Written Answers Nos. 208-226
208. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of post office closures in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52091/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.
209. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the lack of fibre broadband connection for a school (details supplied); when he expects the school to be connected to the fibre broadband system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52107/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for connection to a new fibre line for broadband for a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52143/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 214 together.
The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This 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 National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll-out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
When the Map was updated in April, 84,500 premises were moved from BLUE to AMBER. This was done because commercial operator plans in those areas had not materialised. The school referenced by the Deputies was among the number moved from BLUE to AMBER. As a result, a high speed broadband service will be delivered to the school under the NBP State Intervention.
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.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities, schools and businesses that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises (including 437 schools) 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.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
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.
210. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will clarify the new guidelines for recycling household waste; if private waste collection firms are compelled to implement the new guidelines; the way in which the new guidelines will ensure uniformity in terms of household recycling; if there are penalties for households that breach the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced, for the first time ever, a single, national standard list of items that can go into the recycle bin.
The list of suitable material is now simply paper, cardboard, rigid plastics, tins and cans. Details of the materials which can be now be placed in the mixed dry recycling bin collected at kerbside are available on http://recyclinglistireland.ie/
This national standard list of items will eliminate the confusion that currently exists around what goes into the recycle bin and the materials that should not. Up until this point, certain collectors accepted different materials in the mixed dry recycling bin, leading to some confusion for householders who were genuinely trying to do the right thing. Removing doubt and confusion will play a huge role in improving the quality of the material that goes in the recycle bin and will also help to ensure that these items are actually recycled, as opposed to being contaminated accidentally by householders and sent to thermal recovery or landfill.
The list was developed in conjunction with the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, Repak and the waste management sector. The acceptable material largely reflects the list of Recyclable Household Waste Materials that a collector must accept as set out in the Seventh Schedule to the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, S.I. 820 of 2007, as amended.
The terms and conditions of service contracts between waste collectors and householders is a matter for both parties concerned, including with regard to the fees charged or penalties for breach of contract.
211. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on when he last met the CEO and chairperson of a station (details supplied); the issues discussed; when he will next meet the CEO and chairperson ; if he will report on when he last met the Director General and Chairperson of RTÉ; the issues discussed; when the next meeting is planned for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52126/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a matter of course I, as Minister, meet with the Boards and CEOs of bodies under the aegis of my Department from time to time. I can confirm that I last met with the Chair and CEO of the station referred to by the Deputy in October 2016 for a general discussion. I last met with the Chair and Director General of RTÉ in February 2017 and met with the Director General of RTE in November. Both meetings involved a general discussion on matters relevant to that broadcaster.
212. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 16 December 2016, the uptake of the warmth and well being pilot scheme in CHO7; his plans to extend this scheme beyond CHO7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52141/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmth and Well-being scheme is a pilot scheme which aims to measure the health and well-being impacts of improving the energy efficiency of a person’s home. The scheme is being piloted in Community Healthcare Organisation 7 and is open to people aged 55 and over or aged 12 and under who are living with chronic respiratory conditions in households that are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance or the One-Parent Family Payment.
The Warmth and Well-being scheme is a joint policy initiative between my Department and the Department of Health under the Healthy Ireland framework. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Health Service Executive are working together to deliver the scheme. The HSE have set up a dedicated team to recruit participants to the Warmth and Well-being scheme. They determine eligibility for every person who makes contact with them about the scheme before referring only the eligible applicants to the SEAI. The scheme is being piloted in CHO 7 to build the capacity of the dedicated team that the HSE has been able to establish there. The HSE Warmth and Well-being team have visited 765 homes to date.
I have allocated €20m to the pilot scheme under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty. An independent research project will assess the impact the scheme is having. At the conclusion of the scheme, and with independent evidence on its effectiveness, the potential for a wider roll-out will be considered. The funding to the scheme should provide for the upgrade of at least 1,500 homes. This is the minimum size needed to develop the evidence base on the impact on the health outcomes of participants of making their homes more energy efficient and warmer, and make the business case for a wider roll-out of the scheme.
To date 395 homes have received upgrades to their homes under the scheme. A further 142 homes have upgrade works on-going and another 115 homes are awaiting an SEAI survey before works can begin. There is a further waiting list with the HSE who will shortly be referred to the SEAI for surveys. The scheme is still open for applications and will continue to run in 2018.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is available on a nationwide basis to low income households who are at risk of energy poverty. More information on this scheme is available on SEAI’s website at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/About_the_BEWH.html or Freephone: 1800 250 204
213. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which costs will be borne for the new smart metering programme proposed for both gas and electricity supply; if costs be placed on customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52142/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Smart Metering Programme in Ireland is managed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). In a digital age, Smart Meters are the next generation of electricity and gas meter, and are being rolled out across Europe and internationally, replacing older, mechanical meters. By 2020, in Ireland, almost three quarters of a million of existing meters will be more than 40 years old and in need of replacement. The initial priority is to respond to consumers who request a smart meter and also to replace older meters. Smart meters give consumers more choice and information, enabling them to be more proactive in their use of electricity and save money, for example by using appliances at off peak hours.
