Written Answers Nos. 181-200
181. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of plans to introduce a system of penalty points by statutory instrument for fishing vessel licence holders; if he has consulted fishing organisations on this statutory instrument; the way in which this system will work; the appeals mechanism that will be in place; and when the statutory instrument will come into effect. [48626/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the definition of serious infringements as referenced in his letter of 1 November 2017 to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on plans to introduce a statutory instrument penalty points system for fishing vessel licence holders. [48627/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
The European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 125 of 2016) establishes a point system, which will apply to the Licence Holder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected. It is intended that the new Statutory instrument which I intend to sign shortly will replace S.I. No. 125 of 2016 to change the make-up of the Determination Panel set up under the 2016 S.I. to determine if on the balance of probabilities a serious infringement occurred and whether it is a serious infringement. This will involve the appointment of three independent legal professionals nominated by the Attorney General, thereby completely separating the enforcement and the determination functions. The new SI will, to the extent possible, take on board the issues of concern in relation to procedures and processes highlighted in High Court judgments on this matter. It will also address certain minor technical and drafting issues arising in S.I. No. 125 of 2016 .
Regarding the determination of a serious infringements, the S.I. (Regulation 3 of SI No. 125 of 2016) defines “serious infringement” as "...an infringement of the rules of the common fisheries policy mentioned in Annex XXX to the Commission Regulation that is determined by the Determination Panel, on the balance of probabilities, to be serious having regard to the criteria and guidance notes referred to in Regulation 6(3)."
Regulation 3 also provides that “Commission Regulation” means Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1962 of 28 October 2015.
Regulation 6(3) referred to above provides that "The SFPA may issue guidance notes, which shall be published on its website on the internet, for the purpose of providing practical guidance in identifying the criteria, for the purpose of these Regulations, the Control Regulation and the Commission Regulation, employed in determining whether an infringement is a serious infringement."
It is intended that the new SI will feature the same definitions. As stated above, it is envisaged that it will be for the new Determination Panel established under the new SI to determine if on the balance of probabilities an infringement occurred and whether it is a serious infringement.
Having an effective, proportionate and dissuasive system of points for all fishing vessels, Irish and non Irish, operating in our 200 mile zone is beneficial to maintaining the sustainability of fish stocks on which our seafood sector is dependant. This system will ensure that the vast majority of our law abiding fishermen are able to compete effectively and look forward to a sustainable future in the industry.
183. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding drawn down to date on an annual basis under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014 to 2020 in each county and fishing port, in tabular form; the annual breakdown of funding allocated; the breakdown in all the seafood sectors, that is, fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48628/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the deputy is set out in the following tables. The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme provided grant aid for data collection only in 2014, while in 2015 aid was provided for Data Collection and Control and Enforcement. From 2016 onwards, supports were provided through a wide range of schemes to the sector. Figures for 2017 will not be available until 2018. Data is not available by county or fishing port. The small discrepancy between the two tables for total expenditure over the period 2014-16 is accounted for by inclusion in the first table of administrative costs of approximately €55,000.
|
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Allocation |
5,873,241 |
7,358,077 |
|
|
Expenditure |
5,873,241 |
7,358,077 |
17,624,092 |
|
|
Fisheries |
Aquaculture |
Processing & marketing |
Data Collection |
Control and Enforcement |
|
Expenditure 2014 - 2016 |
1,387,135.24 |
1,735,448.81 |
4,958,859.8 |
18,479,338 |
4,239,427.61 |
184. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will act on the recommendations of a report (details supplied) on the harness racing sector; if he will provide seed funding on a pilot basis as recommended in the report; and if he will provide a timeframe for the implementation of these recommendations. [48629/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funded the Indecon Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector, which was published on Wednesday 1st November 2017. This report provides the sport with a road map for its potential development and I will be supporting the recommendations within my Department’s remit from the outset.
As part of this future support, I have already committed to continuing and expanding the pilot integration programme, which will be funded by my Department.
I would also welcome progress reports from the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) on their implementation of remaining recommendations outlined in the Indecon Review, and I will consider any future funding requests in this context.
In addition to the funding provided for the Indecon Review, and the support for the report's recommendations within my remit, the IHRA have also received a number of additional supports during 2017 from my Department, namely:
- Approval for grants totalling €40,077 under the Equine Technical Support Scheme
- Support valued in excess of €25,000 for "Road Racing Education Programme"
Similarly in 2016, the IHRA received grants totalling €21,704 under the Equine Infrastructure grant scheme, with a view to supporting this sector in a targeted way.
185. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned implementation timeline for EU animal health regulation 2016/429. [48630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Parliament and the Council adopted the Regulation on transmissible animal diseases (“Animal Health Law”) in March 2016. This is a comprehensive law which replaces a large number of rules which have accumulated over time. The Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in March 2016. The Regulation entered into force in April 2016, and will be applicable from April 2021.
A number of delegated and implementing acts will be drafted by the Commission in the course of 2019. Member States and stakeholders will be consulted with regard to these delegated and implementing acts.
186. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government has taken note of the latest Teagasc research data which shows that the carbon footprint of Irish produce has been reduced by circa 15% since 1990 and that the nitrogen footprint of Irish produce has been reduced by circa 25% (details supplied). [48631/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the Teagasc research which shows the environmental and resource efficiency of Irish agricultural produce. This research illustrates the effectiveness of policy measures to date and the commitment of the agri-food sector to reducing the environmental footprint of food production.
The sector has already made huge strides in decoupling sector growth from gross emissions. This achievement has been delivered as a result of continued research, advances in animal genetics, health and nutrition, and through optimising the use of fertilisers.
A range of actions are being undertaken to make Irish farming even more environmentally sustainable including through the Rural Development Programme (RDP), worth almost €4 billion over seven years. Measures such as:
The Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) incentivises agricultural production methods to address issues of climate change, water quality and biodiversity loss. The scheme also supports low carbon agriculture through a range of cross-cutting measures, and promotes the delivery of targeted environmental advice and best practice at farm level. 50,000 farmers have prepared nutrient management plans and soil sampled their farms as an entry requirement to the scheme.
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is directly targeted at the climate emissions of 30,000 beef farmers. It will assist farmers in selecting robust and resource efficient suckler cow replacements thus lowering the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by improving the quality and efficiency of the national herd.
The knowledge transfer programmes bring the latest innovative sustainability research and practices direct to farmers.
Farmers are also being assisted in the purchase of Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) scheme. The use of this type of equipment is supported under the GLAS scheme.
Nitrogen is now more efficiently used through improved manure management and soil fertility. The Nitrates Action Programme helps in this regard and contains measures to protect surface waters and ground water from agricultural sources.
The above are just some of the measures being undertaken, however, policy interventions must be optimised by well-informed scientific research. In this regard my Department has invested heavily in climate change actions through our own Research Funding Programmes which of course complement Teagasc activities in this area. It is through this continued investment in and engagement with research initiatives that the sector will continue to make progress in reducing GHGs that are associated with agricultural production.
187. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a joint EU-UK proposal to the WTO on the way to deal with import arrangements for agricultural goods such as meat, sugar and grains post Brexit, with the UK maintaining a portion of the EU’s quotas based on the UK’s average consumption over the past few years; and his views on the rejection of this proposal by other countries at WTO level. [48633/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn a letter dated 11 October 2017, the EU and UK jointly notified the other members of the WTO of the need to make adjustments to the EU's existing quantitative commitments in the area of goods. The UK advised that it intends to replicate, as far as possible, its obligations under the current EU commitments. In the letter the EU and UK proposed that the EU's quantitative commitments in relation to tariff rate quotas (TRQ) be apportioned on the basis of existing trade flows. It sought a common approach on data sets and methodology with WTO partners. Seven WTO members - Argentina, Brazil, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Thailand and Uruguay - wrote to EU and UK expressing concern and seeking assurances that no trading partner would be left worse off due to Brexit.
Subsequently the EU and UK held a series of joint bilaterals with WTO members on the margins of the Committee of Agriculture and Committee of Agriculture in Special Session meetings in Geneva last month. They discussed their decision to take a joint approach, based on apportionment, to the adjustment of TRQs in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The dialogue is at an early stage, and no decision has been taken on the matter.
188. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a fodder crisis scheme for farmers who have been impacted by severe wet weather. [48634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is clear that weather conditions over much of this Autumn have been challenging for farmers and created difficulties for farmers particularly in the Western regions and on heavier land types.
Grass growth rates through the autumn however have been ahead of last year. However the poor weather resulted in cattle being housed earlier than normal in places, particularly on the heavier soils; it also affected late cut silage making operations.
It appears that there are supplies of fodder in the form of silage and hay available across the country for those farmers who may require to supplement their own fodder supply. However, I have asked Teagasc to work locally in areas with fodder difficulties, to support good budgeting of fodder supplies on farms for the winter ahead. My Department continues to monitor the situation.
