus and 27 rivers are open to catch and release angling with no harvestable surplus.
In that context, the retention of the provision prohibiting the sale of rod caught wild salmon is considered an essential component of national conservation and protection policy. This and similar measures applying to other types of angling, such as restricting the numbers and sizes of fish that can be harvested, are all aimed at ensuring the long term survival of valuable recreational angling fish stocks.
All salmon caught in Ireland must be tagged with a gill tag and logged to show where the fish was taken and whether taken by rod and line or in a commercial fishery. Imported salmon are tagged with a tail tag. Restaurants selling, commercially caught or imported wild salmon for consumption are required to retain the appropriate tags and records which are subject to inspection, for compliance with statutory provisions, by IFI.
1284. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of new homes by county that have been connected to broadband in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows the number of premises covered and to be covered by the National Broadband Plan. The NBP is made up of commercial investment and a State Intervention.
The information contained in the table is derived from the data provided by commercial operators to my Department in the course of the National Broadband Plan mapping exercise. This exercise was conducted by my Department in the period from July 2013 – April 2017. The table will be updated quarterly to reflect the rollout progress of the rural deployment area represented as Light Blue on the Map.
To date over 1.4m premises in the BLUE area can access High Speed Broadband from commercial operators and progress is also being made in the LIGHT BLUE area where eir is rolling out fibre to the home to rural premises.
The ComReg quarterly report available from www.comreg.ie shows broadband subscriber numbers.
On the 4th April 2017, 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.
The map provides information on a county by county basis. 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
The following table sets out the position at end 2016.
|
County Name |
Total Number of Premises |
AMBER Premises Intervention Area |
Blue Premises commercial operators |
LIGHT BLUE Premises Planned Commercial Rural Deployment Area * |
|
Carlow |
27,668 |
7,880 |
15,863 |
3,925 |
|
Cavan |
42,143 |
17,150 |
17,664 |
7,329 |
|
Clare |
68,488 |
23,529 |
31,023 |
13,936 |
|
Cork |
267,361 |
74,849 |
167,139 |
25,373 |
|
Donegal |
101,184 |
34,105 |
42,782 |
24,297 |
|
Dublin |
590,076 |
8,701 |
577,905 |
3,470 |
|
Galway |
133,963 |
39,335 |
67,633 |
26,995 |
|
Kerry |
89,068 |
29,090 |
34,988 |
24,990 |
|
Kildare |
89,565 |
13,371 |
67,063 |
9,131 |
|
Kilkenny |
47,650 |
17,901 |
22,445 |
7,304 |
|
Laois |
38,927 |
12,721 |
21,143 |
5,063 |
|
Leitrim |
22,263 |
11,318 |
7,949 |
2,996 |
|
Limerick |
97,173 |
22,105 |
60,036 |
15,032 |
|
Longford |
22,414 |
8,288 |
10,287 |
3,839 |
|
Louth |
60,085 |
8,755 |
43,618 |
7,712 |
|
Mayo |
83,214 |
37,046 |
30,103 |
16,065 |
|
Meath |
83,031 |
19,370 |
50,662 |
12,999 |
|
Monaghan |
32,845 |
15,792 |
12,505 |
4,548 |
|
Offaly |
36,737 |
12,420 |
18,166 |
6,151 |
|
Roscommon |
39,117 |
18,688 |
12,984 |
7,445 |
|
Sligo |
39,978 |
14,386 |
19,625 |
5,967 |
|
Tipperary |
83,976 |
30,428 |
38,048 |
15,500 |
|
Waterford |
61,506 |
16,690 |
38,562 |
6,254 |
|
Westmeath |
44,369 |
12,019 |
25,664 |
6,686 |
|
Wexford |
81,796 |
21,785 |
39,674 |
20,337 |
|
Wicklow |
63,773 |
14,286 |
44,041 |
5,446 |
|
Total |
2,348,370 |
542,008 |
1,517,572 |
288,790 |
* These figures will reduce as the rural deployment is rolled out.
There are c.2.3m premises covering Ireland’s 26 counties, of which approximately 542,000 premises are located in the AMBER area on the Map. These premises will require State intervention and are the focus for the procurement process which formally commenced in December 2015. The remaining 1.8m premises are located in the BLUE areas and will be/are served by commercial operators. Of the 1.8m premises, some 288,000 premises fall within eir’s plans to deliver rural high speed broadband between now and end 2018. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.