This is a significant energy infrastructure project, involving the installation of new meters to over 2.3 million customers nationwide, on a phased basis, a significant part of which is addressing required meter replacement. CRU estimate the cost of the project at €1.2 Billion over the six year roll-out period. This cost will be included in the costs of distribution networks in the same way as all other electricity infrastructure investments are paid for. This will be reflected on consumer bills through an additional cost of approximately €5.50 per annum per customer. It is expected this investment will be more than offset by the potential savings customers will be able to make as a result of the greater information that will be available through the smart meter.
215. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to concerns by music lovers regarding the ongoing downgrading and shrinking of the RTÉ orchestras; his plans to preserve the orchestras and bring them up to the full staffing level required (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52149/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I am aware of ongoing concerns relating to this matter, it is not one in which I have a statutory function. RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster established under the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114(1) of the Act sets out the objects of RTÉ including the objective 'to establish and maintain orchestras, choirs and other cultural performing groups'. Section 98 of the Act establishes the independence of RTÉ in pursuance of its objects.
216. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expenditure by his Department by heading (details supplied) in each of the years since June 1997 to January 2011, in tabular form; and the miscellaneous expenditure not relating to set Department budgets pertaining to the headings. [52217/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been reconfigured on several occasions during the period 1997 - 2011. The information sought in the Question is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time to compile.
217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52243/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to 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 today over 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020. In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This 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 National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll-out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April.
There are approximately 33,000 premises in Monaghan. Just over 15,600 (47%) fall within the AMBER area and will be covered under the State led Intervention. Nearly 14,000 (42%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be covered by commercial providers, while approximately 3,500 (11%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be covered by eir's planned rural deployment.
Under this rural deployment, eir is bound to provide access to the premises included in the LIGHT BLUE areas of the Map, including the 3,500 premises in Co Monaghan. My Department is in regular contact with eir in relation this work and will continue this engagement with the aim of ensuring the requirements of the Commitment Agreement are met. According to information submitted to the Department as of September 2017, eir has passed over 1,200 premises in Monaghan as part of their rural deployment of high speed broadband.
Concerning the letter referenced by the Deputy, decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the roll-out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland, including County Monaghan, are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities and businesses that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. 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.
218. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make funding available to groups whose applications were invalidated due to minor technicalities that can easily be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52081/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the 2017 Programme was advertised my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which set out the Department’s minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding.
Applications were deemed invalid primarily for one or more of the following reasons:
- Title/Access requirements of the Sports Capital Programme were not satisfied;
- Evidence of own funding was not provided in the prescribed format;
- Insufficient own funding.
All applicants have now been contacted with details of the outcome of the assessment of their application, including details of why applications were deemed invalid. In the event that any organisation believes that an error has been made by my Department in deeming their application to be invalid, that organisation may seek to have that decision reviewed. Relevant organisations, whose cases have been deemed to be invalid, have been informed. It should be noted that there is currently no additional funding available for any further allocations under the programme.
219. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the funding for traffic calming at Kilcornan in County Limerick on the N69 will be approved; when the requested traffic calming scheme will be designed and put in place at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52095/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
220. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to address the safety concerns on the N2 road between Ardee and Castleblayney; the status of funding that was made available for safety upgrades; the works carried out to date; the further works that are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52138/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
221. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of parking spaces available; the number of annual parking permits being made available for sale for each station; the carpark occupancy rates at each station, for each of the train stations in north County Kildare (details supplied), in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52172/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the purchase of an annual parking permit at the commuter railway stations includes an implicit guarantee of spaces being available; if not, if there is compensation or a redress mechanism in place if a person with such a ticket is unable to use it due to a lack of capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52173/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to reserving a particular set of parking spaces for holders of annual parking permits within each high demand commuter railway station as a means to ensure spaces for those persons that have invested in and paid up front for such a space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52174/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 223, inclusive, together.
The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
224. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which his Department interacts with the private sector to obtain tourism statistics; if there is a continuous flow of information from the private sector to his Department in relation to tourism statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52176/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department make use of tourism statistics from a wide variety of sources to inform tourism policy analysis. Apart from the statistics produced by the CSO, as well as other sources such as the tourism agencies and international bodies, officials also monitor publications from the tourism industry on a continuous basis for information, statistical or otherwise, which may be of relevance to tourism policy.
225. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts being made in Dublin to ensure that tourism is seen as a positive and not a negative force as has been the case in some European cities in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52177/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the boards and management of the two tourism agencies - Tourism Ireland in regard to overseas tourism marketing and Fáilte Ireland in regard to regional tourism development and domestic tourism promotion. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the two tourism agencies for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
I would point out to the deputy that the significant social, cultural and economic benefits of tourism in Dublin and throughout Ireland forms a major part of my messaging at engagements here in Ireland and internationally. A vast amount of data related to the role of tourism in our economy is available from the CSO website.
226. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the figures and statistics available by county for tourism; if there is a regular update of these statistics by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52178/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, official statistics on tourism are published by the Central Statistics Office. The CSO does not publish tourism statistics on a county basis. It does, however, publish regional statistics for domestic tourism on a quarterly basis. Whilst the CSO does not currently publish regional statistics for overseas visitors, Fáilte Ireland uses CSO data to estimate regional figures for overseas visitors and associated revenue, which it publishes on an annual basis.