The European Commission agreed to my request for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme. This has been prompted by the inclement weather conditions and also market difficulties caused by currency fluctuations. This means an increase from 50% to 70% in the rate for the BPS to those applicants whose applications were confirmed fully clear. Issuing of these payments commenced after the 15th October and balancing payments will be made with effect from early December. There will also be an increase permitted to the advance for Pillar II Rural Development schemes.
These payments and the payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, have already injected over €800 million into the Irish rural economy. These payments are providing a very welcome boost for Irish farm families and will help to finance fodder purchase where necessary.
Taking account of this, there are no plans at this time to establish a fodder aid scheme. My Department will continue to closely monitor the situation.
189. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the latest Mercosur talks at EU level; his plans to protect beef farmers by ensuring that beef does not form part of a potential Mercosur deal; and if the Government will not support any final deal that contains a beef offer. [48635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt must be noted that no agreement on a Mercosur deal has been finalised at this point, although the Commission did make an offer to Mercosur during a recent round of negotiations which included the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for beef referred to in the question.
I was deeply disappointed that the Commission decided to submit a beef tariff rate quota offer during the October round of negotiations with the Mercosur bloc, as I believe that this could not be coming at a worse time for the EU beef sector.
I and my officials have been very active in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European agriculture sector, and on the beef sector in particular. We continue to monitor the situation closely and respond as appropriate to developments in order to defend the interests of Irish farmers, working in close co-operation with my Government colleagues, particularly the Táinaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and the Taoiseach. Indeed, the Taoiseach raised the matter in the course of recent meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
At political level, I have continuously raised the issue with my Member State colleagues and with Commissioners Hogan and Malmström, both within the Council of Agriculture Ministers and in written form. These efforts have been reinforced at official level through similar contacts with Member States and the Commission, particularly through the Special Committee on Agriculture and the Trade Policy Committee.
Most recently, Ireland made the latest in a series of very strong interventions on this matter at the Trade Policy Committee in Brussels on 27 October, and I raised the matter at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg in October and again in Brussels on 6 November. I have also worked very closely with a number of other Member States, most notably France, including in the production of a joint paper that was submitted to the European Commission on 26 September outlining our shared concerns. And I wrote to Commissioner Malmström in early October, reiterating my concerns in relation to the tabling of the beef TRQ offer.
I believe there is a need for continued vigilance in relation to the conduct of these trade negotiations, and I will continue to insist that they are handled appropriately, and in a manner that safeguards the interests of the Irish and European beef sector. In this regard I believe full account must be taken of the findings of the Commission’s own assessment of the cumulative impact of trade deals on the agri food sector, and the potentially very damaging impact of Brexit on an already delicately balanced EU beef market. Against this background I will continue to build alliances with other Member states and to defend the interests of the Irish and EU beef sectors.
190. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reconvene the tillage forum in 2017; and the date of the next meeting. [48636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to give the Deputy an update on initiatives that I have progressed on behalf of the tillage sector since the last meeting of the Tillage Forum.
Stakeholders at that forum identified opportunities to increase the demand for Irish grain in the brewing and distilling sectors, both of which are expanding rapidly. Other opportunities identified included the development of a fully traceable native grain ration and availability of high-end niche markets for lifestyle foods. I invited contributions from members of the forum on developing these initiatives and how they could best be delivered. I will be inviting stakeholders to a future meeting of the High Level Implementation Committee of Food Wise 2025 to present on the more important of these initiatives.
Food Wise 2025 is of course the blueprint for the development of the agri-food sector as a whole, including the tillage sector. This document contains a number of priority actions to support the development of the tillage sector. My own Department implements a number of these actions.
For example, in order to increase the availability of native grown protein crops for inclusion in animal feeds, a protein aid scheme was introduced in 2015, as part of the implementation of the reformed CAP package in Ireland. €3 million was set aside annually for this scheme and the rate of payment in 2016 was €246/ha.
In July of this year in response to the exceptionally challenging harvest conditions of September 2016 I introduced the Weather Related Crop Loss Support measure to assist farmers who experienced significant yield losses in spring cereal crops.
I introduced the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme in January of this year and extended it to cover the tillage and horticulture sectors. All the finance available under this scheme has been committed and is in the process of being drawn down. There has been a very positive reaction by farmers to the Scheme, including tillage farmers.
In addition to this support I secured funding of €25 million for my Department to facilitate the development of a new Brexit response loan scheme for farmers, fishermen and food businesses in 2018. Further details will be announced in due course.
As a further support to tillage farmers I introduced the Tillage Investment Scheme under TAMS II earlier this year. The specific areas of investment include Minimum Disturbance Tillage Equipment, Sprayers, Rain Water Harvesting, Grain Storage and Grain dryers. There is a significant level of interest in investments under this measure with a total number of 687 applications received.
I secured an increase from 50% to 70% advance payment on 16 October last of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments from the European Commission. This approach was prompted by the market difficulties being experienced in several sectors including tillage arising from ongoing currency fluctuations and protracted poor weather conditions.
Finally, my Department operates a range of services aimed at improving the level of production, quality and viability of the Irish cereal sector. These services include seed certification, seed testing, crop variety testing and the publication of recommended lists of varieties, research funding through the ‘Stimulus’ competitive research programme and funding for the quality assurance scheme. In addition, Teagasc provides research, training and advisory services for tillage producers. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereals producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world.
Notwithstanding the range of current supports, I will continue to closely engage with the tillage sector on its needs, particularly through the Tillage Stakeholders Group.
191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure calf exports are not held up due to the main ferry boat involved being taken off the Ireland to France route for repairs in 2018 (details supplied). [48637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware that the regular Rosslare Cherbourg ferry will not be operating its usual journeys for a period of 4 weeks in February/March 2018 as it will be in dry dock for refurbishment during this time. This would, unless taken up by other providers, reduce ferry capacity for the transport of a range of product, including animals, from Ireland by sea for the period in question.
The Department is aware that discussions are on-going with the company concerned, and other companies, with regard to various options to cover this period and continues to actively monitor the situation.
192. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an immediate emergency compensation scheme for fishermen to recoup the cost of storm damage other than the mutual fund for adverse climatic events and environmental incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector up to 2021. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of 15 schemes.
The EMFF Regulation provides for a special compensation scheme for fishermen experiencing significant economic losses arising from severe storms etc. Article 35 foresees the establishment by fishermen of a 'Mutual Fund for Adverse Climatic Events and Environmental Incidents'. This Fund would act as a form of mutual insurance for otherwise uninsurable losses, by paying compensation to affiliated fishermen for losses that exceed 30% of the fisherman's annual turnover arising from severe storms and other adverse climatic events, losses arising from environmental incidents and for the costs of rescue at sea for fishermen or fishing vessels.
The Fund must be established and managed by fishermen and be funded through the subscriptions of affiliated fishermen. The compensation would only be available to fishermen affiliated to the Fund. Support to the Fund from the EMFF Programme would be in the form of a contribution to the costs of compensation paid out by the Fund. Depending on the type of vessels or fishermen experiencing losses, EMFF assistance may be up to 80%.
My Department and BIM stand ready to assist and advise fishermen and their representatives in establishing the Fund, but the EMFF does not permit a financial contribution towards the costs of establishment or management of the Fund.
As this Mutual Fund is the vehicle envisaged in the EMFF Regulation for storm damage compensation, and all available funds are allocated to the EMFF Programme, I have no plans to develop an alternative scheme.
193. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on reports that Inland Fisheries Ireland is considering the leasing of State fisheries to private entities; and if his attention has been drawn to all the relevant facts regarding the matter. [48573/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is likely referring to recent assertions regarding the Galway fishery.
I met with the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) last week to discuss this and other issues. I am advised by the Board that they examined options for the fishery in the context of ensuring that its operation would, in as far as possible, be self-financing as regards its full costs.
The decision of the Board is to explore possibilities to make the fishery self financing, covering its costs on a fully allocated basis. This decision does not include any option to lease the fishery.
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reasons the State awarded a contract to a company (details supplied) to handle the emergency call answering service in view of the fact that this company subcontracts the work to a third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48478/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had engagements or discussions with a company (details supplied) and a third party company regarding ECAS operators in the context of working conditions and pay structure and-or pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
The contract to operate the Emergency Call Answering Service was awarded to BT Ireland in 2009, following a public procurement process. In this regard and as permitted under the terms of the Concession Agreement, BT has a contractual arrangement with Conduit Global Ltd. to assist in the delivery of the service. Under the terms of the Concession contract, BT Ireland and its sub-contractor, Conduit Global, are required to comply with all employment legislation.
My officials were in close contact with BT throughout the 2016 industrial relations dispute to ensure service to the public was not affected in any way. However, operational issues, including working conditions and pay are a matter for Conduit Global and one in which I have no function. In this regard, I understand that the company has engaged with the Workplace Relations Commission Advisory Service and the Labour Court in relation to industrial relations issues raised by staff and union representatives and that the case is currently on-going before the Labour Court.
196. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an application was received to remove large amounts of sand from the area of the river Boyne adjacent to a club (detail supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48494/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no specific prohibition within the Fisheries Acts, on landowners taking material, including sand, from rivers, however, the Fisheries Acts do make provision for the protection of fish and their habitat specifically in section 173 of the Inland Fisheries Act 1959. In addition, section 131 of that Act relates to obstruction of the free passage of fish.
Additional measures are also in place within other legislation that specifically relates to Irish provisions under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477/2011) and any works proposed or undertaken would need to take cognisance of all EU habitat protection requirements.
Neither my Department nor Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has been made aware of any specific works in the area in question but IFI will be happy to discuss matters with stakeholders to assist in seeking to ensure there is no inadvertent contravention of the relevant fisheries statutory requirements. In this regard, any person or organisation undertaking works should contact the local IFI Office.
It is imperative for any person or organisation contemplating works to ensure that all the appropriate fisheries statutory provisions can be met before contemplating commencement of works and IFI can advise and assist in this regard.
Aside from statutory requirements in a fisheries context, it may also be important that consideration be given to the potential impact of such proposed works on adjoining lands and property.
197. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the gender balance on each of the State boards under his remit, in tabular form. [48559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in the Question is set out in the following table. A complete list of all current members and vacancies is available on the State Boards website at www.stateboards.ie.
|
State Body |
Male % |
Female % |
|
An Post
|
67 |
33 |
|
Bord na Móna
|
83 |
17 |
|
ESB
|
67 |
33 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland
|
67
|
33 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) |
55
|
45 |
|
EirGrid
|
60 |
40 |
|
RTE |
50
|
50 |
|
TG4
|
56 |
44 |
|
DHD
|
56
|
44 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA)
|
83 |
17 |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC)
|
100 |
0 |
|
Loughs Agency
|
75 |
25 |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI)
|
56 |
44 |
|
Mining Board
|
100 |
0 |
|
EPA
|
67 |
33 |
198. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a business (details supplied) in County Meath is not due to receive broadband in the foreseeable future which will impact upon the business in view of the fact that it is unable to increase its number of guests due to a lack of broadband; and when this situation will be addressed. [48580/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get access to high speed broadband and this footprint is expanding.
In April of this year, I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.
The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.
The Map is searchable by Eircode/address and is colour coded:
- AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering, or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018, as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
The map shows that the townland of Kiltale, Co Meath comprises 94 premises and broadband coverage will be realised through a mix of commercial investment and through the State Intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Of the 94 premises, 40 premises fall with the State Intervention Area while the remaining 54 premises fall within the BLUE area and will be covered by commercial operators. Therefore, depending on the eircode of the address the constituent may either be in a BLUE/Light BLUE or AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map.
I understand that an official from my Department has provided a detailed report outlining the status of High Speed Broadband availability in the area to the individual named in the Question. While the premises referenced by the Deputy falls within an AMBER area and will be covered through the State led Intervention under the NBP, I understand that there are at least two operators (including mobile and Fixed wireless) that are capable of providing an interim solution.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales, for the network build and rollout. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
To improve both mobile and broadband services in rural Ireland in advance of the rollout of the high speed broadband network to be built in the State intervention area I established, in July 2016, a Taskforce to identify solutions which can be implemented in the short, medium and long term to alleviate mobile phone and broadband coverage deficits, to identify priority areas for rollout and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers. These solutions will enhance the existing services prior to the full build and rollout of the network planned under the NBP State led intervention.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are carbon incentives for companies to purchase products from Irish manufacturers. [48646/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there are no specific incentives for companies to purchase products from Irish manufacturers along the lines indicated in the question, it is Government policy to promote the use of qualifying energy efficient products, equipment and technologies. For example, the 2018 Finance Bill confirms that the existing accelerated capital allowances (ACA) scheme for energy efficient products is being extended for a further three years until 31 December 2020. Under this provision organisations who invest in the most energy efficient equipment can deduct the full cost of the equipment from their profits in the year of purchase. This reduces the taxable profit in year one by the full cost of the equipment and contributes to emissions reductions. The resulting energy savings by companies in their productive activities contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emisssions.
Another initiative of benefit to businesses is EXEED (excellence in energy efficient design) which can provide advice and support leading to certification for businesses to establish a systematic approach to design, construction, and commissioning processes for new investments and upgrades to existing assets. This scheme has delivered impressive efficiency improvements in recent years. Interest in the scheme is growing, including among small and medium-sized enterprises and I am providing additional funding to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to allow EXEED to be expanded in 2018.
More information on both of these schemes is available on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie.
200. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of years a person who holds a temporary position (details supplied) in a company must wait in order to maintain their rate of pay; if the number of years has changed under EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
